Deal

As your ship passes Harbour Heads, you are presented with the shimmering skyline of Sydney – hailed by many seafarers as “the most beautiful harbor in the world.” Two prominent landmarks, Harbour Bridge and the sail-like curves of the Sydney Opera House, grace the backdrop of this picturesque harbor. There is a wealth of adventure waiting in Sydney – from its cosmopolitan city center to miles of beautiful beaches and the Blue Mountains.

Australia’s oldest and largest city was born in 1788 with the arrival of the “First Fleet” transporting 760 British convicts. Today, Sydney is the largest port in the South Pacific and is often voted the most popular destination in the South Pacific.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

Today is spent at sea. Take the opportunity to slow down, explore the ship’s facilities, and enjoy a relaxed day onboard as the journey continues.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

Once considered the “country cousin” among Australian cities, Brisbane is today the nation’s third-largest metropolis – and one of the most desirable places to live in the country. Lying on the banks of the meandering Brisbane River, this cosmopolitan city boasts elegant 19th-century sandstone buildings, a lively cultural scene and superb parklands. Brisbane is also your gateway to uniquely Australian adventures, be it the theme parks of the Gold Coast or Queensland’s dazzling beaches.

The beaches south of Brisbane form Queensland’s Gold Coast. Travel tip: Brisbane is pronounced “Bris-bin.”

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

Today is spent at sea. Take the opportunity to slow down, explore the ship’s facilities, and enjoy a relaxed day onboard as the journey continues.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

This tiny island measures in at just 1,600 feet long by 490 feet wide, though it is the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory. You won’t find any neighborhoods, schools or homes here, however. The only structures on Willis Island comprise a weather monitoring station hosted by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, where just a handful of weather observers reside at any given time.

Willis Island is one of several tropical islands sitting beyond the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, and is surrounded by thriving reefs where many creatures make their homes. Numbering into the thousands, Willis Island itself caters to many species of seabirds, including Masked, Brown and Red-footed Boobies that cry out nearly 24 hours a day. It is also an important nesting ground for turtles.

Note: Willis Island is a scenic cruising site. Ships will slowly travel past while a knowledgeable port lecturer points out significant sites you’ll be able to see from onboard.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

Cairns is one of Australia’s hottest vacation destinations. Cairns boasts three of Australia’s great natural wonders. Just offshore, immense bastions of living coral form the Great Barrier Reef. Sixteen miles of superb beaches stretch to the north of the city – the famed Marlin Coast. And inland lays the immense Daintree National Park. Cairns itself basks in tropical sunshine, balmy breezes waft in from Trinity Bay. The city’s graceful, tree-lined esplanade was once the gateway to the gold fields of North Queensland.

Cairns graceful, tree-lined esplanade was once the gateway to the gold fields of North Queensland. A travel tip – Cairns is pronounced “cans.”

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

Today is spent at sea. Take the opportunity to slow down, explore the ship’s facilities, and enjoy a relaxed day onboard as the journey continues.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

Today is spent at sea. Take the opportunity to slow down, explore the ship’s facilities, and enjoy a relaxed day onboard as the journey continues.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

Today is spent at sea. Take the opportunity to slow down, explore the ship’s facilities, and enjoy a relaxed day onboard as the journey continues.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

Closer to Indonesia than to any other Australian city, Darwin is the capital of the “Top End” – the remote, vast Northern Territory. Home to more than half of the territory’s population, the city reflects the rugged endurance and individualism required to survive the Outback. Darwin also boasts a colorful history to add to that heritage. During World War II the Japanese bombed the city and threatened invasion. In 1974, Cyclone Tracy cut a destructive swath through the region. In addition, man-eating crocodiles, tropical monsoons, searing heat and bush fires that burn for weeks are all part of everyday life.

Locals in the Top End consume over 60 gallons of beer a year. All those empties don’t go to waste: Each year Darwin residents compete in the Beer Can Regatta, a race with boats, rafts and other vessels manufactured out of beer cans.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

Today is spent at sea. Take the opportunity to slow down, explore the ship’s facilities, and enjoy a relaxed day onboard as the journey continues.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

Today is spent at sea. Take the opportunity to slow down, explore the ship’s facilities, and enjoy a relaxed day onboard as the journey continues.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

Today is spent at sea. Take the opportunity to slow down, explore the ship’s facilities, and enjoy a relaxed day onboard as the journey continues.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

In the 1870s, pearl fishermen discovered the rich waters of Roebuck Bay. A decade later, Broome was founded as a base for the pearl trade and was soon described as “the pearling capital of the world.” Japanese, Chinese and Aborigine divers toiled in arduous, dangerous labor to harvest oysters from the seabed. For all its importance to the pearling industry, Broome remained a remote outpost on Australia’s Kimberley Coast until its discovery as a travel destination. The legacy of its pearling days can be seen in the town’s colorful mix of 19th- and early 20th century buildings. Broome also boasts Cable Beach – a 13-mile strand of white-sand that stretches along the azure waters of the Indian Ocean.

Pirate William Dampier was the first European to visit Western Australia. Dampier, who circumnavigated the globe three times, landed near Broome in 1688 and again in 1699.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

Today is spent at sea. Take the opportunity to slow down, explore the ship’s facilities, and enjoy a relaxed day onboard as the journey continues.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

Exmouth lies some 780 miles north of Perth on the rugged and stunningly beautiful Northwest Cape. This remote corner of Australia has been of strategic importance since the days of the Second World War. In fact, Exmouth was built in 1964 to support the Harold E. Holt Communications Station. Nearly 45 years later, the base remains a top-secret installation. Australians, however, discovered the North Cape’s strategic importance as a travel destination. Here rugged mountains and stony gorges descend to stunning beaches. Australia’s longest fringing reef lies just offshore. Its crystalline waters boast great fishing, and whale sharks are frequently encountered basking on the surface between April and July.

Exmouth’s permanent population numbers approximately 2,400 souls – but visitors are increasingly drawn to the Northwest Cape’s rugged beauty and mild climate.

Note: Exmouth is an anchorage port. Passengers transfer to shore via ship’s tender.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

Today is spent at sea. Take the opportunity to slow down, explore the ship’s facilities, and enjoy a relaxed day onboard as the journey continues.

Overnight: Sapphire Princess

After disembarking the ship, make your own arrangements to East Perth Train Terminal.

Your transcontinental adventure begins in Perth, where you’ll gather with fellow travellers for a warm welcome and a celebratory start to your journey. As the Indian Pacific readies to depart, anticipation builds for the days ahead — crossing the country from ocean to ocean, along the world’s longest stretch of straight railway track. With the sun dipping low over the west, settle into your cabin, meet new friends in the lounge, and savour your first dinner on board.

Overnight: The Indian Pacific (D)

Awake to see the sunrise across the vast Nullarbor before arriving in Kalgoorlie, Australia’s largest outback town. This morning, delve into the region’s fascinating past and present with a visit to its gold-rush heritage and the modern-day Super Pit mine. Choose your Off Train Experience to explore Kalgoorlie in your own way, with morning refreshments included.

Reboarding mid-morning for brunch, spend the afternoon at leisure on board. Relax with fine hospitality as the endless sweep of the Nullarbor passes by. Crossing borders and time zones, you’ll arrive late evening in the near-ghost town of Cook, South Australia. Once bustling, today a handful of residents remain, yet its stories endure. Step into this outback outpost to explore the ghost-like town, and as evening falls look skyward — here, under a canopy of stars unspoiled by light, you’ll join a guided stargazing experience to spot the Southern Cross and other constellations that shine bright with dazzling clarity. Later, return to the train for a regionally inspired dinner and the gentle rhythm of the rails as you continue eastward.

Overnight: The Indian Pacific (B, L, D)

Spend the morning travelling through the pastoral heart of South Australia, with sweeping views of the Flinders Ranges, Spencer Gulf, and the Adelaide Plains unfolding beyond your window. A leisurely breakfast and lunch are served on board, inviting you to savour the relaxed rhythm of train travel.

In the afternoon, disembark at Long Plains and transfer by comfortable coach to the world-renowned Barossa Valley. Here, at the historic Seppeltsfield Estate, an evening of fine wine and dining awaits. Enjoy a signature culinary experience in the vintage cellar, created exclusively for Indian Pacific guests, complete with a spectacular ‘Firing of the Barrel’ and a food-and-wine pairing designed by Executive Chef Owen Andrews. Platinum guests are also invited to taste a rare 100-year-old tawny, a true highlight of the region.

After dinner, return to the train, where the Indian Pacific rolls eastward into the night.

Overnight: The Indian Pacific (B, L, D)

Overnight the Indian Pacific crosses another border, arriving in Broken Hill, New South Wales – the famed Silver City. After a hearty breakfast, set out to explore this legendary outback town.

Choose your own adventure: visit the Miners’ Memorial and Sulphide Street Railway and Historical Museum for a fascinating look at the region’s mining heritage, or venture underground on a Daydream Mine tour for an authentic glimpse into the life of early miners. Art lovers can head to the Pro Hart Gallery for a ‘paint and sip’ session in the artist’s original studio, while foodies will enjoy a native ingredients masterclass with Chef Lee Cecchin, followed by a cook-off at The Old Salt Bush restaurant. Or, see Broken Hill’s vibrant personality shine with a lively main-street tour hosted by Shelita Buffet, Queen of the Outback.

Returning to the train for lunch and admire the changing landscapes of regional New South Wales. Tonight, savour your final dinner on board, raising a glass to an unforgettable journey exploring Australia by train.

Overnight: The Indian Pacific (B, L, D)