DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Perth

Arrive in Perth where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Days 2 & 3: Explore Perth

The next few days are free to explore Perth, a major mining commercial centre and one of the world’s most isolated cities. It has a gorgeous setting along the winding Swan River and offers a sunny outdoor lifestyle, with some of Australia’s finest beaches. Sailing, swimming and fishing are all popular here.

Follow the waterside pathway along the Swan River, enjoy waterside dining at Elizabeth Quay or head out to the beaches of Scarborough or Cottesloe. 

A visit to the enormous Kings Park and Botanic Garden atop Mount Eliza is a must. From here you will have sweeping views over the city. You can also enjoy a leisurely cruise on Swan River, or take a day trip to Fremantle situated at the mouth of the river, with its rich maritime and convict history.

St. Mary's Cathedral is a grand neo-Gothic church, whilst the Bell Tower in Barrack Square (which looks like an alien spaceship) houses the original 14th century bells from Saint Martin-in-the-Fields church in London. Perth Cultural Centre houses the state ballet and opera, as well as the Art Gallery of Western Australia, whilst Perth Mint offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of gold mining.

Perth Zoo will introduce you to endemic Australian wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats and Tasmanian devils. About 12 miles northwest of the city, Hillarys Boat Harbour is a lovely marina with restaurants, shops and the fabulous Aquarium of Western Australia. 

Car-free Rottnest Island is idyllic for a day trip. It is home to the quokka (short-tailed scrub wallaby), a mini marsupial endemic to the island. You can also visit Pinnacles and Yanchep National Parks, with their strange rock formations, and enjoy an evening of star gazing in the Pinnacles Desert.

The beautiful wineries of the Swan Valley are just a short drive away.

Days 4 & 5: Margaret River

Today collect your hire car (although transfers can be arranged if preferred) and drive to pretty Margaret River in the southwest.

It’s an easy drive from Perth, with plenty of extraordinarily scenic places to stop off along the way. You can take a dolphin spotting cruise at Bunbury or stretch your legs in Busselton, with a stroll to the end of the longest timber piled jetty in the southern hemisphere.

You have two days to explore one of Australia’s finest wine regions, which is home to a plethora of award-winning wineries and craft breweries, artisan food producers and a thriving arts scene.

Alternatively enjoy walking along the coastline on the ‘Cape to Cape’ track. The beaches are simply spectacular, and here you will find some of the world’s tallest hardwood trees.

Day 6: Drive to Perth

Drive back to Perth today for one last night in the city.

Day 7: Embark on the Indian Pacific

Transfer to Perth Railway Station today to board the Indian Pacific train to Adelaide. Settle in to your private cabin and make your way to the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, where lunch will be served showcasing the best of Western Australian produce.

Named after the two oceans between which it travels, the Indian Pacific is an epic rail journey that will take you from Perth on the sparkling Indian Ocean, via a ghost town with a population of just four and across remote stretches of the Nullarbor Plain, to Adelaide. There is possibly no better way to fully appreciate the sheer scale of Australia than by crossing the continent by rail, following in the footsteps of the early adventurers who opened up the interior.

Watch the ever-changing view and prepare for your first off-train experience in the wild west town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, home to the Super Pit (an open cut gold mine) and offering a vibrant mix of gold rush history born in the 1880s and magnificent architecture.

Note: Gold Class cabin is quoted, but you can upgrade to Gold Superior or Platinum. Journey is available in either direction, departing from Perth every Sunday, or from Adelaide every Thursday.

Day 8: Cook & the Nullarbor

You will wake this morning to a vast horizon, as the Indian Pacific train makes its way across the sweeping Nullarbor Plain, where the stillness of the desert is disturbed only by the occasional mob of friendly kangaroos or birds circling high in the blue skies above.

After breakfast the train makes a short stop in Cook, with a population of just four! Back on board, continue your journey along Australia’s longest single stretch of railway through the Nullarbor – which gets its name from Latin, meaning ‘no trees’. There is something quite majestic about the sense of limitless time and space here. All meals are enjoyed on board today.

Day 9: Disembark in Adelaide

This morning the desert landscapes make way for the rolling countryside of South Australia.

On arrival in Adelaide you can start to enjoy this lovely coastal city, that is the capital of South Australia.

Day 10: Explore Adelaide

Today is free to explore this charming and very walkable city which has a thriving art scene, including the annual Adelaide Festival, and plays host to many sporting events.

Rundle Mall offers great shopping and some lovely architecture.  You can visit the bustling Central Market, take a cruise down the Torrens River, catch the tram to the seaside resort of Glenelg or relax in the lovely Botanic Gardens. The peaceful Himeji Japanese Garden is just outside the city centre.

The parklands that surround the Torrens River are home to many excellent museums including the Art Gallery of South Australia, which displays an expansive collection of indigenous art. The South Australian Museum has great natural history displays.

Carrick Hill is an historic English-style property situated at the foot of the Adelaide Hills, which regularly hosts art exhibitions. The Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute is Australia’s oldest Aboriginal-owned multi-arts centre, with fascinating art and cultural exhibitions.

Cleland Conservation Park is a 20 minute drive from the city centre. Mount Lofty offers panoramic views, and in Cleland Wildlife Park you can get up close to emus, koalas and other Australian native wildlife. The Waterfall Gully Reserve is also found here.

With over 80 cellars, the Barossa Valley winelands are some of the oldest in Australia and their wines are world famous. Just an 1 hour’s drive from the city, they are easily explored on a day tour.

Kangaroo Island, offshore from Adelaide, is home to indigenous wildlife such as sea lions, koalas and much diverse birdlife. It is a 20 minute flight from Adelaide (or 45 minutes by ferry from Cape Jervis) and is best visited on an escorted tour.

Day 11: Mount Gambier

You will be collected from your hotel today for the start of your small group escorted tour to Melbourne (maximum 8 guests).

We explore the Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf, before heading into wine country where you will have the opportunity to sample some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon around.

We continue to Mount Gambier which is well known for its topography - particularly its volcanic and limestone features, and its crater lakes. One of these, Blue Lake, turns cobalt blue in summer. Nearby, the Centenary Tower offers panoramic views of the area and the Umpherston Sinkhole contains a lush sunken garden. The Lady Nelson Visitor Centre houses a full size replica of a late 18th century ship.

Day 12: Great Ocean Road

We cross the state border into Victoria today, travelling towards the Shipwreck Coast. We visit Port Fairy, before calling into the Tower Hill Reserve where we hope to see emus, koalas, kangaroos and echidnas (spiny anteaters).

The Great Ocean Road starts with the impressive stacks at the Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands. We will also visit London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge. At the Twelve Apostles there is the opportunity to take a scenic helicopter flight over the coastline (own expense).

Day 13: Arrive in Melbourne

After breakfast we visit Great Otway National Park which covers parts of the rugged coastline, beaches and mountains of the Otway Ranges and has some lovely waterfalls. We follow an easy trail through this cool and temperate rainforest, walking past trees and ferns dating back millions of years.

Then it is on to Kennett River for the chance to spot koalas, with plenty of photo stops along the way. The afternoon is spent following the Surf Coast to Geelong, before arriving in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne in the late afternoon.

Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria and is regularly voted as one of the most liveable cities on earth, surrounded by a breathtaking coastline, soaring mountain ranges and wonderful wine regions.

Days 14 to 16: Explore Melbourne

The next few days are free to explore Melbourne independently.

With its tangle of hidden laneways, tree-lined promenades and grand Victorian buildings funded during the early Gold Rush, the city has a distinctly European feel. There is superb shopping, an eclectic arts scene, and foodies will find plenty to love with many chic cafes. Famous Aussie chefs flaunt their talents here, and you can feast on everything - from Greek, Italian and Indian cuisine to Spanish and Vietnamese fare.

Located opposite Flinders Street Station, a major public transport hub, ultra-modern Federation Square contrasts sharply with its surrounding Victorian architecture. With more than 2,000 events annually, you can always find entertainment here. Wandering the labyrinth of lanes and alleyways around Flinders, Collins and Bourke Streets is a must as here you will discover elegant, interesting, and quirky Melbourne at its best. The jewel in the crown is the magnificent Block Arcade in Collins Street. With its mosaic floor, period details and interesting shops, this is the place where late 19th century gentry promenaded, coining the phrase, "doing the block." It's worth queueing for a morning or afternoon tea at the Hopetoun Tearooms, a Melbourne icon that dates back to 1892 and the only remaining original shop.

A short stroll away, on the banks of the Tarra River, you will find the Arts Centre with its prominent spire and the Southbank Promenade, which is filled with indoor/outdoor cafés and restaurants. An arts and crafts market is held here every Sunday. The skydeck on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower offers superb views.

Docklands is Melbourne's newest waterfront entertainment precinct filled with cafés, restaurants, tourist attractions and parklands. The views from the giant observation wheel, the Melbourne Star, are spectacular. Here you will also find the Junior Wonderland amusement park, the Icehouse ice sports venue and Etihad Stadium. An art and vintage market is held along the waterfront every Sunday.

You can use the City Circle tram network to explore local neighbourhoods, take a boat ride along the Yarra River, stroll through beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens, visit the Queen Victoria Market or head out to the beach at St Kilda, where you will find the National Gallery of Victoria. The Melbourne Museum is a short tram ride from the city centre and Captain Cook’s Cottage (brought from Yorkshire) can be seen in Fitzroy Gardens. This city also has many famous sporting venues, including the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Melbourne Cup horse race, held on the first Tuesday in November, brings the entire nation to a standstill.

Outside the city, you can take a scenic day tour along the Mornington Peninsula, where you can combine seaside villages with boutique wineries and art galleries. Phillip Island is best known for its little penguins that emerge from the sea at dusk, but it is also home to the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. The Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs is where you’ll find many food and wine producers, and perhaps encounter the elusive platypus at Healesville Sanctuary. You can also take an early morning hot air balloon flight over the vineyards.

The Grampians is a region of stunning mountains, valleys and lakes with mountain biking and hiking trails, as well as superb wineries and art galleries. The Gippsland region offers gold rush history in Walhalla, the unspoilt beaches of Croajingolong National Park and the little-visited Wilsons Promontory, known for its rugged granite mountains and abundant wildlife, including kangaroos and wombats.

Day 17: Fly Home

Transfer to Melbourne airport for your flight home.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a room only basis, and all inclusive whilst on the train. All airport and train transfers are included, as well as car hire to Margaret River. International flights are not included and will be quoted separately.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance and an appropriate driving licence. The FCO should also be consulted.