DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Sydney

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

Days 2 to 4: Explore Sydney

The next few days are free for you to explore Sydney independently. This beautiful city has an iconic skyline that is instantly recognisable, with its famous Harbour Bridge and the ‘sails’ of the Sydney Opera House. Attending a performance here is memorable (you can even get tickets to go behind the scenes).

A Darling Harbour cruise to view the city skyline from the water is included. Other boat rides available include the scenic ferry to the relaxed beachside suburb of Manly, or to Cockatoo Island.

The historic Rocks district is known for its markets, cobblestone streets and great views of Harbour Bridge. If you are intrepid, you can climb to the top of the bridge. Alternatively ascend Sydney Tower in the city centre, which is twice the height of the bridge, for incredible views and the opportunity to walk along a glass-bottomed sky walk.

Other must-do experiences include people watching at famous Bondi Beach, and swimming in the landmark Bondi Icebergs rock pool. Afterwards you can meander along the 3.7 mile oceanfront walk from Bondi to Coogee, with its beaches, cliffs, parks and cafes, and treat yourself to a drink in the rooftop bar at the Coogee Pavilion.

At Sydney Zoo you will be able to view indigenous Australian wildlife such as the kangaroo, koala, dingo, wallaby, wombat, platypus, echidna (spiny anteater) and nocturnal Tasmanian devil. You can also see emu and an incredible array of colourful birds.

Other attractions include Paddy’s, the biggest market in the city, Sydney Fish Market and vibrant Chinatown. Circular Quay is known for its excellent gourmet dining and stunning harbour views. The Royal Botanic Gardens are the oldest in Australia, and you may also wish to visit the serene Chinese Garden of Friendship. The city has several world-class museums, including the Australia Museum which has a great natural history collection. Sports lovers can take in a game of cricket or rugby.

Outside the city you can take day trips to the vineyards of the Hunter Valley, or the stunning Blue Mountains with their indigenous wildlife and dramatic rock formations, including the Three Sisters (both less than 2 hours from Sydney).

Day 5: Fly to Adelaide

Transfer to Sydney airport for your flight to Adelaide, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 6: Explore Adelaide

Today is free to explore this lovely coastal city, that is the capital of South Australia. This charming and very walkable city 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 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 7: Embark on The Ghan

This morning transfer to Adelaide Railway Station in good time to board ‘The Ghan’, departing at noon. This iconic train journey will take you to Alice Springs in the heart of the Australian outback, retracing the footsteps of the Afghan camel traders from whence it got its name.

Settle in to your chosen private cabin, and make your way to the Queen Adelaide restaurant for lunch, accompanied by your choice of fine wine. As The Ghan rolls northwards, the farmlands of South Australia merge into Mallee Woodlands scrub and the magnificent Flinders Ranges will fade into the horizon. Enjoy the solitude from the comfort of your cabin, or join fellow travellers in the lounge car. Dinner this evening is a three course affair, enjoyed as darkness falls beyond the windows. The menu served focuses on outback gourmet cuisine including delights such as a South Australia seafood platter, regional lamb and a cheese board from the Barossa Valley and Limestone Coast.

Note: Gold Class cabin is quoted, but you can upgrade to Gold Superior or Platinum. Train departs from Adelaide every Sunday (and Wednesday, from June to August). You can also continue on the train to Darwin.

Day 8: Disembark in Alice Springs

Wake this morning with a reviving coffee or juice, as you witness a colourful outback sunrise at Marla in the remote reaches of South Australia. Once back on board brunch is served, with your choice of a light bite or something a little more indulgent.

Relax as The Ghan makes its way into Alice Springs in the afternoon. This heartland oasis gives you a glimpse into outback living of yesteryear, but also their unique lifestyle of today. Transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Day 9: Transfer to Uluru (Ayres Rock)

This morning take a shared 6 hour luxury coach transfer from Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayres Rock). Take in the rugged desert landscapes of the region, as you pass through the beautiful MacDonnell Ranges. The coach stops at Camels Australia camel farm, where you can learn about the impact camels had in opening up central Australia. Camels, ideally suited to the hot, dry climate of Australia’s interior, were imported in the 19th century and remained the principal means of outback transport until railways and roads were established. Here you will have the opportunity to ride a camel (pay locally).

While travelling through this remote country, your driver/guide will provide an informative and entertaining commentary. Learn about the natural and geological history of the region, and Australian desert flora and fauna such as the perentie monitor lizard, the thorny devil lizard and the red kangaroo. Also hear about the traditional customs and beliefs of the local Aboriginals.

There is time for a stop at Erldunda Roadhouse for a quick break, before viewing flat-topped Atila (Mount Conner) in the distance. Arrive at your resort rested, relaxed and ready to explore the amazing Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the late afternoon you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to a remote desert location, for a shared ‘Field of Light’ sunset experience. With majestic Uluru as the backdrop, enjoy canapés and chilled sparkling wine to the sounds of a didgeridoo, as the sun slowly sets. As darkness gradually falls and the coloured lights of 50,000 glass spheres come to life, enjoy a local indigenous welcoming performance and three-course bush tucker buffet dinner. A knowledgeable guide will provide insights into this monumental light installation and invite you to immerse yourself in the experience and walk through the field of lights. After dinner enjoy a sweet treat, hot chocolate or port in the darkness, whilst viewing the illuminated installation from the dune viewing area.

Day 10: At Leisure

Today is at leisure to relax and absorb the enormity and beauty of your surroundings.

Many optional activities are available today, including an early morning guided 10.5 km walk around the base of Uluru, starting from Kuniya Piti. Immerse yourself in the sounds of the desert awakening as the sun begins to rise, visit sites that are sacred to the Anangu people and view Aboriginal rock art. Also hear the sacred Tjukurpa (creation) story of the Mala people; the story of Lungkata, the cheeky blue-tongued lizard; and the story of Kuniya and Liru at the Mutitjulu Waterhole. If you are fortunate, after rains you will see the rare spectacle of a waterfall in the desert, when water flows down the side of Uluru and plunges into the Kantju Gorge below. 

Day 11: Fly to Melbourne

This morning leave Uluru and fly to the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne.

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 12 to 14: 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 scenic day tours along the Great Ocean Road and 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 15: 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 Gold Class (all inclusive) whilst on the train. All airport and train transfers are included. International and domestic 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. The FCO should also be consulted.