Documentary exploring the railway that runs 2979 kilometres from one side of the country to the other, beginning in suburban Adelaide and terminating in the tropical coastal town of Darwin. The route took 127 years to construct, with the work carried out by local Aboriginal surveyors and early immigrants, including the famous Afghan camel drivers, after whom the train is named. To complete the route in its entirety takes 54 hours, and includes a lengthy journey through the Outback and Australia's red centre. The programme examines how the railway led to the development of many central Australian towns, including Port Augusta and Alice Springs.