Tickets are on sale for the inaugural journeys on the Alice Springs to Darwin extension of the Great Southern Railway's (GSR) line between Adelaide and Alice.
The date for the first departure is still to be finalised but is expected to be some time in January 2004 and will feature community celebrations in Port Augusta, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine.
GSR chief executive, Stephen Bradford said: The inaugural journey from Adelaide to Darwin offers travellers to be part of history and one of the greatest rail tourism events of our time.
He added: Sales to date have been quite overwhelming and very encouraging.
The train service between Adelaide in South Australia and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory - referred to as the Ghan in recognition of the early Afghan cameleers who pioneered the journey into Central Australia - began in August 1929 and it was always intended to extend the line to Darwin.
However, apart from a light railway built between Darwin and Larrimah - which was opened in stages from 1889 to 1929 and closed in 1976 - trains never got to the Top End.
The new A$1.3bn, 1,420km extension of the Ghan line is well ahead of schedule, 80 per cent complete and will end Darwin's isolation from the rest of Australia's rail network.
Upon completion it will also make Australia the only country in the world to boast both north/south and east/west transcontinental rail journeys.
Off-train excursions will be available on the 47-hour, 2,979km trip, with certain ticket-types featuring an inclusive lunch and guided tour of the Alice Springs Desert Park during the train's layover in Alice Springs.
In Katherine, an optional tour of the Katherine Gorge will be available, by either boat or helicopter.
The Ghan will operate one weekly return service between Adelaide and Darwin and two weekly return services between Adelaide and Alice Springs.
Travel is available in either Gold - premium - or Red Kangaroo Service, with the former including complimentary hotel transfers in Darwin. Details: www.trainways.com.au
