Explore the southwest corner of Western Australia, from the white, sandy coastlines of Esperance to the verdant vineyards of the Margaret River region. Then, embark on the rail journey of a lifetime aboard the Indian Pacific and cross Australia from Perth to Sydney, stopping in the Barossa Valley and Blue Mountains along the way.
From the shores of Esperance, cruise to the Recherche Archipelago, home to eight jewel-like islands home to spectacular wildlife including New Zealand fur seals, Australian sea lions and Cape Barren geese, while the waters are home to common and bottlenose dolphins and species of whales (season dependent).
Take a tour of the Ngilgi Caves, starting with a guided bushwalk before an enchanting didgeridoo performance inside the caves, the music enhanced by the natural acoustics.
(Images courtesy of Koomal Dreaming)
Savour a gourmet lunch crafted with ingredients sourced from local growers and producers at Aravina Estate in the Margaret River region, alongside a tasting of the estate's single-vineyard wines.
(Images courtesy of Tourism Western Australia)
Set off on an iconic rail journey across the Nullarbor aboard the revered Indian Pacific train, which whisks you between Perth and Sydney in style.
Arrive in Perth and this evening enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Make the journey to Hyden today, home to Wave Rock. Over 2.7 billion years old, 15 metres high and running the length of over 100 metres, this striped granite rock formation appears like an ocean breaker frozen in time. A stone's throw from Wave Rock is Hippo's Yawn, a large rock formation that closely resembles a yawning hippo. Enjoy time to take photos of this intriguing landmark before continuing on to your accommodation for the night.
Journey to Kalgoorlie today, Australia's largest outback town, where more than half of the gold mined in Australia is sourced.
Signature Experience - Super Pit Mine Tour
Take a tour of the Super Pit, Australia’s largest gold-producing mine. The tour features a stop at the brand-new private lookout that affords sweeping panoramas of the mine, which is said to be grand enough to be viewed from space.
Begin your day with a gentle walk up to Red Hill Lookout where views of Lake Lefroy, one of the area's most stunning white salt lakes, awaits in all its gleaming glory. Afterwards, continue southbound to the seaside town of Esperance. This enchanted corner of Western Australia boasts sugar-white coastlines, turquoise waves and wildflower-dotted heathlands. On arrival, check-in to your exclusive, adults-only chalet accommodation.
Enjoy a Signature Experience this morning before continuing to Cape Le Grand National Park to explore its ancient, rugged coastline. Visit Thistle Cove and Lucky Bay, where you may encounter resident kangaroos that frequent the beach. If you wish to cool off, enjoy a refreshing dip in the bay before heading over to Whistling Rock, a rocky monolith named for the sounds it emits on a windy day.
Signature Experience - Esperance Wildlife Cruise
Join a scenic wildlife cruise reveals the incredible natural landscapes of Esperance and the islands off its coast. Set off from Taylor's Jetty to the Recherche Archipelago, home to New Zealand fur seals, Australian sea lions, Cape Barren geese and bottlenose dolphins. During your cruise, enjoy the opportunity to snorkel in some of the world's clearest waters.
Journey west along the coast towards Albany today. En route, stop at Stirling National Park, renowned for its wildflowers which cause a riot of colour across the landscape between August and October. It's within this natural wonderland that you'll visit Bluff Knoll Lookout and admire 360-degree views of the eucalyptus forest, banksia trees and misty mountains. Continue to Albany.
Begin your day in Albany with a visit to the National Anzac Centre, where you will enjoy an immersive experience following the lives of 32 Anzac characters from pre-war life to Gallipoli and beyond. The museum is well-known as one of Australia's most significant museums that honours the Anzac legend. Afterwards, continue to the Albany Historic Whaling Station, which was the last operating station in Australia. Here, gain an insight into Albany's history through captivating short films, whaling artefacts and memorabilia, as well as the giant blue whale skeleton.
Later, follow the call of the Southern Ocean and venture to The Gap and Natural Bridge, a channel and natural lookout set among the coastal granites of Torndirrup National Park. It's here you can access a viewing platform set 40 metres above the ocean and gaze out over crashing waves and sea-sprayed cliffs.
This morning will prove to be a feast for the senses. Discover Manjimup, a town once coined as timber country, now a hotspot for keen gourmands thanks to its abundance of fresh produce, in particular its Périgord truffles. Learn more about Australia's largest exporter of truffles at Hound and Hunter, where you will enjoy an in-depth truffle talk alongside delicious tastings and morning tea.
Continue to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse for a guided tour. Located at the most south-westerly point of mainland Australia, you are perfectly positioned to watch the meeting of two mighty oceans: the Southern and the Indian. During your tour of this still-working lighthouse, gain an insight into the local maritime history and learn how this landmark was first constructed. Later, arrive in the Margaret River region where you will enjoy dinner this evening.
Signature Experience -
Following a special Signature Experience, savour lunch and a wine tasting at Aravina Estate, a single-vineyard winery renowned for its exceptional cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, thanks to the region's enviable Mediterranean climate. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps taking advantage of your hotel's facilities with a refreshing dip in the pool, or strolling along the nearby beach.
Signature Experience - Ngilgi Caves Cultural Tour
Tour of the Ngilgi Caves, starting with a bushwalk accompanied by a guide who will identify the various Indigenous plants, foods and medicines that have been utilised by the Wadandi people for thousands of years.
Continue to the town of Busselton this morning, stopping en route at the award-winning Gabriel Chocolate to sample delicious cacao creations crafted at the Yallingup factory. At the seaside city of Busselton, join an included Underwater Observatory tour, descending eight metres below the surface of Geographe Bay to glimpse life below the waves: tropical and sub-tropical coral gardens, colourful fish, a variety of sea sponge and more. Afterwards, enjoy time at leisure to explore your lunch options before the return journey to Perth where you will celebrate your journey with a memorable farewell dinner.
Enjoy the day to explore Perth at your leisure. You might like to elevate your experience with a morning Swan River cruise with wine tastings (own expense).
Enrich Your Experience – Swan River Cruise
Set off on a morning cruise along the Swan River towards the Swan Valley, Perth's famed wine region only 25 minutes from the city. Onboard, savour a guided wine tasting before a shared platter lunch with wine. Explore the Swan Valley by coach, traversing wine country to two premium wineries for more tastings and a cheeseboard, a chocolaterie to sample decadent chocolate, and a brewery for shared snacks and beer (own expense).
Today, return to Perth and transfer to the East Perth Terminal to board the iconic Indian Pacific, your rolling home for the next four nights on your journey across Australia.
Arriving in Kalgoorlie this morning, you’ll step into the Australia’s outback and its rich gold-rush history. Visit the Super Pit, one of the world’s largest open-cut gold mines, where a new private lookout offers a sweeping view of this vast excavation site. Take in the scale of the mining operations before reboarding your train, ready to embark on the great crossing of the Nullarbor Plain. This afternoon, unwind on board as the endless ochre landscapes unfold beyond your window. You may like to sit down for a barista-made coffee or glass of wine in the Outback Explorer Lounge, watching as the land unfolds beyond the carriage windows. Your train crosses into South Australia and stops in the small town of Cook this evening, where you’ll enjoy a late-night bonfire and stargazing experience with a nightcap.
Red wine connoisseurs rejoice as your train glides to South Australia's Barossa Valley, home to the world's oldest continuously producing shiraz, grenache, mataro, cabernet sauvignon and semillon vines. En route, pass the Flinders Range, Spencer Gulf and the Adelaide Plaines before rolling to a stop. The Barossa Valley boasts more than 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors of which you have an abundance of wine tastings to choose from. This evening, indulge in an exclusive wine pairing experience in Seppeltsfield Winery’s vintage cellar. Your chef will serve locally sourced meals, each paired perfectly with a glass of wine. Following dinner, return to the Indian Pacific for the next leg of your trip.
During the night your train crosses the border into New South Wales, coming to a stop in Broken Hill by morning. Known for its stark outback landscape, there is so much more to Broken Hill than meets the eye. The town is home to a vibrant arts scene, fascinating mining history and a unique gin distillery. After breakfast on board, disembark and spend time exploring one of Australia's most famous Outback towns on an array of available Off Train Experiences. After time in the Silver City, return to your train for lunch as your train continues through regional New South Wales. Spend the remainder of the day indulging in your onboard facilities: perhaps unwind in the Outback Explorer Lounge with a drink while watching the scenery transform outside the carriage windows. Dinner this evening is in the onboard Queen Adelaide Restaurant, which echoes the sophisticated golden era of train travel with white tablecloths, decadent dishes and a selection of wines.
After breakfast, farewell the Indian Pacific and board a coach for the World-Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Admire the famous mountains shrouded in a smoky haze, caused by the fine oil released into the air by the giant eucalyptus trees that blanket the landscape. Here, enjoy the luxury of choice of how you’d like to explore. Perhaps admire 360-degree views on the Scenic Skyway or Scenic Cableway, embark on the steepest passenger railway in the world aboard the Scenic Railway, or join a guided walk to a spectacular viewpoint. Savour a light lunch at the nearby Echo Point Lookout in Katoomba, before returning to Sydney via a chartered New South Wales rail service. Your exciting journey comes to an end on arrival in Sydney.
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