Northern Explorer concluding Brisbane with Perth Stay – Sapphire Princess® 2027

Feel the excitement build as you arrive at Sydney Central Station to begin your epic adventure on board the Indian Pacific. Departing Sydney’s Central Station, get acquainted with your cabin and fellow travellers.  

Take in spectacular views as the Indian Pacific winds through the Blue Mountains. Relax in your cabin or socialise in the lounge, enjoying an afternoon tipple on request.  

Tonight, you will enjoy your first meal on board – a regionally inspired dinner paired with fine wine and beverages. After dinner, consider a nightcap in the lounge before you retire to your cabin. (D) 

OVERNIGHT: 3 nights Indian Pacific 

Your morning begins in Broken Hill, the fabled Silver City. Step off the train for your first Off Train Experience – explore the outback towns mining legacy, taking time to reflect at the Miners’ Memorial, or for those interested in the curiosities of Broken Hill, join Shelita Buffet, Broken Hill’s famous Drag Queen for a morning of fun, creativity and food. Refreshments are included before reboarding the Indian Pacific.   

Back on board, enjoy breakfast and lunch as the train sweeps past the southern tip of the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Arriving in Adelaide in the late afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Adelaide, and it’s surrounds. 

Choose to enjoy a taste of McLaren Vale with a guided wine tasting and indulgent meal at the iconic Star of Greece restaurant overlooking Gulf St Vincent. Opt for a cheese or gin tasting in the charming Adelaide Hills village of Hahndorf before feasting at Haus – a German restaurant showcasing the best in local produce.  

Immerse yourself in the heart of the city with Icons of Adelaide, featuring a behind the scenes tour and tasting at Coopers Brewery, a scenic city drive, and a teppanyaki dinner at Shiki followed by a twilight stroll to Adelaide Oval. Alternatively, visit Adelaide Central Market for a tour and exclusive sit-down dinner.  

After dinner, return to the train to continue your journey west. (B,L,D) 

Today is all about those amazing outback views as you cross this famous stretch of the Australian interior, the ancient Nullarbor Plain, on the longest stretch of straight railway track in the world. En route, the Indian Pacific calls in to Cook, once-bustling, now almost-ghost town that was originally built as a support town for the railway.

Travelling further west, the next stop is at Rawlinna on the fringe of Australia’s largest sheep station for a signature dinner under a thousand stars. You’ll arrive at sunset, where the quiet outpost of Rawlinna comes to life with an al fresco long table set up (seasonal and subject to weather conditions). (B,L,D)

Admire the delightful undulations of the Avon Valley and enjoy a final brunch on board as the final stage of your transcontinental crossing unfolds, heading into Perth.

Situated on the banks of the Swan River some 15 miles upriver from Fremantle, Perth is a bustling city where soaring high-rises co-exist with elegant sandstone buildings from the colonial era

After being transferred to your hotel, relax and enjoy the evening at your leisure. (B)

OVERNIGHT: 1 night Novotel Perth Murray Street

After breakfast and check out, you will be transferred to the Cruise Terminal and board Sapphire Princess®, ready to truly light up the seas, serving up tantalising cuisine, dazzling live entertainment, and enriching experiences.  

Discover upcoming events and activities onboard using the Princess® Cruises app. Live music, games, Stargazing, dance  classes and more – create your own itinerary so you don’t miss a thing – whatever you decide to do, your time onboard will be unforgettable.

Lying at the mouth of the Swan River, historic Fremantle – founded in 1829 – is the cruise gateway to Perth, the capital of Western Australia. (B,D) 

OVERNIGHT: 13 nights Sapphire Princess® 

Familiarise yourself with the layout of the ship today. A variety of everyday dining venues are available including Trident Grill, International Café, and Prego Pizzeria, or choose from specialty restaurants~ such as Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Churrascaria Brazilian Grill, Crown Grill, or the Salty Dog Gastropub. (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)

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 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 region’s many attractions, there’s plenty of fascinating history to explore in and around Darwin. (B,L,D) 

Discover upcoming events and activities onboard using the Princess® Cruises app and plan your onboard activities for the next three days whilst at sea. (B,L,D)

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)

Enjoy your day at leisure, maybe check out a movie. Throughout the day and night, Movies under the Stars is an exclusive open-air poolside amphitheatre and is the go-to destination for feature films, thrilling concerts and exciting sporting events. Cozy up under a fleece blanket in the comfortable lounger and feast on complimentary fresh-popped popcorn in the evening or delicious cookies and milk during the day and enjoy that exciting car chase or mystery thriller on the giant screen. (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 enjoys tropical sunshine and cooling breezes from Trinity Bay. Its graceful, tree-lined esplanade was once the gateway to North Queensland’s goldfields. (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. Willis Island is home to thousands of seabirds, including Masked, Brown and Red-footed Boobies, which call almost nonstop. It is also an important turtle nesting site.(B,L,D)

Enjoy today at your leisure. Perhaps attend a Champagne Art Auction, take a stroll through the European-style Piazza, where roving performers will delight you with their skills, or practice your putting in a round of mini-golf. Don’t forget to peruse the daily newsletter ‘Princess Patter’ or use the Princess® Cruises app for the day’s events. (B,L,D) 

Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, located in the Sunshine State, 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, and Moreton Bay. 

Farewell Sapphire Princess® this morning as you disembark upon arrival into Brisbane where your incredible rail and ocean journey comes to an end. (B) 

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