IN 2001, a century-old dream was about to be realised: the completion of The Ghan railway.

Bestselling Australian author Judy Nunn has based many of her novels in remote locations across Australia.

When travelling on The Ghan three years ago with husband, author Bruce Venables, she was instantly inspired.

She said a long-held desire to set a novel in the centre of Australia was reignited as she watched the rich, red landscape rush past.

Spirits of the Ghan tells the tale of two people involved in completing The Ghan: Jess Manning, an indigenous Australian whose role as negotiator between the elders and the railway has earned her respect among all involved with the project, and Matthew Witherton, a senior surveyor overseeing the construction of the line.

Judy Nunn's career has involved acting, script-writing for television and radio and now prose.