Perth to Sydney

Sunday 11 August

Depart on Air New Zealand mid-day to arrive in Perth late afternoon. Transfer to inner-city hotel with remainder of afternoon free.

Monday 12 August

Today’s city tour of Perth includes the famous port of Fremantle, a walk in Kings Park and a beachfront drive.  Remainder of the day free to explore at your leisure. Welcome dinner tonight.

Tuesday 13 August

Travel south with an inland detour that provides a good cross section of rural life. At a crossroads in the middle of nowhere is Gnomesville, a prolific collection of the legendary creatures. Continue to Donnybrook, the ‘Apple Capital’ and stone fruit orchards for lunch and onto the coastal city of Busselton with its 1.8km jetty jutting out into the Indian Ocean. Later arrive in Margaret River for a two night stay

Wednesday 14 August

Begin the day with a drive to Cape Leeuwin, the most south / westerly point of Australia where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Visit the lighthouse and later the Mammoth Caves, a large limestone cavern where a guided tour is included. Continue to a winery for tasting and lunch. Return to Margaret River.

Margaret River - located in the far southwest corner of Western Australia is one of the most geographically isolated wine regions in the world. But this isolation is no barrier to the development of a region that is highly regarded as a producer of powerful, yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. Today there are just over 5,000 hectares under vine and over 150 wine producers in the region - made up predominately of smaller niche-size wine producers. Collectively they produce a massive 20% of Australia’s premium wine. We visit one of these.

Thursday 15 August

Today travel inland to the town of Nannup, the home of Cambray Cheese. Lunch in a truffle growing area and onto the former sawmilling town of Pemberton where we board a train for a bush ride along an old timber railway line. Spend the next two nights in a lakeside resort in a Karri Forest.

Pemberton, set amongst rich agricultural land and Karri forests won the Top Tourism Town for populations less than 5000.

Friday 16 August

Today drive through the tall Karri and Jarrah (eucalyptus) trees to enjoy a 4WD experience into the coastal sand dunes and later a peaceful river cruise to the ocean.  Return to our lakeside accommodation.

Saturday 17 August

After a leisurely start we travel north to Perth with an afternoon and evening at your leisure to explore the Western Australian Capital.

Sunday 18 August

After breakfast, transfer to the railway station to board ‘Indian Pacific’ train. Depart Perth, travelling in ‘Gold Class’ with time to settle into your comfortable cabin – home for the next four days / three nights.

Monday 19 August

Cook – Time here to stretch your legs and explore the old railway town of Cook, once a thriving community boasting a school, swimming pool, general store and housing to accommodate a population of 200. Now virtually abandoned, a self-guided map will allow you to walk and explore. Depart Cook early afternoon with lunch served on-board.

Tuesday 20 August

On arrival into Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, you have the choice of a walking tour, a behind-the-scenes tour of the world-famous Adelaide Oval, or a coach tour of the city sights. Or simply take your own time to explore the multi-cultural atmosphere with many river-walking trails and impressive Art Gallery’s. This evening we stop at Broken Hill known as Australia’s silver capital. This once-thriving mining town is set to a backdrop of mining tailings, a colourful main street and historic buildings.

Wednesday 21 August

Wake up to the iconic Blue Mountains and see the majestic Three Sisters at Echo Point and the breathtaking views at Jamison Valley before arriving in Sydney. Transfer to your hotel for a one-night stay. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner tonight.

Thursday 22 August

After breakfast transfer to the airport for a midday flight, arriving in Auckland early evening.

Please ask us if you would like to extend your stay in Sydney.