Sydney, Rails and Reef

Begin your Australian adventure with three stylish nights at QT Sydney, a vibrant design-led hotel in the heart of the city’s shopping, dining and cultural district. Step outside to explore Sydney’s iconic Harbour, wander the historic laneways of The Rocks, or soak up the sunshine on dazzling beaches like Bondi and Manly. Discover world‑class restaurants, rooftop bars and waterfront walks, cruise past the Sydney Opera House, or climb the Harbour Bridge for unforgettable views. With its bold personality, luxe comfort and unbeatable central location, QT Sydney is the perfect base for experiencing the very best of Sydney - one of Australia’s most exciting and photogenic destinations.
Stay: 5-star QT Sydney

Departing Sydney’s Central Station mid-afternoon, leave city skylines and the fast-paced urban lifestyle behind. Get acquainted with your cabin and fellow travellers as the Indian Pacific heads west winding through the Blue Mountains. Relax in your cabin or socialise in the lounge, enjoying an afternoon tipple on request. Tonight, you will enjoy your first meal on board – a regionally inspired dinner paired with fine wine and beverages. After dinner, consider a nightcap in the lounge before you retire to your cabin.
Stay: Onboard the Indian Pacific

After breakfast, prepare for your Off Train Experience in Broken Hill, the Silver City. Explore mining heritage through visiting the Broken Hill Trades Hall and the striking Miners Memorial that stands over the town or for a different take on Broken Hill, go on a tour of the main drag with fabulous local Drag Queen sensation, Shelita Buffet. Lunch is served back on board as the Indian Pacific enters the southern tip of the ancient Flinders Ranges. Arriving in Adelaide in the late afternoon, you’ll transfer to your accommodation, home for the next three nights.
Stay: 5-star Sofitel Adelaide

Experience a fabulous day out in stunning McLaren Vale with ‘Small Batch Wine Tours’ to discover hidden-gem wineries on a premium McLaren Vale wine tour like no other. Visiting boutique, usually sustainably-focussed wineries you’ll see, smell, taste, and learn about fantastic wine all day. In addition to discovering the Mediterranean inspired wines of McLaren Vale, you’ll also enjoy a stellar restaurant lunch at a popular local restaurant featuring the flavours of the region.
Stay: 5-star Sofitel Adelaide

Explore Adelaide at your own pace today.
Stay: 5-star Sofitel Adelaide

Board The Ghan in Adelaide, heading for the Flinders Ranges and beyond. The city streets will give way to rural South Australia before the impressive mountains of the Flinders Ranges come into view. Lunch and dinner will be your introduction to dining on board and set the scene for the meals to come.
Stay: Onboard The Ghan

Wake to an unforgettable outback sunrise at Marla and enjoy the jaw-dropping natural landscapes that pass by as you travel to Alice Springs. Upon arrival into Alice Springs you will join your choice of Off Train Experience. Once your experience is complete, you will be transferred to your hotel to enjoy the evening at leisure.
Stay: 4.5-star Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters

Today, explore Alice Springs and its surrounds, taking in natural rock formations that are truly spectacular. After breakfast, venture to the West MacDonnell Ranges and enjoy a walk to Simpsons Gap. Known as 'Rungutjirpa' by the Arrernte people, Simpsons Gap is an important spiritual site and home to dozens of rare plants and a host of native wildlife. We'll then visit Standley Chasm – Angkerle Atwatye – a cultural icon of Central Australia, which is 100% owned and operated by the Arrernte community. We'll break for morning tea before departing the West MacDonnell Ranges to visit the Alice Springs Desert Park. Here, enjoy a guided tour that will challenge your perception of the desert, leaving you with an understanding that the desert is full of life. This evening, enjoy a classic-style outdoor BBQ and show under the incredible night sky.
Stay: 4.5-star Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters

Today, we say goodbye to Alice Springs as we go deeper into the outback. First up is a visit to Ellery Creek for a short walk and morning tea, then we travel to Ormiston Gorge to see its towering red cliffs. After lunch, we’ll travel on to the mighty Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park. As we drive through the outback, we'll take the scenic Mereenie Loop 4WD track through the West MacDonnell Ranges and arrive at Kings Canyon Resort, where we'll spend the next two nights. Tonight, dinner is at Carmichael’s, a relaxed restaurant situated in Kings Canyon Resort, surrounded by native trees and bushlands. If you’re lucky, you may spot an inquisitive dingo wandering through the grounds.
Stay:4-star Kings Canyon Resort

This morning, we depart early to experience the beauty of Kings Canyon. Two walks are available, including the spectacular 6km rim walk, which features breathtaking views of the Watarrka National Park before descending into the 'Garden of Eden'. For those who wish to save energy, a more relaxed walk is also available along the creek on the canyon floor (2.6km). There is also the opportunity to take a 15-minute helicopter flight over Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park (at own expense). After the morning's activities, we return to Kings Canyon Resort for lunch and to rest and refresh. For those wishing to take the optional helicopter flight over Kings Canyon, this afternoon offers some time to enjoy Kings Canyon from the air (at own expense), or you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon at your leisure. As afternoon turns to evening, we'll enjoy sunset drinks and canapes at Light-Towers, an immersive sound and light installation by the acclaimed artist Bruce Munro. Tonight, we'll enjoy dinner at the newly renovated Kings Canyon Bar & Grill and gather to recall the day's adventures.
Stay: 4-star Kings Canyon Resort

Today is special. This morning we visit Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience and Tours, an indigenous owned and operated cultural tour. In the Aranda language, Karrke is the Aboriginal name for the western Bowerbird, which is native to Central Australia, and our guide will teach us about bush tucker and bush medicines used for spiritual and physical healing. We then depart Karrke for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, passing through Kings Creek Station to enjoy lunch at Curtin Springs, a million-acre cattle station. In the early afternoon, we arrive at the award-winning Sails in the Desert Hotel, part of the Ayers Rock Resort. This evening, we are transferred to the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner. A breathtaking cultural storytelling experience through choreographed drones, lasers and projections illuminating the night sky. After a short journey from the resort, we venture to an open-air theatre set upon a dune top. Enjoy cocktails infused with native ingredients while taking in the incredible views of Uluru. As darkness descends, enjoy a gourmet dinner hamper where native ingredients are combined with modern techniques to create a balanced and flavourful palette as the night sky lights up before our eyes. Witness the ancient Mala story re-told and feel a powerful connection to country listening to a traditional Inma soundtrack and narration in the local Pitjantjatjara language.
Stay: 4-star Sails in the Desert

After breakfast, we depart to discover Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and admire the stunning rock formations on a guided walk into Walpa Gorge, an ancient temple crafted by nature. Take in the cultural centre and take a guided tour around the base of Uluru, which stands 348 metres above the desert plains. Learn about traditional Anangu culture and why Uluru, one of the largest monoliths in the world, is such a sacred site. In the afternoon, tour the Gallery of Central Australia followed by free time to relax by the pool or alternatively, take the complimentary shuttle to explore the Resort and activities on offer. Departing the resort before sunset, we head to an exclusive dune-top location, again with majestic views of Uluru. Enjoy drinks and canapes as artist Bruce Munro's global phenomenon Field of Light gently illuminates. Aptly named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku (looking at lots of beautiful lights), Field of Light features 50,000 slender stems, crowned with radiant, frosted-glass spheres, spread across an area the size of seven football fields. After your host provides insight into this remarkable installation, you can explore the stunning display via dedicated pathways. This evening, return to the hotel for dinner. (Please note dinner will be at approximately 9.00pm).
Stay: 4-star Sails in the Desert

Early risers can experience the sun rising over Uluru this morning and the colours of dawn spreading across the landscape. Breakfast is at the hotel, before we depart for the Mala Walk. Admire the fine examples of rock art along this walk before arriving at Kantju Gorge, a place of profound peacefulness surrounded by sheer vertical walls. This afternoon is at your leisure. You may choose to explore the Town Square, arrange a scenic flight (own cost) or relax in the comfort of your hotel. This evening, enjoy the unique Sounds of Silence dining experience under the stars. Offering the best of the Red Centre distilled into four magical hours, the evening begins with canapes and chilled sparkling wine served on a viewing platform overlooking the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. As the sun sets and darkness falls, listen to the sound of the didgeridoo and enjoy a premium bush tucker inspired buffet incorporating native bush ingredients. Afterwards, settle back and listen to the resident star talker decode the southern night sky. After this incredible experience, we return to Sails in the Desert for our final night.
Stay: 4-star DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel before making the journey by road from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to the Alice Springs Rail Terminal where your Red Centre Explorer tour comes to an end. Re-join The Ghan and as the train heads north, enjoy watching the beautiful scenery pass by your window as you relax with fellow travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge.
Stay: Onboard The Ghan

The landscapes continue to transform as you head towards Katherine, where you’ll embark on an Off Train Experience exploring natural wonders that you’ll never forget. A few hours later, you’ll arrive in Darwin, completing your journey through the Red Centre.
After arriving into Darwin, check into your hotel in Darwin for 2 nights to continue exploring the Northern Territory.
Stay: 5-star Hilton Darwin

Fly from Darwin to the tropical playground of Cairns, where six luxurious nights at Crystalbrook Riley await. With its sparkling lagoon pool, serene spa and chic waterfront setting on the Esplanade, Riley is the perfect base for exploring the wonders of Tropical North Queensland. Spend your days sailing out to the Great Barrier Reef, snorkelling vibrant coral gardens and meeting colourful marine life, or journey north to the ancient Daintree Rainforest, where mossy gorges and palm-fringed beaches meet at Cape Tribulation. Wander the bustling Cairns Esplanade, indulge in fresh seafood at the marina, or take a scenic day trip to the waterfalls and crater lakes of the Atherton Tablelands. Whether you’re chasing adventure or pure relaxation, Cairns delivers unforgettable moments wrapped in sunshine, reef breezes and rainforest magic.
Stay: 5-star Crystalbrook Riley