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Wexas Travel · Tailor-made rail holiday

Australia by Rail: Indian Pacific

Luxury rail journey Perth to Sydney on Indian Pacific, plus Hunter Valley wines

Illustration of Australia by Rail: Indian Pacific

Wexas Travel's 14-day Australia by Rail combines self-drive city breaks with one of the world's great long-distance trains. The journey begins in Perth with two days exploring beaches, parks and dining, then a self-drive hire car south to the port city of Fremantle. The centrepiece is a four-night voyage aboard the Indian Pacific in Gold Service Twin cabins, departing Perth and crossing Australia's outback across the Nullarbor Plains, with stops at Kalgoorlie's gold mining town and the Barossa Valley for a winery dinner. After arrival in Sydney on the edge of the Blue Mountains, the itinerary includes two days of harbour exploration and coastal visits. The trip concludes in the Hunter Valley wine region with two days of tastings and vineyard tours. All-inclusive dining and complimentary drinks aboard the train, five-star hotel accommodation and curated experiences throughout suit couples and luxury travellers drawn to food, wine and rail journeys.

What to know before you look closer

  • The trip spans 14 days but includes two travel days (departing the UK on day 1, returning on days 13-14), leaving 11 full days in Australia.
  • Day 9 offers a choice: take optional Blue Mountains excursions before a chartered New South Wales rail service to Sydney, or remain aboard the Indian Pacific for the final stretch.
  • Several experiences are optional and carry additional cost: Rottnest Island coach tour, Sydney lunch cruise, and Blue Mountains or Jervis Bay add-ons.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    UK

    Depart the UK to fly to Australia and begin your tailor-made journey, arriving in Perth the next day.

  2. Day 2overnight: QT Perth (Superior)

    Perth

    Australia's sunniest state capital and its beautiful surrounds have an enormous amount to offer. Head to Cottesloe Beach for swimming and stunning Indian Ocean sunsets, enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Swan River and explore Kings Park.

  3. Day 3overnight: QT Perth (Superior)

    Perth

    A second day to explore Perth's beaches, surf breaks, nature reserves and vineyards, and its cosmopolitan dining scene, staying at your stylish boutique accommodation.

  4. Day 4overnight: Rydges Esplanade Fremantle (Superior)

    Fremantle

    Collect your hire car and drive south to Fremantle, a vibrant port city with craft markets, cafés and bars, and a fascinating maritime and convict past explored at the Maritime Museum and the World Heritage-listed Round House. An optional coach tour to Rottnest Island is available.

  5. Day 5overnight: The Indian Pacific (Superior)

    Indian Pacific

    Swap your hire car for your private Gold Service Twin cabin aboard the Indian Pacific. Enjoy complimentary drinks in the lounge car and all-inclusive dining as the greenery of the Avon Valley melts into the vast west-Australian outback.

  6. Day 6railovernight: The Indian Pacific (Superior)

    Indian Pacific, Cook

    Wake to see the sun rise over the outback town of Kalgoorlie, home to a giant open-cut gold mine, explored on a guided tour. Rejoin the train for a journey across the Nullarbor Plains, stopping at Cook, a once-bustling railway community now a ghost town.

  7. Day 7railovernight: The Indian Pacific (Superior)

    Indian Pacific, Barossa Valley

    Watch the Flinders Ranges give way to rolling South Australian countryside. At mid-afternoon, pull into Two Wells for a transfer to the Barossa Valley, spending the evening at Seppeltsfield Winery for a signature dining experience including a traditional 'firing of the barrel' display, then back onto the train overnight to Broken Hill.

  8. Day 8railovernight: The Indian Pacific (Superior)

    Indian Pacific, Broken Hill

    Explore Broken Hill's wide streets, country pubs, art studios and the Miners' Memorial. Return to the train for lunch and spend the rest of the day relaxing through rural New South Wales.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Amora Hotel Jamison, Sydney (Superior)

    Sydney

    Say goodbye to the Indian Pacific on the edge of the Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a choice of mountain excursions before a hosted trip into Sydney aboard a chartered New South Wales rail service (or stay onboard the Indian Pacific for the last stretch, alternatively). Check into your hotel for the next two nights.

  10. Day 10overnight: Amora Hotel Jamison, Sydney (Superior)

    Sydney

    A full day exploring the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Coogee, Manly, Paddington markets, Bondi Beach and The Rocks. An optional all-included lunch cruise with Journey Beyond is available.

  11. Day 11overnight: The Convent Hunter Valley (Superior)

    Hunter Valley

    Pick up a hire car and drive from Sydney to the Hunter Valley to get to know the vineyards and vintners of Australia's oldest wine region.

  12. Day 12overnight: The Convent Hunter Valley (Superior)

    Hunter Valley

    A second full day of cellar door sales and tours, sampling wines like verdelho, chambourcin, shiraz, sémillon and chardonnay, dining at local restaurants and exploring hiking and cycling trails.

  13. Day 13

    Departure for UK

    Return your hire car to the airport in time for your flight back to the UK, arriving on day 13 (as stated on the page).

  14. Day 14

    Departure for UK

    Page groups days 13-14 under a single 'Departure for UK' heading; arrival back in the UK is stated as occurring on day 13.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 5Board the Indian Pacific at Perth in a Gold Service Twin cabin; complimentary drinks in the lounge car as the train enters the west-Australian outback.
  • Day 6Wake to a sunrise over Kalgoorlie and its open-cut gold mine (guided tour included); journey across the Nullarbor Plains with a stop at Cook, a ghost town.
  • Day 7Transfer from the train at Two Wells to Seppeltsfield Winery in the Barossa Valley for a signature dining experience including a traditional firing-of-the-barrel display.
  • Day 9Disembark on the edge of the Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with optional mountain excursions before a hosted rail trip into Sydney.
  • Day 11Drive a hire car into the Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest wine region, to explore vineyards and vintners.

Included

  • All-inclusive dining and complimentary drinks aboard the Indian Pacific (Days 5-8)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The price includes four nights aboard the Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney in a Gold Service Twin cabin, with all-inclusive dining and complimentary drinks. Self-drive segments (Perth to Fremantle, Sydney to Hunter Valley) use a hire car at your own cost.
Which hotels are included?
The package includes the QT Perth (2 nights, Superior), Rydges Esplanade Fremantle (1 night), Amora Hotel Jamison in Sydney (2 nights), and The Convent Hunter Valley (2 nights). Cabin aboard the Indian Pacific is included for 4 nights.
What meals are included?
All-inclusive dining and complimentary drinks are provided aboard the Indian Pacific (Days 5-8). The Barossa Valley winery dinner on Day 7 is included. Optional lunch cruise in Sydney and other meals are at additional cost.
Is this an escorted tour?
Wexas Travel describes it as a tailor-made rail holiday. Days in Perth, Fremantle, Sydney and Hunter Valley are self-guided exploration or optional activities. The Indian Pacific portion includes hosted experiences (Kalgoorlie gold mine tour, Barossa winery dinner). Day 9 offers a hosted trip into Sydney.
When does this trip run?
Wexas Travel does not publish set departure dates in the evidence; confirm availability and your preferred dates directly with the operator.
How much walking is involved?
City exploration in Perth, Sydney and Fremantle involves walking and sightseeing at your own pace. Hunter Valley includes cellar door visits, dining and optional hiking and cycling trails. Optional Blue Mountains excursions (Day 9) may involve additional walking.

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