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Great Rail Journeys · Independent

Australia's Indian Pacific Sydney – Perth

Sydney to Perth on the Indian Pacific train across Australia

Illustration of Australia's Indian Pacific Sydney – Perth

Great Rail Journeys operates this 12-day independent journey that begins with an overnight flight from London to Sydney, continues with three nights aboard the luxury Indian Pacific train from Sydney to Perth, and concludes with hotel stays in each city. Days two through four are yours to explore Sydney's Opera House, harbour, beaches, and art scene, with a guided tour of the Opera House included on day three. On day five you board the Indian Pacific in Gold Service, a cabin-class accommodation with regionally-inspired dining and all-inclusive Australian beverages. The three-night train journey crosses the Blue Mountains, passes through Broken Hill's mining and artistic heritage, skirts the ancient Flinders Ranges, and traverses the Nullarbor Plain along the longest straight railway line in the world, with the option of starlit dining at remote Rawlinna. Days eight through ten split between Perth's arrival and two free days to discover its revitalised arts, culture, and dining scene. The trip suits luxury seekers, repeat train travellers, independent explorers, and couples seeking leisurely pacing and five-star comfort alongside authentic Australian landscapes.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package price covers accommodation and the train fare; international flights from London are included, but any optional excursions (Blue Mountains tour, wine region visits, Rottnest Island) cost extra.
  • The tour is independent rather than escorted; you navigate Sydney and Perth largely on your own, though transfers and the Opera House tour are arranged.
  • Final hotel in Sydney and Perth depends on your chosen tier (four or five-star options available); confirm your specific property with Great Rail Journeys before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: In flight

    Getting to Sydney

    Your journey begins today with your overnight flight from London to Sydney on Singapore Airlines.

  2. Day 2overnight: Sydney

    Sydney

    You'll arrive in Sydney today where you'll be transferred to your hotel. This iconic harbour city welcomes you with its famous landmarks like the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney is a modern, cosmopolitan city with new trendy bars and boutique shops and a beach life that lulls you into relaxation, surf lessons, and sunbathing. Choose from our 4* and 5* hotels, on a B&B basis. Please Note - From 28th March the included hotel will be the Amora Jamison Hotel rather than the Crowne Plaza hotel in Sydney.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Sydney

    Sydney Opera House

    Today you'll take a Sydney Opera House Tour, operated by the Sydney Opera House Trust. As the most famous building in the city, perhaps in all of Australia, no visit to Sydney is complete without a tour of the iconic Opera House. Step beneath those famous sails and you'll instantly understand what makes this place so special. On the tour you'll learn the history of the building, and hear stories about performances and the artists who've stood here before you. You'll visit the performance spaces and theatres and you'll learn about the architecture.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Sydney

    Exploring Sydney

    Enjoy a free day in Sydney today. Check out some of the city's cool cafes and bars, and dive into a record store or two. Take a stroll along the harbour and relax on one of Sydney's beaches. Discover the city on foot and find Sydney's intriguing art galleries and museums. Or, choose one of our optional excursions, available at a supplement.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Indian Pacific (on board)

    The Indian Pacific

    Today you'll transfer from your hotel to the magical Indian Pacific Train for three nights onboard. Prepare for a mesmerising journey, with views of lush vineyards, vast goldmines, majestic mountains, the barren expanse of the Nullarbor, cities of four million inhabitants, and ghost towns of just four. As the train travels through the Blue Mountains, explore life onboard on the train. After settling into your accommodation, you can savour your first meal, a regionally-inspired dinner paired with fine wines. After dinner, join your fellow guests for a drink or head back to your cabin to cosy up with a good book.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Indian Pacific (on board)

    Broken Hill & Barossa Valley

    You'll arrive in Broken Hill this morning, known as 'the silver city', where you'll discover the mining history and artistic culture of this unique town, known for its wide streets with a pub on every corner. Lunch is served onboard the Indian Pacific as you enter the southern tip of the spectacular and ancient Flinders Ranges. In the afternoon you'll arrive in the city of Adelaide, where you can take a tour of the city, visit the world famous Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale wine regions, or take a trip to the Adelaide Hills and experience the culinary delights of Hahndorf.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Indian Pacific (on board)

    The Nullarbor Plains

    This morning you'll awake to the vast beauty of the Nullarbor Plain drifting by your window. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast as you travel along the longest stretch of straight railway track in the world, taking in the incredible views. In the evening, depending on the weather, you can enjoy dinner under the desert starry skies in the remote and beautiful Rawlinna.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: Perth

    The Avon Valley & Perth

    Enjoy a relaxed breakfast onboard this morning as you travel through the green vales of the Avon Valley on your way to Perth. You'll arrive in Perth after you've enjoyed an onboard lunch. From the train station at Perth you'll be transferred to your hotel. Choose from our 5* hotels, on a B&B basis.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  9. Day 9overnight: Perth

    Perth

    Enjoy a free day in Perth and get under the skin of this revitalised city - now a vibrant city with a busy arts and culture scene. Walk around the city and you'll see urban art next to new openings of trendy eateries and bars. Visit a museum to get a better understanding of the city's history, learn about the region's aboriginal history, or take in a comedy show and visit a modern art gallery. Or look further afield and discover Rottnest Island on our optional excursion, available at a supplement.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10overnight: Perth

    Perth

    Enjoy another free day in Perth to explore the city further.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11overnight: In flight

    Perth to the UK

    Your adventure comes to its end today when you're transferred from your hotel to Perth Airport for your flight home. Fly overnight with Singapore Airlines, back to London, and take all your new memories home with you.

  12. Day 12

    Arrive London

    Arrive back in London Heathrow.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Sydney Opera House tour with the Sydney Opera House Trust, exploring the building's history and architecture beneath its famous sails.
  • Day 5Embark on the Indian Pacific in Gold Service and watch the Blue Mountains pass as you settle into your cabin for three nights.
  • Day 6Visit Broken Hill, known as the silver city for its mining heritage and artistic culture, then travel through the Flinders Ranges into Adelaide.
  • Day 7Travel the longest stretch of straight railway track in the world across the Nullarbor Plain, with the option of dining under desert stars at Rawlinna.
  • Day 8Pass through the green Avon Valley en route to Perth, disembarking after an onboard lunch.

Included

  • 6 nights' in 4/5 Star hotel accommodation
  • 3 nights on board the Indian Pacific in Gold Service
  • All rail and transfers throughout the tour
  • Flight from London Heathrow to Sydney
  • Flight from Perth to London Heathrow, via Singapore
  • Regionally-inspired dining on board the Indian Pacific
  • All-inclusive Australian beers, wines, base spirits and soft drinks on board the Indian Pacific
  • Bed & Breakfast in hotels
  • Sydney Opera House Tour

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Optional excursions (available at a supplement)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes three nights aboard the Indian Pacific in Gold Service, all rail transfers throughout Australia, and return flights from London.
What is the Indian Pacific?
The Indian Pacific is a long-distance passenger train running Sydney to Perth. This tour books Gold Service class, which includes a cabin, all meals onboard, and all-inclusive Australian beers, wines, base spirits, and soft drinks.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is independent. Great Rail Journeys arranges your hotels, transfers, and the Sydney Opera House tour, but you have free days to explore Sydney and Perth on your own. Optional excursions are available at additional cost.
Which hotels are included?
You stay three nights in Sydney at a choice of a four-star (Crown Plaza Darling Harbour) or five-star property (Amora Hotel Jamison or Hyatt Regency), then three nights in Perth at a five-star hotel (Quay Hotel or Intercontinental Perth). All are bed and breakfast.
What meals are provided?
Breakfast daily in hotels. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner aboard the Indian Pacific, including all-inclusive Australian beverages. No meals included on the free days in Sydney and Perth except breakfast.
How much walking is involved?
The Sydney Opera House tour involves guided walking. Most other days are free, so walking is optional. The train journey itself requires minimal physical exertion.

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