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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

The Indian Pacific

Independent 10-day rail trip Sydney to Perth via Indian Pacific

Illustration of The Indian Pacific

Railbookers operates this independent, 10-day, 9-night rail journey from Sydney to Perth. The trip opens with four nights in Sydney, using a Sydney Explorer Pass for the Opera House, Taronga Zoo, and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, plus full-day tours of the Blue Mountains, including a 2.4km boardwalk stroll to the Three Sisters, and the Hunter Valley's wineries. From Sydney Central Station, travelers board the Indian Pacific for a three-night, Gold Service journey with a twin cabin and all-inclusive dining, crossing the outback's red desert landscapes and the Nullarbor plain, with a stop in the near-empty ghost town of Cook. The train arrives in Perth for a two-night stay, with a cruise along the Swan River to Fremantle and a full-day tour of Rottnest Island, including the Wadjemup Lighthouse. With a multi-night train crossing at its center, this trip suits travelers who want to see the Australian outback overland rather than by air.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence lists the Broken Hill, Adelaide, Nullarbor, and Cook off-train excursions as both included and as an optional extra; confirm exactly what's covered with Railbookers before booking.
  • The evidence pack lists no specific departure dates for this package; confirm current dates and pricing with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Sydney

    Sydney

    Welcome to one of the world's most beautiful and exciting cities. Visitors are spoilt for a range of experiences and attractions to enjoy. A bustling city center, amazing architecture, golden beaches, beautiful weather, and a world-famous harbor 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 beautifully mysterious Blue Mountains, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Bondi coastal walking tour, and much more!

  3. Day 3overnight: Sydney

    The Blue Mountains

    Experience a full-day, all-inclusive tour of the magical, mysterious Blue Mountains. Visit Sydney Zoo on your way out of the city then learn about traditional Aboriginal tools, artefacts and bush tucker and the Bungarribee Dreaming Experience. Take the 2.4km stroll on the elevated boardwalk through the Jurassic rainforest for the perfect vantage point of the incredible Three Sisters and Jamison Valley.

  4. Day 4overnight: Sydney

    The Hunter Valley

    Enjoy a day of beautiful scenery, stroll through gorgeous vineyards and taste some very special wines on this great full day tour of the Hunter Valley. Visit several wineries and enjoy a delicious lunch made with local produce.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard the train

    Overnight Onboard Indian Pacific

    Board the iconic Indian Pacific train at Sydney Central Station, a cross-country journey you'll never forget. Travel in ultimate comfort and style in your Gold Service twin cabin, which features all-inclusive meals in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant Car, access to the Outback Explorer Lounge, complimentary toiletries and bath towels.

  6. Day 6overnight: Onboard the train

    Overnight Onboard Indian Pacific

    Wake up in the Australian outback. Watch as the red earth landscapes unfold in the outback's expansive desert. This morning's optional excursion to Broken Hill, a former mining town, will introduce you to the region's attractions. Then, experience an optional excursion of Adelaide.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Onboard the train

    Overnight Onboard Indian Pacific

    Your afternoon stop in Cook is the perfect opportunity to get off the train and stretch your legs while looking around the ghost town (population four). In the evening, you'll have an off-train experience in Nullarbor and travel across the vast, otherworldly plain on Australia's longest single stretch of railway.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Perth

    Perth

    This morning, enjoy breakfast onboard in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant Car as the train passes through Avon Valley on its final stretch into Western Australia before arriving in cosmopolitan Perth shortly after lunch. This evening, roam around on your own exploring the city's attractions.

  9. Day 9overnight: Perth

    Rottnest Island

    Take to the water this morning with a scenic cruise along the Swan River to historic Freemantle, then over to the very special Rottnest Island. Home of Shipwrecks, spectacular white sandy beaches, unique wildlife, and a fascinating and colorful history your tour will encompass the whole island including the Wadjemup Lighthouse.

  10. Day 10

    Your Journey Ends in Perth

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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A full-day tour of the Blue Mountains, including a 2.4km stroll on an elevated boardwalk through the rainforest to view the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley.
  • Day 4A full-day Hunter Valley tour with a stroll through vineyards, wine tasting, and a lunch made with local produce.
  • Day 5Boarding the Indian Pacific at Sydney Central Station for a Gold Service twin-cabin journey with all-inclusive meals in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant Car.
  • Day 7An afternoon stop in the near-empty ghost town of Cook, followed by an evening off-train experience on the Nullarbor, Australia's longest single stretch of railway.
  • Day 9A scenic cruise along the Swan River to Fremantle and on to Rottnest Island, including the Wadjemup Lighthouse.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 4 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Sydney
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Perth
  • 3 nights onboard the Indian Pacific in a Gold Twin cabin
  • Sydney Explorer Pass including Priority entry to Taronga Zoo
  • Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour
  • The Sydney Opera House tour
  • Blue Mountains Explorer bus
  • SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and much more!
  • Optional offboard excursions at Broken Hill, Nullarbor, Adelaide, and Cook
  • Sightseeing tour of the Blue Mountains
  • Full day tour of the Hunter Valley from Sydney
  • Full day tour of Rottnest island from Perth

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, including 3 nights onboard the Indian Pacific in a Gold Twin cabin with all-inclusive meals.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is independent; evening sightseeing on arrival in Perth (day 8) is on your own, though the Sydney city tours, the Blue Mountains, and the Hunter Valley are organized full-day tours.
What class is the Indian Pacific?
Gold Service, in a twin cabin, with all-inclusive meals in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant Car and access to the Outback Explorer Lounge.
What stops does the train make?
Optional off-train excursions are offered at Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook, and on the Nullarbor plain; the evidence is not fully consistent on which of these are included, so confirm with Railbookers.
What is included in Sydney?
A Sydney Explorer Pass with priority entry to Taronga Zoo, a Hop-on Hop-off tour, the Sydney Opera House tour, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, a full-day Blue Mountains tour, and a full-day Hunter Valley tour.
How many nights of accommodation are included?
9 nights total: 4 in Sydney, 3 onboard the Indian Pacific, and 2 in Perth.

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