DAY 1
BOARD THE INDIAN PACIFIC IN SYDNEY
Feel the excitement build as you arrive at Central Station to begin your epic adventure on board the Indian Pacific. Departing Sydney’s Central Station mid-afternoon, leave city skylines and the fast-paced urban lifestyle behind. Get acquainted with your cabin and fellow travellers as the Indian Pacific heads west winding 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
DAY 2
INDIAN PACIFIC, BROKEN HILL AND ADELAIDE
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. Breakfast is served back on board as the Indian Pacific departs the Silver City. Travel south west through Ngadjuri country for lunch onboard as the Indian Pacific enters the southern tips of the ancient Flinders Ranges. Arriving in Adelaide in the late afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Adelaide and its surroundings. 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 followedby a twilight stroll to Adelaide Oval. Alternatively, visit the 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)
DAY 3
INDIAN PACIFIC, NULLARBOR PLAIN
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 (weather permitting) (B,L,D)
DAY 4
INDIAN PACIFIC, PERTH
Wake to the soft light over Western Australia’s Avon Valley, its rolling green hills a fitting finale to your transcontinental adventure. Savour a leisurely brunch on board as the train makes its final approach into Perth. After being transferred to your hotel, relax and enjoy the evening at your leisure. (B)
OVERNIGHT: 1 night Pan Pacific Perth
DAY 5
BOARD LE SOLEAL IN FREMANTLE
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend the morning in Perth. This afternoon, transfer from your hotel to the Port of Fremantle to board Le Soleal for your West Coast Odyssey cruising adventure. Settle into your cabin, make yourself comfortable, enjoy dinner and perhaps have a nightcap. (B,D)
OVERNIGHT: 20 nights Le Soleal
DAY 6
JURIEN BAY MARINE PARK
Jurien Bay Marine Park located 150 kilometres north of Perth, was named by Captain Nicolas Baudin aboard the Géographe in honour of the French naval administrator Charles Marie Vicomte Jurien. The marine park surrounds dozens of ecologically important islands that contain rare and endangered animals found no where else in the world. The marine park and its immediate surrounds is the only major breeding area for Australian sea lions along the western coast of Australia. It is also a primary breeding ground for seabirds and is populated with a mix of temperate and tropical plants and animals, courtesy of the Leeuwin Current. (B,L,D)
DAY 7
ABROLHOS ISLANDS MARINE PARK
The Abrolhos Islands Maine Park consists of three main clusters of islands that stretch from north to south across 100 kilometres of ocean, and includes the Wallabi, Easter and Pelsaert Groups. Established as a marine park in 1983, the waters of the Abrolhos are famous for colourful coral, crystalclear waters and large breeding colonies of seabirds. Here, the southward flowing Leeuwin current has created a meeting place for tropical and temperate sea life. In July 2019 the Islands were declared a national park for their ecological and historical significance. You will have the opportunity to explore East Wallabi Island and its fringing reefs. (B,L,D)
DAY 8
SHARK BAY WORLD HERITAGE AREA
With its white, sandy beaches, turquoise waters, rust-red sanddunes and abundant wildlife, Shark Bay became Western Australia’s first World Heritage listed area in 1991. The colourful and diverse landscapes, rare fauna and flora andworld class examples of Earth’s ecological processes are what qualify Shark Bay for World Heritage listing – making it a truly remarkable place. You will have the opportunity to sail past the location of the first recorded European landing on Australia’s west coast at Cape Inscription where in 1616 Dirk Hartog left evidence of his landing in the form of a pewter plate inscribed with details of his journey. (B,L,D)
DAY 9
CAPE PERON
Cape Peron, named in honour of the French explorer François Péron, is a wild and isolated spot in the middle of Australia's Shark Bay, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean contrast with endless white sandy beaches and ochre cliffs tinged with the red sand of the surrounding deserts. You can set out to discover the astonishingly rich underwater wildlife, including stromatolites: the oldest known life forms on the planet. You will be amazed by the unspoilt beauty of this nature. (B,L,D)
DAY 10
NINGALOO COAST WORLD HERITAGE AREA
The Ningaloo Coast Marine Park is a place of spectacular contrast between lush and colourful scenery beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean and the rugged, arid landscape of Cape Range National Park. (B,L,D)
DAY 11
NINGALOO COAST WORLD HERITAGE AREA
We will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel on the largest fringing coral reef in Australia and the only large reef in the world found so close to a continental land mass, making it an easy snorkel from shore. (B,L,D)
DAY 12
MONTOBELLO ISLANDS
Located off the Pilbara Coast 120km west of Dampier, the Montebello Islands Marine Park covers more than 58,000 hectares of ocean and over 250 low-lying limestone islands and islets. The flat limestone islands range in size from Hermite, the largest, at about 1,000 ha, to several small isletsand rocks of less than one hectare. They are the remnants of an old coastal land form and have been separated from the mainland for more than 8,000 years. They were named bythe French navigator Nicolas Baudin in 1801 after the battle of Montebello. The area is rich in natural marine diversity and human history. They achieved international notoriety in 1952 when the British, in an operation code named Hurricane, detonated an atomic weapon in a bay off Trimouille island. Two further atomic tests were carried outi n May and June of 1956 on Alpha and Trimouille Islands. You will have the opportunity to explore the marine park with our fleet of Zodiacs®. (B,L,D)
DAY 13
BURRUP PENINSULA
Murujuga National Park and the islands of the Dampier Archipelago showcase what is thought to be the highest concentration of rock engravings of any known site in the world. Aboriginal people have been living there for more than 50,000 years and the petroglyphs (rock engravings) have been estimated to be as old as 40,000 years. The petroglyphs are diverse, depicting a record of what was meaningful to the Aboriginal people of the Pilbara and beyond. The sacred rock art’s traditional custodians are the Ngarluma-Yindjibarndi, the Yaburara-Mardudhunera and the Woon-goo-tt-oo and you will have the opportunity to visit Deep Gorge with a traditional custodian guide and marvel at the petroglyphs up close. (B,L,D)
DAY 14
LE SOLEAL AT SEA
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sun bathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. (B,L,D)
DAY 15
BROOME
Located in the north west of the Kimberley region and in the far north of Western Australia, the town of Broome is reputed for its history and its glorious pearling era. The fascinating Chinatown district, which is the historic city centre, and the famous Japanese Cemetery, dates back to 1896, and has a past marked by the immigration of numerous Chinese and Japanese workers, attracted by the prosperous pearl industry at the end of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century. Today you will have time to explore Broome atyour leisure before returning to Le Soleal. (B,L,D)
DAY 16
LACEPEDE ISLANDS
The Lacepede Islands are Western Australia’s most important breeding habitat for Green Turtles and have been named by Bird Life International as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The breeding colony of Brown Boobies is possibly the largest in the world and up to 20,000 Roseate Terns have also been recorded here, amongst the plethora of other birdlife. Join our Expedition Team for a guided Zodiac tour to view the prolific wildlife. (B,L,D)
DAY 17
COLLIER BAY AND HORIZONTAL FALLS
Lying to the east of the Buccaneer Archipelago, the ancient landscapes of Collier Bay have been shaped by massive tidal movements, creating a photographer’s paradise. With a tidal range exceeding 14 metres, this movement of water creates aunique phenomenon. Nestled in the centre of the bay is Montgomery Reef, the world’s largest inshore reef system. As the tide falls a raging torrent of water cascades off the top ofthe reef, creating turbulent ‘rivers’ and mini waterfalls. (B,L,D)
DAY 18
COLLIER BAY AND HORIZONTAL FALLS
Nestled at the southern end of Buccaneer Archipelago is Talbot Bay, home to the world’s only ’Horizontal Falls’ and described by Sir David Attenborough as “one of the greatest wonders of the natural world.” Hidden in the many caves and grottos of this ancient landscape are a multitude of ancient rock art galleries. Activities here will be determined by the weather and tide conditions. (B,L,D)
DAY 19
CAREENING BAY
Careening Bay was named by Lieutenant Phillip Parker King after his ship, the HMC Mermaid, was careened there during his third voyage of discovery in 1820. At high tide, on a warm September afternoon, King ran the leaking HMC Mermaid onto the sands. As the crew worked hard to re-float the vessel, the ship’s carpenter carved the name of the vessel and the year into a conspicuous boab tree. The boab tree is now three metres wide and National Heritage listed. (B,L,D)
DAY 20
HUNTER RIVER
Arguably one of the most scenic parts of the Kimberley coast, Prince Frederick Harbour and the Hunter River are lined with pockets of ancient rainforest, pristine mangroves, and mosaic sandstone cliffs. The sandstone escarpment at the river mouth, known as “Kampamantiya” rises over 200 metres high before giving way to extensive mud banks and mangrove forests home to numerous bird species and the saltwater crocodile. The Expedition Team will share their knowledge as you explore by Zodiac, keeping a lookout for wildlife. You will also have the opportunity to reach the Mitchell Falls by helicopter from Naturalist Island beach (additional cost). (B,L,D)
DAY 21
SWIFT BAY
The Bonaparte Archipelago consists of a rugged maze of islands stretching almost 150 kilometres along Western Australia's coast. Its remote location has ensured it remains are markably pristine location to explore and experience. The ‘T’ shaped bay is composed of heavily fractured sandstone providing an abundance of rock shelters. On the walls of these shelters are examples of Wandjina and Gwion Gwionstyle rock art. Join your Expedition Team ashore for a guided walk to a number of rock art galleries depicting these unique rock art styles. (B,L,D)
DAY 22
VANSITTART BAY
Jar Island contains ancient rock art galleries depicting the Gwion Gwion style unique to the Kimberley region. Gwion Gwion art may extend back to over 30,000 years before our time and represents the first wave of sea going colonisers of the Australian continent. As it is, these are the oldest detailed depictions of human figures in the world. Join your Expedition Team ashore for a short walk, past some fascinating rock formations, to the site of the Gwion Gwionart galleries. (B,L,D)
DAY 23
KING GEORGE RIVER
The journey up the King George River is nothing short of breathtaking. The 80-metre-high sides of the gorge display varying degrees of weathering of the ancient Warton sandstone. The colours and textures change with the light creating a continually changing vista that is simply stunning. The journey culminates at the King George twin falls, the highest single drop falls in the whole of the Kimberley. Your Expedition Team will escort you to the foot of the twin falls and explain the stunning geological formations of the canyon.(B,L,D)
DAY 24
LE SOLEAL AT SEA
Enjoy a leisurely day at sea to take advantage of the luxurious onboard services or sip a cool drink by the pool. Your expedition team will offer an enrichment programme focusing on Australian history, flora, and fauna. Enjoy some down time on the deck, relax in the sauna, or sample culinary specialties prepared by the Chef and Galley Team. Lovers of the open seacan visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. (B,L,D)
DAY 25
DARWIN
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory and a melting pot of people and cultures that prides itself on itsf riendly, laid-back lifestyle. Early this morning, Le Soleal or Le Jacques Cartier will dock in the Port of Darwin where you will disembark and be transferred to your hotel. The day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Discover the town’s history through its emblematic buildings, such as the new Parliament House opened in 1994, a magnificent example of tropical architecture, or Admiralty House, a tropical-style home elevated on stilts that has survived two cyclones and numerous air raids. (B)
OVERNIGHT: 4 nights Hilton Darwin
DAY 26
DARWIN
Further explore Darwin city at your own pace, taking in the relaxed lifestyle of the Northern Territory. Perhaps take a stroll along the Waterfront Precinct or visit the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. (B)
DAY 27
DARWIN
There is much to see and do in and around Darwin. Why not consider an optional tour (additional expense) to Litchfield National Park or a visit to the Jumping Crocodiles. (B)
DAY 28
DARWIN
Enjoy your last day in Darwin, relax by the pool in the comfort of your hotel or explore any of those last minute sights. Take a stroll to Stokes Hill Wharf and visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service or stroll along Mitchell Street to Crocosaurus Cove – the choice is yours. (B)
DAY 29
BOARD THE GHAN EXPEDITION IN DARWIN
Celebrate the beginning of your journey with a welcome drink and light refreshments and pause for a photo with The Ghan’s iconic red locomotive before stepping on board. Settle into your home for the next few days, enjoying the comforts of your cabin, or mingle with fellow travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge. As The Ghan begins to travel south, a chef-prepared lunch awaits before your Off Train Experience in Katherine. Here you’ll choose how to explore this remarkable region. Cruise through the towering sandstone cliffs and dramatic beauty of Nitmiluk Gorge and uncover its deep cultural significance. Alternatively, step into the Katherine Outback Experience for an authentic glimpse into the lives of those who call the outback home. Or venture underground at the Cutta Cutta Caves, where fascinating limestone formations, native wildlife and stories of Indigenous culture are waiting to be shared. For a different perspective, upgrade to a helicopter flight and take in the scale of Nitmiluk from above.(B,L,D)
OVERNIGHT: 3 nights The Ghan Expedition
DAY 30
THE GHAN EXPEDITION, ALICE SPRINGS
Wake to the wide-open skies of the outback as The Ghan draws closer to the iconic town of Alice Springs. After a hearty breakfast on board, step into the heart of Central Australia with a choice of Off Train Experiences designed to suit every traveller. Take to the red dirt on an off-road e-bike adventure, join the A Town Called Alice tour to uncover the town’s major landmarks, or immerse yourself in culture with a guided journey through Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap. Here, sheer rock walls blaze red in the sunlight and ancient landscapes hold deep spiritual significance for the Arrernte people. Wildlife lovers can meet desert creatures at Alice Springs Desert Park, while those seeking a grander perspective can opt for a scenic flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. As night falls, the hallmark experience of The Ghan Expedition awaits. At the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station, dine beneath a canopy of stars, surrounded by the red earth of the desert. With white tablecloths, fine food and live entertainment, it’s an evening you’ll never forget. (B,L,D)
DAY 31
THE GHAN EXPEDITION, COOBER PEDY
Today brings you to the extraordinary outback town of Coober Pedy, where life is anything but ordinary. Known as the opal capital of the world, this desert settlement hides its treasures both above and below, and more than half the population live underground.Your adventure begins with a morning stop at the remote outpost of Manguri to take in the sunrise, before continuing on to Coober Pedy for a day of exploration. A highlight is a gourmet lunch enjoyed underground, a dining experience as unique as the town itself. Off Train Experiences include visiting the striking Breakaways, uncovering the town’s quirky attractions, or learning the fascinating history of opal mining on the Opal Experience. For an unforgettable view, upgrade to a scenic flight over the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre. Back on board for your final night, dinner is served in the dining carriage before one last nightcap in the lounge with fellow travellers as The Ghan journeys towards Adelaide. (B,L,D)
DAY 32
THE GHAN EXPEDITION, ADELAIDE
This morning, you’ll see a dramatic change in landscape as the rich ochre tones of the outback make way for the green fields of South Australia. Enjoy a leisurely brunch as you pass through the Flinders Ranges before arriving into Adelaide. Stepping off the train, you’ll carry more than memories of extraordinary landscapes. You’ll take with you the stories shared, the connections made, and the sense of wonder that only a journey throughout Australia can bring. (B)
