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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Australia's Indian Pacific Sydney - Perth

Ten-day Sydney to Perth rail journey on the Indian Pacific train

Illustration of Australia's Indian Pacific Sydney - Perth

Vacations By Rail's ten-day Australian rail vacation pairs three nights aboard the Indian Pacific train with hotel stays in Sydney and Perth. The journey departs Sydney, crosses the Australian continent in Gold Service cabins, and arrives in Perth after passing through Broken Hill, the Flinders Ranges, and the Nullarbor Plain. Days in Sydney include a tour of the Opera House and a small-group city panorama visiting Bondi Beach and historic neighborhoods. On the train itself, travelers wake to the world's longest straight railway track and, weather permitting, dine under the desert stars at Rawlinna. Perth offers time for museums and galleries, plus a ferry excursion to Rottnest Island. This independent itinerary suits repeat rail travelers and couples who prefer self-guided exploration with a framework of included experiences and four or five-star accommodations.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package is independent travel; there is no tour leader accompanying the group.
  • International flights to and from Australia are not included.
  • Day 10 is a transfer to Perth Airport only; the tour ends before your overnight flight home.
  • Some activities on the Indian Pacific, such as dinner at Rawlinna on Day 6, are weather dependent.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Sydney

    Sydney

    Arrive in Sydney and transfer to a four-star or five-star hotel on a B&B basis; explore the harbor city and its famous landmarks.

  2. Day 2overnight: Sydney

    Sydney Opera House

    A Sydney Opera House Tour, operated by the Sydney Opera House Trust, exploring the building's history and architecture and visiting performance spaces and theaters.

  3. Day 3overnight: Sydney

    Exploring Sydney

    Free morning to explore Sydney's cafés, harbor and beaches, then an afternoon Small-group Panoramic Sydney City Tour visiting The Rocks, the CBD, Macquarie Street, Mrs. Macquarie's Point, the Eastern Suburbs, Kings Cross, Double Bay, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay, Bondi Beach, Tamarama and Bronte.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Train

    The Indian Pacific

    Transfer from the hotel to board the Indian Pacific for a three-night journey across Australia; settle in and enjoy a regionally-inspired dinner paired with fine wines as the train passes through the Blue Mountains.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Train

    Broken Hill & Barossa Valley

    Arrive in Broken Hill, 'the silver city', to discover its mining history; lunch is served on board as the train enters the Flinders Ranges and arrives in Adelaide, where you can tour the city, visit the Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale wine regions, or visit Hahndorf, before returning to the train.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Train

    The Nullarbor Plains

    Wake to views of the Nullarbor Plain along the world's longest stretch of straight railway track; weather permitting, dinner is served under the desert's starry skies at remote Rawlinna.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Perth

    The Avon Valley & Perth

    Breakfast on board as the train weaves through the Avon Valley toward Perth; lunch on board before arrival, then transfer to a four-star or five-star hotel with the rest of the day free.

  8. Day 8overnight: Perth

    Perth & Rottnest Island

    Free time to explore Perth's arts and culture scene, museums and galleries.

  9. Day 9overnight: Perth

    Perth & Rottnest Island

    Ferry from Barrack Street Jetty to Rottnest Island for a 90-minute tour of its heritage and wildlife, with the afternoon free to explore the island before the ferry back to Perth.

  10. Day 10

    Tour conclusion

    Included transfer from the hotel to Perth Airport for the overnight flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of the Sydney Opera House led by the Sydney Opera House Trust, exploring the building's history, architecture, performance spaces and theaters.
  • Day 4Board the Indian Pacific in Sydney and settle into Gold Service as the train passes through the Blue Mountains, with a regionally-inspired dinner paired with fine wines.
  • Day 5Stop in Broken Hill to discover the mining history of the silver city, with optional visits to the Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale wine regions before reboarding.
  • Day 6Wake to views of the Nullarbor Plain along the world's longest straight railway track; dinner is served under the desert's starry skies at remote Rawlinna, weather permitting.
  • Day 9Ferry from Perth to Rottnest Island for a 90-minute guided heritage and wildlife tour, with the afternoon free to explore before returning.

Included

  • 6 nights 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 3 nights on board the Indian Pacific in Gold Service

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes three nights aboard the Indian Pacific in Gold Service, plus all coach transfers throughout the tour.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
Vacations By Rail describes it as independent travel on a well-planned itinerary. You travel on your own, though guided tours of the Sydney Opera House and Rottnest Island are included.
What hotels are included?
Six nights in four or five-star hotels: Crown Plaza Darling Harbour, Hyatt Regency, Quay Hotel or Intercontinental Perth. Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis.
What is included in the price?
Six nights of hotel accommodation, three nights on the Indian Pacific in Gold Service, all rail and coach travel, the Sydney Opera House tour, and a Rottnest Island tour. Flights are not included.
How many days involve walking or activity?
Day 2 is a guided Opera House tour. Day 3 includes free exploration and an optional city panorama tour. Day 9 includes a 90-minute guided tour of Rottnest Island. Other days involve minimal walking beyond stations.

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