Indian Pacific Train with Sydney & Perth

Today is your chance to tick off the must-see sights of Sydney and enjoy travelling at your own pace. Sydney Big Bus tours provide the perfect introduction to the city, and the best photo opportunities of famous landmarks from the top deck. Hop off to explore hidden gems in the Queen Victoria Building or The Rocks, and don’t miss the iconic Sydney highlights of Darling Harbour, like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

After convenient pick-up in Sydney, voyage into the heart of the Blue Mountains - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop at Echo Point lookout, offering magnificent views of the renowned Three Sisters rock formation. Visit Scenic World, home to the world’s steepest railway, highest cable car in Australia and a self-guided rainforest boardwalk. Lunch is included and enjoy a visit to Featherdale for an Australian Wildlife Experience.

Check out of your hotel this morning and make your own way to the railway station by taxi. Your transcontinental adventure begins at Sydney’s Central Station, where you board the Indian Pacific. As the train winds through the breathtaking Blue Mountains, sit down for your first meal on board – a regionally-inspired dinner paired with all-inclusive beverages.

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Settle in for an epic journey from Sydney to Perth that takes you along the longest stretch of straight railway track in the world. It's a journey of contrasts, encompassing some of Australia's most beautiful and diverse landscapes including the magnificent Blue Mountains and the vast empty expanse of the Nullarbor Plain.

You arrive in the Silver City of Broken Hill as the day begins, where you embark on a morning of Off-Train Experiences. Lunch is served on board as the Indian Pacific enters the southern tip of the spectacular and ancient Flinders Ranges. Arriving in the city of Adelaide in the afternoon, you have the choice of a tour of the city, a visit to the world-famous Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale (seasonal) wine regions, or a trip to the beautiful Adelaide Hills featuring the culinary delights of Hahndorf.

You’ll awake to the seemingly endless expanse of the Nullarbor Plain. Breakfast is served as you travel along the longest stretch of straight railway track in the world. This evening, enjoy the tranquility of dinner off the train and under the stars in the remote and beautiful Rawlinna (seasonal).

Breakfast is served as you glide through the colourful patchwork of rolling hills of the Avon Valley on your way to Perth, arriving after a final lunch aboard the Indian Pacific. Upon arrival in Perth, catch a taxi from the railway station to your hotel. The remainder of the day to free to enjoy your hotel and its facilities, or begin to explore the neighbourhood and central Perth.

Begin with a guided tour to see the city highlights of Perth, including the Botanic Gardens at Kings Park, WACA cricket ground, historic Perth Mint, Swan Bell Tower, Royal Yacht club and St Georges Road, before heading to Fremantle. Here, take lunch at your leisure (own expense), peruse the shops and markets or soak up the charming sandstone buildings. Enjoy a 1-hour tram ride taking in many of the sights of Fremantle before joining the river cruise from Fremantle to Perth. Sample wines and enjoy complimentary tea and coffee as you appreciate the stunning views cruising back into Perth.

Today is free to explore Perth at your leisure. You may wish to retrace your steps from yesterday’s tour to spend longer at places of interest, or take your time to discover new sights and head to one of the city’s famous beaches.

First, we travel north along quiet back roads to arrive at West Coast Honey to learn about all things honey-related. Then onwards to the coastal town of Lancelin, passing huge sand dunes to arrive at the Lancelin Beach Hotel for an included lunch. We then travel to the iconic Nambung National Park in the town of Cervantes for a guided, easy paced walk through the mystical Pinnacles Desert – a truly iconic Western Australia landscape. Discover the moon-like sandscape of these fascinating limestone formations. If time permits, be sure to make a visit to the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre to learn about the Pinnacles and the cultural and natural heritage of the area. Return to Perth down the Indian Ocean Drive arriving at approximately 6pm.

Visit spectacular Rottnest Island, the “Emerald Isle in a Sea of Sapphire”, only 19 kilometres off the mainland coast. Join a comprehensive guided tour of the island, allowing you to explore the stunning beauty of this A-Class natural reserve in air-conditioned comfort. Take in the amazing fauna and flora of the island, stunning beaches, woodlands and incredible salt lakes – commencing with a unique historic train ride. 

This 4-hour island tour takes in all of Rottnest’s must-see locations featuring the Wadjemup Lighthouse, Henrietta Rocks, Oliver Hill Gun Fortification and Tunnels and the majestic look-out point at the rugged Cathedral Rocks and Cape Vlamingh. All major habitats are covered on this amazing tour, including Rottnest’s cultural and historical heritage ranging from maritime and military history right up to future developments. Finish the day by exploring the island settlement or enjoy a drink at the Rottnest Quokka Arms Pub.

Today’s full day tour travels south from Perth, driving through farmland with grazing cattle and passing by coastal towns. Arriving at Busselton, known as the gateway to the Margaret River Region, we stop for morning tea (own expense) at the iconic Busselton Jetty, the longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere. Driving into the heart of the region we head to one of Margaret River’s oldest breweries for a gourmet platter lunch of local produce, with complimentary beer and cider tastings. 

Following lunch, we continue south through the forest to an internationally renowned winery to taste some of their best award-winning wines, whilst gaining some industry insight on wine production with the opportunity to purchase. Next, it’s on to Mammoth Cave for a guided tour through this gothic cave with vast chambers that reveal fascinating information on the region’s flora and fauna. Continuing south, through the Boranup Forest of enormous Karri Trees we reach the most fascinating part of the region Augusta. Here at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, marvel at the dividing point between the Southern and Indian Oceans, a rare phenomenon to view the meetings of the two Oceans. Then we head north up to the township of Margaret River for a brief stop to stroll the main street. After a long but fantastic day giving you a full taste of this wonderful region, we break at a restaurant en route for a light dinner (own expense), then it’s back to Perth arriving at approximately 9:30pm.

It’s time to check out of your hotel this morning and farewell beautiful Perth. If you are flying out today, please make your own way by taxi to the airport for your flight home.