A second full day at leisure gives you the chance to go a little deeper. A ferry ride across to Fremantle is well worth it, the old limestone port city has great markets, excellent craft beer, and a laid-back energy that’s hard not to love. Alternatively, head to Cottesloe Beach for a swim, explore the galleries of the inner city, or follow the Swan River trail at your own pace. Perth has a way of filling a day without you even trying.

This afternoon, your cross-continental adventure begins in earnest. After a welcome gathering to mark the occasion, you’ll board the Indian Pacific and settle into your Gold Service Twin Cabin as the train eases out of Perth. Over dinner, a relaxed, beautifully prepared meal featuring contemporary Australian cuisine with seasonal regional flavors, you’ll meet fellow travelers and feel the city give way to open country. The Nullarbor awaits.

There is something memorable about waking up in the outback for the first time. As the train pulls into Kalgoorlie, Australia’s largest outback town, the gold-rush history is everywhere, from the wide heritage streetscapes to the staggering open cut of the Super Pit mine. Choose from the available Off Train Experiences before reboarding for brunch as the vast Nullarbor Plain stretches to the horizon. Late that evening, the train pauses in Cook, a near-ghost town in the middle of nowhere, for a nightcap, a bonfire, and a sky full of stars that you won’t easily forget.

After travelling through South Australia’s pastoral countryside, past the Flinders Ranges, Spencer Gulf, and the Adelaide Plains, you’ll disembark for one of the highlights of the entire journey. A signature dining experience at Seppeltsfield Winery in the Barossa Valley includes the dramatic Firing of the Barrel ceremony, an exceptional food and wine pairing, and, for Platinum guests, a tasting of a special 100-year-old vintage Tawny. After dinner, it’s back aboard the Indian Pacific as the train continues east through the night.

You’ll cross another state border in your sleep. Broken Hill meets you this morning with a hearty breakfast and a city that has a culture entirely its own, shaped by silver mining, wide desert light, and a thriving arts scene that has drawn painters here for well over a century. Four Off Train Experiences are on offer, covering history, art, and local character in equal measure. After lunch on board, the afternoon belongs to the landscape and the gentle hum of the rails as you spend your last full evening on the train.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your Gold Service cabin and step out into one of Australia’s most dramatic natural settings. The Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed wilderness of ancient sandstone ridges and eucalyptus forest, offer options like Scenic World’s Skyway, Cableway, or Railway, as well as a guided walk to the breathtaking Echo Point Lookout, where lunch is served. From there, a chartered NSW rail service carries you into Sydney Central Station, or you can choose to stay aboard the Indian Pacific for a direct arrival into the city.

A relaxed morning in Sydney before stepping aboard the Sydney Harbor Discovery Luncheon Cruise, without question, one of the finest ways to arrive in this city properly. The Opera House, Harbor Bridge, and Botanical Gardens drift past as live commentary brings Sydney’s layered history to life. There’s a generous buffet lunch on board, ample time for photography, and a sense of occasion that feels like a fitting reward for the kilometers covered to get here.

After a leisurely final morning, your Indian Pacific adventure draws to a close as you depart Sydney. The landscapes crossed, the meals shared, and the quiet drama of the Australian outback at night, those are the things that tend to stay with you long after the bags are unpacked.