At a Glance
Combine two of Australia’s legendary rail journeys aboard The Indian Pacific and The Ghan with this unforgettable 8-day Australian adventure that traversing from the mountains to the sparkling coast and the fiery red centre. You’ll discover a world of wonders, indulge in ultimate food and wine experiences, and experience Australia at its dramatic best.
A journey aboard the iconic Indian Pacific will whisk you between Sydney and Adelaide in comfort and style. With a history built on the lives of bush pioneers, gold rush prospectors and near-mythical adventurers, this legendary train evokes a frontier spirit, a romantic connection to the land, and travelling on it creates a moving and unforgettable life experience.
Upon arrival in Adelaide, spend two days exploring South Australia’s famous wine regions: The Barossa Valley, Fleurieu Peninsula and McLaren ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Angelus Bell ringing, craft beer tasting
- Onkaparinga Gorge walk
- Wirra Wirra wine tasting
- Entry and tasting at the d’Arenberg Cube
- Indigenous Art Gallery tour
- 4WD beach drive
- Meals (7 x breakfast, 6 x lunch, 3 x dinner)
- 60 kilograms of luggage
- Off Train Excursions in Broken Hill, Marla, Alice Springs and Katherine (optional upgrades available for purchase aboard The Ghan)
- 7-nights’ 5-star accommodation in Adelaide and Darwin on a twin share basis and aboard The Indian Pacific and The Ghan in a Gold Twin Cabin
- Wine tasting experience at St Hugo and 4 course degustation lunch with matching St Hugo wines
- Taste Your Birth Year vintage tawny experience at Seppeltsfield’s historic cellar door
Itinerary
Departing from Sydney in the mid-afternoon, embark on the rail journey of a lifetime aboard the Indian Pacific. Settle into your private cabin and immerse yourself in the comforts and romance of luxury rail travel. Look out the window at the magnificent Blue Mountains or head down to the Outback Explorer Lounge to mingle with your fellow travellers over a tipple. After a relaxing afternoon onboard, indulge in a delicious three-course dinner before retiring to the comfort of your cabin for a restful night’s sleep as the train rolls onwards. |
As the day begins, disembark at Broken Hill, Australia’s ‘Silver City', for a morning of Off Train Excursions. Discover the artistic culture and mining history of this unique town where the streets are wide and there’s a pub on every corner. Watch the sunrise from the the Miner’s Memorial and Trade Hall and be entertained with a live performance by local actors. Or, visit London, Paris and New York all in one place at the iconic Pro Hart Gallery, where you’ll find a selection of the late artists’ most famous works. After, continue your journey aboard the Indian Pacific and enjoy lunch overlooking the timeless beauty of the Flinders Ranges. Arrive in Adelaide mid-afternoon, having experienced one of the world’s great rail journeys. A private chauffeur will meet and transfer you to your CBD accommodation for the evening. |
Spend the next two days exploring two of Adelaide’s most famous wine regions: The Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. With pick up included from your accommodation, head north into the Barossa Valley. Your first stop is St Hugo for a fascinating ‘Past, Present & Future’ wine tasting, where you will taste for yourself the evolution of this iconic winery. Included in your tasting is a gourmet 4-course lunch that will tantalise your tastebuds. Next, onto Seppeltsfield to ‘Taste Your Birth Year’ and walk alongside the longest single vintage wines in the world in the Centennial Cellar. Visit Vasse Virgin, where staff will show you their range of natural skin care products, using a traditional cold press method. Next, onto Jacob’s Creek Steingarten Vineyard, which retains original Riesling vines dating back to 1962. Cap off your tour of the Barossa with a glass of this most famous Riesling overlooking the vineyard. You’ll stay the night in the Adelaide Hills at the picturesque Mt Lofty House. |
Head south to the Fleurieu Peninsula and the McLaren Vale wine region. Your first stop is a leisurely morning hike overlooking ancient Onkaparinga Gorge followed by a wine tasting at the Wirra Wirra Cellar Door. While at Wirra Wirra, you’ll have the chance to hear the splendour of the Angelus bell ringing. After a delicious 2-course lunch, marvel at the works of talented Indigenous artists on a local art gallery tour before popping into the famous d’Arenberg winery for one last taste of the McLaren Vale. Cap off your South Australian wine exploration with a majestic drive down Silver Sands beach to see spectacular coast and biodiversity, then hop from the coast to the hills to tick off one of the region’s most famous cellars at the Victory Hotel along with a sunset sparkling. |
In the morning, a private chauffeur will meet and transfer you to Keswick Railway Station to begin your journey through the heart of Australia aboard The Ghan. From the comfort of your private cabin, look on in wonder as rolling pastural lands make way for some of the oldest rock formations in the world: The Flinders Ranges. Take time to explore the legendary train, to get acquainted with the first-class facilities – the Queen Adelaide Restaurant and the Outback Explorer Lounge – and mingle with your fellow travellers. As darkness swallows the rich ochre tones of the outback, it’s time to indulge in a regionally inspired dinner and all-inclusive fine wines and beverages. |
Start your day with a freshly brewed coffee or juice as the day dawns at Marla, an outback outpost in the remote reaches of South Australia. Make sure to have your camera handy for when the sky begins to bleed red, yellow and pink across The Ghan and the surrounding landscape. You are sure to feel as if you are on another planet! Continue on to Alice Springs, the beating red heart of Australia. Upon arrival in this stunning outback town, choose the Off Train Excursions that interest you. Take a four-kilometre guided walk to Simpsons Gap, one of the most prominent gaps in the West MacDonnell Ranges, where flora, fauna and Indigenous culture come together in one magical location. Take a guided coach tour of The Alice and visit iconic sites including ANZAC Hill, the Telegraph Station and The School of the Air, established in 1951 to help with the education of students in remote areas who were unable to attend face-to-face lessons. Or, get up close to over 200 desert animals and 400 plants at The Alice Springs Desert Park. If you’re seeking a more bespoke experience, why not upgrade to an optional experience? Get the ultimate bird’s eye view of Simpson’s Gap – one of the most prominent water holes in the region, Mt Gillen Ridgeline and the Larapinta Trail with a scenic helicopter flight. Fly even further and take in the wonders of Alice Springs and the surrounding area with a 90-minute scenic fixed wing flight. Or, if you’d prefer to stick close to Earth, experience what transportation was like in bygone times for the Afghan traders of Central Australia by riding on the back of a friendly camel. Keep an eye out for kangaroos and wallabies, birds and lizards and don’t forget your camera for those spectacular panoramic landscape views! Tonight, dinner on the train is followed by an extraordinary evening experience in the outback where you will see the night sky like you have never seen it before. The lack of artificial light makes the stars shine bright against an impossibly dark sky. Make sure to make a wish upon a shooting star! |
Continue onto the iconic outback town of Katherine for more exhilarating Off Train Excursions. You’ll visit the spectacular sandstone country of Nitmiluk National Park and the majestic Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, where mesmerising cliffs glow in the changing light. You’ll have the chance to explore the gorge from the water with guided cruise options to suit every fitness level. The sheer walls of the gorge, etched by time and the elements, are home to a myriad of animal and plant life, much of it unique to this area and all playing a role to the lives of its traditional owners. If you’d prefer to take it easy, venture out to an authentic cattle station to witness real horse-starting and working dog demonstrations with a side of live music and humorous bush tales. You’ll learn about the Northern Territory’s rich pastoral history and have plenty of time to get up close to furry friends including Tin Shaker the Brahman Steer and Bill the Buffalo. As evening falls, arrive into Darwin to complete another of the world’s great travel experiences. A complimentary transfer will ensure your safe passage to your waterfront accommodation for the evening. |
All good things must come to an end! At a pre-arranged time, a private chauffeur will transfer you to Darwin Airport to commence your onward journey. |
Accommodation
Dates & Prices
Departs Sydney on Wednesdays. Price is based on Gold Twin. Please contact us for group bookings or cabin upgrade to Gold Superior, Gold Single, and Platinum Service.
Departures and prices are for reference. Please contact us for availability checking and prices for different cabin types.
More Info
The departure point is Sydney, New South Wales
The finish point is Darwin, Northern Territory
Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Sydney and Adelaide
Australia's climate is generally very pleasant and mild. Most of the country receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year! Sydney experiences warm but mild weather throughout the year, while Adelaide is prone to extremely hot summer temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
Darwin experiences distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season runs from November to April with temperatures ranging from 25 to 34 degrees Celsius. This season is characterised by high humidity, monsoonal rains and storms. The dry season, meanwhile, occurs from May to October and is characterised by warm, dry sunny days with cooler nights. While the temperature doesn’t differ too much throughout the year, the humidity isn’t as high during the dry season.
The climate in the Australian desert – generally referred to as the outback on maps – is very hot and dry. During summer, the outback is very hot and humid – some days have seen temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius. Unknown to many, the outback can experience below freezing temperatures during the winter months. In Australia’s desert, conditions can be unpredictable: it may not rain for years or torrential rain may cause flooding by filling areas to create salt lakes, such as Lake Eyre.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.