Is all the train travel included in the price?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes all rail travel, flights from London, internal flights, coach transfers and all excursions as part of the package price from GBP 6,799 per person (GBP 8,899 single).

Which trains will I travel on?

You will travel on the NSW Trainlink XPT First Class (Sydney to Melbourne), The Overland Red Premium Service (Melbourne to Adelaide), Puffing Billy steam train (Dandenong Ranges), Katoomba Scenic Railway (Blue Mountains), and Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class (Cairns return).

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout the entire 21-day journey from London Heathrow to the final departure from Cairns.

What meals are included?

Great Rail Journeys includes 16 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 3 dinners. The dinners include a group dinner in Sydney, a Sounds of Silence three-course buffet dinner at Uluru, and a final group dinner in Cairns.

When does the tour depart?

Six departures run in September 2026, November 2026, September 2027, October 2027, November 2027 and February 2027.

What is not included?

Cancellation and travel insurance are not included and must be booked separately.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Ultimate Australia

21-day Australian rail loop from Sydney to Uluru and Cairns

Great Rail Journeys' Ultimate Australia is a 21-day escorted tour combining rail journeys, internal flights and coach travel across Australia's most celebrated regions. The journey begins in London and concludes in Cairns, linking Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Uluru and Cairns with stays of three to four nights in 4-star hotels. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the entire group. The tour centres on five named train experiences: the NSW Trainlink XPT First Class from Sydney to Melbourne, The Overland from Melbourne to Adelaide, the heritage Puffing Billy steam train through the Dandenong Ranges, the Katoomba Scenic Railway into the Blue Mountains rainforest, and the Kuranda Scenic Railway in Gold Class through the tropical gorge near Cairns. Each city stop includes guided sightseeing tours and excursions such as a Sydney Harbour cruise with lunch, the Great Ocean Road day trip, Barossa Valley wine tastings, sunrise and sunset experiences at Uluru with a three-course desert dinner and stargazing, and a full-day Great Barrier Reef catamaran with snorkelling and an underwater observatory. The pace is relaxed, with most stops offering free time to explore at leisure.

What to know before you look closer

The tour includes long-haul flights (London to Singapore to Sydney, then Cairns to Singapore to London) as part of the journey; this is not a rail-only experience.
Single supplement from GBP 8,899 is substantially higher than half the double price (GBP 6,799 per person); solo travellers should factor in this cost.
Maximum group size is 40 people, which is large for some activities and guided tours.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: In transit / Singapore
London Heathrow to Sydney
Meet the Tour Manager and group at London Heathrow and board a daytime flight to Singapore, flying through several time zones.
Day 2overnight: Sydney (ParkRoyal Darling Harbour)
Arrival in coastal Sydney
Join the connecting flight to Sydney and arrive in the evening. Transfer to the hotel in Darling Harbour and check in for four nights. Free to unwind.
Day 3overnight: Sydney (ParkRoyal Darling Harbour)
Sightseeing in Sydney and Bondi Beach
Free morning exploring Sydney, then a guided sightseeing tour of Sydney's famous landmarks and eastern suburbs, travelling by coach to Bondi Beach. Visit Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Group dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4overnight: Sydney (ParkRoyal Darling Harbour)
Sydney Harbour cruise with lunch on board
Free morning, then a cruise around Sydney Harbour with buffet lunch on board, passing the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Afternoon at leisure to explore the Rocks, Royal Botanic Gardens and waterfront.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5railovernight: Sydney (ParkRoyal Darling Harbour)
Blue Mountains and the Katoomba Scenic Railway
Rail journey to the Blue Mountains UNESCO World Heritage area. Visit the Three Sisters at Echo Point, the village of Leura, ride the Katoomba Scenic Railway (world's steepest incline railway) into the rainforest, and take the glass-bottom Scenic Skyway. Return to Sydney by coach.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6railovernight: Melbourne (The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins)
Sydney to Melbourne by cross-country rail
Coach to Southern Cross rail station and board the cross-country train to Melbourne in First Class, passing open plains of Australian bush and farmland. Arrive Melbourne evening and check in to central hotel for four nights.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7overnight: Melbourne (The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins)
Melbourne sightseeing tour and Yarra River cruise
Free morning to explore Melbourne. Afternoon sightseeing tour past the CBD, Docklands, Botanic Gardens and Melbourne Cricket Ground. One-hour Yarra River sightseeing cruise. Visit Melbourne Skydeck for panoramic views.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8overnight: Melbourne (The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins)
A day trip along the Great Ocean Road
Full-day excursion along the Great Ocean Road by coach, passing verdant forest, waterfalls and ocean. Stops at Lorne, Apollo Bay for lunch, Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles. Return to Melbourne.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9railovernight: Melbourne (The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins)
A ride on the Puffing Billy steam train into the Dandenong Ranges
Drive through Melbourne's leafy suburbs to Belgrave Station. Board the Puffing Billy steam train through the Dandenong Ranges rainforest and fern-filled gullies to Lakeside Visitor Centre for lunch. Return trip to Belgrave and transfer back to Melbourne.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10railovernight: Adelaide (Amora Hotel)
Travelling west on the Overland to Adelaide
Early start to join the Overland train west to Adelaide. Breakfast and lunch served on board as we travel through broad plains and rolling farmland. Arrive Adelaide evening and check in to hotel overlooking Victoria Square.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11overnight: Adelaide (Amora Hotel)
An excursion to the Barossa Valley
Coach to the Barossa Valley wine region. Tours and tastings at Lambert Wines and Seppeltsfield Estate. Relaxed lunch amid picturesque surroundings. Return via Hahndorf, the oldest German settlement in Australia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12overnight: Adelaide (Amora Hotel)
Guided tour of Adelaide and afternoon at leisure
Guided tour of Adelaide including Montefiore Hill, Adelaide Oval and St Peter's Cathedral. Free afternoon to explore the Adelaide Botanic Garden, Art Gallery of South Australia, South Australia Museum or Central Market.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13overnight: Alice Springs (Crowne Plaza Lasseters Hotel)
Entering the Outback in Alice Springs
Early morning transfer to airport for flight to Alice Springs. Visit Anzac Hill, Old Telegraph Station, School of the Air and Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum. Check in to hotel for the night.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14overnight: Uluru (Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort)
Alice Springs to sacred Uluru
Coach journey through Australia's Red Centre to Uluru. Stop for lunch en route. Arrive late afternoon and check in. Evening magical Uluru sunset experience watching the rock change colour, with drinks and snacks supplied.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 15overnight: Uluru (Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort)
Sunrise over Uluru and Sounds of Silence dinner
Sunrise visit to Uluru, then return for breakfast. Guided tour of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Free afternoon to relax. Evening Sounds of Silence dinner in the desert with sparkling wine, canapés, barbecue buffet, drinks and stargazing experience with a 'star talker'.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 16overnight: Cairns (Pacific Hotel)
Arrival in tropical Cairns
Transfer to airport and fly to Cairns, arriving early afternoon. Transfer to hotel overlooking Trinity Wharf. Rest of day at leisure to explore the waterfront, lagoon or hotel pool.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 17overnight: Cairns (Pacific Hotel)
Exploring the wondrous Great Barrier Reef
Full-day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef by air-conditioned catamaran. Visit Green Island coral cay with two hours at leisure. Continue to a pontoon for reef presentation, buffet lunch, underwater observatory, snorkelling and glass-bottom boat. Return to Cairns with free evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 18railovernight: Cairns (Pacific Hotel)
Rainforestation Nature Park & the Kuranda Scenic Railway
Transfer to Rainforestation Nature Park for an Army Duck ride, Dreamtime Walk and pamagirri dance performance. Barbecue lunch. Visit Kuranda village craft market, then board the Kuranda Scenic Railway in Gold Class through Barron River Gorge back to Cairns.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 19overnight: Cairns (Pacific Hotel)
A free day to explore the vibrant city of Cairns
Full day at leisure to explore Cairns at your own pace. Options include nearby beaches, Flecker Botanic Gardens or Cairns Aquarium. Group dinner at the hotel this evening to mark the final night in Australia.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 20overnight: In transit / Singapore
Leaving Cairns
Leisurely morning after breakfast for final sightseeing or souvenir shopping. Afternoon transfer to Cairns airport for flight to Singapore, beginning the journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 21
Homeward bound
Touch down at London Heathrow early on Day 21. Free to make your way home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Cruise around Sydney Harbour, passing the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, with buffet lunch on board.
Day 5Ride the Katoomba Scenic Railway, the world's steepest passenger incline railway, into the Blue Mountains rainforest, then cross the glass-bottom Scenic Skyway.
Day 6Board the NSW Trainlink XPT in First Class for the cross-country rail journey from Sydney to Melbourne through Australian bush and farmland.
Day 15Attend the Sounds of Silence dinner in the desert at Uluru at sunset, featuring a barbecue buffet, sparkling wine, canapés and a stargazing experience with a star talker.
Day 17Spend a full day on the Great Barrier Reef by catamaran, visiting Green Island coral cay, an underwater observatory, snorkelling and a glass-bottom boat.

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
18 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
First Class rail travel
All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
Flights from London Heathrow to Sydney via Singapore
Flights from Cairns to London Heathrow via Singapore
All internal flights
16 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 3 dinners
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included in the price?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes all rail travel, flights from London, internal flights, coach transfers and all excursions as part of the package price from GBP 6,799 per person (GBP 8,899 single).
Which trains will I travel on?: You will travel on the NSW Trainlink XPT First Class (Sydney to Melbourne), The Overland Red Premium Service (Melbourne to Adelaide), Puffing Billy steam train (Dandenong Ranges), Katoomba Scenic Railway (Blue Mountains), and Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class (Cairns return).
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout the entire 21-day journey from London Heathrow to the final departure from Cairns.
What meals are included?: Great Rail Journeys includes 16 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 3 dinners. The dinners include a group dinner in Sydney, a Sounds of Silence three-course buffet dinner at Uluru, and a final group dinner in Cairns.
When does the tour depart?: Six departures run in September 2026, November 2026, September 2027, October 2027, November 2027 and February 2027.
What is not included?: Cancellation and travel insurance are not included and must be booked separately.

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