Here’s an itinerary suitable for those travelling between our spring and autumn, when the tropical Top End of Oz is in its most welcoming weather mode. It includes travelling on the Ghan from Alice to Darwin, as well as riding the rails down the coast of Queensland.

Days 1, 2 and 3: SYDNEY  

You could spend three weeks, let alone three days, in Sydney and still leave with several items on your ‘must see’ list unticked. As well as enjoying all the classic attractions, most of which are based around the handsome harbour, you might also want to incorporate a day out, perhaps a tour to the Blue Mountains or the vineyards of the Hunter Valley. Your accommodation is the Intercontinental, two minutes from the armada of ferries that sail to all points of the harbour.

Days 4 and 5: ULURU AND ALICE SPRINGS 

Fly to Ayers Rock. To get the most of your brief visit, we have included a two day tour which scoops up the iconic highlights, including the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) and the Rock (Uluru) - at both sunset and sunrise - as well as introducing visitors to the legends of Aboriginal Dreamtime and spiritual significance of the surroundings. The tour ends in ‘The Alice’ where you’ll also have plenty of time to visit some of the attractions including the School of the Air, the largest classroom in the world - covering an area that would mop up the whole of Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany and Japan - the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Desert Springs Park, a fascinating microcosm of all its various desert habitats and their indigenous wildlife.

Day 6: THE GHAN

The long-planned track between Alice and Darwin finally opened in 2004. From Alice The Ghan goes north to Tennant Creek and Katherine, the ‘Lady of the North’, where you can choose - at additional cost (payable locally) - either a two-hour boat cruise or a helicopter flight over the 25 million-year-old gorges.

Day 7: DARWIN  

You’ll arrive at Darwin in early evening and be taken to your hotel, Mantra on the Esplanade.

Days 8, 9 and 10: KAKADU, KATHERINE AND LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARKS

See the best of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks staying in hotels rather than under canvas in a group of maximum 26 passengers. Your 3 days touring by 4WD will take in the ancient aboriginal rock art of Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock, East Alligator River, Katherine Gorge and the waterfalls of Litchfield National Park.  The tour ends back in Darwin with another night at Mantra.

If you would like to experience staying under canvas in Kakadu then this tour can offer a unique camping Kakadu options - please ask your consultant for details.

Days 11 to 14:  PALM COVE

You’ll fly from Darwin to Cairns and be driven (20 mins) to the attractive seaside village of Palm Cove, where you’ll be staying at the Angsana. The beach is likely to figure high on your list of priorities, especially after your days in the bush, but we would also suggest you take one of the most spectacular excursions in Australia. After travelling along a wonderfully scenic rail route, boring through handhewn tunnels, over Meccanolike bridges that span awesome gorges and delve deep into the rainforest, you’ll have time to enjoy the village markets of Kuranda. Return by Skyrail, the world’s longest gondola cableway with a cockatoo’s view of the rainforest canopy. On your other free days you might want to consider a day sail by catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef or tour into the lush Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation.

Days 15 - 18: THE WHITSUNDAYS

Travel south to Proserpine on the Tilt Train, a full day’s journey aboard one of the most modern trains in the country, with business class- style seats and personal entertainment system. On arrival, you will be transferred to the Coral Sea Resort in Airlie Beach for the night before taking a boat to  Hamilton Island. During your stay you could just relax on the beach or - if you haven’t done a Barrier Reef trip from Palm Cove – perhaps indulge in a day’s snorkelling or diving , or take a helicopter flight, with picnic provided, to the famous Whitehaven beach.

Day 19: THE SUNLANDER TRAIN 

Most of your day is free before transferring to Proserpine for your overnight journey on the Sunlander train, tucked up in ‘Queenslander’ sleeper class, the best on the tracks.

Days 20 to 21: FRASER ISLAND 

Arrive in Maryborough West this morning, where you’ll be transferred to Hervey Bay and over to Fraser Island - the largest sand island in the world. During your stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort we’ve included a full-day, 4WD ranger guided tour to see the highlights, including 75 Mile Beach, freshwater lakes and towering rainforests.

Day 22: BRISBANE 

Head back to the mainland this morning to connect with the Tilt Train to Brisbane. Since the train arrives at 2.40pm you could fly out the same day on your homeward journey.

Note To fit in with the train schedules this itinerary starts on a Saturday although at certain times we will have to rework the itinerary to take in changes in the timetable (or indeed if you would like to travel on different days).