The Ghan and Ponant Kimberley Expedition Cruise

Day 1 - Arrive Perth

Arriving in Perth, transfer to your chosen hotel spending the remainder of your day at leisure.

Day 2 - Rottnest Island

Today take the ferry over to Rottnest Island home to the adorable Quokkas. It is the only place in Australia where you can see these animals. Explore Rottnest Island's remote and wonderful coastline. Secluded bays and breath-taking beaches.

Day 3 - Swan River Wine Cruise

Nowhere else in Australia can you depart from a capital city and arrive in an award-winning wine region on the same day.

Relax and enjoy the iconic city skyline and beautiful, picturesque landscape as you escape the city and cruise leisurely into the upper regions of the Swan Valley.

You'll be treated to a delicious lunch from the coveted Sandalford Estate following an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the winery and a one-of-a-kind wine tasting! All of this is capped off with live entertainment and tantalizing desserts on board your return cruise.

Day 4 - Perth to Broome

Today check out of your Perth hotel, transferring to the airport for your onward flight to Broome. Upon arriving in Broome transferring to your hotel.

Day 5 - Explore Broome

A free day in Broome. You could spend it on Cable Beach, wander through Chinatown or browse the pearl shops in the town centre.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Kimberley Cruise Embarkation

After a leisurely morning and breakfast, you transfer to the Port of Broome in the afternoon to board Le Soléal or Le Jacques Cartier, depending on your departure date. Once you have settled into your cabin, dinner is served on board.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 7 - Lacepede Islands

This island group is a key nesting site for green turtles and home to a very large colony of brown boobies, possibly the biggest anywhere in the world. Roseate terns can be seen here too. The Expedition Team leads a guided Zodiac outing around the islands.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 - Collier Bay and Horizontal Falls

Today takes in Collier Bay, where tides can rise more than 14 metres, and the reef at Montgomery Reef. You also visit Talbot Bay to see the Horizontal Falls and some ancient rock art. What you can do depends on the weather and the tide.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9 - Collier Bay and Horizontal Falls

The exploration of Collier Bay and the Horizontal Falls carries on for a second day, again subject to tide and weather.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10 - Careening Bay

Go ashore at the spot where Lieutenant Phillip Parker King beached and repaired his ship in 1820. A boab tree carved by his crew still stands here and is protected by National Heritage listing.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11 - Hunter River

A Zodiac trip through Prince Frederick Harbour and along the Hunter River passes mangroves, rainforest and sandstone cliffs. Wildlife is a highlight, and saltwater crocodiles are often spotted. An optional helicopter flight to Mitchell Falls is available for an extra charge.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12 - Swift Bay

A guided walk leads to rock art galleries in the Bonaparte Archipelago. The paintings include both Wandjina and Gwion Gwion styles.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13 - Vansittart Bay

A short walk on Jar Island brings you to galleries of Gwion Gwion rock art. The site is said to hold some of the oldest detailed paintings of human figures found anywhere.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 14 - King George River

Sail up the river gorge between sandstone walls about 80 metres high to reach the twin King George Falls. Members of the Expedition Team accompany you to the foot of the falls.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 15 - At sea

A quieter day on board. Make use of the ship's facilities, join the enrichment talks on Australian history, plants and animals, and keep watch from the upper deck for marine life.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 16 - Arrive in Darwin

You disembark at the Port of Darwin and transfer to the Hilton Darwin for two nights. The remainder of the day is free, with sights such as Parliament House and Admiralty House within reach.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Hilton Darwin

Day 17 - Explore Darwin

Another free day to see the city at your own pace. Optional tours are available at an additional cost.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Hilton Darwin

Day 18 - The Ghan - Darwin to Katherine

You transfer to the rail terminal for a welcome drink and photographs before boarding The Ghan Expedition. Lunch is served on the way to Katherine. Off Train Experiences here include a Nitmiluk Gorge cruise, the Katherine Outback Experience, Cutta Cutta Caves or an upgraded helicopter flight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 19 - The Ghan - Alice Springs

The train arrives in Alice Springs. Choose from an Off Train Experience covering the town's history, the West MacDonnell Ranges (Simpsons Gap or Standley Chasm), the Desert Park, an off road e bike ride, or an upgraded scenic flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. In the evening, dinner is served at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station with live entertainment.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 20 - The Ghan - Coober Pedy

The train stops at Manguri, where a coach takes you on to Coober Pedy. Options include the Breakaways, a look at the town and its opal mining past, or an upgraded scenic flight over the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre. Lunch is served underground. You then rejoin the train heading south, with dinner in the dining car.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 21 - The Ghan – Arrive in Adelaide

The landscape changes from red outback to green farmland as you travel. Light refreshments are served while passing the Flinders Ranges, and the journey onboard The Ghan ends on arrival in Adelaide.

Transferring to your hotel spending the remainder of your day at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 22 - Experiecing the Barossa Valley

Uncork the historic Barossa with your local guide, discovering boutique wineries that are big on character. Known for producing hearty Shiraz, the Barossa is perfect for the red wine lover. Visiting three boutique wineries in a day, the professionally trained wine-guides will create a unique and engaging wine experience for your group. Avoiding the crowds with the very small group size you'll visit both big name and small family-owned wineries, which will have you tasting some of the best wines available in the region.

Day 23 - Adelaide to Sydney

Today transfer to Adelaide airport for your onward flight to Sydney. Upon arrival checking into your hotel and spending the rest of your day at leisure exploring Sydney’s sights.

Day 24 - Blue Mountain Experience

Day 25 - Sydney Harbour Cruise

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. Giving 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 26 - Sydney Departure

Your spectacular holiday through Australia comes to an end today. Transfer to Sydney airport for your onward flight home. Speak to our Travel Experts if you wish to add on a stop over in Asia.