Ultimate Australia & the Ghan

London Heathrow to Sydney

Meet the Tour Manager and group at London Heathrow and board a flight to Australia, travelling overnight via Singapore.

Arrival in coastal Sydney

Join connecting flight to Sydney in Singapore and arrive in the evening. Transfer to hotel in Darling Harbour for four nights. Free to unwind. Note: For 17th March departure, accommodation is at Novotel Darling Square.

Sightseeing in Sydney & Bondi Beach

Free morning then guided sightseeing tour of Sydney's famous landmarks including the Rocks area, Mrs Macquarie's Chair, and Bondi Beach. Group dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Sydney Harbour cruise with lunch on board

Free time in the morning then a cruise around Sydney Harbour with buffet lunch, passing the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Afternoon at leisure to explore the Rocks, Royal Botanic Gardens and waterfront.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Blue Mountains and the Katoomba Scenic Railway

Journey by rail to the Blue Mountains UNESCO World Heritage area. Visit the Three Sisters at Echo Point, explore 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

Sydney to Melbourne by cross-country rail

Coach to station then First Class cross-country train to Melbourne passing open plains, Australian bush and farmland through Wagga Wagga. Arrive Melbourne evening and check in to central hotel near Southern Cross Station for four nights.

Meals: Breakfast

Melbourne city tour & Yarra River cruise

Free morning to explore Melbourne. Afternoon sightseeing tour past the Old Treasury Building, Melbourne Open venue and MCG. One-hour Yarra River sightseeing cruise then visit Melbourne Skydeck for panoramic views. Evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

A day trip along the Great Ocean Road

Full-day excursion by coach along the Great Ocean Road past forests, waterfalls and ocean views. Stops at Lorne, Apollo Bay for lunch, the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Return to Melbourne in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Puffing Billy & wine-tasting in the Yarra Valley

Journey on the Puffing Billy steam train from Belgrave through the Dandenong Ranges. Continue to the Yarra Valley for lunch at Rochford Wines and wine-tasting at Coombe Yarra Estate. Return to Melbourne in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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 rural Victorian and South Australian landscapes. Arrive Adelaide evening and check in to hotel overlooking Victoria Square.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Guided tour of Adelaide and boarding the Ghan

Guided tour of Adelaide including Montefiore Hill, Adelaide Oval and St Peter's Cathedral. Then transfer to station and board the iconic Ghan in Gold Service for a two-night journey to Alice Springs. Dinner in the Art Deco Queen Adelaide Restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

A day aboard the iconic Ghan

Travel through desert landscapes of the Red Centre. Enjoy lunch and dinner in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, relax with drinks and admire the passing scenery. Final night on board as the Ghan heads towards Alice Springs.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arrival in the outback town of Alice Springs

Breakfast on board as we arrive in Alice Springs. Check in to hotel. Visit the Old Telegraph Station (est. 1871), Alice Springs School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum. Evening free to dine independently.

Meals: Breakfast

Alice Springs to sacred Uluru

Coach journey through Australia's Red Centre to Uluru, the world's largest monolith rising 1,142 feet above the desert floor. Stop for lunch en route. Arrive late afternoon and check in. Evening Uluru sunset experience watching the rock change colour, with drinks and snacks supplied.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Sunrise over Uluru & Sounds of Silence dinner

Sunrise visit to Uluru then return for breakfast. Guided tour of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) sacred rock formations. Free afternoon to relax by the pool or visit local shops. 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

Arrival in tropical Cairns

Transfer to Alice Springs airport and fly to Cairns. Arrive afternoon and transfer to hotel overlooking Trinity Wharf. Rest of day at leisure, lagoon, waterfront promenade or hotel pool. Evening free to dine along the Esplanade boardwalk.

Meals: Breakfast

Exploring the wondrous Great Barrier Reef

Full-day visit to the Great Barrier Reef by air-conditioned catamaran. Two hours at leisure on Green Island coral cay. Continue to a pontoon for reef presentation, buffet lunch and afternoon at underwater observatory, snorkelling or glass-bottom boat. Return to Cairns with free evening; optional Cairns Night Market.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Rainforestation Nature Park & the Kuranda Scenic Railway

Transfer to Rainforestation Nature Park for an Army Duck ride, guided Dreamtime Walk and pamagirri dance performance. Visit Kuranda village craft market then board refurbished heritage carriages in Gold Class on the Kuranda Scenic Railway through the Barron River Gorge and rainforest. Return to Cairns. Evening free.

Meals: Breakfast

A free day to explore the vibrant city of Cairns

Full day at leisure to explore Cairns at own pace, beaches, Flecker Botanic Gardens or Cairns Aquarium. Group farewell dinner at the hotel this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Cairns

Leisurely morning after breakfast, final sightseeing, souvenir shopping or a walk along the harbour with views of the Coral Sea. Afternoon transfer to Cairns airport for flight to Singapore, beginning the journey home.

Meals: Breakfast

Homeward bound

Touch down at London Heathrow early on Day 21 and free to make your way home.