The Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney

Fly from London  to Perth, landing on Day 2. From the airport, you'll be picked up for the transfer to your 5-Star hotel.

Explore the world renowned Pinnacles Desert on Day 3, an amazing moon like landscape. Experience off road driving and sand boarding on huge white sand dunes and see wildlife up close. After stopping at Caversham Wildlife Park in the Swan Valley to view koalas, wombats and hand feed the kangaroos, travel along quiet back roads, to the lobster fishing town of Cervantes. Once here, enjoy a behind the scenes factory tour on the processing of Western Australia Rock Lobster, followed by your included fish and chips lunch, or why not upgrade to half a grilled lobster (at extra cost). Then it's onwards to Nambung National Park to see the mystical Pinnacle Desert for an easy paced walk through the fascinating landscape, giving you the opportunity to really embrace this amazing and mystical place. The highlight of the tour involves 4-wheel driving over the vast sand dunes of Lancelin in custom built vehicles. Return to Perth down the Indian Ocean drive.

On Day 4, transfer to Perth Station to meet the Indian Pacific.

Boarding your luxurious train at Perth station today, begin the cross-country rail journey of a lifetime. Named after the two oceans it travels between; the Indian Pacific takes you past soaring mountain ranges and through vast deserts and subtropical savannahs across Australia's interior to Sydney. Settle into your Gold Service cabin as the train sets out on its historic route, once used by bush pioneers and gold rush prospectors. Following a relaxing afternoon, a three-course dinner is served on board before your arrival into the wild west township of Kalgoorlie.

The great expanse of the Nullarbor Plain is an impressive sight to wake up to this morning. Blue skies stretch for as far as the eye can see while the gentle ripple of the grasslands is a telltale sign that Kangaroos, emus or even dingoes might be nearby. Carry on to the ghost town of Cook, which used to sit at the heart of a thriving railroad community but closed in 1997, less than 100 years after being founded. Spend a couple of hours looking around this not quite deserted town, where water and other supplies are still dependent on the trains that pass through.

On Day 6 the Indian Pacific reaches Adelaide. The 'City of Churches', Adelaide was first settled more than 40,000 years ago by the Kaurna Aboriginal people. It was re-named after Queen Adelaide, wife of King William IV, in 1836 and enjoys an excellent position on Australia's south-west coast, surrounded by plenty of renowned wine estates and vineyards. You have a few options for today; you could take a walking tour or coach tour of the city, or go behind the scenes at the Oval, Adelaide's premier sports ground. Back on board the Indian Pacific, your journey continues to Broken Hill this evening, deep in the Australian outback. There's time here to explore the area's frontier history as well as its resurgence as a dynamic creative hub. 

Arrive in the Blue Mountains on Day 7, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has a blue aura thanks to the surrounding eucalyptus trees. Finely dispersed oil droplets from these trees mixes with dust particles and water vapour, creating the blue hue the region is known for. During your time here, visit the Three Sisters, a distinctive rock formation that overlooks the lush Jamison Valley.

Continue on the last leg of your journey to Sydney, where you disembark for the included transfer to your 5* hotel.

Meet at the Welcome Centre located on the Lower Concourse of the Opera House for the start of your Sydney Opera House Tour. Step beneath the sails and discover what makes the Opera House so inspiring. Discover insider secrets and stories of the Opera House artists and performances, and step inside the iconic theatres and foyers that bring to life over 1800 performances each year. Explore the building with your knowledgeable guide, learn about how Jorn Utzon's vision came into existence against impossible odds, and capture photographs from rare vantage points, off limits to the general public.

On Day 9, a vehicle will pick you up from your hotel to commence a morning Panoramic Sydney tour. Visit the historic Rocks area and hear early convict history. Enjoy magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. See the shopping heart of the city, Queen Victoria Building and Sydney Tower. Visit Sydney's trendy Oxford Street district and travel through Paddington with its terrace houses before arriving at the Pacific Ocean. See the superb coast cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte. Travel on to famous Bondi Beach and visit the beachfront promenade with time to explore. See Aussie lifesavers and Sydney's best panoramic view at Dover Heights. Return to Sydney via Double Bay, Kings Cross and Mrs Macquarie's Point for a final magical viewpoint over the harbour before returning to the city centre. Tour concludes at Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.

Day 10 is free for you to explore.

Following a scheduled pick up from your hotel, transfer to the airport for your indirect flight back to London Heathrow, where you land on Day 12.