East Meets West Indian Pacific Package Itinerary

Welcome to Sydney, the oldest and grandest of Australia's big cities. Blessed with a glorious natural harbour, golden beaches, and a blissful climate, this incredible metropolis offers a stunning introduction to Australia.

Settle in with a stroll along Circular Quay. With the Harbour Bridge at one end and the Opera House at the other, is there any more iconic place to begin your Australian dream vacation?

Accommodation: Sydney - 1 Night (Accommodation next to Train Station)

Make your own way to Central Railway Station in Sydney, departing in the afternoon on a true journey of contrasts that will take you through the heights of the majestic Blue Mountains and across the barren expanse of the Nullarbor Plain to lush vineyards and vast goldmines.

Named for the two oceans the train encounters on its journey, the Indian Pacific travels between Sydney and Perth via Adelaide on a spectacular 4,352km journey. Settle into your cabin and relax, or make your way to the Outback Explorer Lounge to meet fellow guests and help yourself to a welcome drink.

Included Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Indian Pacific Gold Service, Private Cabin - 3 Nights

Wake up to a coffee or tea as you arrive in Broken Hill this morning to explore the beauty of the ‘Silver City’ and discover the history of the mining industry that is at the heart of the town. Step back on board and head to the Queen Adelaide Restaurant for breakfast, where an extensive menu caters to all tastes. By the time lunch is served, you’ll be well into South Australia on the southern tip of the Flinders Ranges.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Marvel at the raw beauty of the vast Nullarbor plains as you awake this morning, and reflect on the changing landscapes that background your rail journey. Your sense of wonder will be aroused when it comes time to set foot in remote Rawlinna later today. Under brilliant desert stars, enjoy an evening stop in a location experienced only by an intrepid few.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Arrive into the cosmopolitan Western Australian capital of Perth after lunch. You’ll be transferred to your hotel.

Welcome to Perth! Pick up your rental car, settle in to your comfortable accommodation and relax in Australia's sunniest capital city. Perth's urban villages and small bar-bistros offer plenty of dining options to explore.

Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Perth - 3 Nights

You have a free day to explore Perth any way you wish. This city has some awesome attractions to please travelers young and old. Keep kids of all ages entertained at Adventure World, a combination theme park/water park for fun in the sun. Barrel down the Kraken together, an enormous water slide which twists and turns right to the bottom. The Abyss, voted Australia’s best rollercoaster, is guaranteed to get your hearts pumping.

Perth Zoo specializes in rare, endangered species that will bring out the passion for animals in any child.

A 30-minute ferry ride from the city, Rottnest Island has sandy beaches, coral reefs, and smiling Quokkas to meet. These cat-sized native creatures are known as the happiest animals in the world!

The Western Australian Shipwrecks Museum will have your kids mesmerized. They will love the galleries of relics from ships that have been wrecked along the WA coastline.

Discover Rottnest Island by bicycle and experience over 63 beaches and 20 bays as you explore this unique A Class Reserve. Cycling is an environmentally friendly and fun recreational activity for all ages. As Rottnest Island has essentially no cars, cycling is one of the best ways to get around the Island. Snorkeling is absolutely amazing on Rottnest Island, with many calm bays and beaches to choose from. See some unique marine wildlife and tropical corals in the beautiful underwater habitat. Bicycle and snorkel combo hire is the easiest, stress-free way to get the ultimate Rottnest experience!

Journey through the Golden Outback to Boddington, the site of Australia’s largest gold mine. Continue to Wave Rock, a magnificent rock formation formed over three million years ago.

Wave Rock in Hyden is one of the most famous rock formations in Western Australia’s. Caused by weathering and water erosion, this multi-coloured granite rock forms the shape of a wave frozen at the point of breaking and came into the spotlight when it was featured in the National Geographic Magazine in 1967.

Stand under the striking 15 metre high wave formed over 2700 million years ago and admire the beautiful colourings of the rock formed by the rain washing and dissolving minerals down its face – a stunning photo opportunity!

Just nearby, admire evidence of ancient Aboriginal culture at Mulka’s Cave. This eerie cave is believed to have once been the home of Mulka the Terrible, an Aboriginal man who was ostracised from his tribe and took to hunting local children. See ancient cave paintings and faint handprints believed to be those of Mulka.

Approximate Distance: 331 km | 205 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Hyden - 1 Night

This morning, pass through the former gold boomtown of Coolgardie and continue to Kalgoorlie for spectacular views over the famous Super Pit open-cut gold mine.

Throw on a high visibility vest and safety glasses and come and experience a tour of Australia’s largest gold producing mine, the Super Pit. You will be visitor inducted to the KCGM Super Pit and view the mining and milling operations through the Fimiston Milling Plant from the safety of the Mine-Spec Bus (Air-conditioned).

Be amazed by the size of the 793 dump trucks as we travel along the haul roads on-site with the trucks. The view of the Super Pit from Harvey Hut will take your breath away as you see the old miner’s workings with old shafts and view the modern mining machinery working in the pit.

Our tour guide will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have while on the tour, you can also feel free to bring along your camera for some fantastic photos!

Tour Highlights

• Get up close to the HUGE dump trucks
• Full commentary
• See the Gold Milling Process
• View the Super Pit from the Internal Viewing Platforms
• Panoramic views with fantastic photo opportunities

Accommodation: Rydges Kalgoorlie

Today's destination is Esperance. Situated on the south coast of Australia's Golden Outback tourist region. Esperance faces south to the Southern Ocean and is protected by over 200 islands of the Recherche Archipelago in the Bay of Isles.

Dundas Rocks and Ghost town

A visit to Norseman presents an opportunity to see the 550 million-year-old Dundas Rocks and Ghosttown. Take a picturesque bush walk to see the ancient rock formations and the remains of the old ghost town. Look for the plaque showing where the original settlement of Dundas stood. Continue along the walking trail to the end of Lake Dundas where the lone grave of a seven-month-old baby can be found. The grave belongs to Stanley Whitehead who died in 1897. When in the season you will be able to explore the stunning wildflower display. 

Approximate Distance: 390 km | 242 miles   Total Driving Time: 4 hours 11 mins

Accommodation: Esperance - 2 Nights

There aren't too many places in Australia where kangaroos sunbake on the beach, but at Cape Le Grand National Park this is just one of the many natural highs on offer. This pristine park near Esperance is known for its stunning scenery and idyllic beaches where you can go swimming, bushwalking, fishing and camping.

The landscape changes from massive granite outcrops to freshwater pools and unbelievably white sandy beaches with views over many islands. Lucky Bay is home to a colony of friendly kangaroos which are often seen soaking up the sun.

In spring Cape Le Grand National Park bursts into colour as wildflowers bloom, including groves of banksia. You can reach Cape Le Grand National Park by conventional vehicle in about half an hour from Esperance.

Approximate Distance: 54 km | 33 miles   Total Driving Time: 33 mins Each Way

Over 1,100 million years in the making, the striking granite outcrop of Castle Rock invites you to walk its 670 metre (2198 feet) peak and take in a truly exhilarating view from the suspended Granite Skywalk or scaling the last few metres to reach the summit.

This unique granite range of 12 peaks sits in the heart of Porongurup National Park, just 45 minutes drive north from Albany. This 3 kilometre (1.2 miles) return walk and stop to get a closer look at the incredible variety of plant and animal life that makes this region one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. As you ascend the peak, meandering through tall Karri and Marri tree forest, you’re likely to encounter some of the 78 species of birds and 700 flowering plants, including many rare and extraordinary orchids and lichen varieties.

Continue to Albany, a town imbued with Anzac history, and settle into your hotel for the night.

Approximate Distance: 480 km | 298 miles   Total Driving Time: 4 hours 57 mins

Accommodation: Albany - 2 Nights

This morning take your time to explore the seaside town Albany, which boasts many fine heritage-listed buildings.

The breathtaking beauty of Albany’s rugged coastline creates a fitting backdrop to dramatic whaling, convict and settler history and a sensational south coast adventure. This charming city marks the spot where the first European settlers set foot in Western Australia, and much of their legacy remains today with colonial buildings standing proudly as museums, galleries, and restaurants. The whaling station museum tells fascinating tales of Albany's whaling industry and you can take a cruise to meet whales up close.

World-class wine, food, fishing, surfing, swimming, diving, hiking, four-wheel-driving, camping, and other activities are all within minutes of town.

Don't miss

• Take a dip at Western Australia's best beaches
• Visit the National Anzac Centre to learn about Australia's war history
• Go whale watching and visit a former whaling station

Today you drive to the beautiful Margaret River region, on the way visit...

Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk: This morning to explore the canopy of the majestic Tingle forest. The Valley of the Giants is an iconic region on the south coast of Western Australia between Denmark and Walpole. The area is world-famous for the Tree Top Walk suspended 40 metres high in the canopy of the ancient tingle forest. 

Situated within the Walpole Wilderness east of Margaret River and West of Albany are the hamlets of Peaceful Bay, Bow Bridge and Nornalup. You can dive, surf, fish, canoe or walk amongst the flora and fauna along the Bibbulmun Track, beaches, and coastal ridges.

Mammoth Cave: This magical cave is a natural time capsule; home to ancient fossil remains of long-extinct giant animals. A fascinating audio tour is available in several languages. Mammoth Cave is the most easily accessed of all the show caves in the region, with wheelchair access into the first chamber. Mammoth Cave is a self-guided cave, where visitors explore along the boardwalks and platforms, through the majestic chambers of the cave. This is much more than a cave - it is a complete nature experience.

The cave still contains the fossil jawbone of a long-extinct giant marsupial species, embedded within the limestone wall 50,000 years after the animal roamed the forests

Approximate Distance: 350 km | 217 miles   Total Driving Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Margaret River - 3 Nights

It’s the wine and nature lovers’ experience with the works. Travelling in a luxury 4WD, this is the tour for people who don’t do tours. Connect with nature then match your favourite wine with fresh local produce while we lunch in the barrel room at one of the region’s emerging superstar wineries.

• Start the day with a canoe trip down a stunning section of the tranquil Margaret River.
   
• Our next stop is an ancient waterhole to spot freshwater Marron and wildlife and to taste local honey while we reflect on Aboriginal history dating back more than 50,000 years.
   
• We finish our day with a 4WD adventure and walk on a spectacular section of the Cape to Cape Track – You can spot Dolphins, sharks, whales, kangaroos, eagles and wildflowers are seasonal, but all possible.

Today's Gourmet Food & Wine Day Tour takes you the length and breadth of the region in search of tasty treats.

Kick start the day with artisan coffee and hit the road with your guide, taking in award-winning wineries, olive groves, local cheese & chocolate producers. Lunch is at a local craft brewery where you can see why Margaret River's reputation for beer & cider is growing by the day.

Throughout the day you’ll also appreciate the incredible natural beauty of Margaret River’s lush forests, rolling hills, and opulent vineyards. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos!

With hundreds of miles of coast fringed by rugged bushland, the Margaret River region offers plenty of adventure off the beaten track. As well as wines, the region is known for its surf beaches on the Indian Ocean, mountain biking along old forest logging tracks, and kayaking up the river itself.

Or you could hang around town...

During the day the town is bustling and at night town comes alive with a totally different scene of fantastic foodie restaurants, wine bars and pubs with live music. Decadent food, premium produce, internationally renowned wine, surfing, art and a love for nature combine to be the soul of the town and some of the main Margaret River attractions. Stunning walking and cycling tracks meander along the river or through the surrounding forest to the vineyards and farms. The world-famous Margaret River surf is only 10 minutes from the centre of town.

Say farewell to Western Australia today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. We know you will enjoy your Western Australian Drive and we hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.