Morning: Start your day with a coffee and a browse at the iconic Fremantle Markets, one of Australia’s best-loved weekly markets brimming with local produce, crafts, and street food. Afterwards, step back in time with a tour of historic Fremantle Prison, a World Heritage-listed convict-era landmark.

Afternoon: Catch a ferry to Rottnest Island for an unforgettable afternoon meeting the famously friendly quokkas or opt for a visit to Perth Zoo for unique native wildlife encounters. The choice is yours; both are quintessential Perth experiences.

Evening: Return to the city and indulge in the buzzing nightlife along the Swan River foreshore or catch a performance at the State Theatre Centre. Overnight at QT Hotel Perth.

Morning: Board your expert-guided coach south from Perth and begin the journey to Australia’s premier wine and culinary region. En route, stop at the extraordinary Busselton Jetty at nearly two kilometers, it is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere.

Afternoon: Check in to your 4-star Margaret River accommodation before heading out with your local guide to explore the region’s renowned wineries and art galleries. Your first taste of Margaret River’s celebrated cellar doors sets the tone for the days ahead.

Evening: Settle in and enjoy dinner at one of the region’s acclaimed restaurants, where locally sourced produce and world-class wine take centre stage.

Morning: Descend into the ancient limestone chambers of Mammoth Cave, one of the most significant fossil caves in Australia. Your guide brings the prehistoric history of this remarkable underground world to life.

Afternoon: Make your way to the iconic Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet at the most south-westerly tip of Australia. Tour the lighthouse and take in the sweeping coastal views.

Evening: Enjoy a relaxed evening exploring Margaret River township, with its boutique shops, galleries, and buzzing restaurant scene. Overnight at your 4-star Margaret River accommodation.

Morning: Spend your final Margaret River morning visiting a celebrated local brewery or indulging in a long breakfast at a favorite café, soaking up the last of the region’s relaxed atmosphere.

Afternoon: Board your coach and return to Perth with your expert guide. Arrive back in the city with the afternoon free to revisit any highlights or explore anything you missed on Days 1 and 2.

Evening: Enjoy a relaxed evening in Perth. Overnight at QT Hotel, rested and ready for the Indian Pacific departure tomorrow afternoon.

Morning: Enjoy a leisurely final morning in Perth. Browse the boutiques around the CBD or take a final riverside walk before checking out of the QT Hotel.

Afternoon: Make your way to Perth Station and board the legendary Indian Pacific. A welcome gathering in the Gold Service lounge introduces you to fellow travelers as the train departs, heading east along the world’s longest stretch of straight railway track. The Darling Ranges fade behind you as the vast Australian interior opens up ahead.

Evening: Settle into your Gold Service Twin Cabin and enjoy a beautifully presented dinner in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, featuring contemporary Australian cuisine with seasonal and regional produce. The romance of outback night travel begins.

Morning – Kalgoorlie: Wake to sunrise over Kalgoorlie, Australia’s largest outback town and the heart of the nation’s gold-rush heritage. Disembark for an off-train experience and visit the staggering Super Pit open-cut gold mine, one of Australia’s most impressive industrial sights. Choose from a selection of guided experiences before reboarding for brunch.

Afternoon: Settle back into the rhythm of the train as it crosses the border into South Australia and rolls across the iconic Nullarbor Plain — ‘no trees’ in Latin and aptly named. The vast, flat emptiness of the Nullarbor is one of travel’s most meditative and memorable experiences.

Evening – Cook: The train stops in the near-ghost-town of Cook for a magical evening under the stars. Join fellow travelers around a bonfire, enjoy a nightcap, and gaze up at one of the darkest and most spectacular night skies in Australia. An unforgettable outback evening.

Morning: Breakfast on board as the train glides through South Australia’s pastoral landscapes, passing the ancient Flinders Ranges and the shimmering waters of Spencer Gulf.

Afternoon – Barossa Valley: Disembark at Two Wells for a short transfer to the world-famous Barossa Valley. At the historic Seppeltsfield Winery, a signature dining experience awaits, witness the theatrical ‘Firing of the Barrel’ display before sitting down to an exquisite food and wine pairing. Gold Service guests enjoy a special tasting of a 100-year-old vintage Tawny — a once-in-a-lifetime pour.

Evening: After dinner, transfer back to the Indian Pacific and continue your overnight journey eastward through the South Australian night.

Morning: Cross the New South Wales border overnight and arrive in Broken Hill, the Silver City, Australia’s longest continuously operating mining town and one of its most culturally rich outback communities.

Afternoon: Choose from four off-train experiences exploring Broken Hill’s fascinating history, its acclaimed outback art scene, and the stark beauty of the surrounding red-earth landscape. Lunch is served on board after your excursion.

Evening: Relax and take in the scenic views as the Indian Pacific travels through regional New South Wales. Enjoy a final dinner on board as you savor the last night aboard this legendary train.

Morning – Blue Mountains: After breakfast, bid farewell to the Indian Pacific at Lithgow and head into the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Choose from Scenic World’s famous Skyway, Cableway, or Railway, or join a guided walk with sweeping valley views.

Afternoon: Both options culminate at Echo Point Lookout above the iconic Three Sisters rock formation, where a light lunch is served. The views across the sandstone ridges and native bushland are simply breathtaking.

Evening – Sydney: Finish your journey to Sydney via a chartered NSW rail service to Sydney Central Station or remain aboard the Indian Pacific for a direct arrival into the city. Check in to the stylish Kimpton Margot Hotel Sydney in the heart of the CBD.

Morning: Begin with a guided tour of the world-famous Sydney Opera House, an architectural icon and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your expert guide reveals the fascinating story behind Jørn Utzon’s visionary design, from its controversial origins to its global cultural significance.

Afternoon: Board the Sydney Harbour Discovery Luncheon Cruise for a breathtaking journey around one of the world’s most beautiful natural harbors. Take in iconic landmarks such as the Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, and the Opera House from the water while enjoying a delicious multi-course lunch. It’s the perfect Sydney farewell.

Evening: Spend your final evening exploring Sydney’s world-class dining and entertainment scene, from Circular Quay’s waterfront restaurants to The Rocks’ historic laneways. Overnight at Kimpton Margot Hotel.

Morning: Enjoy a leisurely final breakfast in Sydney. Take a last stroll along the harbour foreshore, visit the markets at The Rocks, or simply savour a long coffee at a harbourside café.

Departure: Your unforgettable 12-day West Meets East Traverse comes to a close as you depart Sydney, carrying with you the memories of outback sunrises, world-class wines, ancient caves, four nights aboard an iconic train, and two of Australia’s greatest cities.