Australia Rail Tour 2006

(Depart U.S. on Tuesday, October 3)

Thursday, October 5: Arrive Melbourne (D)
Upon arrival at Melbourne airport, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, board the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant for a unique dining experience. This beautifully restored 1927 tram cruises the scenic streets of Melbourne as dinner is served with fine Australian wines.

Friday, October 6: Melbourne (B)
Today we enjoy a city tour of Melbourne—through the central business district with its eclectic architecture, past the Victorian Arts Centre and its imposing pyramid-style Shrine of Remembrance. Continue through fashionable Toorak Village to the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens and inspect Cook’s Cottage.

Saturday, October 7: Melbourne – Puffing Billy, Yarra Valley (B, L)
Travel by coach east into the Dandenong Ranges. At Belgrave Station, you will be taken on a private tour of the workshops prior to boarding the Puffing Billy train to Gembrook. Puffing Billy is Australia’s oldest steam railway and one of the finest preserved steam railways in the world. Travel through the beautiful forest of the magnificent Dandenong Ranges. Continue by motorcoach to Healesville Sanctuary—an ideal place to encounter Australia’s unique animals including kangaroos, koalas, wombats and platypus. Return to Melbourne late this afternoon.

Sunday, October 8: Melbourne to Sydney (B, L)
Morning flight to Sydney, positioned on one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. Sydney is bordered by spectacular beaches to the east and the Blue Mountains to the west. Enjoy a Sydney and Southern Beaches tour, including Bondi Beach, Watson’s Bay, Botanical Gardens, Art Gallery and spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House. Cruise around Sydney Harbor on a sailing catamaran, with a seafood buffet lunch on board.

Monday, October 9: Sydney (B)
Today is at your leisure. The railway station, the Sydney Harbor Bridge museum, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Opera House, the many regional trains and ferries––there’s plenty to explore on your own today.

Tuesday, October 10: Sydney’s Blue Mountains / Zig Zag Railway (B, L)
Today you will enjoy a full-day tour to the Blue Mountains. Highlights include: Echo Point, the Three Sisters rock formation and spectacular views overlooking Australia’s Grand Canyon. Take a ride on the world’s steepest incline railway through beautiful rainforest. Afternoon excursion on the Zig Zag Railway, with special photo stops and a guided tour of the locomotive depot and maintenance facilities.

Wednesday, October 11: Sydney to Adelaide on the Indian Pacific (B, D)
The morning is at your leisure. In the afternoon, we transfer to the rail station to meet our Indian Pacific train to Adelaide. Aboard the mighty Indian Pacific you’ll rediscover one of life’s great luxuries: time. Time to simply sit and marvel as unique landscapes unfold continuously through your panoramic window. Dinner and overnight on board in upgraded Gold Kangaroo service.

Thursday, October 12: Arrive Adelaide (B, L)
Afternoon arrival in Adelaide, famous for its elegant parks and gardens and majestic churches. The surrounding hills and vineyards make up one of the country’s best-known wine-producing regions. Just off the coast is beautiful Kangaroo Island—a reserve for seals, sea lions, kangaroos and birds. Free evening and overnight in Adelaide.

Friday, October 13: Adelaide to Alice Springs on The Ghan (B, D)
This morning we’ll take a city tour of Adelaide. Guided visit of the Rail Museum at historic Port Adelaide, where much of Australia’s early steam locomotives and rolling stock are on display, including early Ghan Express coaches and more! This was a highlight of our last tour to Australia. Late this afternoon we board The Ghan bound for Alice Springs. Dinner on board and overnight in Gold Kangaroo sleeper.

Saturday, October 14: Alice Springs to Ayers Rock (B, L, D)
The Ghan arrives Alice Springs around noon. After lunch in Alice, we transfer by coach through the outback desert to Uluru, or Ayers Rock. This afternoon, you’re on your own to enjoy the pool or close by shops. Buffet dinner at the hotel tonight.

Sunday, October 15: Ayers Rock (B, D)
We take breakfast with us to experience dawn at Ayers Rock. Visit the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and explore The Olgas, a massive series of dome-shaped rocks. Time to explore Olga Gorge and its unusual rock formations before taking in an unforgettable sunset and dinner in the desert.

Monday, October 16: Alice Springs / The Ghan to Darwin (B,D)
Morning flight to Alice Springs. Today we visit the Old Telegraph Station, Old Ghan Museum, School of the Air and Royal Flying Doctor Service. This afternoon, board The Ghan bound for Darwin. The desert scenery passes by our windows as we head north along this line, which opened in 2004. Overnight and dinner on The Ghan in Gold Kangaroo Class.

Tuesday, October 17: Katherine / Arrive Darwin on The Ghan (B)
Morning stop in the country town of Katherine, where we’ll have a two-hour boat cruise through two spectacular gorges, showcasing the beauty of this area. Transfer back to The Ghan and continue to Darwin. Transfer to our Darwin hotel, with a brief city sights tour en route.

Wednesday, October 18: Kakadu National Park (B, D)
We depart by private coach this morning on our two-day excursion to Kakadu National Park. En route we visit Fogg Dam, then cross the Mary, Wildman and Alligator Rivers before arriving at Ubbir Rock, where the rock art is often called the world’s oldest art gallery.

Thursday, October 19: Kakadu National Park (B, L)
Visit Nourlangie Rock this morning to view Aboriginal rock art, and see the informative displays at the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Enjoy lunch at Cooinda Lodge, followed by a cruise in waters where saltwater crocodiles and colorful bird life abound. Return to Darwin this evening.

Friday, October 20: Darwin (B, D)
Today is at your leisure in Darwin. Tonight, we enjoy our last celebratory dinner.

Saturday, October 21: Tour ends (B)
Tour ends after breakfast. Transfer to the airport or add on the Cairns to Brisbane extension.

Tour pricing:

$6,879 per person, double occupancy
$1,415 single supplement

Optional Extension: Cairns to Brisbane on The Sunlander
October 21-26

Saturday, October 21: Darwin to Cairns (B, D)
Transfer to Darwin domestic airport, to meet an early flight to tropical Cairns, surrounded by lush rainforests and miles of white sandy beaches and turquoise oceans filled with technicolor fish. Or, if you are leaving us today, you’ll transfer to your connecting flight home. Upon arrival in Cairns, we’ll have immediate checkin to our hotel.

Sunday, October 22: Great Barrier Reef (B, L)
Enjoy the scenic coastal drive to Marina Mirage at Port Douglas, where we board a luxury catamaran for a cruise of Low Isles. Soak up the sun, fresh air and beautiful scenery of this tropical island paradise, including incredible views of the coral through our glass-bottom boat. Snorkel equipment will be available and a marine biologist will act as our guide. Return to Cairns and overnight.

Monday, October 23: Kuranda (B, D)
Depart by coach for Kuranda this morning. Enjoy a hearty breakfast at Freshwater Station, while seated in historical antique railway carriages. We’ll tour the station before boarding the Kuranda Scenic Railway. The journey takes us through 15 hand-cut tunnels and past spectacular waterfalls, as we sip champagne and snack on local macadamia nuts. There is time to visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary (included) and further explore Kuranda on your own. Later, we’ll board Skyrail, the world’s longest gondola—and glide just feet above the rainforest. Dinner at the Red Ochre Grill.

Tuesday, October 24: Cairns to Brisbane on The Sunlander (B, L, D)
Board The Sunlander this morning for the journey south to Brisbane, meandering through the scenic countryside of inland coastal towns. Overnight on board (for added comfort, Queenslander-class upgrade and on-board meals are included in tour price.).

Wednesday, October 25: Brisbane (B, L)
Arrive in Brisbane this afternoon and transfer to our hotel. Evening at leisure while you relax in this lovely town.

Thursday, October 26: Depart Brisbane (B)
Transfers to Brisbane International airport included. Or continue on to Perth for our Indian Pacific extension.

Tour pricing:

$2,175 per person, double occupancy
$755 single supplement

Independent Optional Extension:
Perth to Sydney on the Indian Pacific
October 26-November 2

For the entire Indian Pacific continent-crossing experience, add on our Perth to Sydney independent extension. This option includes three days to explore Perth, Western Australia’s largest city; three nights on board the Indian Pacific in Gold Kangaroo Class; and one night in Sydney before you depart for home. Sit back and enjoy the ride as the train crosses the country (2,698 miles)—beginning at one ocean and ending at another. This is the longest straight stretch of track in the world. No other trip in the world crosses so many different terrains in one country.

Tour pricing:

$1,889 per person, double occupancy
$480 single supplement

Click here for complete tour terms and conditions.

Click here to download our 2006 tour booking form.
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Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-478-4881 or 502-454-0277
Click here to e-mail our Tour Desk.