Across Australia by Rail and Road

Arrive in Perth and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore – stretch your legs in Kings Park or stroll along the banks of the Swan River.

Today you’ll have the opportunity to meet the quokkas of Rottnest Island. Known for their curious nature and photogenic appeal, these endearing little marsupials are found only in South West Australia. Your full day tour includes return boat transfers from Perth via the Swan River, lunch on Rottnest, and a guided 90-minute boat tour around the island – keep your eyes peeled for marine wildlife as you explore secluded bays and pristine beaches.

Collect your rental car this morning and make your way south to Margaret River, one of Australia’s best-known wine regions as well as boasting some spectacular beaches. Along the way don’t miss Bunbury’s Dolphin Discovery Centre, the impressively long Busselton Jetty, and the beautiful Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park with its iconic lighthouse.

A wine tour is included today, offering the chance to learn about Margaret River’s first wine estate, Vasse Felix. Your guide will share the vineyard’s unique history and explain the details of organic viticulture, before the chance to enjoy a tasting.

Enjoy a full day at leisure – there’s plenty to do in and around Margaret River. Hike through national parks and towering forests, discover pristine beaches, and head south to the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, perched on a spectacular headland where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet. Explore the region’s many caves, keep watch for whales (Jun-Nov) or relax and indulge in locally-produced food, wine and craft beer.

Make your way back into Perth today, where you will return you rental car and enjoy a night in the city.

This afternoon you’ll be transferred to the railway station to board the iconic Indian Pacific for your 4,352km trans-continental journey east across Australia. As you set off the city suburbs will soon give way to agricultural land and then the outback Goldfields. Enjoy the sights rolling past as you get to know your fellow-travellers and onboard team over dinner.

Awake in your cabin to sunrise over the mighty Nullarbor Plain before pulling into Kalgoorlie. Here you have a choice of off-train experiences – tour the Gold Mine Super Pit, delve into the region’s gold mining history, or meet some of the local characters on a Kalgoorlie town tour. Continue your journey through the Outback, crossing the South Australia border to reach the ghost town of Cook. Step off the train for a nightcap under an endless canopy of stars.

Enjoy the ever-changing scenery as you continue east past the Flinders Ranges, Spencer Gulf and Adelaide Plains. On arrival in the Barossa Valley you’ll disembark for a memorable evening at the famous Seppeltsfield Estate Winery. Enjoy a signature dining experience with wine pairings in the vintage cellar, learn about the history of the Barossa, and witness a ‘Firing of the Barrel display’ before returning to the train for another night on the tracks.

Overnight you’ll have crossed the border into New South Wales, where a choice of experiences await in the outback town of Broken Hill. You can opt for a city tour, learn about local bushtucker, visit the silver mine, enjoy a painting workshop or pay homage to Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, with a unique walking tour led by a local drag artist. Swap tales with your fellow-travellers as you re-board the train for lunch and your onward journey.

This morning you’ll wake up in the picturesque Blue Mountains. Choose your preferred experience – take in the views by Scenic Skyway and the world’s steepest Railway, learn about local culture on an Indigenous experience, take a guided hike to Echo Point, or soak up the views over a sumptuous High Tea. Return to the train for the final leg of your epic rail adventure, disembarking at Sydney Central Station. You’ll be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for a 4-night stay.

Today you’ll swap the rails for the water as you head out onto one of the world’s most famous harbours. Board your 10-passenger boat for an intimate afternoon cruise. As well as the famous sights you’ll also explore hidden coves and national park waterways, home to Sydney’s resident penguin and seal colonies. As you cruise your skipper will fill you in on the many stories of this historic harbour. Lunch is included today at the CYCA, Sydney’s most prestigious private yacht club.

Enjoy a couple of days at leisure to explore Sydney at your own pace – perhaps visit the Opera House, climb the iconic Harbour Bridge, or take a stroll around the Botanic Gardens. Meander through the cobbled streets of The Rocks, take a surf lesson at Bondi Beach, or stretch your legs on the scenic Bondi to Coogee Coastal Trail. Or just relax over a leisurely lunch at the new waterside precinct of Barangaroo, with its incredible selection of restaurants and stunning harbour views.

Collect your rental car this morning and make your way north to Port Stephens. Perhaps take a scenic detour to Wyrrabalong National Park to stretch your legs on the Coast Walking Track. Continue to Port Stephens, with its stunning beaches, sand dunes, and a vast bay which attracts grey nurse sharks and dolphins among other marine life.

Follow the coast north to Coffs Harbour for an overnight stay. Best known for its ‘Big Banana’, the region has a long history of growing tropical fruit. A drive up to the nearby Niigi Niigi Sealy Lookout is recommended – take a stroll out along the Forest Sky for panoramic views, from mountains to the ocean.

Today’s drive will bring you to the laidback beach paradise of Byron Bay. Once known as a hippy hangout, this eclectic resort town boasts beautiful beaches backed by a rainforest hinterland, and has a thriving and innovative food scene.

Spend the day at leisure – perhaps take a sunrise walk to Australia’s most easterly point, marked by the Cape Byron Lighthouse. Learn to surf or try yoga on the beach, visit a local distillery, or cruise in search of dolphins or migratory whales (May-Nov).

Today’s drive will take you across the state border into Queensland. The city of Brisbane offers an outdoor lifestyle, centred around the Brisbane River which flows under the famous Story Bridge and out into Moreton Bay. Drop off your rental car on arrival and settle in for a 2-night stay.

Spend the day exploring Brisbane. Take a stroll through the City Botanic Gardens, board a scenic water taxi cruise along the river, or climb the Story Bridge. Perhaps enjoy a culture fix at the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art, before refuelling at one of the city’s many roof-top bars and restaurants.

Transfer to the airport today for your domestic flight to Hamilton Island (flights not included). With its sandy beaches, bustling marina and surrounding coral reef, Hamilton is the ideal base for exploring the Whitsundays, an archipelago of 74 islands in the southern Great Barrier Reef. On arrival you’ll be collected and transferred to your accommodation for a 3-night stay.

After a leisurely morning make your way to the marina for your scenic cruise through the Whitsundays to Whitehaven Beach. Whitsunday Island is the largest of the group and home to the famous white silica sands of Whitehaven. Hike the Solway Circuit to enjoy spectacular views, before cooling off with a paddle or a swim in the azure ocean. Return to Hamilton Island by boat.

Enjoy a full day at leisure – you may wish to book a scenic helicopter flight over Heart reef, cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef for a snorkelling adventure, or take advantage of the complimentary SUPs and kayaks at Catseye Beach. Or simply relax by the pool with a cocktail in hand!

Bid farewell to your island paradise today as you board the flight back to Brisbane and transfer to your hotel for a final night in the city.

You’ll be transferred back to the airport today for your onward journey. Or alternatively, speak to our Aussie Specialists about extending your stay and exploring more of Australia’s diverse landscapes.