Reds and Blues: The Centre And The Coast (Sydney, Ghan, Uluru, Kakadu, Palm Cove, Fraser Island)

Overview

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 (£148) or the vineyards of the Hunter Valley (£148). 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 2 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 AND LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARKS

The best, and some would say, only way to get the most of the Kakadu National Park is on a fully guided small group tour, staying in hotels rather than under canvas. From Darwin you’ll travel along the Arnhem Highway, cross the South Alligator floodplains and inspect the Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr Rock before visiting the Warradjan Cultural Centre, where you’ll learn more about the indigenous culture. The next day includes a cruise on the Yellow Water Wetlands, home to awesome ‘salties’ as well as wonderful birdlife, the spectacular waterfall at Gunlom (as seen in Crocodile Dundee) and the historic gold mining settlement of Pine Creek. On day three you’ll travel to the Litchfield National Park, famed for its spectacular waterfalls which hang from the escarpments like bridal veils. The tour ends back in Darwin with another night at Mantra.

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 (£111). On your other free days you might want to consider a day sail by catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef (£104) or tour into the lush Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation (£148).

Days 15, 16 and 17 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 Peppers Palm Bay, a charming boutique resort on Long Island (or if you prefer to stay on Hamilton or Hayman it can easily be arranged – see our hotels, islands section for details of these islands). 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 (£152), or take a helicopter flight, with picnic provided, to the famous Whitehaven beach (£219).

Day 18 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 19 to 20 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 21 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).

Your Accommodation

3 nights in Sydney at the InterContinental, Room only

1 night in Uluru at Sails in the Desert, Room only

1 night in Alice Springs at Alice Springs Resort, Room only

1 night on the Ghan including all meals

2 nights in Darwin at Mantra Esplanade, Room only

1 night in Kakadu at Gagudju Lodge Cooinda, Room only

1 night in Litchfield at Lake Bennet Wilderness Resort, Room only

4 nights in Palm Cove at Angsana, Room only

1 night in Airlie Beach at Coral Sea Resort including breakfast

2 nights on Long Island at Peppers Palm Bay including breakfast

1 night on the Sunlander including breakfast

2 nights in Fraser Island at Kingfisher Bay including breakfast

What’s included

Accommodation and train travel (in Gold class on The Ghan, first class on the Tilt Train and Queenslander class on the Sunlander, with some meals), all transfers and internal flights, two days’ Red Centre touring, three days’ Kakadu touring, full-day trip with a ranger and 4WD on Fraser Island.

Guideline price per person, based on two sharing from £4299.

When to go: April to November.