Treasures of Australia & the Indian Pacific

Landing in the capital of Western Australia today, transfer independently to our five-star hotel overlooking the Swan River - our base for three nights.

Blending a modern skyline with natural beauty, Perth is known for the relaxed, outdoor-oriented lifestyle and is considered to be Australia's sunniest capital. With exceptional beaches, a thriving arts scene and innovative restaurants, Perth has a unique spirit that comes with being one of the world's most isolated major cities - Adelaide is more than 1,300-miles away.

On the eastern shore of the Indian Ocean, Perth is perfectly located to specialize in seafood. Dining independently tonight, you could search for Geraldton rock lobster, barramundi, scallops, Marron crayfish or Mandurah crab. Alternatively, savor international cuisines such as Thai or - at our hotel - Peruvian. Overnight Perth.

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel this morning, before a sightseeing tour introduces us to Perth.

Exploring downtown Perth, we uncover its unusual combination of skyscrapers and colonial architecture, before our tour concludes at Kings Park, one of the biggest city parks in the world. Here, we can soak up epic views of the Swan and Canning rivers, and the skyscrapers perched on their banks. Afterward, we travel to nearby Fremantle, a historic port at the mouth of the Swan River. There's free time to explore or find lunch independently at the harbor or the Victorian markets.

This evening, we sail along the Swan River back to Perth before dining at our hotel. Overnight Perth.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Largely uninhabited when Dutch explorers landed in 1658, Rottnest Island was so named because ship's captain Willem de Vlamingh mistook the local marsupials for rats. Now, however, these residents are its biggest draw as Rottnest Island has the world's largest population of quokkas.

Sailing out to the island after breakfast, we embark on a tour of the island's must-see locations and try to meet the approachable but wild quokkas - dubbed the 'happiest creatures on the planet' due to their facial structures that make it seem as if they are smiling. With a section of our tour aboard the historic Captain Hussey train, we visit Wadjemup Lighthouse, Jeannies Lookout, Oliver Hill Battery and the majestic look-out point at Mabel Cove.

Returning to Perth by ferry, the evening is free to explore and dine independently. Overnight Perth.

• Breakfast, Lunch

There's a morning at leisure after breakfast to unwind before an astonishing four-night journey across Australia.

Transferring from our hotel later, we board the luxurious Indian Pacific and check in to our Gold class cabins. The twin cabins have en suite bathrooms, while all cabins feature a picture window, so you can watch the evocative Australian landscapes pass by - and there is even audio commentary about the journey. Once we're onboard, everything is taken care of, with all meals and drinks included throughout the journey. Each day, there's a selection of tailored optional excursions so you can experience the culture and history of the regions through which we are traveling.

As the iconic Indian Pacific leaves Perth, we head to the classically styled Queen Adelaide restaurant to enjoy our first dinner. Prepared by onboard chefs, each dish is made from locally sourced ingredients and showcases the best the culinary region has to offer, plus fine wines and other drinks of your choice. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Dinner

As the sun rises across Australia's outback, we enjoy our first breakfast on the Indian Pacific before today's optional excursions.

This morning, we'll delve into the mining town of Kalgoorlie's fascinating past and present. With many off-train experiences to select from, you can decide how you want to explore. Included options comprise a visit to the Super Pit mine that has its roots in the gold-rush era and a look into the history of the region's gold-mining sites.

Reboarding the train, we enjoy a mid-morning brunch, then you can sit back and enjoy the hospitality as you take in spectacular views of the Nullarbor Plain. This large, flat and treeless expanse features the longest straight stretch of railway track in the world at 297 miles without a single curve. In the evening, the train pulls into the almost-ghost-town of Cook for a late-night bonfire and nightcap under the stars - an amazing location to enjoy such an experience. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Dinner

As the Indian Pacific rolls through South Australia this morning, spend time soaking up views of pastoral lands and Flinders Ranges. Savor breakfast and lunch before the train pulls into Two Wells.

Here, we disembark for a memorable experience in the world-renowned wine-producing region of the Barossa Valley. Transferring by luxury motorcoach, we head to the Seppeltsfield Winery and savor a dining experience in the vintage cellar. A traditional 'Firing of the Barrel' display kicks off the evening, followed by a food and wine pairing curated by executive chef Owen Andrews, which highlights the regional produce and traditional methods, reflecting the story of the Barossa Valley. Guests who have upgraded to Platinum class are also treated to a special tasting of a 100-year-old port.

After dinner, we return to the Indian Pacific and continue our rail journey eastward through the night. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Having crossed another border during the night, we wake up in New South Wales and can enjoy breakfast ahead of the day's choice of activities.

Included off-train experiences provide an insight into historic and contemporary life in the outback and the former frontier town of Broken Hill. Select between a tour of Australia's first heritage-listed city, a painting lesson at the original studio of acclaimed artist Pro Hart or a visit to the historic Day Dream Mine near Silverton. The Living Desert State Park is scattered with sandstone art and, as the filming location for Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Broken Hill was cast into the spotlight. Enjoy unique excursions that reflect this heritage on an entertaining tour with local drag queen Shelita Buffet or head into the desert with local chef Lee Cecchin for a lesson in bushtucker.

Returning to the train, admire the scenery as the Indian Pacific travels through rural New South Wales. Tonight, dinner is served onboard as we make the most of our final night exploring Australia by luxury train. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Blue Mountains are known for their soaring sandstone ridges wrapped in native flora. This World Heritage-listed area marks our final stop before arriving in Sydney. After breakfast, we say farewell to the Indian Pacific and travel deep into the mountains. Alternatively, if you would prefer to arrive in Sydney earlier, stay on board the Indian Pacific to travel directly to Sydney Central Station.

There is a range of included excursions available in the Blue Mountains today. Scenic World includes four phenomenal mountain experiences, from traveling over ancient ravines on the glass-bottomed Scenic Skyway to the Scenic Cableway that glides over the forest to the valley floor. Alternatively, stretch your legs on a guided walk with spectacular views from numerous lookouts along the trail or indulge in a sumptuous high tea or board the Katoomba Scenic Railway for a trip on the world's steepest passenger railway.

Boarding a specially chartered train, we complete our overland journey as we arrive at Sydney Central Station and transfer to our four-star hotel near Darling Harbor. The rest of the day is free to familiarize yourself with the city and dine independently. Overnight Sydney.

• Breakfast, Lunch

After a free morning exploring the beauty of Sydney at your own pace, we're taken on a guided sightseeing tour of the city's famous landmarks and its eastern suburbs. First, we travel through the historic Rocks area, where the First Fleet landed in 1788 to establish Australia's earliest European settlement.

We then visit Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, a sandstone bench hand-carved by convicts in 1810 for the wife of Governor Macquarie. Set on a scenic peninsula, it offers one of the best views of Sydney Harbor, including the city's skyline, opera house and harbor bridge. Later, we continue to the renowned Bondi Beach, frequented by sun-kissed surfers and known for its laid-back vibe. The name Bondi originates from the Aboriginal word for 'surf', and there's time at leisure here to enjoy this relaxed beach resort, its vast beach, cafés and restaurants into the afternoon.

This evening, we enjoy a dinner cruise from King Street Wharf, soaking up iconic panoramas of Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge while we sail. Overnight Sydney.

• Breakfast, Dinner

You're free today to explore Australia's most populous city at your own pace. At Pyrmont Bay, near our hotel, you can board a public ferry that takes you under the harbor bridge to Circular Key.

A scenic walk takes you along the waterfront of Sydney Harbor to the Opera House, where you can continue to the remarkable 200-year-old Royal Botanic Gardens with its incredible trees - including Moreton Bay fig trees, exotic flowers and birdlife. Sydney's harbor area has several museums, art galleries and historic buildings to discover.

From here, you could continue by boat for a scenic ride across the harbor to Manly. Originally inhabited by the indigenous Gayemagal and Cannalgal people, Manly became a popular resort in the 1850s. Nowadays, it's known for its beaches, attractive walking routes and restaurants. Dining independently this evening, wherever you find yourself, you could stop for fresh seafood by the beach, indulge in a popular craft beer or savor fine Australian wines. Overnight Sydney.

• Breakfast

This morning, we take a short coach journey from our hotel to the train station where we join the cross-country XPT Interstate to Melbourne.

Traveling in First Class, lunch and dinner are available for you to buy on the train. This day-long rail journey takes us past open plains of Australian bush and farmland, mostly cattle and dairy farms, with stops at remote stations and towns with distinctive names, such as Wagga Wagga. As we approach Melbourne, landscapes change to fields of green and gold.

On arrival in Melbourne this evening, we check in to our central hotel for three nights. Overlooking the Yarra River, we are close to the city's main attractions and promenade which hosts a range of restaurants. Dining independently tonight, you could seek out a variety of cuisines such a Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, French and Italian, alongside Australian fare - a healthy and inventive fusion of local and international flavors. Overnight Melbourne.

• Breakfast

Enjoy some free time this morning to explore Melbourne at your own pace, perhaps stopping for an early lunch at one of the city's many cafés or restaurants.

This afternoon, we join a sightseeing tour of Melbourne, taking us past key highlights of the city, including the Old Treasury Building and the center that was built for the Great Exhibition of 1880. Outside downtown, we drive past the home of the Melbourne Open and the MCG - Australia's largest stadium and an iconic ground for the sport of cricket.

Afterward, we experience the true charm of the Yarra River with a one-hour sightseeing cruise, allowing us to view the city's skyline from a fresh perspective. Disembarking the ship, we take a short walk to the Melbourne Skydeck for panoramic views across the city. You are at leisure this evening and the nearby Southbank area along the Yarra River offers a variety of excellent restaurants for you to try. Alternatively, hop on the free trams to explore the Docklands or Flinders Street districts. Overnight Melbourne.

• Breakfast

Today brings an excursion along one of the world's most scenic stretches of roads, the breathtaking Great Ocean Road.

Traveling by coach, this spectacular route takes us past verdant forests, rushing waterfalls and glittering ocean views. En route, we're highly likely to see surfers, and we may even spot native birds or other coastal wildlife. As we travel, we make a short stop at a seaside town called Lorne, then break for lunch at the laid-back beach town of Apollo Bay. Later, we continue to the Twelve Apostles where we view this collection of dramatic limestone rocks set along the coast.

There's free time to marvel at the golden cliffs and emerald waters of the coastal Loch Ard Gorge, before we retrace our journey to Melbourne. Arriving back at our hotel this evening, you are free to dine independently at one of the many appealing restaurants in our local neighborhood. Overnight Melbourne.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Blending iconic exploration with luxury rail travel, this exquisite Australian vacation has taken us across this great country from Perth in the west to Sydney in the east and Melbourne in the south. We witnessed the natural beauty of Rottnest Island and the Great Ocean Road, enjoyed Swan River and Sydney harbor dinner cruises and sailed along the Yarra River.

Traveling for four nights in Gold class on the exceptional Indian Pacific train, we experienced Australia in superb style. From gold-mining cities and a bonfire under the outback stars to a Barossa Valley wine-tasting and the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains, this tour has revealed the country's history, culture and flavors in brilliant fashion.

After breakfast, you can make your way independently to Melbourne airport to begin your journey home.

• Breakfast