How much does it cost?

From A$9,630 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $6,907 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 trip includes 4 days aboard the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth, with all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook and Rawlinna.

Which train and ship are used?

The Indian Pacific for the rail portion from Sydney to Perth, and Sapphire Princess for the 16-day Northern Explorer cruise from Fremantle to Sydney.

Is it escorted or independent?

The rail portion includes structured Off Train Experiences, while on the cruise travelers select shore excursions and plan onboard activities independently via the Princess Cruises app.

What is not included?

Shore excursions at cruise ports and some onboard specialty venues, activities and menu items are not included and carry additional charges.

Journey Beyond Rail lists one departure, in April 2027.

Journey Beyond Rail · Rail & cruise journey

Northern Explorer with Perth Stay – Sapphire Princess® 2027

Indian Pacific rail to Perth then 16-day Sapphire Princess cruise to Sydney

Journey Beyond Rail combines two long-distance journeys into this 21-day trip from Sydney back to Sydney. The first 4 days cross the country aboard the Indian Pacific, with a first dinner on board day 1, an Off Train Experience in Broken Hill on day 2, and a signature dinner under the stars at Rawlinna on day 3 after crossing the Nullarbor Plain. One night in a Perth hotel bridges the rail and cruise legs before boarding Sapphire Princess at Fremantle for a 16-day Northern Explorer cruise. The ship calls at Broome, cruises scenically along the Kimberley coastline, and stops at Darwin, Cairns and Brisbane before passing Willis Island and returning to Sydney Harbour on day 21. Days at sea are largely unstructured, with dining venues, lounges and onboard entertainment to fill the time. The trip suits travellers who want to see Australia's coastline and outback in one extended trip, mixing structured rail touring with independent cruise days.

What to know before you look closer

The package includes a full-day Discover Rottnest tour among its inclusions, but the day-by-day itinerary does not specify which day it takes place; confirm the schedule with Journey Beyond Rail before booking.
Shore excursions at each cruise port carry additional fees and are not included in the package price, and some onboard specialty venues, activities and menu items also carry separate charges.
The single occupancy fare (from AUD 13,990) is significantly higher than the twin share per-person fare (from AUD 9,630), reflecting a substantial single supplement.
Journey Beyond Rail lists only one departure for this itinerary, in April 2027.

Day by day

The operator's published day-by-day is incomplete (day 5: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 6: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 7: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 8: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 9: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 10: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 11: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 12: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 13: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 14: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 15: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 16: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 17: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 18: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 19: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 20: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately). Day counts and hotel changes are not calculated from it.

Day 1overnight: Indian Pacific (night 1 of 3)
Board the Indian Pacific in Sydney
Depart Sydney Central Station through the Blue Mountains; first dinner on board.
Day 2railovernight: Indian Pacific (night 2 of 3)
Indian Pacific, Broken Hill and Adelaide
Off Train Experience in Broken Hill; late afternoon arrival in Adelaide with a choice of curated experiences.
Day 3overnight: Indian Pacific (night 3 of 3)
Indian Pacific, Nullarbor Plain
Cross the Nullarbor Plain; call at Cook; signature dinner under the stars at Rawlinna.
Day 4overnight: Novotel Perth Murray Street (1 night)
Indian Pacific, Perth
Arrive into Perth after crossing the Avon Valley; transfer to hotel for an evening at leisure.
Day 5
Board Sapphire Princess® in Fremantle
Transfer to the cruise terminal and board Sapphire Princess® at Fremantle, gateway to Perth.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 1 of 16)
Day 6
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at sea; explore dining venues including Trident Grill, International Café and Prego Pizzeria, or specialty restaurants.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 2 of 16)
Day 7
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at sea; relax in the lounges or visit The Sanctuary adults-only retreat.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 3 of 16)
Day 8
Sapphire Princess®, Broome
Call at Broome, a multicultural pearling town with Cable Beach stretching over 20km along the coast.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 4 of 16)
Day 9
Sapphire Princess®, Kimberley Coast (scenic cruising)
Scenic cruising along the dramatic red-cliffed Kimberley coastline, rich in biodiversity and birdlife.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 5 of 16)
Day 10
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at leisure; pools, hot tubs and sun loungers.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 6 of 16)
Day 11
Sapphire Princess®, Darwin
Call at Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory's 'Top End'.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 7 of 16)
Day 12
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at sea; plan onboard activities via the Princess® Cruises app.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 8 of 16)
Day 13
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at sea; afternoon tea in the dining room.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 9 of 16)
Day 14
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at sea; Movies Under the Stars poolside amphitheatre.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 10 of 16)
Day 15
Sapphire Princess®, Cairns
Call at Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree National Park.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 11 of 16)
Day 16
Sapphire Princess®, Willis Island
Pass Willis Island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, home to thousands of seabirds and a turtle nesting site.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 12 of 16)
Day 17
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at leisure; Champagne Art Auction, European-style Piazza, mini-golf.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 13 of 16)
Day 18
Sapphire Princess®, Brisbane
Call at Brisbane, capital of Queensland.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 14 of 16)
Day 19
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at sea; Shops of Princess for souvenirs.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 15 of 16)
Day 20
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Final evening on board; musical production and casino.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 16 of 16)
Day 21
Sapphire Princess®, Sydney
Arrive into Sydney Harbour, passing Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House; disembark and the journey ends.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Cross the Nullarbor Plain, call at Cook, and a signature dinner under the stars at Rawlinna.
Day 8Call at Broome, a multicultural pearling town with Cable Beach stretching over 20 kilometres along the coast.
Day 9Scenic cruising along the dramatic red-cliffed Kimberley coastline, rich in biodiversity and birdlife.
Day 16Pass Willis Island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, home to thousands of seabirds and a turtle nesting site.
Day 21Arrive into Sydney Harbour, passing Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, where the journey ends.

Included

4 days aboard the Indian Pacific, Sydney to Perth, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook and Rawlinna
Transfer from East Perth Rail terminal to hotel
1 night accommodation in Perth, including breakfast
Full-day Discover Rottnest tour
Transfer from hotel to cruise terminal
16-day Northern Explorer from Fremantle to Sydney aboard Sapphire Princess® including main meals
20 breakfasts, 17 lunches, 19 dinners

Not included

Shore excursions (fees apply)
Some onboard specialty venues, activities and menu items (charges apply)

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From A$9,630 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $6,907 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 trip includes 4 days aboard the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth, with all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook and Rawlinna.
Which train and ship are used?: The Indian Pacific for the rail portion from Sydney to Perth, and Sapphire Princess for the 16-day Northern Explorer cruise from Fremantle to Sydney.
Is it escorted or independent?: The rail portion includes structured Off Train Experiences, while on the cruise travelers select shore excursions and plan onboard activities independently via the Princess Cruises app.
What is not included?: Shore excursions at cruise ports and some onboard specialty venues, activities and menu items are not included and carry additional charges.
When does it depart?: Journey Beyond Rail lists one departure, in April 2027.