Does a 2,979km, 48 hour train ride across the Australian continent sound like your cup of tea? Then say hello the ‘The Ghan’ – Australia’s legendary passenger train that connects Darwin and the Northern Territory with Adelaide in South Australia. Completed in 1878, the service was nicknamed ‘the Afghan Express‘ as a homage to the many Afghan cameleers that supplied the construction of the railroad and telegraph lines in the harsh Australian desert.
The distinctive red locomotive and logo of the train is seen here thanks to Flickr user Kritta. Great shot!
If you’re in the region and riding in a train across the desert sounds too passive (and sane), then check out South Australia’s Simpson Bike Challenge! The race begins today and goes until October 2nd; covering over 590km of sand dunes and lots of other terrain you’d never want to bike through.