Was it the best night's sleep ever? Not really but so much better than our China train experience. And the luxury of the sunrise from our own viewing windows was worth it.

And to be honest, there was another bunk above the 3/4 bed, but I had rejected that one out of hand just to have the fun of making the one bed option work. It was a little bit funny at 2.30 when I had to clamber over Mac for the nightly toilet run, but with a bit of a giggle and a stretch it all worked out.

We had to repack everything ready to disembark after breakfast at Alice Springs. We are getting good at this light weight overnight option. The total trip on The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide is a three day two night journey of 54 hours covering 2979 kms. We have opted for a broken journey with two days in Alice, four in Uluru and then a return to Alice for one more night via Kings Canyon. Gives us time to see a little bit more of The Centre.

Breakfast was another feast in the dining room, this time with well travelled grandparents who are part of that ever growing support network for raising grandchildren. We couldn't buy into that conversation but these Melbournites were well travelled and we had many stories to share and compare about Canada and the US. Breakfast was an extremely leisurely affair and true to form the big breakfast and the eggs benedict were delicious!

And again, last to leave but timed it perfectly because the train was just pulling into Alice as we returned to the cabin. It was a quick transfer to the Chifley Resort after being welcomed to town by Meredith the Town Crier. At only 10 degrees, with a bit of a breeze, this was certainly our coldest start to the day.

Dropped our luggage at the Chifley Resort (along with a billion others) and headed for the centre of town to book some tours. All sold out for the afternoon, but we do have an all day tour secured for tomorrow. Sort of handy actually because we are a little travel weary and I am sporting a very annoying head cold complete with disgusting sneezing fits and a tap dripping nose.

So it was a walk around town, a lunch stop and some non buying in souvenir shops, a stop at the chemist and then a relaxing afternoon of recovery to freshen us up.

Dinner at the Barra on Todd was scrumptious. And as "Barra" was their signature dish Mac had to go that way and order Thai style whole baked fish. He has eaten so much barramundi I'm going have to check him for gills and scales. Squid and steak for me, washed down with a bottle of blush bubbly and rounded out with the best ever salted caramel and fudge sundae.

We called it quits around 11, cranked the heat up to a crazy 24 to beat the chill in the air in the room and it was literally lights out.

We've got 7 days of outback adventure before joining The Ghan again.