Australian Luxury Rail Tour – Sydney / Adelaide / Darwin

We have specifically created this rail tour to encompass as much of Australia’s diverse and changing continent as possible, combining leisure and luxury in viewing some of the world’s most demanding landscapes and exciting cities. Departs Sunday’s (year round) and Wednesday’s (from 31 August – 19 October 2011).

In combining the journeys of Australia’s two iconic trains, we cover this great continent from south to north (or vice-versa if you wish) viewing virtually everything in nature that is truly only Australian. The Indian Pacific covers the journey from Sydney to Adelaide before handing over to The Ghan. Named after the Afgan Cameleers who once plied the arid and uncompromising central part of Australia.

The Ghan will take you from one edge of Australia to the other. The journey from Sydney will take you through unsurpassed views of a fantastic landscape. From Sydney you pass through the spectacular Blue Mountains, travelling onwards through some of Australia’s most productive farming country, through Broken Hill with its tales of riches won and lost, into Australia’s beautiful garden city of Adelaide. After taking time to savour the “Festival City” as it’s known, the Ghan takes over and takes you through the sweeping Adelaide Plains unfolding before your eyes to the majestic Flinders Ranges.

As this legendary train pushes ever northwards, the changing landscape to the red earth and cobalt skies of central Australia, brings into view a land that has changed little since the days of the early pioneers. One of the train’s “whistle-stop” tours will allow you to visit the famous centre of Australia, Alice Springs. (If you’re travelling in Gold or Platinum Service it’s possible to break your journey for a few days to explore the world famous “Red Centre” and Uluru – this can be arranged as an add on cost for your journey if you wish).

Moving on from the scorched earth of the Red Centre, the Ghan enters the Top End, the landscape mellows with subtropical fauna staking its claim over the passing scenery. Stepping off in the northern town of Katherine offers you the opportunity to experience the inspiring wonders of Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) before your rail journey concludes in tropical Darwin, the relaxed capital city of Australia’s Northern Territory.

3 Nights Sydney

• Sydney Harbour Marriott (or similar) – Deluxe City View Room (Full Breakfast Daily)
• Sydney Opera House – The Essential Tour
• Sydney City Tour
• Captain Cook Cruises – Sunset Dinner Cruise
• Hunter Valley Wine & Wilderness Tour

3 Nights Adelaide

• Rendezvous Hotel Adelaide (or similar) – Deluxe King Room (Full Breakfast Daily)
• Barossa Valley Experience Tour
• Kangaroo Island Wildlife Discovery: Cruise & Fly

3 nights Darwin

• Skycity Hotel & Casino – Deluxe Room (Full Breakfast Daily)
• Afternoon City Sights Tour
• 1 Day Litchfield National Park & Jumping Crocodiles Tour

Day 1

Arrive Sydney. Your Representative will meet you at the airport to hand over and explain your travel documents and assist with transfer to your hotel.

Private car transfer from Sydney International Airport to accommodation.

Sydney Opera House Trust – The Essential Tour

Join the Essential Tour at the Sydney Opera House. Check in at the Cloak Room Desk located on the Lower Concourse level to exchange your voucher for your ticket, and join the next available tour. See inside the world’s most recognisable sails and experience this miracle of architecture and engineering. A work of art that came into existence against impossible odds, to become one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world. Working with new, rich audio-visual components, where images are projected onto the fabric of the building, your guide will take you on an emotional journey, engrossing you in a story to rival any opera plot with its dramatic twists and turns. Some 1,500 performances, from opera to circus, rock and cabaret, are staged each year to audiences of around 1.5 million. Tour concludes approximately one hour after commencement.

Day 2 – Sydney

The Essential Sydney Tour

Start in the historic Rocks precinct to see the birth place of Sydney and explore the convict built cottages, pubs and the first church in Australia. Climb Observatory Hill for views of Anzac Bridge and Darling Harbour. Next, cross the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge and travel through the leafy northern suburbs to Manly, a beautiful seaside suburb. Continue up to North Head for unrivalled views of the Harbour, then take a secluded walk along the rugged sandstone cliffs. Reboard your vehicle, and journey to the stunning Botanical Gardens situated right in the heart of Sydney. En route pass through Macquarie Street, named after the first Governor of Sydney, Lachlan Macquarie. Here see Australia’s first Parliament House, Mint, Hyde Park Barracks and St Mary’s Cathedral. Enjoy lunch in the Botanical Gardens. After lunch, continue down to Mrs Macquarie’s chair which is situated on the water’s edge.

Travel through Woolloomooloo, Kings Cross and onto Darling Point, one of Sydney’s most affluent suburbs and see some of Sydney’s most sought after addresses. Continue past Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse and Watsons Bay, before traversing along the coastline to Sydney’s most famous beach, Bondi. Enjoy time to soak up the atmosphere of the beachside Mecca – stroll down the esplanade with the locals and maybe enjoy an ice cream (at own expense) before reboarding your vehicle. Return to Sydney via the vibrant Oxford Street and the suburb of Paddington and admire this boutique shopping precinct and the charming Georgian and Victorian architecture of the homes. Tour concludes at approximately 3.30pm, at which time hotel drop offs will commence

Captain Cook Cruises – Sunset Dinner Cruise

Board your Captain Cook Cruises MV Sydney 2000, 63 metre motorised vessel at Jetty No. 6 Circular Quay to commence a Sunset Dinner cruise.  Discover the magic of Sydney at sundown whilst enjoying an a la carte dinner on board.  Cruise concludes at approximately 6.30pm at Circular Quay.
*Clients are to make their own way to and from Circular Quay, approximately a 2 minute walk from the Sydney Harbour Marriott

Day 3 – Sydney

Hunter Valley Wine & Wilderness

Your vehicle will pick you up from your hotel to commence a full day Hunter Valley and Wilderness Day tour.  This tour to the Hunter Region offers the real Aussie Outback, history, Aboriginal Culture and wine tastings in a full day of experiences.  Head out of the city and reach the morning tea stop, a unique wildlife park where you’ll meet native Australian animals.  Head away from the main road and travel through the National Parks to the historic town of Wollombi.  Continuing over Mount View, head into the Hunter Valley to a boutique winery for the first wine tasting experience.  The next winery you will visit is the lunch destination, where a gourmet tasting experience of food and wine matching awaits.  Continue to the last winery which also combines hand made cheeses to match with the wines, and then finally to a chocolate shop to taste some unique flavours of the Hunter Valley.  Tour concludes at approximately 6.00pm at which time hotel drop offs will commence.

Day 4 – Sydney & Adelaide

You will be transferred by private vehicle from your hotel to the Railway Station:
Sydney Central Railway Station is located at Eddy Avenue, Sydney.

Check in commences 2 hours prior to departure, with final check in 60 minutes prior to departure.

Due to space constraints, guests are recommended to only take on board hand luggage containing the requirements for their journey, such as passports, valuables, medicine and fragile or perishable items.  A total of 40kg of checked-in luggage per guest is allowed in the Luggage Car (2 items not exceeding 20kg each and 180 linear centimetres). Note: checked-in luggage cannot be accessed during the journey.

Depart on the Indian Pacific train from Sydney to Adelaide.

You are confirmed in a Gold Service Sleeper.

On board until . . .

Day 5 – Adelaide

Arrive Adelaide. Your driver will meet you inside the terminal near the baggage collection area, for private vehicle transfer to your hotel. The driver will be holding a Hughes Chauffeured Limousines sign with your name.

Day 6 – Adelaide

Barossa Valley Experience

Your vehicle will pick you up from your hotel to commence a full day Barossa Valley Experience tour. Depart the city and travel north over the Torrens River and into the Torrens Gorge. Covering 400 square kilometres, this area prides itself on its unspoiled beauty and love of the great outdoors. You may be lucky enough to see kangaroos and emus grazing near the road before venturing to the Chain of Ponds, which features a breathtaking backdrop of giant reservoirs and towering pine trees. Travel to Williamstown and admire the beautiful stone buildings before having morning tea from the historic Lyndoch bakery. Visit the Angas Park Fruit Company at the charming stone brick town of Angaston, before admiring the panoramic views offered from Menglers Hill Lookout, which gives you fantastic photographic opportunities looking out onto the Barossa Valley.  After lunch, spend the afternoon amongst the vineyards and wineries that make this area so popular and famous around the world.  This afternoon will be created to suit your palate. Whether you prefer red or white, dry or sweet, your guide will discuss with everyone what they prefer and visit wineries appropriate to your taste. The day will finish with a stop to view the most famous of all premium Australian wine, Grange. Tour concludes at approximately 5.00pm, at which time hotel drop offs will commence.

Day 7 – Adelaide / Kangaroo Island / Adelaide

* There is a luggage limit of 15 kg (33 lb) per person for your tour to Kangaroo Island. Excess luggage can be stored at the Airport, or at your hotel in Adelaide until your return.
Please ensure you take with you on your tour: binoculars, camera, walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain, long trousers to protect your legs in the bush, warm jacket, sunscreen and hat.

Kangaroo Island Wildlife Discovery: Cruise/Fly

A coach will pick you up from your hotel for your transfer to 85 Franklin Street, the departure point of your tour.  At 6.45am join your coach to commence a full day Kangaroo Island Wildlife Discovery Tour.   Journey south through the rolling hills along the Fleurieu Peninsula coastline to Cape Jervis to board the 9.00am Sealink catamaran for the crossing to Kangaroo Island.

Upon arrival on Kangaroo Island join your guide to commence a full day Kangaroo Island Wildlife Discovery Tour.   The tour begins with an introduction to Kangaroo Island, touring through several differing island habitats and seeing wildlife in its natural environment. Kangaroo Island is a haven for Australian wildlife, which exists in its natural habitat without the threat of introduced predators.  Keep an eye out for echidnas, wallabies, reptiles and wildflowers, there are opportunities to stop and enjoy these sightings.  At Seal Bay your guide will escort you on a memorable walk along the beach. This bay is home to a healthy Australian sea lion colony. Walk among the sea lions as they bask on the beach or among the sand dunes after their extensive fishing expedition. With your guide you are able to stand at a safe distance to these wonderful endangered creatures and can hear them sigh and watch them at play.  Enter Kangaroo Island Odyssey’s exclusive Heritage-listed natural bush property to enjoy a delicious picnic lunch with wine. Travel through the island’s interior keeping an eye out for koalas and echidnas.  Explore the beaches of the north coast and take a bushwalk. Later in the afternoon, as the day draws to a close, see the kangaroos and wallabies leave the safety of the bush to begin grazing on the open pastures.  Your tour concludes at Kingscote Airport to connect with the flight to Adelaide.

Depart on Regional Express Airlines flight ZL to Adelaide.

Arrive Adelaide. Please collect your luggage and proceed to the base of the escalators in the arrival area to meet your Smartcar driver, for transfer back to your hotel in Adelaide.

Day 8 & Day 9 – Adelaide / Darwin

You will be transferred by private car from your hotel to the Railway Station:

Adelaide Parklands Terminal is located at Richmond Road, Keswick, South Australia.

Check in commences 2 hours prior to departure, with final check in 60 minutes prior to departure.

Due to space constraints, guests are recommended to only take on board hand luggage containing the requirements for their journey, such as passports, valuables, medicine and fragile or perishable items.  A total of 40kg of checked-in luggage per guest is allowed in the Luggage Car (2 items not exceeding 20kg each and 180 linear centimetres). Note: checked-in luggage cannot be accessed during the journey.

Depart on the Ghan train from Adelaide to Darwin.

You are confirmed in a Gold Service Sleeper.

On board until . . .

Day 10 – Darwin

Upon arrival at the Railway Station, please meet your driver for private vehicle transfer to your hotel.

Day 11 – Darwin

Darwin Day Tours – Afternoon City Sights Tour

A Darwin Day Tours vehicle will pick  you up from your hotel to commence an afternoon Darwin City Sights tour. The perfect introduction to Darwin with an experienced and knowledgeable guide providing an informative and interesting commentary. Tour highlights include the Botanic Gardens, Stokes Hill Wharf Precinct and Mooring Basin, East Point Reserve – WWII Relics, Historic City Sights, Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Tour concludes at approximately 6.00pm, at which time hotel drop offs will commence.

Day 12 – Darwin

1 Day Litchfield and Jumping Crocodiles

Travel along the Arnhem Highway to the Adelaide River where you join the one hour Jumping Crocodiles boat cruise. Saltwater Crocodiles roam the waterways of Northern Australia and you will be amazed to see these massive reptiles propelling themselves out of the water for a tasty reward. Afterwards we travel via the township of Bachelor to Litchfield National Park where we spend the afternoon exploring.

Florence Falls is a spectacular double waterfall set amid monsoon forest. The lookout here provides a panoramic view. Tolmer Falls cascades over two high escarpments into a distant, deep, plunge pool. The bottom of the Falls is home to several colonies of rare Ghost Bats and Orange Horseshoe Bats. Wangi Falls flows into a large swimming hole surrounded by lush monsoonal rainforest. Be sure to bring your bathers to cool off here! From a distance the huge termite mounds look like tombstones. Discover the difference between Cathedral (up to 6 metres high) and Magnetic Termite Mounds before relaxing in your air-conditioned coach on the return journey to Darwin.

Day 13 – Depart Darwin

You will be transferred by private vehicle from your hotel to the International Airport. Depart Darwin.

Tour Package Pricing

Valid 01 April 2011 – 31 March 2012

• $US 7,545.00 per person twin share

Rail Upgrade Surcharge

• Platinum Sleeper – Sunday Departure (both rail sectors) – $US 1725.00 per person twin share
• Wednesday Departure (Adelaide to Darwin sector ONLY) – $US 1305.00 per person twin share
• The Chairman’s Carriage – $US 505.00 per person (based on a minimum of 8 pax)
  “The Chairman’s Carriage” provides the ultimate great train experience. Boasting a generous lounge area complete with CD player, Video and DVD player, private dining room and kitchen facilities, this carriage offers the ultimate travelling experience. The Chairman’s Carriage accommodates up to eight in comfort. It has spacious deluxe cabins featuring compact double beds and sharing a two-way bathroom. There are also two twin cabins each featuring a three seater lounge converting to upper and lower sleeping berths, with adjacent bathroom facilities
  
• The Sir John Forrest Carriage – $US 896.00 per person (based on a minimum of 6 pax)
  We can also offer “The Sir John Forrest Carriage” which provides a truly memorable environment in a stylish, well appointed, self-contained carriage, ideal for corporate events.
  The Sir John Forrest Carriage boasts large picture windows, a generous lounge area which can be transformed into a spacious meeting room, complete with a boardroom table that comfortably seats twelve, kitchen, bar, leather lounges, big screen television, video / DVD and Power Point facilities.
  The Sir John Forrest Carriage accommodates up to six in style and comfort, offering one double bedroom, and two twin cabins each featuring a three seater lounge which converts to upper and lower sleeping berths, all with ensuite bathroom facilities.
  

Surcharges – dates are inclusive

• Meet & Greet – Between 22:00 – 06:00 hours – $US 35.00 per meet & greet
• Sydney Harbour Marriott – 01 October – 14 December 2011 & 01 February 2011 – 31 March 2012 – $US 79.00 per room per night
• Rendezvous Hotel Adelaide – 01 September – 30 November 2011 – $US 40.00 per room per night
• Rendezvous Hotel Adelaide – 01 February – 31 March 2012 – $US 63.00 per room per night
• Skycity Darwin – 01 April – 16 June 2011, 20 June – 27 July 2011 & 03 August – 31 October 2011 – $US 102.00 per room per night

Blockouts – dates are inclusive

• Sydney Harbour Marriott – 28 December 2011 – 03 Jan 2012
• Skycity Darwin – 28 July – 02 August 2011 & 30 December – 01 January 2012
• Sydney Opera House Trust – 22 Apr11 2011, 25 December 2011, 31 December 2011 – 01 January 2012
• Captain Cook Cruises – 25 – 26 December, 31 December 2011, 26 January 2012 & 14 February 2012
• Tours – 24 December 2011 – 01 January 2012

Cost inclusions

• English Speaking Meet & Greet upon arrival in Sydney
• All transfers by Private Car
• Rail Sectors in Gold Class Sleeper
• All sightseeing tours are based on “small group” seat in coach with English Commentary
• Flight from Kangaroo Island to Adelaide
• Admission fees as specified in itinerary
• Accommodation – including breakfast daily (3 nights Sydney, 3 nights Adelaide & 3 nights Darwin)
• Meals only as mentioned in itinerary

Certain national interpreters and national style meals can be provided where possible for an added supplement.

Cost exclusions

• Any International or Domestic airfares not included in the itinerary
• Any touring not mentioned in itinerary
• Any personal expenses such as drinks, laundry etc
• Gratuities