Australia and The Ghan

Board your direct flight to Sydney at London Heathrow, touching down on Day 2.

Spend a little time adjusting to the time difference and, if you're feeling energetic, exploring cosmopolitan Sydney's attractions for yourself.

Step beneath the sails and discover what makes Sydney Opera House so inspiring with an in-depth guided tour of this world-famous landmark.

As you explore the building with your knowledgeable guide, you learn about how Jorn Utzon's vision came into existence against impossible odds, and its global cultural impact since.

Discover insider stories of the Opera House artists and performances, and get to know the spaces that stage over 1800 performances each year.

You also have the opportunity to see the building - and capture some stunning holiday snaps - from vantage points off limits to the general public.

Explore Sydney's varied highlights on a day-long panoramic tour of the city and its sights.

After being picked up from your hotel, you visit the historic Rocks area to discover more about Australia's early convict settlers, before exploring the trendy neighbourhoods of Oxford Street and Paddington, and stopping off at the Queen Victoria Building and Sydney Tower for some retail therapy.

There's time to explore Bondi Beach and the superb cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte before returning to the city centre via Double Bay, Kings Cross and Mrs Macquarie's Point for magical views over the harbour.

Board your flight to Cairns. On arrival, you are transferred directly to your hotel to relax for the rest of the day.

Experience North Australia's lush rainforests on a rail journey like no other. Board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and glide over the forest canopy to the mountain village of Kuranda.There are two stations enroute where you can alight and enjoy spectacular rainforest lookouts or visit the CSIRO Interpretive Centre.

After some free time in Kuranda, perhaps exploring the heritage markets, board the Kuranda Scenic Railway to Cairns. This offers spectacular views as the train travels past gushing waterfalls. Take a stop at Barron Gorge to view some of the best examples before arriving at Freshwater Station.

You have the day free to explore Cairns. further The city is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and there are plenty of ways to explore this unique underwater landscape - whether you'd like to get up close with a snorkelling or diving tour, or spot turtles, tropical fish and more from the safety of a glass bottomed safari boat.

For a more relaxed day, spend your afternoon hopping between bars and restaurants to experience the laid-back Queensland life. Cairns is famous for its fresh seafood - you'll be sure to find something you enjoy.

Catch your flight to Darwin and transfer to your hotel. Relax after your journey, or perhaps spend some time exploring the Northern Territory's modern capital.

The Kakadu National Park offers dramatic landscapes, opportunities to glimpse Australia's famous wildlife and a unique network of stagnant pools or 'billabongs'.

Experience the park in style, with scenic flights to and from the park so you can see its unique sights from the air. When you land, spot native bird species and enjoy the landscape from a new perspective with a Yellow Water Cruise through the billabongs.

Before you return, you'll also stop off at Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn more about the traditional owners of the Kakadu land and the culture they wish to share with you.

Transfer to Alice Springs to meet the legendary Ghan - your hotel on wheels for the next three days.

Starting at Alice Springs, the Ghan crosses 2,979km coast to coast down the Adelaide-Darwin Rail Corridor to Adelaide, taking in some of central Australia's finest scenery en route. Between stopping at points of interest, you're treated to comfortable cabins and first-class food and drink.

You have a full night aboard the train before the first stop on Day 11, so sit back and enjoy the journey, or relax with a glass of something nice and watch the landscape pass by outside.

Enjoy the views from the Ghan before stopping at the town of Katherine, 'where the tropics meet the outback', for an afternoon of sightseeing.

Here, you set out for one of Australia's most impressive natural wonders - the Nitmiluk Gorge, situated in the Nitmiluk National Park's 292,000 hectares of rugged scenery. Experience the majesty of glowing ochre-red cliff faces from the water via guided cruise.

You have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the landscape whilst spotting native wildlife and learning about the Indigenous Australians acting as guardians of the land - an experience not to be missed.

Wake up on the Ghan, tracking the dramatic change in landscape as rich outback ochre gives way to the lush green fields of South Australia. Enjoy a leisurely brunch as you pass through the majestic Flinders Ranges and prepare for your mid-morning arrival into Adelaide.

You can spend the rest of the day exploring on your own terms, or add on an optional visit to the Barossa Valley Wine Region, the much-loved wildlife reserve of Kangaroo Island or an expert food and wine tour of this favoured foodie hotspot.

Start your day with a four wheel drive tour into the ancient Onkaparinga Gorge for spectacular geological formations and views over the coast & vineyards.

The rest of the day is dedicated to exploring the best food and wine the region has to offer. Go behind the scenes in Wirra Wirra Vineyards for a seated tasting, before heading to the Salopian Inn, one of Australia's best restaurants, for a three course lunch.

After lunch, take a tasting masterclass at Bekkers Fine Wine and a tour of the d'Arenberg winery's Rubik's Cube-inspired cellar. Return to Adelaide via the spectacular Fleurieu Peninsula coastline for your final night in Australia.

Catch your flight from Adelaide, and transfer onto your overnight flight to London

Your flight arrives back in London today.