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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Sydney to Darwin

Sydney to Darwin rail journey on the Indian Pacific and The Ghan

Illustration of Sydney to Darwin

Railbookers operates this 14-day independent rail vacation from Sydney to Darwin, with a stop in Adelaide along the way. The trip opens with four nights in Sydney, giving time to explore the harbour city at your own pace and take a full-day guided tour of the Blue Mountains, riding the Scenic Railway and Skyway at Scenic World. From there, travelers board the Indian Pacific in Gold Class for an overnight run to Adelaide, followed by a stay that includes a day trip to Kangaroo Island. The second leg is aboard The Ghan, one of the world's longest rail lines at 2,979 kilometers, crossing Australia's Red Centre with a stop for breakfast in the outback town of Marla before reaching Darwin for a three-night stay that includes Kakadu National Park. The pace mixes free days with included excursions, suiting travelers who want a structured framework but also time to wander on their own.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers offers a choice of hotels in each city, for example six options in Sydney including the InterContinental, Park Hyatt, and Shangri-La; the final hotel depends on which one you choose at booking.
  • The Katherine Outback Experience included on Day 11 only runs between April and October, so travelers outside that window will not see this show.
  • The scenic flight over Kakadu National Park on Day 12 is an optional extra at your own expense, not part of the included price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Sydney

    Sydney

    Welcome to one of the world's most beautiful and exciting cities! A bustling city centre, amazing architecture, golden beaches, beautiful weather, and a world-famous harbour are just a few reasons to travel here.

  2. Day 2overnight: Sydney

    Sydney

    Use your included Sydney Explorer Pass to discover the city's most popular attractions and landmarks, including the Taronga Zoo, Sydney Opera House, the Blue Mountains, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Bondi coastal walking tour, and much more!

  3. Day 3overnight: Sydney

    Sydney

    Continue exploring on your own today. Check out restaurants, shopping on Pitt Street, Aboriginal culture and history, or the Museum of Contemporary Art. See the Rocks neighbourhood, Chinatown, the Gap in Watsons Bay, Darling Harbour, and Bondi Beach.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Sydney

    Sydney/The Blue Mountains

    Experience a full-day, all-inclusive tour of the Blue Mountains. Visit Sydney Zoo, learn about traditional Aboriginal tools and the Bungarribee Dreaming Experience. Enjoy lunch in Leura before a ride on the Scenic Skyway, Cableway, Walkway, and Railway at Scenic World, then a scenic cruise back to Sydney Harbour.

  5. Day 5overnight: onboard The Indian Pacific

    The Indian Pacific

    Depart Sydney in the afternoon and settle into the comfort of your Gold Class Cabin. Enjoy views of the Blue Mountains as the sun comes down, then meet fellow travelers over a glass of wine in the bar car, and at dinner.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Adelaide

    Adelaide

    In the morning enjoy a tour of Broken Hill, an old frontier mining town. After lunch back onboard the train you'll arrive into Adelaide and make your way to your hotel for a 3-night stay.

  7. Day 7overnight: Adelaide

    Adelaide

    Welcome to the lively city of Adelaide. Your half day tour this morning will show you all the key sights including the Botanic Gardens and iconic North Terrace.

  8. Day 8overnight: Adelaide

    Kangaroo Island

    This morning embark on a full day tour of Kangaroo Island via the 45min ferry crossing from Port Jervis. Visit Seal Bay Conservation Park, enjoy lunch and visit Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, then the Flinders Chase National Park, Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.

  9. Day 9railovernight: onboard The Ghan

    The Ghan

    Make your way to Parklands Station and climb aboard the world famous Ghan train, named in honour of the Afghan Camel Drivers. The track is one of the longest rail lines in the world at 2,979km. The onboard service in Gold Class is fantastic.

  10. Day 10railovernight: onboard The Ghan

    The Ghan

    Hop off the train this morning for breakfast in the outback town of Marla, then continue north to Alice Springs, halfway between Adelaide and Darwin, for a tour discovering its history and vintage buildings.

  11. Day 11overnight: Darwin

    The Ghan

    Between April and October passengers enjoy a show of Outback life and music at the Katherine Outback Experience. Enjoy the vast open red landscape of Australia's Northern Territories before arriving into Darwin. Head to your hotel and check in for a three-night stay.

  12. Day 12overnight: Darwin

    Darwin

    Travel along the Arnhem Highway into Kakadu National Park, visit the Warradjan Cultural centre, join a local guide on a cruise of the Yellow Water Billabong, and stop at Nourlangie for ancient rock art. Optional scenic flight across the park at own expense.

  13. Day 13overnight: Darwin

    Darwin

    Discover Australia's only tropical capital city with visits to the Darwin Aviation Museum, Museum of the Northern Territory and Botanical Gardens. In the afternoon cruise the Adelaide River, home to over 1600 crocodiles, and visit the Fogg Dam Nature Reserve.

  14. Day 14

    End Of Tour

    Check out of your hotel and continue with your onward travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4A full-day guided tour of the Blue Mountains, including rides on the Scenic Skyway, Cableway, Walkway, and Railway at Scenic World, with lunch in Leura.
  • Day 5Departure from Sydney in the afternoon aboard the Indian Pacific in a Gold Class cabin, with drinks and dinner in the train's bar car as the Blue Mountains pass by at sunset.
  • Day 9Boarding The Ghan at Parklands Station, one of the longest rail lines in the world at 2,979 kilometers, named for the Afghan camel drivers who once worked the route.
  • Day 10Breakfast in the outback town of Marla before the train continues north to Alice Springs, halfway between Adelaide and Darwin.
  • Day 12A day trip into Kakadu National Park, including a cruise of the Yellow Water Billabong and a stop at Nourlangie to see ancient Aboriginal rock art.

Included

  • 1-night aboard The Indian Pacific Train in Gold Class from Sydney to Adelaide
  • 2 nights aboard The Ghan Train in Gold Class from Adelaide to Darwin
  • 4 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Sydney
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Adelaide
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Darwin
  • Sydney Explorer Pass including Priority entry to Taronga Zoo
  • Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Sydney and Bondi
  • SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
  • The Sydney Tower Eye with 4D cinema experiences
  • Sightseeing tour of the Blue Mountains
  • Group Tour of Broken Hill
  • Half day city tour of Adelaide
  • Kangaroo Island Day Trip from Adelaide
  • Outback Breakfast Experience in Marla
  • Katherina Outback Experience (April to October only)
  • Kakadu National Park day trip from Darwin
  • Darwin city tour and Wildlife experience

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in this trip?
Yes. The package includes one night aboard the Indian Pacific in Gold Class from Sydney to Adelaide and two nights aboard The Ghan in Gold Class from Adelaide to Darwin.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is an independent rail vacation from Railbookers, with a number of included guided day tours along the way, such as the Blue Mountains and Kakadu National Park excursions.
Which trains does this trip use?
The Indian Pacific, from Sydney to Adelaide, and The Ghan, from Adelaide to Darwin, both in Gold Class.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers a choice of hotels in each city, including brands such as the InterContinental, Hilton, Park Hyatt, and Shangri-La in Sydney; the hotel used depends on which option you choose when booking.
What is not included in the price?
The 50-minute scenic flight over Kakadu National Park on Day 12 is an optional extra at your own expense.

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