Indian Pacific and Holland America Cruise

Day 1 - Arrive in Perth

Arrive at Perth airport and transfer to your chosen hotel, spending the rest of your day at leisure. 

Day 2 - Explore Perth

Spend today exploring Perth at your leisure. The city is rich with beautiful parks, perfect for getting outdoors after your long haul flight. Popular parks to visit include Herisson Island the perfect place to spot kangaroos in the heart of the city, Kings Park and Botanic Gardens is the largest park in Perth filled with over 3,000 flora unqiue to the region to visit. 

If you wish to add on one of our Perth Experiences speak to your consultant about available options. 

Day 3 - Pinnacles Experience

Today we have included a fantastic day tour taking you to the Pinnacle Desert. 

We head north away from the city towards Yanchep National Park for a quick comfort stop and an opportunity to see the koalas and kangaroos. Then it's onwards to Nambung National Park to see the mystical Pinnacle Desert for an easy paced walk through the fascinating landscape, giving you the opportunity to really embrace this amazing and mystical place.

If time permits, be sure to make a visit to the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre to learn more about the Pinnacles and the cultural and natural heritage of the area. 

Following the highlight visit to the Pinnacles, it's on to the lobster town of Cervantes. Once here, enjoy a behind-the-scenes factory tour on the processing of Western Australia Rock Lobster, followed by your included fish and chip lunch.  After lunch we head back down towards Perth to visit the iconic Swan Valley and sample some of the regions famed providores offering such delights as chocolate, nougat and gourmet nuts. 

Once we have had our fill of the gorgeous Swan Valley we head straight back to Perth down Guildford Road, returning to Perth in the evening. 

Day 4 - Rottnest Island Experience

Visit spectacular Rottnest Island, the “Emerald Isle in a Sea of Sapphire”, only 19 kilometres off the mainland coast. Join the most comprehensive guided tour of the island allowing you to explore the stunning beauty of this A-Class natural reserve in air-conditioned comfort, taking in the amazing fauna and flora of the island, stunning beaches, woodlands and incredible salt lakes - commencing with a unique historic train ride.

This 4-hour all-inclusive island tour takes in all of Rottnest's must-see locations featuring the Wadjemup Lighthouse, Henrietta Rocks, Oliver Hill Gun Fortification and Tunnels and the majestic look-out point at the rugged Cathedral Rocks and Cape Vlamingh.

All major habitats are covered on this amazing tour, including Rottnest's cultural and historical heritage ranging from maritime and military history right up to future developments. Finish the day by exploring the island settlement or enjoy a drink at the Rottnest Quokka Arms Pub.

Day 5 - Depart Perth on the Indian Pacific

Today your journey onboard the Indian Pacific begins, as the train begins to leave Perth in the morning make yourself comfortable in your cabin and familiar with the facilities onboard. Enjoy a delicious dinner onboard prepared with local Australian ingredients as the sun begins to set.

Day 6 - Indian Pacific – Nullarbor Plain

Wake up to the breathtaking vastness of the Nullarbor Plain as the sun rises. Marvel at the wide blue skies and the timeless stillness of the desert, occasionally interrupted by a mob of friendly kangaroos. Ahead lies the fascinating ghost town of Cook, once a bustling railway community. Sit back and enjoy the journey as the train crosses the world’s longest uninterrupted stretch of railway. Later, savour another delicious dinner, followed by relaxed conversation in the lounge, before settling in for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Day 7 - Indian Pacific - Barossa Valley

Your journey today takes you through the remote area of South Australia, you will cruise past the Flinders Ranges, Spencer Gulf and Adeliade Plain. In the afternoon you will arrive into Two Wells where you will disembark to the Barossa Valley, spending the evening at Seppltsfield Winery where you will enjoy dinner in a vintage cellar. After dinner returning to the train where you will continue your onward journey overnight. 

Day 8 - Indian Pacific - Broken Hill

Your train journey will continue across the border into New South Wales. After breakfast, choose from a variety of off-train experiences to enjoy. Discover Broken Hill, Australia’s first heritage-listed city, rich in history, art, and culture. After returning to the train for lunch, spend your final day onboard as you travel through the scenic landscapes of New South Wales.

Day 9 - Indian Pacific - Sydney and Blue Mountains

Wake in the picturesque Blue Mountains. You have the choice to stay for the day and see the majestic Three Sisters at Echo Point and the views at Jamison Valley. Thereafter completing your journey on the chartered NSW rail service (fully hosted by Indian Pacific staff) into Sydney Central Station. Alternatively, just stay on board the Indian Pacific and travel directly to Sydney.

Day 10 - Explore Sydney

Spend today exploring Sydney at your own pace, we have included the Hop on Hop off Bus to help you explore the city. 

The Sydney tour is the perfect introduction to this dynamic city, showcasing the iconic landmarks including the impressive arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the glorious Sydney Opera House and the sparkling waters of Sydney and Darling Harbour. The tour passes bustling shops, restaurants and attractions set amongst Colonial, Victorian and postmodern architecture. To complement the Sydney tour, the Bondi Beach tour is a great introduction to Australia's beach culture. On the way to this famous beach the tour passes by cosmopolitan shopping and dining precincts plus Centennial parklands, one of Australia's most picturesque parks.

Day 11 - Explore Sydney

Another full day to explore Sydney with your Hop on Hop off Pass. If you wish to add on one of our Sydney Experiences speak to your consultant for more details. 

Day 12 - Sydney Harbour Cruise

Spend your morning at leisure, explore Sydney's Rock area and Circular Key before embarking on your lunch cruise of Sydney Harbour. Discover the secrets of one of the world's most famous and spectacular natural harbours including icons such as Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Sydney Botanical Gardens and more. We give you a chance to see the city from a new perspective and marvel at the sights that decorate its coastline. Owing to our educated live commentator, you will get to learn something new about Sydney, its history and about each of the sights that you can see from the deck.

Day 13 - Board Holland America Cruise

Transfer from your hotel to the cruise port to board your 14 night Holland America cruise to New Zealand. 

Day 14 - At Sea

Spend today familiarising yourself with the onboard facilities. 

Day 15 - At Sea

Another day at sea, enjoy using the onboard facilities. 

Day 16 - Cruising Fiordland National Park & Milford Sound

Every year, visitors flock to New Zealand in search of landscapes straight out of Middle Earth. They find what they're looking for in Fiordland National Park, on the southwestern coast of the South Island. This stunning 12,000-square-kilometer (4,633-square-mile) park encompasses mountains, lakes, fjords and rain forests. The area was once the home of Maori hunters; later, European whalers established small settlements here. But mostly, this region has seen a notable lack of human activity—the steep peaks and wet landscape deterred all but the hardiest people. That changed around the end of the 19th century, when travelers discovered the beautiful scenery of Fiordland. The national park was formally established in 1952.

Countless plant and animal species find a haven here. Among the park's rare birds is the flightless takahe, thought for decades to be extinct until it was spotted in the area in 1948. The natural wonders continue offshore: Seals, dolphins and whales frequent these waters.

Milford Sound, or Piopiotahi (its name in Maori), sits on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island and was first called the Eighth Wonder of the World by none other than Rudyard Kipling. As you sail up the 15-kilometer-long (nine-mile-long) sound, with soaring snow-topped peaks looming above—the tallest reaches an altitude of 1,517 meters (4,977 feet)—you'll understand Kipling's enthusiasm.

Day 17 - Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand

Much of New Zealand feels like England, by way of Polynesia. There are a few exceptions, though, such as the town of Akaroa, a former French settlement, and the distinctly Scottish city of Dunedin, named after the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh. After Dunedin was founded in 1848, city surveyor Charles Kettle attempted to impose Edinburgh's New Town grid plan on the growing city. But the Otago Peninsula's hilly landscape proved challenging—for evidence, note that Dunedin has one of the world's steepest streets (Baldwin Street). The volcanic remnants around the harbor make for a dramatic backdrop.

Dunedin's prominence during the gold rush in the late 19th century resulted in many grand Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Thanks to the beautiful University of Otago (the country's oldest), there's a large student population to keep the city vibrant and modern. But Dunedin's heritage is always proudly on display: The magnificent Dunedin Railway Station and Larnach Castle have been restored to their full glory, and the fascinating Toitu Otago Settlers Museum provides a glimpse into the lives of early residents. Outside the city, the Otago Peninsula is lined with scenic beaches and home to rare birdlife like the royal albatross and yellow-eyed penguin.

Day 18 - Christchurch, New Zealand

The South Island’s biggest city, Christchurch maintains its classic English feel, with lush botanical gardens and Edwardian punting boats cruising along the Avon River. Outside the city, the Canterbury region stretches from the ocean to the Southern Alps, with opportunities for adventure sports, wildlife viewing and winetasting. Whether you want to ski or swim, Christchurch is an ideal jumping-off point from which to enjoy all the South Island has to offer. Lyttelton is a historic port filled with an eclectic mix of eateries and a lively Saturday farmers market. Historically, Lyttelton has served as a gateway to Canterbury and the South Island and as an important commercial seaport, and additionally as a launching point for expeditions to Antarctica.

Day 19 - Wellington, New Zealand

New Zealand's cool little capital is located at the southern tip of the North Island, meaning it's blessed with a beautiful waterfront, fresh seafood and unpredictable weather. So famously tempestuous is Windy Welly that visitors quickly learn not to go outside without an umbrella and will spend more time than usual talking about the weather. Politics is a hot topic too, with government workers buzzing about the Beehive, as the distinctive Parliament building is colloquially known.

Wellington is also known for culture and cuisine. Learn about Maori history and Kiwiana at Te Papa, the national museum; go behind the scenes of the Lord of the Rings movies made in Wellywood; and wash down a plate of chilled bluff oysters with a crisp sauvignon blanc at a Cuba Street restaurant.

Gourmands are spoiled for choice with the city's many coffee microroasteries, craft breweries, innovative chefs and artisanal markets. Fortunately for your waistline, it’s also a terrific city for walking, hiking and cycling, with a compact historic core hugged by green hills and dotted with impossibly perched houses. They say you can't beat Wellington on a good day—but visitors will soon discover that even if it's wet and windy, it's always a good day to be in Wellington.

Day 20 - Napier, New Zealand

The Southern Hemisphere's answer to Miami Beach—at least when it comes to Art Deco architecture—Napier has a perfect mix of natural and manmade beauty. The historic district, which was mostly constructed in the 1930s after a massive earthquake and subsequent fires destroyed the city in 1931, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. As a delicious bonus, there's a thriving food and wine scene, too. Surrounded by the rolling vineyards of the Hawke's Bay wine region and edged by pristine waters, Napier has attracted a host of culinary innovators that has put it on the foodie map over the past two decades. Nature lovers, too, are drawn by this North Island city's scenic splendor and abundant wildlife. Down the coast, colonies of Australasian gannets thrive at Cape Kidnappers. Within the city, Norfolk Island pines line the seafront Marine Parade, a half dozen parks and gardens bloom from September to March (spring and summer Down Under), there are forested hiking trails and active pursuits range from cycling to golf. It's easy to enjoy yourself while soaking up Hawke's Bay's spectacular landscape.

Day 21 - Grisborne, New Zealand

The small town of Gisborne, on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, claims several firsts: As the easternmost town in the country, it’s the first to see the sun rise, and it was the first place in New Zealand spotted by the British explorer Captain James Cook, in 1769. (Polynesian sailors had arrived centuries earlier.) The Gisborne region, also known as Tairawhiti, has one of the largest populations of Māori people in the country, and it offers many opportunities for visitors to learn about the indigenous culture of these descendants of the Polynesian settlers and see their art. While most New Zealand residents speak at least some phrases in the Māori language—travelers are often greeted with “Kia ora,” a welcome that means “Have life and be well\"—here it is the primary language for many residents. The Tairawhiti Museum provides an excellent introduction to the culture of the Māori and that of other communities living in and near Gisborne. Beyond the town itself, the area’s long stretches of sand and protected breaks draw surfers, swimmers and sunrise watchers. This part of the country is also famous for its wines, in particular chardonnays, whose grapes thrive in the mild climate and limestone-rich soil.

Day 22 - Rotorua, New Zealand

The curved shoreline of the Bay of Plenty—known in Maori as Te Moana-a-Toi—is home to incredible surfing, white-sand beaches and New Zealand's only active marine volcano. Tauranga, with 130,000 residents, is the largest city on the Bay of Plenty and fifth largest in New Zealand. The city offers visitors a number of water-focused activities, like sailing and kayaking, as well as drier alternatives such as shopping and people-watching at a café in the Historic Village.

Tauranga is also a great jumping-off point for exploring nearby beaches and Te Puke, the kiwifruit capital of the world, as well as a wealth of Maori cultural sites. The world-famous geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, nicknamed Sulfur City, has been a major Polynesian spa resort town since visitors first arrived in the late 1800s. In Maori, roto means lake and rua means two, but Rotorua actually comprises 18 lakes—plus an incredible redwood forest.

For the best views, take the gondola up to Skyline Rotorua, a recreation complex atop Mount Ngongotaha. Other day trips you should consider are a boat ride through the incomparable glowworm caves of Waitomo or an unforgettable tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata—a must for all Tolkien fans.

Day 23 - Auckland, New Zealand

New Zealand's biggest city deserves more than a layover. Auckland is multicultural and cosmopolitan, with sizeable Polynesian, Asian and Maori populations enriching its history and broadening the palate. Internationally known chefs and fashion designers have made neighborhoods like Ponsonby, Newmarket and Parnell world-class destinations for shopping and dining. 

You're never far from water attractions in New Zealand—and this is especially true in Auckland where it's not unheard of for downtown workers to go kayaking on their lunch break. The once-gritty port has been transformed into inviting public spaces and buzzing nightclubs, with sailboat charters and regular ferry connections waiting to whisk visitors around the harbor for sightseeing. 

Start your day sipping a flat white while you plan your explorations: art gallery crawl, winery tour or volcano hike? It's possible to do all three without losing sight of the Sky Tower, one of Auckland's top tourist attractions, from which you can get a bird's-eye view of the gateway to Aotearoa.

Day 24 - Bay of Island. New Zealand

Historic sites—including the place where the most important treaty in New Zealand's history was signed—winemaking, golfing, sailing and scenic beauty all combine to make the Bay of Islands one of this South Pacific nation's most compelling regions. Located at the top of the North Island, the area has a subtropical microclimate that gives it an abundance of flora and fauna and a lengthy beach season. Comprising 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula, the Bay of Islands requires a few days to fully explore. Visitors with just a day here will have to make a tough choice: cultural immersion, nature appreciation or wining-dining-shopping. Waitangi, home to both the cruise port and the region's historic treaty grounds, is one of three main towns with celebrated sights. The others are Kerikeri, with its historic buildings and vineyards, and Russell, where a notorious seafaring past has mellowed into tidy, day-trip-worthy charm. Those who'd rather experience the Bay of Islands' breathtaking nature can walk amid majestic kauri trees, descend into glowworm caves or spy on whales and dolphins (or even swim with the latter) in one of New Zealand's sunniest and most picturesque playgrounds.

Day 25 - At Sea

A day at sea to enjoy the onboard facilities. 

Day 26 - At Sea

A day at sea to enjoy the onboard facilities. 

Day 27 - Disembark Sydney and Return to UK

Disembark from your Holland America Cruise and transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.