How much does it cost?

From A$9,170 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $6,577 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes. The tour includes 3 nights aboard the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook and Rawlinna.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. Off Train Experiences are led by local or coach guides, and the 6-day Margaret River and Rottnest Island portion is a small-group tour led by Outback Spirit guides.

The Indian Pacific, traveling from Sydney to Perth, with a choice of Platinum, Gold Premium Twin, Gold Twin or Gold Single class.

What hotels are included?

One night at the DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront, two nights at Margarets in Town in Margaret River, and two nights at a resort on Rottnest Island.

Journey Beyond Rail lists 11 departures across February, March, October, November and December 2026.

Journey Beyond Rail · Rail journey with small-group touring

Margaret River & Rottnest Discovery 2026

Sydney-to-Perth Indian Pacific train plus Margaret River and Rottnest Island touring

Journey Beyond Rail runs this 9-day, 8-night trip from Sydney to Rottnest Island, opening with 3 nights aboard the Indian Pacific across the Nullarbor Plain. The train days move slowly and socially: dinner on board the first night is paired with fine wine, Off Train Experiences break up the journey in Broken Hill and Adelaide, and day 3 brings a dinner under the stars at Rawlinna after crossing the world's longest stretch of straight railway track. Arriving in Perth on day 4, the trip switches to a 6-day small-group tour led by Outback Spirit, with a Mercedes-Benz 4WD vehicle taking travellers to Leeuwin Estate winery, the Karri forests of Boranyup, and the coast at Yallingup before finishing with two nights on Rottnest Island for quokka spotting and beach time. The pace suits travellers who want a classic long-distance rail crossing combined with food, wine and nature stops, rather than an independent city break.

What to know before you look closer

The Rottnest Island accommodation is listed only as a resort without a named property, unlike the DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront and Margarets in Town, which are named; confirm which resort is booked before finalizing.
Day 2 in Adelaide offers a choice of four evening experiences (McLaren Vale wine tasting, Adelaide Hills cheese or gin tasting, Icons of Adelaide, or a guided Central Market tour), so the specific activity depends on which option is selected.
Pricing for the Platinum Everyday Holiday tier is not published for the February or March 2026 departures, only for the October to December dates.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Indian Pacific
Board the Indian Pacific in Sydney
Depart Sydney's Central Station mid-afternoon through the Blue Mountains. First dinner on board, regionally inspired and paired with fine wine.
Day 2railovernight: Indian Pacific
Indian Pacific, Broken Hill and Adelaide
Off Train Experience in Broken Hill including the Miners' Memorial or a visit with Shelita Buffet. Arriving Adelaide in the late afternoon for a choice of experiences: McLaren Vale wine tasting and dinner at Star of Greece, Adelaide Hills cheese or gin tasting with dinner at Haus, Icons of Adelaide, or a guided Adelaide Central Market tour with an exclusive dinner.
Day 3railovernight: Indian Pacific
Indian Pacific, Nullarbor Plain
Cross the Nullarbor Plain on the world's longest stretch of straight railway track, stopping at the near-ghost town of Cook, then a dinner under the stars at Rawlinna: an al fresco long table (Mar-Oct) or drinks and canapes around a bonfire in winter months.
Day 4overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront
Indian Pacific, Perth
Brunch on board through the Avon Valley before arriving into Perth and transferring to accommodation. Afternoon tour of the city including Kings Park and the Botanical Gardens, then a welcome dinner at Reel Restaurant overlooking the Swan River.
Day 5overnight: Margarets in Town
Perth to Margaret River
Travel south to the Margaret River region, stopping at Leeuwin Estate winery for lunch with fine wines, food, art and music, then the tall timber Karri forests of Boranyup. Dinner at the Margaret River Brewhouse.
Day 6overnight: Margarets in Town
Margaret River
Free time in the Margaret River township, then Gabriel Chocolate for a tasting, a self-guided tour of Mammoth Cave, and coastal views at Yallingup. Dinner at a local Margaret River restaurant.
Day 7railovernight: Rottnest Island
Margaret River, Busselton, Fremantle, Rottnest Island
Walk the 1.7-kilometre Busselton Jetty, the longest in Australia, then travel via Bunbury and Mandurah for a fish and chip beach lunch. Sights tour of Fremantle before boarding the Rottnest Express ferry to Rottnest Island for a two-night stay.
Day 8overnight: Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island
Informative bus tour of the island's spectacular locations and quokka spotting, a picnic lunch with bubbles, and free time at the resort.
Day 9rail
Rottnest Island to Perth
Rottnest Express ferry back to Fremantle, then coach transfer to Perth, completing the tour.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Board the Indian Pacific in Sydney and depart mid-afternoon through the Blue Mountains, with a first dinner on board paired with fine wine.
Day 3Cross the Nullarbor Plain on the world's longest stretch of straight railway track, then dinner under the stars at Rawlinna.
Day 5Lunch, fine wines, art and music at Leeuwin Estate winery, followed by the tall timber Karri forests of Boranyup.
Day 7Walk the 1.7-kilometre Busselton Jetty, the longest in Australia, then board the Rottnest Express ferry to Rottnest Island.
Day 8A bus tour of Rottnest Island's locations with quokka spotting and a picnic lunch with bubbles.

Included

3 nights aboard the Indian Pacific, Sydney to Perth, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook and Rawlinna
Transfer from Rail Terminal to hotel
6-day Margaret River & Rottnest Island Explorer small-group tour with Outback Spirit, including accommodation, meals with beverages, and guided touring
8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 8 dinners in total

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From A$9,170 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $6,577 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes. The tour includes 3 nights aboard the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook and Rawlinna.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. Off Train Experiences are led by local or coach guides, and the 6-day Margaret River and Rottnest Island portion is a small-group tour led by Outback Spirit guides.
Which train is used?: The Indian Pacific, traveling from Sydney to Perth, with a choice of Platinum, Gold Premium Twin, Gold Twin or Gold Single class.
What hotels are included?: One night at the DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront, two nights at Margarets in Town in Margaret River, and two nights at a resort on Rottnest Island.
When does it depart?: Journey Beyond Rail lists 11 departures across February, March, October, November and December 2026.