How much does it cost?

From A$9,590 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $6,878 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?

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

What happens in Sydney?

After disembarking the cruise, travelers transfer to the Swissotel Sydney for one night, including breakfast, and take an afternoon Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise aboard the Spirit of Migloo.

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 October 2027.

Journey Beyond Rail · Rail & cruise journey

Northern Explorer with Sydney Stay – Sapphire Princess 2027

Sapphire Princess cruise from Perth to Sydney then Indian Pacific rail back

Journey Beyond Rail runs this 21-day rail-and-cruise trip, starting with a 16-day Northern Explorer cruise aboard Sapphire Princess from Fremantle to Sydney. The ship calls at Broome, cruises scenically past the Kimberley coastline, and stops at Darwin, Cairns and Brisbane before passing Willis Island and arriving in Sydney Harbour on day 17. A Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise aboard the Spirit of Migloo follows that afternoon, and travelers spend one night at the Swissotel Sydney before boarding the Indian Pacific on day 18. The final 4 days retrace the rail route to Perth, with an Off Train Experience in Broken Hill, a stop in Adelaide, and a signature dinner at Rawlinna after crossing the Nullarbor Plain. The trip suits travellers who want an extended combination of ocean cruising and cross-country rail, with structured rail touring bookending mostly unstructured days at sea.

What to know before you look closer

The cruise portion of this package includes only select main meals rather than full board; shore excursions and some onboard specialty venues, activities and menu items carry additional charges.
The single occupancy fare (from AUD 14,090) is significantly higher than the twin share per-person fare (from AUD 9,590), reflecting a substantial single supplement.
Journey Beyond Rail lists only one departure for this itinerary, in October 2027.

Day by day

The operator's published day-by-day is incomplete (day 1: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 2: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 3: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; day 4: the operator offers a choice of hotels for this night; the town comes from its heading and the options are listed separately; 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 counts and hotel changes are not calculated from it.

Day 1
Board the Sapphire Princess® in Perth
Board Sapphire Princess® at the Fremantle cruise terminal, gateway to Perth.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 1 of 16)
Day 2
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at sea; dining venues include Trident Grill, International Café, Prego Pizzeria and specialty restaurants.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 2 of 16)
Day 3
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at sea; The Sanctuary adults-only retreat.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 3 of 16)
Day 4
Sapphire Princess®, Broome
Call at Broome, multicultural pearling town with Cable Beach.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 4 of 16)
Day 5
Sapphire Princess®, the Kimberley (scenic cruising)
Scenic cruising past the dramatic red-cliffed Kimberley coastline.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 5 of 16)
Day 6
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at leisure with pools and hot tubs.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 6 of 16)
Day 7
Sapphire Princess®, Darwin
Call at Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory's Top End.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 7 of 16)
Day 8
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at sea; plan activities using the Princess® Cruises app.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 8 of 16)
Day 9
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at sea; afternoon tea in the dining room.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 9 of 16)
Day 10
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at sea; enjoy the ship's facilities.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 10 of 16)
Day 11
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 12
Sapphire Princess®, Willis Island (scenic cruising)
Pass Willis Island in the Coral Sea, home to thousands of seabirds and a turtle nesting ground.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 12 of 16)
Day 13
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at leisure; Champagne Art Auction, European-style Piazza, mini-golf.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 13 of 16)
Day 14
Sapphire Princess®, Brisbane
Call at Brisbane, capital of Queensland.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 14 of 16)
Day 15
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Day at sea; last chance to shop at the Shops of Princess.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 15 of 16)
Day 16
Sapphire Princess®, at sea
Final evening on board; musical production and casino.
Hotel options: Sapphire Princess® (night 16 of 16)
Day 17overnight: Swissotel Sydney (1 night)
Disembark the Sapphire Princess®, arrive in Sydney
Disembark in Sydney Harbour and transfer to hotel; afternoon Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise aboard Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney's Spirit of Migloo.
Day 18overnight: Indian Pacific (night 1 of 3)
Board the Indian Pacific in Sydney
Transfer to Sydney Central Station; depart mid-afternoon through the Blue Mountains; first dinner on board.
Day 19railovernight: 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 20overnight: Indian Pacific (night 3 of 3)
Indian Pacific, Nullarbor and Rawlinna
Cross the Nullarbor Plain; call at Cook; signature dinner at Rawlinna.
Day 21rail
Indian Pacific, Perth
Arrive into Perth across the Avon Valley; disembark as the rail-and-ocean journey ends.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Call at Broome, a multicultural pearling town with Cable Beach.
Day 5Scenic cruising past the dramatic red-cliffed Kimberley coastline.
Day 12Pass Willis Island in the Coral Sea, home to thousands of seabirds and a turtle nesting ground.
Day 17Disembark in Sydney Harbour and take an afternoon Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise aboard the Spirit of Migloo.
Day 20Cross the Nullarbor Plain, call at Cook, and a signature dinner at Rawlinna.

Included

16-day Northern Explorer from Fremantle to Sydney aboard Sapphire Princess® including select main meals
Transfer from cruise terminal to hotel
Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise
1 night accommodation in Sydney, including breakfast
Transfer from hotel to Sydney Central Station
4 days aboard the Indian Pacific, Sydney to Perth, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook and Rawlinna
20 breakfasts, 17 lunches, 20 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$9,590 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $6,878 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?: Sapphire Princess for the 16-day Northern Explorer cruise from Fremantle to Sydney, and the Indian Pacific for the rail portion from Sydney back to Perth.
What happens in Sydney?: After disembarking the cruise, travelers transfer to the Swissotel Sydney for one night, including breakfast, and take an afternoon Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise aboard the Spirit of Migloo.
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 October 2027.