Descrizione
Travel on the original Ghan railway through the heart of Australia in this remarkable 1978 documentary from the Film Australia Collection.
Ghan to Alice follows father-and-son rodeo riders Bill and Jim Willoughby as they travel from Marree in South Australia to the famous Alice Springs Rodeo. Their journey aboard the historic Ghan takes them through remote desert landscapes, past outback settlements and across country once travelled by the Afghan cameleers whose legacy gave the train its name.
Filmed shortly before the original railway route was replaced, this documentary preserves a unique chapter of Australian transport history. Along the way, viewers experience life aboard one of Australia's most iconic trains, encounter the vast landscapes of Central Australia and witness the excitement of rodeo culture in the Red Centre.
Ghan to Alice captures the rhythms and rituals of outback travel in the late 1970s. Dining-car announcements, remote railway operations, wild camels on the plains and riders preparing for the Alice Springs Rodeo create a vivid snapshot of regional Australia at a moment of change.
Fascinated by Australia's railway history? Explore more classic transport documentaries in our Railways & Trains playlist, featuring rare archival films about the people, places and journeys that helped connect Australia. Watch next: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL30B498C5DE275129
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:36 Meet Bill and Jim Willoughby
02:01 Heading to Marree
04:30 The Story of the Ghan
05:06 Life Aboard the Train
08:21 Crossing the Desert Country
09:27 Wild Camels of the Outback
11:11 Building the Railway
12:12 A Stop Along the Line
15:32 Railway Operations in the Outback
17:08 Life on the Journey
19:39 Arriving for Rodeo Weekend
20:01 The Alice Springs Rodeo
22:32 Bull Riding Competition
25:00 Rodeo Finals and Reflections
From the Film Australia Collection, National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
Title: Ghan to Alice
Year: 1978
NFSA ID: X3Q15F54
Catalogue ID: 32740
Credits:
Production Company: Film Australia
Director: Curtis Levy
Producer: Peter Johnson
Commentary: Bill Willoughby
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