Northern Explorer with Sydney stay – Grand Princess® 2027

Your rail adventure begins with a welcome gathering, in celebration of the start of your journey across the country and along the world’s longest stretch of straight railway track. Spend a relaxed afternoon getting to know your fellow travellers after you board the Indian Pacific and pull away from Perth, leaving the Indian Ocean behind and cruising toward the Pacific. Tonight, a delectable dinner is served on board, featuring contemporary Australian cuisine with seasonal and regional flavours. (D)

OVERNIGHT: 4 nights Indian Pacific

Awake to see the sunrise unfold across Australia’s largest outback town, Kalgoorlie. This morning, we’ll delve into this mining town’s fascinating past and present, with a visit to the region’s gold-rush era, now modern-day, Super Pit mine. Decide how you want to explore Kalgoorlie on your choice of Off Train Experience, including morning refreshments. Reboarding the train mid-morning for brunch, the remainder of the day is on board at your leisure. Sit back and enjoy the hospitality as you take in spectacular views of the seemingly endless expanse of the Nullarbor Plain. You’ll cross borders and time zones, entering South Australia before dinner. Late evening, the train will pull into the almost-ghost-town of Cook for a nightcap, late-night bonfire and stargazing experience. (B,D)

Spend the morning travelling through the pastoral lands and communities of remote South Australia as the Indian Pacific cruises past the Flinders Rangers, Spencer Gulf and the Adelaide Plains. Breakfast and lunch are both served on board. Mid-afternoon, the train pulls into Two Wells, where you’ll disembark and transfer in comfortable coaches for a short ride to the world-renowned, wine producing region of the Barossa Valley. You’ll spend the evening at Seppeltsfield Winery, delighting in a signature dining experience in the vintage cellar.

A traditional ‘Firing of the Barrel’ display kicks off the evening, followed by a food and wine pairing curated by Executive Chef Owen Andrews, highlighting regional produce and traditional methods that reflect the story of the Barossa. Here, Platinum guests are also treated to a special 100-year-old wine-tasting experience.

After dinner, you’ll return to the Indian Pacific, continuing your rail journey through the night. (B,L,D)

Crossing another border during the night, you’ll wake up in Broken Hill, New South Wales. Enjoy a hearty breakfast, ready for the day’s activities in the Silver City. You’ll have a choice of four Off Train Experiences, including guided history, art and cultural experiences that showcase the highlights of Australia’s first heritage-listed city.

Returning to the train for lunch, admire the scenery as the Indian Pacific travels through regional New South Wales.

Tonight, dinner is served on board as you make the most of your final night exploring Australia by train. (B,L,D)

The Blue Mountains is known for its soaring sandstone ridges wrapped in native flora. This World Heritage-listed area marks your final stop before arriving in Sydney. Say goodbye to the Indian Pacific after breakfast, to travel deep into the mountains for this afternoon’s Off Train Experiences. Scenic World includes four phenomenal mountain experiences, from the Scenic Skyway, which takes you over ancient ravines, with 360-degree vistas to the Scenic Cableway that glides over the forest to the valley floor and the Scenic Railway, the steepest passenger railway in the world. Alternatively, stretch your legs on a guided walk with spectacular views from numerous lookouts along the trail. Both experiences end at Echo Point Lookout, perched on the edge of the escarpment in Katoomba, where a light lunch is served.

Complete your journey on our chartered New South Wales rail service (fully hosted by our crew), arriving into Sydney Central Station. (B,L)

Alternatively, if you prefer to arrive in Sydney earlier, stay on board the Indian Pacific to travel directly to Sydney Central Station. (B)

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Hilton Sydney

The day is at your leisure to discover the many attractions of this buzzing city until it’s time to board your Sydney Harbour Dinner cruise with Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney.

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, you will be transferred to the Cruise Terminal to board the Grand Princess®, which will be 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 on board will be unforgettable.

As your ship passes Harbour Heads, you are presented with the shimmering skyline of Sydney – hailed by many seafarers as “the most beautiful harbour in the world.” Two prominent landmarks, Harbour Bridge and the sail-like curves of the Sydney Opera House, grace the backdrop of this picturesque harbour. (B,D)

OVERNIGHT: 17 nights Grand Princess®

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, Vines Wine Bar and the Chef’s Table Experience. (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.

The Brisbane River, which flows through the city, gives you great access to both north and south via the famous CityCats. (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)

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 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.

Please note Willis Island is a scenic cruising site. Ships will slowly travel past while a knowledgeable port lecturer points out significant sites that you’ll be able to see from onboard. (B,L,D)

Cairns is one of Australia’s hottest vacation destinations. Cairns 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)

Plan your onboard activities for the next three days whilst at sea.

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 event. 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)

Enjoy today at your 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)

Enjoy the many facilities available to you on board the Grand Princess® Don’t forget to peruse the daily newsletter ‘Princess Patter’ or the Medallion App for today’s events. (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)

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)

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)

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 and is jam packed with natural wonders. 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. The rich fish life is an attraction for bottlenose dolphins that come to feed in the early mornings. (B,L,D

Broome was founded as a base for the pearl trade and was soon described as the pearling capital of the world. Japanese, Chinese and Aboriginal divers toiled in arduous, dangerous labour to harvest oysters from the seabed. The legacy of its pearling days can be seen in the town’s colorful mix of 19th- and early 20^th-century buildings.

Broome also boasts Cable Beach – a 20-kilometre strand of white sand that stretches along the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. (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. (B,L,D)

(Water Shuttle Required, Wheelchair Access Limited)

Exmouth lies some 780 miles north of Perth on the rugged and stunningly beautiful Northwest Cape. This remote corner of Australia has been of strategic importance since the days of the Second World War. In fact, Exmouth was built in 1964 to support the Harold E. Holt Communications Station. Nearly 45 years later, the base remains a top-secret installation. The North Cape is also an impressive travel destination. Here rugged mountains and stony gorges descend to stunning beaches. Australia’s longest fringing reef lies just offshore. Its crystalline waters boast great fishing, and whale sharks are frequently encountered basking on the surface between April and July. (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 full day at sea on board the Grand Princess®. (B,L,D)

Lying at the mouth of the Swan River, historic Fremantle – founded in 1829 – is your gateway to Perth, the capital of Western Australia. 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.

Farewell the Grand Princess® this morning as you disembark upon arrival into Fremantle, where your epic land and sea journey comes to its conclusion. (B)