Riding The Rails - The Indian Pacific and The Ghan (Perth, Ghan, Indian Pacific, Uluru, Sydney)

Overview

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 (£23) and perhaps visit one of Perth’s spectacular doorstep beaches.

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.

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 and 8 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 two nights 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 (£104) and perhaps spend the second day on a full day guided wine tour of the Barossa Valley (£218). Or, if nature is more your calling, hop over to Kangaroo Island by plane and be met and guided by a wildlife expert (£399 – see our Scenery section for a fuller description of KI).

Day 9 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 10, 11 and 12 THE RED CENTRE

You’ll be met at the station by Discover Eco Tours, a local company specialising in small group tours of the Red Centre. Specific attractions, in addition to the icons of Uluru and Kings Canyon, will include Kata Tjuta (Olgas) and the Palm Valley in Finke Gorge National Park and Hermannsburg Historic Precinct, birthplace of celebrated Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira. Your nights will be spent at the Alice Springs Resort, Kings Canyon Resort and Sails in the Desert at Ayers Rock.

Days 13, 14 and 15 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 (£104, including lunch). On your last day we would also suggest a full day ‘eco-tour’ of the Blue Mountains (£148, including lunch). You’ll be staying at the Shangri-La Hotel.

Day 16

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 hotels, islands section 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).

Your accommodation

3 nights in Perth at The Richardson

2 nights in Margaret River at Windmills Break including breakfast

2 nights on the Indian Pacific including all meals

2 nights in Adelaide at Sebel Playford

1 night on The Ghan including all meals

1 night in Alice Springs at Alice Springs resort

1 night in Kings Canyon at Kings Canyon Resort

1 night in Uluru at Sails in the Desert

3 nights in Sydney at the Shangri-La

What’s included

Accommodation as above, all transfers, train travel in ‘Gold Service’ sleeper class on the IP and The Ghan (in an en-suite cabin), 3 days’ car hire from Perth, internal flight from Ayers Rock to Sydney, and small group touring in the Red Centre. Day tours are optional at prices shown.

Guideline price per person, based on two sharing from £3740.

When to go: Mid October to mid April.