The Very Best of Australia

ITINERARY

Day 1 – London to Singapore

Overnight flight to Singapore, arriving the following morning.

Day 2 – Singapore City Sightseeing

Enjoy getting to know Singapore on a half-day sightseeing tour of this vibrant city with a local guide who will take us to the popular sightseeing landmarks.

Day 3 – Singapore to Darwin

Direct morning flight from Singapore to Darwin where we have a 1-night stay.

Day 4 – The Ghan

We board the iconic Ghan train to take an epic 2,979km journey across Australia's Red Centre from Darwin to Adelaide. Accommodation is in gold service cabins with all meals and drinks included.

Day 5 – Alice Springs

Arrival in Alice Springs this morning where optional sightseeing tours will be on offer (several of these are included with our class of travel). This outback city is the heart and soul of central Australia, rich in history and culture.

Day 6 – Arrive Adelaide

On reaching Adelaide, we transfer to the National Wine Centre for a leisurely lunch (included) before we check in to our hotel for the next 2 nights.

Day 7 – Relax in Adelaide

Today is free to relax and sightsee in Australia's fifth largest city. Wander down the grand tree-lined North Terrace boulevard which boasts Adelaide's most imposing buildings. You may wish to visit one of the city's many museums or simply wander through Central Market or the Botanical Gardens.

Day 8 – The Overland

Travel by train between Adelaide and Melbourne aboard the Overland, enjoying a relaxing journey while savouring the comforts and romance of rail. We travel in Red Premium with all-inclusive breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea served at our seats.

Day 9 – Puffing Billy

Enjoy a day trip out to Belgrave where we board the fabulous Puffing Billy Steam Railway for a scenic journey through Sherbrooke Forest – a superb example of rainforest noted for its native 'Mountain Ash' trees, a form of eucalypt and the tallest flowering plant in the world. There is time for lunch at Lakeside before our return journey.

Day 10 – At Leisure in Melbourne

A day to explore and unwind. A great way to explore the city is via the free City Circle Tram which covers all the essential sightseeing stops and provides a great introduction to this wonderful city. Melbourne boasts the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia’s oldest and most visited art museum and the riverside Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria which feature a mix of native and exotic plants. Flinders Street railway station is a busy transport hub known for its Edwardian architecture.

Day 11 – XPT to Sydney

We depart Melbourne on board the NSW TrainLink XPT service to Sydney. Travelling in First Class, sit back, relax and watch the beautiful scenery go by. We arrive in Sydney early evening for a 3-night stay.

Days 12 & 13 – Sydney at Leisure

Enjoy two days at leisure in Sydney. There is plenty to see and do here and your tour leader will be on hand to assist with arranging your excursions. Spend time at Sydney Harbour and take in the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and nearby Botanical Gardens. Take a ferry ride to capture some great photos of the Sydney waterfront. Circular Quays is a great stop for lunch and Darling Harbour for dinner! Travelling out to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains by rail is also a great way to spend a day.

Day 14 – Sydney to Brisbane

An early start today as we board the XPT service to wind our way northwards. At Casino, we switch to a coach for the last part of the journey to Brisbane for a 2-night stay.

Day 15 – At Leisure in Brisbane

We have a day to relax. Ride the CityCat ferry down the Brisbane River, enjoy a free clock tower tour at the City Hall and dip your toes at Streets Beach – Australia’s only inner-city, man-made beach boasts a sparkling blue lagoon surrounded by white, sandy beaches and sub-tropical plants.

Day 16 – Brisbane to Cairns

A leisurely morning before boarding the Spirit of Queensland to Cairns. On board, we travel in RailBed class which features a spacious seat by day with a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system, and a lie flat bed by night with all linen provided. Meals are also included on board and are served at your seat.

Day 17 – Cairns

Afternoon arrival into tropical Cairns where we stay for the next 4 nights.

Day 18 – Kuranda Scenic Railway

The famous Kuranda Scenic Railway winds its way from Cairns via Freshwater, to Kuranda, the village in the rainforest. En route, we pass spectacular waterfalls as we travel through Far North Queensland’s World Heritage-listed rainforest, the Wet Tropics. Thousands of species of plants and hundreds of unique creatures inhabit this lush green world. We return to Cairns via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, gliding above the forest canopy learning more about this ancient ecosystem.

Day 19 – Great Barrier Reef

Enjoy a day cruise out to Agincourt Reef, situated on the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Stay dry on a semi submersible and experience a diver’s view of the reef as you glide slowly through the reef lagoons and colourful coral gardens in air-conditioned comfort. Marvel at spectacular coral formations thousands of years in the making and home to an amazing array of exotic rainbow-coloured tropical fish. With some of the highest biodiversity in the world, some 1500 species of fish are found in the Great Barrier Reef! Lunch is also included at the pontoon, with drinks available to purchase at the bar.

Day 20 – Cairns at Leisure

We have a morning to relax and reflect upon our Australian adventure today. Unwind at the Esplanade's swimming lagoon, explore the Botanic Gardens – a tropical paradise – and walk along the Rainforest Boardwalk to Saltwater Creek and Centenary Lakes, a birdwatcher's delight. This afternoon we fly back to Melbourne for an overnight stay in an airport hotel.

Day 21 – Cairns to Bangkok

Fly to Bangkok today. We have a 2-night stay in this cultural city of contrasts, where the modern mixes with the historical and the people are among the friendliest in the world.

Day 22 – Bridge On The River Kwai

A day trip by rail to Kanchanaburi today, home to the Bridge on the River Kwai and the start of the Burma Railway. Stops include the Bridge itself, a local restaurant for lunch and Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Travelling back by road allows us to visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre.

Days 23 & 24 – Bangkok to London

Day at leisure today before an evening check in for our flight back to the UK, arriving early morning.