Journey Beyond Rail · Rail & Sail

West Coast Odyssey Cruising 2027 – PONANT

West Coast Odyssey Cruising 2027 – PONANT, a rail journey with Journey Beyond Rail

Experience the colours of the outback on a luxury, small-ship coastal odyssey with PONANT, and journey through the red centre on The Ghan Expedition.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Indian Pacific (3 nights)

    Board the Indian Pacific in Sydney

    Depart Sydney's Central Station through the Blue Mountains. This evening, a regionally inspired dinner is served, paired with fine Australian wines.

  2. Day 2rail

    Indian Pacific, Broken Hill and Adelaide

    Off Train Experience in Broken Hill exploring its mining legacy, before breakfast and lunch on board past the Flinders Ranges. Arrive in Adelaide by late afternoon for a choice of curated dining experiences (McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Icons of Adelaide, or Adelaide Central Market) before rejoining the train.

  3. Day 3rail

    Indian Pacific, Nullarbor Plain

    Cross the Nullarbor Plain on the world's longest stretch of straight railway track, pausing at Cook, before a signature long-table dinner under the stars at Rawlinna (Sept-May) or a bonfire with drinks and canapes in cooler months.

  4. Day 4overnight: Pan Pacific Perth (1 night)

    Indian Pacific, Perth

    Brunch on board over the Avon Valley as the transcontinental crossing concludes into Perth; disembark and transfer to overnight accommodation.

  5. Day 5overnight: Le Soleal (20 nights)

    Board Le Soleal in Fremantle

    A morning at leisure in Perth before transferring to the Port of Fremantle to board Le Soleal for the West Coast Odyssey cruise.

  6. Day 6

    Jurien Bay Marine Park

    Explore the ecologically important islands 150km north of Perth, a major breeding area for Australian sea lions and seabirds.

  7. Day 7

    Abrolhos Islands Marine Park

    Explore East Wallabi Island and its fringing reefs across the Wallabi, Easter and Pelsaert Groups, famous for colourful coral and seabird colonies.

  8. Day 8

    Shark Bay World Heritage Area

    Western Australia's first World Heritage listed area, with the opportunity to sail past Cape Inscription, site of the first recorded European landing on Australia's west coast in 1616.

  9. Day 9

    Cape Peron

    A wild, isolated UNESCO World Heritage Site in Shark Bay with stromatolites, among the oldest known life forms on the planet.

  10. Day 10

    Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area

    Contrast the lush underwater scenery of the Indian Ocean with the rugged, arid landscape of Cape Range National Park.

  11. Day 11

    Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area

    Swim and snorkel the largest fringing coral reef in Australia, an easy snorkel from shore.

  12. Day 12

    Montebello Islands

    Explore by Zodiac the more than 250 low-lying limestone islands of the Montebello Islands Marine Park, site of British atomic tests in 1952 and 1956.

  13. Day 13

    Burrup Peninsula

    Visit Deep Gorge with a traditional custodian guide to view the Murujuga rock engravings, estimated up to 40,000 years old.

  14. Day 14

    Le Soleal at Sea

    A day at sea to enjoy the ship's spa, fitness centre, pool, conferences and shows.

  15. Day 15

    Broome

    Time to explore Broome's Chinatown district and historic Japanese Cemetery, dating to the pearling era, before returning to Le Soleal.

  16. Day 16

    Lacepede Islands

    A guided Zodiac tour of Western Australia's most important Green Turtle breeding habitat and one of the world's largest Brown Booby colonies.

  17. Day 17

    Collier Bay and Horizontal Falls

    Ancient landscapes shaped by tidal movements exceeding 14 metres, including Montgomery Reef, the world's largest inshore reef system.

  18. Day 18

    Collier Bay and Horizontal Falls

    Visit Talbot Bay's Horizontal Falls, described by Sir David Attenborough as 'one of the greatest wonders of the natural world', and nearby ancient rock art galleries.

  19. Day 19

    Careening Bay

    Home to the National Heritage listed boab tree carved with the name of Lieutenant Phillip Parker King's ship, HMC Mermaid, in 1820.

  20. Day 20

    Hunter River

    Explore Prince Frederick Harbour and the Hunter River by Zodiac, past ancient rainforest, mangroves and sandstone cliffs, with a helicopter option to Mitchell Falls (additional cost).

  21. Day 21

    Swift Bay

    A guided walk ashore in the Bonaparte Archipelago to rock shelters bearing Wandjina and Gwion Gwion style rock art.

  22. Day 22

    Vansittart Bay

    A short walk to Jar Island's Gwion Gwion rock art galleries, among the oldest detailed depictions of human figures in the world.

  23. Day 23

    King George River

    Cruise the gorge to the King George twin falls, the highest single-drop falls in the Kimberley.

  24. Day 24

    Le Soleal at Sea

    A leisurely day at sea with an onboard enrichment programme on Australian history, flora and fauna.

  25. Day 25overnight: Hilton Darwin (4 nights)

    Darwin

    Disembark in the Port of Darwin and transfer to your hotel, with the day free to explore the city's tropical architecture.

  26. Day 26

    Darwin

    Explore Darwin's Waterfront Precinct or the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens at your own pace.

  27. Day 27

    Darwin

    Optional tour (additional expense) to Litchfield National Park or a visit to the Jumping Crocodiles.

  28. Day 28

    Darwin

    A last day in Darwin at leisure, with the option to visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service or Crocosaurus Cove.

  29. Day 29railovernight: The Ghan Expedition (3 nights)

    Board The Ghan Expedition in Darwin

    Board The Ghan Expedition with welcome drinks, then an Off Train Experience in Katherine (Nitmiluk Gorge cruise, Katherine Outback Experience, Cutta Cutta Caves, or a helicopter flight upgrade).

  30. Day 30rail

    The Ghan Expedition, Alice Springs

    A choice of Off Train Experiences in Alice Springs (e-bike adventure, A Town Called Alice tour, Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap, Desert Park, or a scenic flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta), followed by dinner under the stars at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

  31. Day 31

    The Ghan Expedition, Coober Pedy

    A morning stop at Manguri before a day exploring the opal mining town of Coober Pedy, including a gourmet lunch served underground, with an optional scenic flight over the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre.

  32. Day 32

    The Ghan Expedition, Adelaide

    A leisurely brunch through the Flinders Ranges as the outback gives way to the green fields of South Australia, arriving into Adelaide.

Included

  • 3 nights aboard the Indian Pacific, Sydney to Perth, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook and Rawlinna
  • Transfer from East Perth Rail Terminal to hotel
  • 1 night accommodation in Perth, including breakfast
  • Transfer from Perth hotel to ship
  • 20-night Australia's West Coast Odyssey expedition cruise aboard PONANT's Le Soleal, including all meals, select beverages, excursions and prepaid gratuities
  • Transfer from ship to Darwin hotel
  • 4 nights accommodation in Darwin, including breakfast daily
  • Transfer from Darwin hotel to Darwin Rail Terminal
  • 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition, Darwin to Adelaide, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy
  • 31 breakfasts, 24 lunches, 26 dinners

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