This Australian city provides more than a few surprises to entertain a family, writes Sue Hoffart.

Greg Ansley finds The Ghan offers luxury in unforgiving wilderness.

Named after the Afghan camel drivers who once traversed Australia, The Ghan is a two-day train journey linking Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin. The journey takes two nights in either direction and is a great way to see Australia's Red Centre and tropical north.

The town of Coober Pedy in South Australia is known as the opal capital of the world because of the quantity of the precious gems that have been mined there since they were first found in 1915.