Itinerary

Tuesday 7 February Depart LHR at 11.10 on Qantas Flight 32 to Singapore. Wednesday 8 February Depart Singapore 0900 on Qantas Flight 72 for our 4.5 hr flight to Perth, arriving 1510 into Perth and transferring to our city centre hotel. Overnight in Novotal Perth Langley Hotel.

Thursday 9 February (B,D) A full day of touring in Perth, including a cruise on the Swan River. Welcome meal. Overnight in Novotal Perth Langley.

Friday 10 February (B) Morning at leisure in Perth, before transferring to catch a lunchtime Quantas flight direct to Alice Springs. On arrival we transfer to our overnight accommodation in Alice Springs with time to explore the city centre and its restaurants. Overnight in Crowne Plaza.

Saturday 11 February (B,D) Depart Alice Springs and visit the Camel Farm. This afternoon, drive out to the magnificent domes of Kata Tjuta and walk deep into Walpa (Olga) Gorge before enjoying a 5 course gourmet “Sounds of Silence” dinner in the Australian bush overlooking Ayers Rock (Uluru) as the sun sets. Overnight in the Voyages Desert Garden Hotel in Ayers Rock village.

Sunday 12 February (B,D) Sunrise at Uluru whilst enjoying a basket breakfast. Take a ranger guided walk to Mutitjulu waterhole. Tour the base of Uluru and learn about the geology and flora of the region on the guided Mala Walk. Visit the Cultural Centre and the Maruku Arts and Craft Co-operative. This afternoon travel to Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park. Overnight in Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge

Monday 13 February (B) Guided walk to the rim of Kings Canyon (requires a good degree of fitness). Alternatively, join an easier walk along the canyon floor. Continue on to Alice Springs, and transfer to Alice Springs Airport to meet the late afternoon Quantas flight to Darwin. Arrive Darwin 1900 hrs and transfer to our city centre hotel. Overnight in the Crowne Plaza.

Tuesday 14 February (B,L) A full day to explore this area, including a city tour to take in the main highlights and a visit to the nearby Litchfield National Park where we will have lunch. Evening cruise on Yellow Waters Lagoon. Overnight in the Crowne Plaza.

Wednesday 15 February (B,L,D) An included transfer by coach to Darwin railway station to start our journey on The Ghan. In the afternoon there is an optional river cruise on a whistle stop tour in Katherine Gorge with the opportunity of seeing aboriginal rock art. As well as being able to enjoy the facilities of our private lounge, our meals will be served to us in the onboard restaurant car, and there is a club car to relax in, in the evening. Overnight on The Ghan in either Gold Service or Private Carriage.

Thursday 16 February (B,L,D) We arrive in Alice Springs and will have a private coach to take us to the key highlights of this famous city. This will include the restored Telegraph Station, which was the reason for establishing the settlement; the School of the Air and Flying Doctor Service. We return to the train for our onward journey towards Adelaide, enjoying a second evening meal in the restaurant car. Overnight on The Ghan in either Gold Service or Private Carriage.

Friday 17 February (B) We alight from The Ghan at Port Augusta and transfer to a luxury coach to take us to the famous Pichi Richi Railway (enjoying a breakfast box from The Ghan en-route) which we will traverse in full before proceeding by coach to our city centre hotel in Adelaide. Overnight at the Holiday Inn.

Saturday 18 February (B,L) We have a full day’s touring today – including a city tour, a guided visit to the renowned Rail Museum in the Port area and a visit to the vineyards in the Adelaide Hills. Overnight at the Holiday Inn.

Sunday 19 February (B) A day to explore this attractive Australian city with its art galleries, museums and parks. Overnight at the Holiday Inn.

Monday 20 February (B) Transfer from the hotel to Adelaide Station for our journey to Melbourne in the Red Premium Service of The Overland Train. Spectacular scenery en-route. On arrival in Melbourne Station we transfer to our Central Melbourne hotel for overnight accommodation. Overnight at Crowne Plaza.

Tuesday 21 February (B,L) We proceed to the Puffing Billy Railway by coach, (option for independent travel using Melbourne Metro service) where we will have a “behind the scenes” tour of their main engineering facilities before boarding our private dining car for a gourmet lunch whilst traversing the route. At the other end of the line we will be met by our coach to take us on a tour of the scenic Dandenong Mountains. Overnight in Melbourne Crowne Plaza.

Wednesday 22 February (B) An early morning transfer to the rail terminal in order to catch the XPT (based on the British HST) train to Canberra via Cootamundra. Catering facilities are available on the train. We overnight in the Novotel Canberra.

Thursday 23 February (B) A full day’s sightseeing in Australia’s capital city, including a visit to the outstanding Australian War Memorial, and Parliament House. Independent visits to the Canberra Rail Museum or National Art Gallery are possible. Overnight in the Novotel Canberra.

Friday 24 February Our early morning train, the Xplorer, departs from Canberra Railway Station direct to Sydney. Dining facilities are available on the train. On arrival, we transfer by foot to our hotel, conveniently situated just outside the railway terminus. Overnight in the Marque Hotel.

Saturday 25 February (B) A full day to explore this captivating city, starting with an inclusive city tour in the morning and free time for visits to places of personal interest, such as the historical centre of Sydney. This evening, for example, offers the ideal opportunity to attend a performance at the Sydney Opera House. Overnight in the Marque Hotel.

Sunday 26 February (B) An early morning departure on the fast train to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. We will transfer our bags to the Carrington Hotel close to the Station and board our “London Bus” to take us straight to Scenic World, complete with its Skyway, steepest cable car in the world, and nature trail boardwalk. Clients will then receive complimentary tickets for the “Explorer London Bus Service” which operates a day-long service linking places of interest in Leura Village, built in colonial style. Highlights include beautiful gardens and an extensive toy museum. The bus service has a stop immediately outside our stunning restored Victorian hotel in Katoomba, and there is an option to dine tonight in the beautiful dining room. Overnight in the Carrington Hotel.

Monday 27 February (B) The highlight of our day is the visit to the Zig Zag Railway and an optional stop at one of the largest antique rail toyshops in the world. Free time to further explore Katoomba. Overnight in the Carrington Hotel.

Tuesday 28 February (B) An optional visit to a local rail museum which used to be an engine-stabling point for mainline trains. Our coach journey back to Sydney is via the Sydney Botanic Gardens in the Blue Mountains. Overnight in the Marque Hotel.

Wednesday 29 February (B,D) A free day to continue the exploration of Sydney, followed by a gourmet private farewell meal aboard a ship cruising Sydney’s famous harbour. Overnight in the Marque Hotel.

Thursday 1 March For those choosing to return to the UK today you have a free day for your own relaxation before our overnight return flight, via Hong Kong, arriving in the UK the following afternoon.

QUEENSLAND “ADD-ON”

We wanted to offer clients the opportunity to extend their stay – particularly given the travel time required to get to and from Australia. We also wanted people to have the opportunity to see Queensland, which is quite different from other areas of Australia we are visiting. There is also much of rail interest in this area. However, a further consideration was to offer more time for rest and relaxation at the end of a fairly intensive 3 week schedule. We hope we have achieved these objectives and feel that this 5 night extension offers excellent value for money. It will be fully escorted by our PTG representative. Full details on request.