All Bridge & Wickers holidays are tailor-made and no two are the same. We have made some accommodation suggestions, however we will tailor your quote to your preferred standard and style of accommodation.

The vast land mass of Australia is crisscrossed by some of the world’s longest trans-continental railways. We’ve created itineraries that synchronise with the train timetables, combining, in this first instance, two of the most spectacular railways, The Indian Pacific and The Ghan, as well as some of the great experiences to be enjoyed in the regions they cover.

Days 1 and 2 PERTH 

Once you’ve rested after your flight, we suggest you take the Swan River Cruise down to the port of Fremantle and perhaps visit one of Perth’s spectacular doorstep beaches. Spend two night at The Richardson.

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Days 3 and 4 THE MARGARET RIVER 

One of the pleasures of flying into Perth is the city’s proximity to the beaches and vineyards of the Margaret River. You’ll travel by car (self drive) and stay at Windmills Break, a boutique hotel with lovely gardens, outdoor dining, a pool and tennis court.

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Days 5 and 6 THE INDIAN PACIFIC

Set off - at around midday - on a remarkable journey, through the most inhospitable terrain imaginable but in the most hospitable of styles. The IP links two oceans and landscapes as diverse as the treeless Nullarbor Plains, where you travel on the longest straight stretch of track in the world (478 kms). You’ll stop for a few leg stretchers: in Kalgoorlie, a middle of nowhere mining town (which, at 10.15pm, won’t be exactly jumping) and in Cook – population just two! - where the train takes on water and a fresh crew. At 7.20am you’ll ease into Adelaide.

Days 7 ADELAIDE  

The most elegant of all Australian towns, Adelaide’s core square mile of gridded streets is surrounded by swathes of green. Shops, offices and civic buildings are right in the middle, and frilly lace bandstands, a botanic garden, a racecourse, parrots, possums and the city’s most sacred site, the Oval cricket grounds, in the emerald necklace of parks beyond. In addition to visits to the city’s excellent museums you might want to wind down your rail adventure with a 20 min rattle and roll on the wooden vintage tram from Queen Victoria Square to the time warp seaside resort of Glenelg. You’ll have one night in the city, staying at the Sebel Playford hotel, which is bull’s eye central, a walk away from the excellent museums, the National Wine Centre and the mouthwatering Central Food Market. You could take a half-day private tour to get your bearings and perhaps spend the second day on a full day guided wine tour of the Barossa Valley. Or, if nature is more your calling, hop over to Kangaroo Island by plane and be met and guided by a wildlife expert.

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Day 8 THE GHAN

All aboard The Ghan. Named after the turbaned and robed Afghan ‘cameleers’ who, before roads or rail, provided the only supply link to the middle of nowhere, trading their wares from the humps of their dromedaries, The Ghan first The Indian Pacific opened in 1929. After crossing the market gardens of North Adelaide, followed by the great wheatbelt of South Australia, the track cuts through the Flinders range of mountains, crosses the terrifying nothingness of the Simpson Desert and finally passes through the MacDonnell ranges, a 250 mile long rolling backbone of fire red quartzite rocks and one of the oldest landscapes in the world, before easing into ‘The Alice’ just over 24 hours later.

Days 9, 10 and 11 THE RED CENTRE

You’ll be met at the station and transferred to your accommodation. The next morning you will be picked up and taken on 3 Day tour of the red centre.  Specific attractions, in addition to the icons of Uluru and Kings Canyon, will include Kata Tjuta (Olgas) and kings creek cattle station.  This tour includes a stay at the award-winning Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge.  The exclusive tented cabins offer the ultimate outback accommodation. Each cabin features air-conditioning and an ensuite bathroom. At Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge you can experience the greatest of comfort in the outback, with a perfect opportunity to absorb the natural landscapes.  Your other nights will be spent at the Sails In The Desert at Ayers Rock and Alice Springs Resort.

Days 12, 13 and 14 SYDNEY

From natural to urban wonders in one jump (by plane). Sydney is everything you have heard and more. The city is remarkably easy to explore on your own, on foot, by tourist Explorer Bus and by ferry across the harbour to places like Watson’s Bay, the seaside of Manly, or the shops, museums and restaurants of Darling Harbour. If you would prefer to have an introductory half-day tour we can easily arrange one . On your last day we would also suggest a full day ‘eco-tour’ of the Blue Mountains. You’ll be staying at the Shangri-La Hotel.

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Day 15

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Alternatively you might want to end your Australia holiday with some R&R on one of Queensland’s islands… see our Island Resorts for your options. 

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).