Summary
Trip Length
11 days / 10 nights
Price
from USD$ 2,895
Details >
Outline
Start in Sydney
3 nights Sydney
1 night Indian Pacific
3 nights Adelaide
3 nights Melbourne
End in Melbourne
Starts
Sydney
2006-2008
Sundays, year round
Accommodation
Popular, Superior or Deluxe
Options & Upgrades
Add additional nights or tours
Australian Cities by Rail
Tour Australia’s vibrant cities and travel between destinations in comfort and style aboard the Indian Pacific and Overlander trains with this vacation package. From Sydney and Canberra to Adelaide and Melbourne, you’ll see the best of each city, in addition to other great activities like wine tasting in the famed Barossa Valley and watching the comical penguins of Phillip Island waddle ashore during the “Penguin Parade.”
ITINERARY
Day 1- Sydney Arrival
Welcome to Australia! Your Australia vacation begins in Sydney, Australia’s biggest and most well-known city. Built around a spectacular natural harbour, Sydney has a vibrant atmosphere with great restaurants, shops, nightlife, and a bustling waterfront. The down-to-earth friendliness of four million ‘Aussies’ helps you feel right at home. Whether you arrive from an international or domestic flight, your package includes a transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 - Sydney
Today is your day to get acquainted with Sydney, and one of the smartest ways to do that is with comprehensive tour by land of the city’s highlights and its famous beaches, together with a harbour cruise to give you a perspective of the city from the water. By land you’ll see Sydney Harbour Bridge, the historic Rocks area, and the northern and southern beaches - including Manly and Bondi. From the water you’ll see Darling Harbour, the Opera House, and get a sense of the magnificence of the whole city, whilst enjoying a relaxing buffet lunch on board.
Day 3 – Canberra
Australia’s sleepy National Capital, Canberra, is a great day trip destination and you can see all the essential sights on this tour. Leave Sydney and stop at the historic town of Berrima for morning tea before continuing via Goulburn to Canberra. Visit the National Museum, Parliament House, Diplomatic Embassies, Mount Ainslie Lookout, and enjoy some free time to browse around the Australian War Memorial. The return journey to Sydney includes a stop for dinner (meals are not included).
Day 4 - The Indian Pacific Railway - Sydney to Adelaide
Spend the morning on your own in Sydney before boarding the Indian Pacific in the afternoon for your overnight journey to Adelaide. The train eases out of Sydney towards the Blue Mountains and Lithgow, then across outback New South Wales on its way to Broken Hill.
Day 5 – The Indian Pacific
The train crosses the Darling River and passes Lake Menindee before arriving in Broken Hill - a mining town which has become a haven for Australian artists, attracted to the area’s harsh beauty and reliable light. You have the option of seeing more of Broken Hill on a local tour (not included). After a short stop, the train departs for Adelaide, arriving in the afternoon. A green and lovely city with cobblestone streets, more than 1,700 acres of gardens and an interesting history as Australia’s first free city, Adelaide is also gateway to the famous Barossa Valley wine growing area, as well as Kangaroo Island with its impressive array of Australian flora and fauna.
Day 6 - Barossa Valley
Today enjoy a full-day tour to the magnificent Barossa Valley, where you can sample the famous wines or simply enjoy the scenery and weather. Stop for morning tea or coffee at Lyndoch Bakery, discover the secret of the Whispering Wall, tour Langmeil Winery, enjoy lunch and a tasting at Kaesler Winery and finish off a great day out with a tasting at the famous Wolf Blass winery.
Day 7 - Victor Harbor with Mclaren Vale
Travel south through rolling hills clad with vineyards and olive groves to McLaren Vale. Enjoy a tasting of the region’s wine and then take in panoramic views from Willunga Hill before arriving at the seaside resort town of Victor Harbor. Wonderful scenery and premier wines make this a great day trip.
Day 8 - The Overlander – Aledaide to Melbourne
This journey is a wonderful day-time trip featuring sections of renowned scenery as you cross the border between South Australia and Victoria. Melbourne prides itself on being the country’s centre for the Arts, and is also known for its wealth of parks and gardens. Melbourne bustles with lively cafes, restaurants and shops, and it is also the gateway to exploring the state of Victoria and the spectacular south coast.
Day 9 - Melbourne City Tour, Phillip Island & Penguin Parade
Get to know Melbourne with a full day tour of the city and a visit to Phillip Island to see the fairy penguins and their nightly ‘parade’ when they return from the sea to their nests. The morning’s city tour highlights include Melbourne Cricket Ground, Fitzroy Gardens, Westgate Bridge, Shrine of Remembrance, Chinatown and City Square. In the afternoon, travel along Bass Highway, skirting Westernport Bay and cross the Narrows Bridge at the pretty village of San Remo before arriving on Phillip Island. A tour of the island includes unbelievable coastal views such as Seal Rock and the Nobbies. You can also visit the Koala Conservation Centre before witnessing the nightly ritual of penguins returning and feeding their young. On the way back the tour stops in Cowes so you can have dinner at a restaurant of your choice (not included).
Day 10 - Melbourne
This day is free for you to explore on your own, do a little souvenir hunting, check out the beach, or choose one of several optional day trips - so don’t forget to ask your Fresh Tracks agent about great options for today.
Day 11 - Depart Melbourne
Your Australia vacation concludes as you check-out from your hotel and transfer to the airport.
2006-2008 Package start dates
Sunday departures, year round
Trip not available March 13 - 24, 08
| Red Kangaroo Popular Hotels | USD$ | CAD$ |
| Dec 1 - Mar 31 2007 | 2,895 | 2,895 |
| Apr 1 - Mar 31 2008 | 2,611 | 2,611 |
| Gold Kangaroo Superior Hotels | USD$ | CAD$ |
| Dec 1 - Mar 31 2007 | 3,295 | 3,295 |
| Apr 1 - Mar 31 2008 | 3,041 | 3,041 |
| Gold Kangaroo Deluxe Hotels | USD$ | CAD$ |
| Dec 1 - Mar 31 2007 | 4,045 | 4,045 |
| Apr 1 - Mar 31 2008 | 3,297 | 3,297 |
Options & Upgrades
Add additional nights or tours
Price Notes
• Prices are per person
• Double means two people sharing
Included
• 9 nights accommodation in expertly-selected comfortable and cozy Popular, Superior or Deluxe Hotels, as you prefer.
• 1 night accommodation on board train in sleeper class (Red Kangaroo or Gold Kangaroo as selected.)
• Sydney city and beaches tour, including harbour cruise with buffet lunch served on-board
• Canberra day trip including morning tea and admission to the National Museum, Parliament House, and Mount Ainslie Lookout
• Indian Pacific rail tour
• Full-day wine tour to Barossa Valley including tea at Lyndoch Bakery, Langmeil Winery tour, lunch at Kaesler Winery, and a Wolf Blass wine tasting
• McLaren Vale winery tour including tasting and great views
• Overlander scenic rail tour
• Melbourne city day tour including visits to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Fitzroy Gardens, Chinatown, and City Square
• Phillip Island tour to discover the “Penguin Parade” and great coastal views
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure.
• Support of our 24-hour customer service hotline.
• Good & Services Tax (GST)
Not Included
• International or domestic airfares.
• Meals other than specified, Tips, Porterage, Gratuities or items of a personal nature.
• Transfers to and from railway stations
• Travel & medical insurance
