Which trains are included?

The tour includes two nights aboard the Ghan in Gold Service (Adelaide to Alice Springs), First Class travel on the NSW Trainlink XPT (Sydney to Melbourne), Red Premium Service on the Overland (Melbourne to Adelaide), and scenic heritage railway rides: the Katoomba Scenic Railway, Puffing Billy steam train, and Kuranda Scenic Railway in Gold Class.

Is the tour escorted?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the 21 days.

What is the accommodation standard?

The tour includes 17 nights in 4-star hotels: ParkRoyal Darling Harbour (Sydney, 4 nights), The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins (Melbourne, 4 nights), Hilton Hotel (Adelaide, 1 night), Crowne Plaza Lasseters Hotel (Alice Springs, 1 night), Desert Gardens Hotel at Ayers Rock Resort (Uluru, 2 nights), and Pacific Hotel (Cairns, 4 nights). Two nights are spent aboard the Ghan in Gold Service.

What meals are included?

The package includes 17 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 3 dinners. Meals are specified in the itinerary; unscheduled meals are not included. Beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks are included aboard the Ghan.

When does the tour depart?

Great Rail Journeys operates three departures: March 2027, September 2027, and October 2027.

How much walking is involved?

The tour includes city walking tours in Sydney and Melbourne, descents and ascents on the Katoomba Scenic Railway, guided walks at Kata Tjuta and Rainforestation Nature Park, and leisure time in various locations. Snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef is optional. Most activities are accessible with reasonable fitness.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Ultimate Australia & the Ghan

21-day Australia loop from Sydney to Cairns aboard the Ghan

Great Rail Journeys operates this 21-day escorted tour of Australia, departing London Heathrow in March, September, or October and returning 21 days later. The itinerary spans from coastal Sydney to tropical Cairns, combining famous rail journeys with guided exploration of Australia's natural and cultural landmarks. Day 3 includes a guided sightseeing tour of Sydney and a visit to Bondi Beach; Day 5 takes the group by rail into the Blue Mountains to ride the Katoomba Scenic Railway, the world's steepest incline railway, into the rainforest. Days 11 and 12 are spent aboard the Ghan, the legendary trans-continental train, in Gold Service cabins crossing the Red Centre from Adelaide to Alice Springs with all meals and drinks included. Days 14 and 15 centre on Uluru, the world's largest monolith, with a sunrise visit and a Sounds of Silence dinner in the desert featuring stargazing. The final days in Cairns include a full-day Great Barrier Reef catamaran visit and a journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway through World Heritage rainforest. Throughout, the group stays in 4-star hotels, travels First Class on regional trains, and enjoys guided tours, harbour cruises, wine-tasting, and curated experiences. This tour suits couples, repeat rail travellers, and those seeking premium comfort and structured guidance across Australia's diverse regions.

What to know before you look closer

The itinerary involves multiple flights (London to Singapore, Singapore to Sydney, Cairns to Singapore, Singapore to London, plus Alice Springs to Cairns); rail comprises roughly one-third of travel days.
High single supplement: the from-price for a single traveller is GBP 10,899 against GBP 8,799 per person (double), a difference of about 24 percent.
Meals not listed in the day-by-day itinerary are not included; several dinners and lunches require independent bookings or payment.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: In flight
London Heathrow to Sydney
Meet the Tour Manager and group at London Heathrow and board a flight to Australia, travelling overnight via Singapore.
Day 2overnight: Sydney (ParkRoyal Darling Harbour)
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.
Day 3overnight: Sydney (ParkRoyal Darling Harbour)
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
Day 4overnight: Sydney (ParkRoyal Darling Harbour)
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
Day 5railovernight: Sydney (ParkRoyal Darling Harbour)
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
Day 6railovernight: Melbourne (The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins)
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
Day 7overnight: Melbourne (The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins)
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
Day 8overnight: Melbourne (The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins)
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
Day 9railovernight: Melbourne (The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins)
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
Day 10railovernight: Adelaide (Hilton 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 rural Victorian and South Australian landscapes. Arrive Adelaide evening and check in to hotel overlooking Victoria Square.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11overnight: The Ghan (Gold Service)
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
Day 12overnight: The Ghan (Gold Service)
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
Day 13overnight: Alice Springs (Crowne Plaza Lasseters Hotel)
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
Day 14overnight: Uluru (Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort)
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
Day 15overnight: Uluru (Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort)
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
Day 16overnight: Cairns (Pacific Hotel)
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
Day 17overnight: Cairns (Pacific Hotel)
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
Day 18railovernight: Cairns (Pacific Hotel)
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
Day 19overnight: Cairns (Pacific Hotel)
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
Day 20overnight: In flight
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
Day 21
Homeward bound
Touch down at London Heathrow early on Day 21 and free to make your way home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Sydney Harbour cruise passes the Opera House and Harbour Bridge with buffet lunch on board.
Day 5Katoomba Scenic Railway descends the world's steepest incline railway into the Blue Mountains rainforest; glass-bottom Scenic Skyway offers canopy views.
Day 11Board the Ghan in Gold Service at Adelaide station for a two-night journey through the Red Centre to Alice Springs.
Day 15Sounds of Silence dinner in the desert near Uluru includes sparkling wine, canapés, barbecue buffet, and a stargazing experience with a star talker.
Day 18Kuranda Scenic Railway travels through the Barron River Gorge and World Heritage rainforest in refurbished Gold Class heritage carriages returning to Cairns.

Included

Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
17 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
2 nights' Gold Service aboard the Ghan
First Class rail travel
Gold Service rail travel aboard the Ghan
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
17 breakfasts
6 lunches
3 dinners
Beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks included on the Ghan
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Meals not specified in the itinerary
Optional flight upgrades
London hotel stays before/after tour
UK rail connections
Upgrades to Gold Premium or Platinum Class on the Ghan
Personal expenses and gratuities

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?: The tour includes two nights aboard the Ghan in Gold Service (Adelaide to Alice Springs), First Class travel on the NSW Trainlink XPT (Sydney to Melbourne), Red Premium Service on the Overland (Melbourne to Adelaide), and scenic heritage railway rides: the Katoomba Scenic Railway, Puffing Billy steam train, and Kuranda Scenic Railway in Gold Class.
Is the tour escorted?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the 21 days.
What is the accommodation standard?: The tour includes 17 nights in 4-star hotels: ParkRoyal Darling Harbour (Sydney, 4 nights), The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins (Melbourne, 4 nights), Hilton Hotel (Adelaide, 1 night), Crowne Plaza Lasseters Hotel (Alice Springs, 1 night), Desert Gardens Hotel at Ayers Rock Resort (Uluru, 2 nights), and Pacific Hotel (Cairns, 4 nights). Two nights are spent aboard the Ghan in Gold Service.
What meals are included?: The package includes 17 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 3 dinners. Meals are specified in the itinerary; unscheduled meals are not included. Beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks are included aboard the Ghan.
When does the tour depart?: Great Rail Journeys operates three departures: March 2027, September 2027, and October 2027.
How much walking is involved?: The tour includes city walking tours in Sydney and Melbourne, descents and ascents on the Katoomba Scenic Railway, guided walks at Kata Tjuta and Rainforestation Nature Park, and leisure time in various locations. Snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef is optional. Most activities are accessible with reasonable fitness.

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