Old Ghan Museum & Heritage Railway - Alice Springs

During our stay in Alice Springs we spent an interesting afternoon at the Old Ghan Museum and the National Road Transport Hall of Fame - these are located side by side near the airport.  

The Old Ghan Museum is at MacDonnell Siding where the old station and buildings have been converted in a museum relaying the history of the Ghan.  This section of the line reached Alice Springs in 1929 which became known as "The Ghan" - named after the Afghan camel drivers who had contributed to transport links in inland Australia.

There are lots of items on display relating to the building of the railway line and train travel over the years. In fact, there is so much to see that you really need to spend all day here trying to read all the information on the vast collection of memorabilia.  The display includes the station, museum, souvenir shop, tea rooms and restored locomotives and carriages - you can see how train travel was in the olden days. There is an entry fee which helps maintain displays.

The Old Ghan Tea Rooms are open between 9 am and 4 pm for breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.