Holiday Overview
See Australia by Train on this comprehensive tour of Australia. Each Rail Journey ramps up the experience, starting with an XPT from Sydney to Melbourne, then the Overland and finishing with the famous Ghan, traversing Australia from Adelaide to Darwin, via Alice Springs. We’ve also included a stop in Cairns to visit the Great Barrier Reef and lush Rainforest.
Australia By Rail includes:
- Flights
- 4 nights Port Douglas
- 4 nights in Sydney
- 3 nights in Melbourne
- 2 nights in Adelaide
- 2 nights on The Ghan Train
- 2 night in Darwin
- Transfers and sight seeing as mentioned
Day 1 - Port Douglas
Arrive in Cairns and transfer to Port Douglas, spend the rest of the day at leisure
Featured accommodation
Meridian Port Douglas
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Thala Beach Nature Reserve
Day 2 - The Great Barrier Reef
Enjoy a full day Quicksilver Cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef
Featured accommodation
Meridian Port Douglas
Enhance your experience
Thala Beach Nature Reserve
Day 3 - Port Douglas
Spend a day at leisure in Port Douglas, wander around the boutique shops on Macrossan Street, relax on the beach and enjoy local produce from some of the many independent cafes
Featured accommodation
Meridian Port Douglas
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Thala Beach Nature Reserve
Day 4 - Daintree Rainforest
Enjoy a full day tour to the Daintree Rainforest, highlights include Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation and Alexandra Lookout
Featured accommodation
Meridian Port Douglas
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Thala Beach Nature Reserve
Day 5 - Sydney
Transfer back to Cairns for the domestic flight to Sydney
Featured accommodation
Parkroyal Darling Harbour Hotel
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Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
Day 6 - Sydney
Take a lunch cruise around Sydney Harbour, to get the best views of the famous Opera House and Bridge.
Featured accommodation
Parkroyal Darling Harbour Hotel
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Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
Day 7 - Sydney
A day of leisure in Sydney, perhaps go to Bondi beach, or the northern suburb of Manly, or maybe wander around Darling Harbour and the Rocks.
Featured accommodation
Parkroyal Darling Harbour Hotel
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Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
Day 8 - The Blue Mountains
Take a full day tour to the nearby Blue Mountains, spotting wildlife on the way.
Featured accommodation
Parkroyal Darling Harbour Hotel
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Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
Day 9 - Melbourne
Transfer to the train station for the first class XPT journey from Sydney to Cairns.
Featured accommodation
Batman's Hill On Collins
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Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto
Day 10 - Melbourne
A day at leisure to explore Melbourne.
Featured accommodation
Batman's Hill On Collins
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Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto
Day 11 - Philip Island
Take a full day tour to nearby French and Philip Island and see the Penguin Parade.
Featured accommodation
Batman's Hill On Collins
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Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto
Day 12 - The Overland Train
Ride the Overland Train, a wonderful day train experience connecting Melbourne and Adelaide
Featured accommodation
Majestic Roof Garden
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Mount Lofty House
Day 13 - Adelaide
Take a day tour to the Barossa valley to sample some of the wines from one of Australia's most loved wine region
Featured accommodation
Majestic Roof Garden
Enhance your experience
Mount Lofty House
Day 14 - The Ghan Train
Transfer to the Train Station and board the Ghan, heading to Darwin, one of the world's most iconic rail jorneys.
Unmissable Experiences
The Ghan
Day 15 - The Ghan
Day 2 on the Ghan, heading North, visit Alice Springs
Unmissable Experiences
The Ghan
Day 16 - The Ghan to Darwin
Continue to Darwin on the Ghan, via Katherine
Featured accommodation
Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Unmissable Experiences
The Ghan
Day 17 - Darwin
Spend a day reflecting on your epic journey before transfering to the airport for your homeward flight.
Featured accommodation
Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Meridian, Port Douglas Holidays
Meridian Port Douglas is a contemporary boutique resort that offers 33 luxury 4 star apartments for couples in a selection of self catered Studios and One Bedroom Apartments. Meridian is ideal for couples requiring a peaceful and relaxing getaway and is suitable only for mature guests over 16 years of age.
Thala Beach Nature Reserve, Port Douglas Holidays
Thala Beach Nature Reserve is a deluxe family-owned eco and wildlife retreat containing 58 hectares of native forest adjacent to secluded Oak Beach. Thala has proudly achieved the highest accreditation of eco-certification through sustainable practices and environmental sensitivity. Boutique timber bungalows are built high on stilts within the forest canopy providing a private and unobtrusive approach to nature.
PARKROYAL Darling Hotel, Sydney Holidays
PARKROYAL Darling Harbour offers views of Darling Harbour and the city skyline and features a restaurant, a fully equipped fitness centre and free cable TV. It is located in Sydney CBD (Central Business District) just a 5 minutes’ walk to Chinatown and Town Hall Station
Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney Holidays
Wake up to breath-taking views of the iconic Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge or Darling Harbour each morning. You will be spoiled for choice at the Shangri-La Hotel, with a day spa, fitness centre and indoor pool at your disposal.
Batman's Hill On Collins, Melbourne Holidays
Nestled in the heart of Melbourne's bustling city centre, Batman’s Hill on Collins offers a blend of historic charm and modern comfort, making it a fantastic base for UK travellers exploring the city. Located on the iconic Collins Street, this hotel boasts a prime location directly opposite Southern Cross Station, providing convenient access to Melbourne's extensive public transport network. Whether you're heading to the famous MCG for a cricket match, exploring the city's vibrant laneways, or indulging in retail therapy at nearby shopping precincts, this central hub ensures you're never far from the action.trated, via a rocky outcrop.
Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto Melbourne Holidays
Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto is geared to give you memorable, authentic local experiences. A lifetime's experience in luxury, housed in a much-loved Melbourne landmark. This luxury Melbourne hotel features a Venetian Gothic façade while the modern interior translates the building into the 21st century.
Majestic Roof Garden, Adelaide
The Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, located in the lively East End of Adelaide, is a chic and stylish accommodation choice for visitors looking to explore South Australia’s capital. This four-and-a-half-star hotel combines modern design with comfortable luxury, offering spacious rooms that feature plush bedding, elegant decor, and contemporary amenities to make guests feel right at home. Its central location places guests within walking distance of Rundle Street's vibrant dining and shopping scene, as well as nearby cultural attractions like the Art Gallery of South Australia and Adelaide Botanic Garden, making it a perfect base for city exploration.
Mount Lofty House
Mount Lofty House was built in 1852 by prominent statesman Arthur Hardy as his summer house. Arthur Hardy is reminiscent of a South Australian Jay Gatsby; indeed his wife Martha described their lifestyle as ‘a kind of feudal splendour’. Their beautiful manor soon became the state's premier address for lavish and infamous parties for Adelaide’s elite of the day. From such lofty beginnings the manor was passed through a number of South Australian families, including a period as commune in the 1970s. In the disastrous 1983 fires of Ash Wednesday Mount Lofty House was burnt to the ground before rising from the ashes like a phoenix to truly become one of South Australia’s great icons...
Image Gallery
The Ghan
The Ghan - Katherine George
Daintree Rainforest
Sydney
Philip Island
The Ghan
Melbourne
Great Barrier Reef
Daintree
Blue Mountains
Sydney
Barossa Vineyard
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2025, 2026 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0069 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
North, South, East & West featuring the Ghan Train
- Sydney
- Adelaide
- Alice Springs
- Darwin
- Perth
- Save £500 per booking on 2026 tailormade holidays
- Save £300 per booking on 2025 tailormade holidays
- Receive a free case of wine
- Book by 31 May
- Travel on the incredible Ghan Train
- Enjoy Vibrant Sydney
- Vist the beautiful Blue Mountains
- Enjoy time in sun kissed Perth
12 Nights from £3995pp
Coast to Coast on the Indian Pacific
- Perth
- Adelaide
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Save £500 per booking on 2026 tailormade holidays
- Save £300 per booking on 2025 tailormade holidays
- Receive a free case of wine
- Book by 31 May
- Travel on the incredible Indian Pacific Train
- Cruise Sydney's awe inspiring harbour
- Enjoy time in sun kissed Perth
- Take a walking tour to discover Melbourne
14 Nights from £5745pp
Australia By Rail
- Cairns
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Adelaide
- Alice Springs
- Darwin
- Save £500 per booking on 2026 tailormade holidays
- Save £300 per booking on 2025 tailormade holidays
- Receive a free case of wine
- Book by 31 May
- Travel On The Ghan Train
- Sruise on Sydney Harbour
- See the Great Barier Reef
- Watch the Iconic Penguin Parade
16 Nights from £5995pp
Australia Highlights with The Ghan
- Perth
- Alice Springs
- Adelaide
- Uluru (Ayers Rock)
- Port Douglas
- Sydney
- Save £500 per booking on 2026 tailormade holidays
- Save £300 per booking on 2025 tailormade holidays
- Receive a free case of wine
- Book by 31 May
- Travel through the outback on The Ghan
- See the Great Barrier Reef
- Cruise on Sydney Harbour
- Marvel at Uluru
19 Nights from £6450pp
Indian Pacific with Great Ocean Road and Sydney
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Apollo Bay
- Port Fairy
- Kangaroo Island
- Barossa Valley
- Adelaide
- Perth
- Save £500 per booking on 2026 tailormade holidays
- Save £300 per booking on 2025 tailormade holidays
- Receive a free case of wine
- Book by 31 May
- Drive along one of the worlds most scenic drives - The Great Ocean Road
- Travel on the spectacular Indian Pacific from Adelaide to Perth
- Cruise Sydney Harbour
- Taste some of Australia's best wines in the Barossa Valley
22 Nights from £6785pp
Australia's Outback and Oceans
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Uluru (Ayers Rock)
- Alice Springs
- Darwin
- Save £500 per booking on 2026 tailormade holidays
- Save £300 per booking on 2025 tailormade holidays
- Receive a free case of wine
- Book by 31 May
- Travel onboard the spectaular Ghan train
16 Nights from £6875pp