Northern Explorer with Sydney stay – CROWN Princess®

Make your way to the Cruise Terminal and board the Crown Princess ®, ready to truly light up the seas, serving up tantalising cuisine, dazzling live entertainment, and enriching experiences. Relax in The Sanctuary, a tranquil haven reserved for adults, or put your feet up at Movies Under the Stars (TM) – whatever you decide to do, your time onboard will be unforgettable. (D)

OVERNIGHT: 17 nights Crown Princess ®

(Water Shuttle Required, Wheelchair Access Limited)

With its superb Mediterranean climate, wonderful scenery and pristine beaches, Geraldton has long been a popular place to visit. A major port gateway to Western Australia, it is also a global haven for windsurfers with Coronation Beach one of the world hotspots. (B,L,D)

Familiarise yourself with the layout of the ship today. A variety of everyday dining venues are available including The Salty Dog Grill, Horizon Court, International Café, and Slice Pizzeria. Choose from specialty restaurants~ Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Crown Grill, the Salty Dog Gastropub and the Chef’s Table Experience. (B,L,D)

Relax in one of the lounges, read a good book or, visit The Sanctuary, an exclusive adults-only retreat offering a relaxing alternative to the myriad outdoor activities and entertainment available elsewhere on the ship. (B,L,D)

Built on the back of the pearl trade, Broome is a wonderfully multicultural town on the rugged North West coast of Western Australia. This fascinating and diverse remote outpost boasts one of the country’s premier beaches – stunning Cable Beach stretches more than 20 kilometres along the coastline of the Indian Ocean. (B,L,D)

Yampi Sound is a part of the Indian Ocean off the coast of north-western Australia, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It is located between King Sound and Collier Bay, the traditional owners of the areas around the sound are the Umiida people. The sound contains many islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago the largest being Koolan Island; others include: Cockatoo Island, Irvine Island, Bathurst Island, Finch Islands, Hidden Island, Baylis Islands and Iron Islands. Rich fish life including white-bellied sea eagles, brahminy kites, ospreys, common sandpipers and eastern reef egrets are an attraction for bottlenose dolphins that come to feed in the early mornings. (B,L,D)

Renowned as one of the most important and spectacular wilderness regions on earth, you will get to see the beauty of the Kimberley from the ocean. The dramatic coastline framed by stark red cliffs has been identified as one of the least impacted marine environments in the world. With more than 2,600 islands scattered beyond the reefs, the area is rich in biodiversity and wildlife. Expect to see plenty of exotic birdlife as you cruise past this amazing wonderland. (B,L,D)

Today is yours to enjoy. Take some time today to relax and revitalise with a dip in one of the freshwater pools or hot tubs. Enjoy the sea breeze as you soak up the sun in a padded lounger with a good book, listen to music, or dream about your next adventure. (B,L,D)

Closer to Indonesia than to any other Australian city, Darwin is the capital of the “Top End” and is home to more than half the population of the remote, vast Northern Territory. A popular starting point for journeys through the Top End wilderness regions’ many attractions, there’s plenty of fascinating history to explore in and around Darwin. (B,L,D)

Plan your onboard activities for your three days at sea. Don’t forget to peruse the daily newsletter ‘Princess Patter’ for today’s events. (B,L,D)

Take time today to further explore the ship’s facilities and offerings. Enjoy a musical production, dabble in the casino, or perhaps join a cooking demonstration~. (B,L,D)

Enjoy your day at leisure. Perhaps indulge in a decadent afternoon tea in the dining room where you can enjoy freshly prepared finger sandwiches, cakes and cookies, accompanied by a wide variety of teas, or coffee. (B,L,D)

Cairns is one of Australia’s hottest vacation destinations and 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. (B,L,D)

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. (B,L,D)

Attend a Champagne Art Auction, take a stroll through the European-style Piazza, where roving street performers will delight you with their skills or practice your putting in a round of mini-golf. (B,L,D)

Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, located in the sunshine state as it boasts of having over 280 days of sunshine per year. Brisbane is known for its laid back and friendly atmosphere, sophisticated art galleries and museums, beautiful botanic gardens, premium shopping in the heart of the CBD and Moreton Bay. The Brisbane River, which flows through the city, gives you great access to both north and south via the famous CityCats. (B,L,D)

Visit the Shops of Princess for the last chance to pick up some keepsakes and souvenirs. Enjoy a musical production, dabble in the casino~, or simply relax in a lounge sipping one last cocktail as you enjoy your final evening on board the Crown Princess®. (B,L,D)

~ Cruise itineraries and onboard offerings are not guaranteed. Charges apply to some activities, venues and menu items.

This morning disembark the Crown Princess in the harbour city of Sydney. There is a wealth of adventure waiting in Sydney – from its cosmopolitan city centre to miles of beautiful beaches and the Blue Mountains.

After you are transferred to your accommodation, the rest of the day is at your leisure to discover the many attractions of this buzzing city. (B)

OVERNIGHT: 4 nights Swissotel Sydney

Enjoy leisure time to explore the Harbour City from the CBD to Chinatown, Manly to Newtown, or Barangaroo to Darling Harbour. There are plenty of diverse sights, flavours and experiences to enjoy, including museums, galleries, aquariums, gardens and more. With two free days, consider booking an optional tour (additional expense) to make the most of your time in the harbour city. (B)

Sydney is booming with incredible beaches, parks, and landscapes that cost nothing! Not to mention a few cultural experiences that have free entry. Start your leisure day exploring the Royal Botanic Garden next to Sydney Opera House with a free guided tour. Take advantage of free entry to the Australian National Maritime Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in The Rocks. If you like a walk with a view, The Barangaroo Foreshore Walk and Glebe Foreshore Walk will both provide sweeping views of Sydney Harbour.

Sydney Harbour is photogenic at any time of day, but as the sun sets and you get that pink glow, it really is something else. And of course, once the sun goes down, the city lights shine bright and you appreciate what a gleaming metropolis Sydney really is. The dinner cruise allows you to see the Harbour from both perspectives, all in sublime comfort and style. Dinner will be three courses paired with a selection of beers, wine, or soft drinks.

Highlighting the multicultural influences that make Sydney cuisine special including local products of New South Wales. (B,D)

This morning transfer to Sydney Central Station to begin your epic adventure on board the Indian Pacific. The anticipation as you settle into your first evening on board, enjoying the fabulous food, wine, service and social atmosphere of this much-loved rail journey. (B,L,D)

OVERNIGHT: 3 nights Indian Pacific

As you wake, prepare for your first Off Train Experience in Broken Hill, exploring the beauty of the Silver City. Discover it’s mining history or the artistic culture that abounds in the area. Back on board enjoy breakfast as you approach the southern tip of the Flinders Ranges, and the train weaves its way into Adelaide. Here, you’ll have more afternoon Off Train Experiences to choose from before returning to the train. (B,L,D)

Today, wake up and marvel at the barren beauty of the Nullarbor Plain. Taking its name from the Latin meaning ‘no trees’, the ancient plain conjures a sense of limitless space and time, making this journey all about those amazing outback views as you cross this famous stretch of the Australian interior. Dinner this evening is under an outback sky on the edge of the country’s largest sheep station at Rawlinna. (B,L,D)

Watch the delightful Avon Valley pass by as the final stage of your transcontinental crossing unfolds before disembarking in Perth. (B,L)