Goway Travel
This 13-day adventure starts in Sydney, then takes you to the best of South Australia before going on to Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef.
Depart Sydney in comfort aboard the Indian Pacific, Australia's most famous rail journey. Though the service extends all the way to Perth, you'll disembark in Adelaide, a cultural hub surrounded by terrific wine regions. If you have time, visit one of its galleries or museums, or take in a performance at one of the city’s famous cabaret venues. Just to the south, you’ll spend a night at Kangaroo Island, one of Australia’s most unique wildlife areas. In addition to seeing plenty of the namesake marsupials, you’ll visit a sea lion colony, a honey farm, and Flinders Chase National Park, home to many of the Island’s geological icons such as Remarkable Rocks and Admiral’s Arch.
All aboard the famous Ghan train for your second perfectly appointed journey into the outback! Enjoy superior service with all the amenities as you travel into Australia’s red centre, channelling the spirit of the country’s early explorers. Your destination is Alice Springs, the gateway to Central Australia. Rest for a night here, then go on to Uluru – also known as Ayers Rock. This is not a short drive, but it is a spectacular one, passing through the MacDonnell and James Ranges.
Accommodation here offers you superb views of Uluru, ideal for enjoying Australia’s most impressive sunset over cocktails. On your second night, experience the Sounds of Silence – a unique chance to dine under the desert stars. With a full day here, you’ll have the option to either climb Uluru, or take a tour of its base to gain an insight into the monolith’s tremendous cultural significance. Keep in mind, Uluru is sacred to the local Aboriginal people, and as such, they respectfully ask tourists to opt for the base tour, rather than climbing.
Fly to tropical Cairns, where the Great Barrier Reef awaits. You’ll visit the Agincourt Reef, a well preserved section ideal for snorkelers and divers of all skill levels. If you’d rather not get wet, watch the fish from the comfort of an underwater viewing platform. Back on dry land, climb aboard the train to Kuranda, situated in the North Queensland rainforest. From here, you’ll be guided deep into the bush, where you’ll enjoy an Aboriginal dance performance, BBQ lunch, and the chance to throw a boomerang. Visit the Koala and Wildlife Park before you depart aboard the Skyrail. This impressive 7.5 kilometer gondola takes you over the trees back to Cairns, ready for departure.
Vacation Inclusions
- Private arrival and departure transfers in Adelaide
- Shared arrival and deprture transfers in Alice Springs, Ayers Rock and Cairns
- 2 nights first-class accommodation in Adelaide
- 1 night first-class accommodation on Kangaroo Island
- 2 night first-class accommodation in Alice Springs
- 2 nights first-class accommodation in Ayers Rock
- 3 nights first-class accommodation in Cairns
- Gold Service accommodation on the Ghan Train with all meals and drinks
- Gold Service accommodation on the Indian Pacific with all meals and drinks
- Shared overnight touring on Kangaroo Island
- Shared Alice Springs Tour
- Shared transfer from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock
- Shared Field of Light experience
- Shared Uluru and Kata Tjuta Sunrise tour
- Shared Sounds of Silence Dining experience
- Shred Outer Barrier Reef Cruise
- Shared Kuranda tour with Trail and Skyrail
- 2 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
Featured Destinations
Cairns
Cairns
Cairns is the sunny garden city where the Great Barrier Reef meets the Wet Tropics Rainforest, mountains and the gulf savannah not too far away. The city's water front boasts a world class marina and wharf used by visiting cruise liners, yachts and tour vessels. Cairns is situated in the Northern end of Tropical Queensland Australia. It's a modern city with a good location to explore some of Australia's vast array of flora and fauna. With a magnificent Casino, Cairns is alive with more activities than a visitor will ever have time for. The principal attraction is the over 60 national parks from the wet tropical rain forests and lush tablelands to the truly wild Cape York Peninsula and the Great Barrier Reef.
|
Destination Guide
|
Ayers Rock
Ayers Rock
It is the world's largest monolith rising almost 1,000 feet above the desert floor with a circumference of almost 26,250 feet. It is considered one of the great wonders of the world and is located in Kata Tjuta National Park which is owned and run by local Aboriginals. Depending on the time of day and the atmospheric conditions the rock can dramatically change color, anything from blue to glowing red ! Many avid photographers set up for days and record the many changing colors of Uluru. Some believe that there is a light source emanating at various times of the year.
|
Destination Guide
|
Alice Springs
Alice Springs
It's the heart of Australia, capital of the Outback and most romantic country town in the world. It's where people race camels and hold holiday regattas in dry river beds. The town is a self-contained business community catering for its population and the many thousands of annual visitors - who can experience Alice Springs Desert Park, Aboriginal culture, the world's largest classroom - the School of the Air - and is the perfect place to start touring the Eastern and Western MacDonnell Ranges, famous Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and Kings Canyon. The superb desert climate allows for cycling and walking along an extensive network of tracks.
|
Destination Guide
|
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island
Enjoy one of the world's most beautiful and unique wilderness holiday destinations in which the locals include wallabies, goannas, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, dolphins,
sea lions, penguins, fur seals, eagles, whales and ospreys.
Share with them the pure air and clean water that makes Kangaroo Island one
of the last unspoiled wonders of the world. The people of Kangaroo Island see prosperity in tourism but know the value
of what they have and are working hard to find the right balance between development
and conservation.
|
Destination Guide
|
Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide
This elegant city is known for its colonial stone architecture, expansive parklands, lively festivals and incredible sense of space. Explore the museums and libraries of North Terrace, dine on dedicated 'eat streets' or picnic in gardens that sprawl over almost half the city. Go bike riding in Botanic Park or row past rose gardens in Rymill Park. Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg or fish from the jetty in Henley. Just beyond the city centre you'll find the picturesque Adelaide Hills and the world-class wineries of the Barossa Valley.
Five ways to immerse yourself in Adelaide:
1. Hit the eat streets
Sample everything from Asian fusion to Argentine cuisine in the exotic, bustling foodhalls of Chinatown. Embrace the alfresco ambience of Rundle Street in Adelaide's East End or live it up in one of the city's many elegant wine bars and fashionable restaurants. Enjoy a beach sunset with your meal in the coastal suburbs of Glenelg and Henley Beach or wind down with a wine at the National Wine Centre. If you're a fresh food addict, Adelaide Central Markets offer premium produce from growers across the state.
2. Feel green and serene in Adelaide's parks
Hire paddleboats and bikes in Elder Park or row past formal rose gardens in Rymill Park. Picnic in the local's beloved Botanic Park or cycle from the hills to the coast in River Torrens Linear Park. For serious tranquility, head to the classic Japanese oasis of Adelaide-Himjei Garden. Adelaide's 29 parks take up almost half of the city, and come with walking trails, quiet spaces and sporting fields for everything from football to archery.
3. Head for the coast
Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg, which bustles with sidewalk cafes, alfresco dining and summer entertainment. In the beach suburb of Henley, you can fish from the jetty or go on a culinary world tour at the ethnic food stores and eateries. Explore the museums, markets and historic harbour of Port Adelaide, the city's maritime heart. Or see heritage buildings and colourful summer sideshows in family-friendly Semaphore. Further along the spectacular Le Fevre Peninsula, you can swim on protected beaches and walk one of the state's few heritage-listed jetties at Largs Bay.
4. Soak up Aboriginal and European heritage
Do a cultural tour of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens with traditional custodians the Kaurna people. You'll learn how native plants have been used for sustenance, shelter, ceremonies and medicines for thousands of years. Browse the world's largest collection of Aboriginal antiquities at the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australian Museum and visit Tandanya, the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Adelaide also has a proud European heritage for you to explore -in the museums and libraries of North Terrace, in Adelaide Town Hall and in Port Adelaide, the state's first declared heritage area.
5. Escape to the hills
Drive to the Adelaide Hills, where the picturesque farmlands and charming villages have inspired many generations of artists. Stay in Bavarian-inspired chalets and browse the bakeries, craft shops and galleries of Hahndorf, Australia's oldest surviving German village. Visit The Cedars, once the gracious old home and studio of famous landscape artists Sir Hans Heysen. Then hit the markets of Lobethal, a fairytale town which celebrates Christmas with metres and metres of colourful lights.
|
Destination Guide
|
View Full Itinerary
Valid Date Ranges