The Ghan Darwin, Adelaide & Sydney Rail Vacation

Day 1 Melbourne | Arrival Welcome to Melbourne! Upon arrival you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city, within easy reach of major attractions such as Federation Square, the Yarra River, Southbank, the Royal Botanic Gardens and Melbourne’s famous laneways, cafés and boutiques.

Day 2 Melbourne | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 7 Excursions Personalize your stay in Melbourne by choosing one of the following carefully selected excursions, each offering a different way to experience this vibrant city and the remarkable regions that surround it. Option 1. Great Ocean Road Day Tour Travel the spectacular Great Ocean Road on a full-day journey showcasing some of Victoria’s most dramatic coastal scenery. With wildlife spotting, rainforest walks, seaside towns and the iconic Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, this is one of Australia’s classic touring experiences. Option 2. Phillip Island, Moonlit Sanctuary & Penguins Plus Discover Phillip Island on a memorable afternoon and evening excursion featuring native wildlife, coastal scenery and the famous Penguin Parade. From Moonlit Sanctuary to the Nobbies coastline, the day builds towards the magical moment when little penguins emerge from the sea at dusk. Option 3. Melbourne Lanes & Arcades Walking Tour Step into the heart of Melbourne on a guided walk through its celebrated laneways and heritage arcades. With stories of the city’s history, street art, boutique shops, cafés, chocolate and coffee along the way, this is a wonderful introduction to Melbourne’s creative soul. Option 4. Melbourne Café Culture Walking Tour Immerse yourself in Melbourne’s famed coffee scene on a leisurely walk through hidden laneways and local favourites. Along the way, enjoy coffee, tea, chocolate and sweet treats while discovering the story behind one of the city’s most beloved cultural traditions. Option 5. Yarra Valley Wine & Cheese Experience Escape to the Yarra Valley for a gourmet day of sparkling wine, regional produce and vineyard scenery. With tastings at Chandon and De Bortoli, a leisurely lunch at Soumah and beautiful views throughout, this is a refined and delicious taste of regional Victoria. Option 6. Mornington Peninsula Wine & Lunch Tour Discover the Mornington Peninsula on a full-day gourmet journey through one of Victoria’s most beautiful maritime wine regions. Premium tastings, a two-course lunch, sculpture walk, bay views and a scenic return via Arthur’s Seat make this a relaxed and rewarding day out. Option 7. Personalized Tailor-Made Excursion For a more tailored experience, speak with one of our local specialists to create a day in Melbourne around your interests. Possibilities include laneway walks, foodie tours, sunrise ballooning, Puffing Billy steam train journeys or a relaxing Yarra River cruise.

Day 3 Melbourne to Adelaide | The Overland Train | Red Premium Class This morning, board The Overland at Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station and settle into Red Premium, where extra legroom, in-seat dining and attentive hospitality make this classic interstate rail journey feel relaxed from the outset. Soon after departure, the train curves out through Geelong and into the broad farming country of western Victoria, with ever-changing views of open paddocks, regional townships and distant glimpses towards the Grampians. Crossing into South Australia, the landscapes shift once more to mallee scrub, Murray River country and the picturesque Adelaide Hills before arriving into Adelaide in the early evening, bringing this charming daylight rail journey to a memorable close. (Breakfast, lunch & afternoon tea are included today.)

Day 4 Adelaide | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 2 Excursions Personalize your stay in Adelaide by choosing one of the following carefully selected excursions, each offering a different way to experience South Australia’s celebrated wine country. Option 1. Uncork the Barossa Valley Winery Tour Discover the Barossa Valley on a small-group wine journey through one of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions. Visit boutique cellar doors for premium tastings, enjoy a chef’s selection lunch and sample the bold Shiraz and contrasting varietals for which the region is so well known. Framed by vineyard scenery and regional flavours, this is a relaxed and rewarding day in South Australia’s most iconic wine country. Option 2. Uncork McLaren Vale Winery Tour Explore McLaren Vale on a small-group wine tour showcasing one of South Australia’s most picturesque and acclaimed wine regions. Visit boutique cellar doors for premium tastings, enjoy a chef’s selection lunch and discover the region’s signature Shiraz, elegant Grenache and Mediterranean varietals. With vineyard views, coastal scenery and hidden-gem wineries along the way, this is a wonderful day of gourmet discovery just beyond Adelaide.

Day 5 Depart Adelaide | On board The Ghan Train Today, board The Ghan in Adelaide and settle into your cabin as one of Australia’s most iconic rail journeys begins. As the train departs the city and heads north towards the Flinders Ranges, the landscape gradually shifts from fertile South Australian plains to the rich ochre tones and vast horizons of the outback. Spend the afternoon relaxing into the rhythm of life on board, perhaps with time in the lounge before your first dining experience, where regionally inspired cuisine and Australian wines set the tone for the journey ahead. Tonight, retire to your cabin as The Ghan rolls deeper into the heart of inland Australia. (Lunch & dinner are included today.)

Day 6 Marla, Alice Springs | On board The Ghan Train Wake this morning to a spectacular outback sunrise at Marla, a remote outpost on the edge of the desert and gateway to the legendary Oodnadatta Track. Step off the train and take in the stillness of this extraordinary place, where red earth, wide skies and the cool morning air create one of the journey’s most memorable moments. Back on board, enjoy a leisurely brunch as the desert landscape unfolds on the journey north to Alice Springs. Here, a range of Off Train Experiences awaits, from discovering the town’s landmarks and cultural stories to exploring the dramatic beauty of Standley Chasm, Simpsons Gap or the Desert Park. Later, return to the train, refresh in your cabin and enjoy another memorable evening on board as the journey continues north. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner are included today.)

Day 7 Katherine, Nitmiluk Gorge and Darwin | On board The Ghan Train Your final day begins in the tropical north, where the scenery changes once more to rocky escarpments, lush vegetation and fast-flowing streams. In Katherine, step off for one of the journey’s signature experiences and discover the natural and cultural significance of this remarkable region. Cruise through the majestic Nitmiluk Gorge and learn about its deep connection to the Jawoyn people, or choose from other immersive experiences that reveal the character of the Top End. After your morning adventure, reboard The Ghan and continue onwards to Darwin, where this unforgettable journey through the heart of Australia comes to a memorable close. (Breakfast & lunch are included today.)

Day 8 Darwin | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 6 Excursions Personalize your stay in Darwin by choosing one of the following carefully selected excursions, each offering a different way to experience the Top End’s wildlife, landscapes, culture and local character. Option 1. Darwin City Sights with Adelaide River Jumping Crocs Cruise Discover Darwin’s tropical character on a tour of the city’s key landmarks, cultural sights, harbour lookouts and Botanic Gardens before travelling south to the Adelaide River. There, an exciting wildlife cruise offers the chance to see powerful saltwater crocodiles and experience one of the Top End’s most iconic natural attractions. Option 2. Kakadu National Park Explorer Tour Explore World Heritage-listed Kakadu on a full-day journey through one of Australia’s most extraordinary natural and cultural landscapes. Highlights include Yellow Water Billabong, Aboriginal cultural insights, ancient rock art and the region’s exceptional birdlife and wetlands. Option 3. Litchfield National Park Waterfalls Spend the day exploring Litchfield National Park, where waterfalls, swimming spots, monsoon forest and striking termite mounds reveal the beauty of the Top End. This is a wonderful choice for those wanting a relaxed day immersed in nature. Option 4. Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise & Edith Falls Journey south to Nitmiluk National Park for a scenic day of dramatic sandstone gorges, peaceful waterways and beautiful outback landscapes. With a cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge and time at Edith Falls, this is one of the region’s most memorable natural experiences. Option 5. Tiwi Islands Aboriginal Cultural Tour Travel to the Tiwi Islands for a fascinating cultural experience featuring local art, community visits and traditional stories. This is a rare opportunity to gain a deeper insight into Tiwi life, heritage and artistic traditions. Option 6. Darwin Outback Gourmet Food & Art Tour Experience Darwin through its food, art and local stories on a guided evening tour that combines multiple tasting stops with a look at the city’s vibrant creative side. It is a relaxed and flavour-filled way to discover Darwin from a different perspective.

Day 9 Darwin to Sydney | Flight Today, leave behind the tropical charm of Darwin as you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Sydney. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Set around one of the world’s most beautiful harbours, Sydney is renowned for its iconic landmarks, sparkling waterfront, elegant bays and vibrant dining scene, with highlights such as the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay and the Royal Botanic Garden adding to its unmistakable appeal. Sophisticated yet wonderfully easygoing, it is a memorable place to begin the next stage of your journey.

Day 10 Sydney | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 7 Excursions Personalize your stay in Sydney by choosing one of the following carefully selected excursions, each offering a different way to experience this spectacular harbour city and its surrounding landscapes. Option 1. Panoramic Sydney & Bondi Beach Tour with Harbour Lunch Cruise Discover Sydney’s iconic highlights on a stylish tour taking in The Rocks, Mrs Macquarie’s Point, Bondi Beach, Watsons Bay and the Eastern Suburbs. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing harbour lunch cruise with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, making this a wonderful way to experience both the city and the water. Option 2. Blue Mountains Full Day Tour Venture beyond the city to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, where dramatic valleys, waterfalls and sweeping lookouts create one of New South Wales’ most memorable landscapes. With visits to key viewpoints, a two-course lunch at the Hydro Majestic and time at Mt Tomah Botanic Garden, this is an excellent choice for nature lovers. Option 3. Northern Wilderness & Coastal Beach Adventure Explore Sydney’s spectacular north on a full-day journey through Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the Northern Beaches. With Aboriginal rock engravings, beautiful coastal lookouts, seaside lunch and time in Manly and Shelley Beach, this excursion combines bushland, beaches and local character in one memorable day. Option 4. Hunter Valley Full Day Wine Tour Escape Sydney for a day in the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region, where boutique cellar doors and vineyard scenery set the tone for a relaxed gourmet experience. Private tastings, a cheese tasting and a light café lunch with wine make this a rewarding choice for food and wine lovers. Option 5. Sydney Harbour Bridge Summit Climb Take on one of Sydney’s most iconic experiences with a guided climb to the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. From the top, sweeping 360-degree views across the Opera House, harbour and city skyline make this an exhilarating and unforgettable way to see Sydney. Option 6. Iconic Wildlife, Waterfalls & Wine Enjoy a wonderfully varied day south of Sydney, combining native wildlife, coastal scenery and boutique wine tasting. From koalas and kangaroos to the Sea Cliff Bridge, a waterfall walk and the Southern Highlands, this excursion showcases a beautiful mix of Australian landscapes and experiences. Option 7. Personalized Tailor-Made Excursion For a more tailored experience, speak with one of our local specialists to design a day in Sydney around your interests. Options may include guided walks, food tours, scenic bike rides, the Coogee to Bondi coastal walk or a behind-the-scenes Sydney Opera House experience.

Day 11 Sydney | Day at Leisure Today is yours to enjoy Sydney at your own pace. You may choose to spend the day around the harbour, wandering through the historic sandstone laneways of The Rocks, taking in the energy of Circular Quay and admiring the iconic views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. For a slower pace, stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden, enjoy a long lunch by the water or simply soak up the atmosphere of one of the world’s great waterfront cities. Whether your interests lean towards sightseeing, shopping, galleries or dining, Sydney offers an effortless and memorable day at leisure.

Day 12 Sydney | Departure The time has come to say goodbye to Sydney, Australia. We have included a transfer to the airport from your hotel to begin your journey home.