Rail Holidays in Australia

Introduction

Spend 4 glorious weeks travelling through Australia and New Zealand. Explore the diverse natural wonders of land and water, from sacred Ayers Rock and the amazing underwater life of the Great Barrier Reef to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and the magical fjords of Milford Sound.

Local specialists enhance your understanding of the cultural history of the unique Aboriginal and Maori cultures as well as the vast natural history highlighted throughout your journey.

Travel on the historic Ghan train for an overnight journey through the outback concluding the beautiful city of Adelaide,; board the Tranz Coastal train for a scenic ride up the eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island; enjoy special wine tastings at the well-known vineyards of Coonawarra and Australia’s Barossa Valley; and take part in an interactive demonstration on the art of weaving in New Zealand.

Images courtesy of Collette Worldwide 

Overview

Day 1: Overnight Flight  

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Australia and New Zealand. Explore diverse natural wonders from Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and the fjords of Milford Sound. Local specialists regale you with cultural history of the Aboriginal and Maori cultures as well as natural history of these destinations. Climb aboard trains like the Ghan and the TranzCoastal and enjoy wine tastings at vineyards in both Australia and New Zealand. En route, skip a day ahead as you cross the International Dateline.

 

Day 2: Arrive Cairns, Australia 

Welcome to Cairns – the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy a special reception and dinner.

Today dinner will be included. 

Day 3: Great Barrier Reef  

Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the outer Great Barrier Reef, where the magic of this natural wonder surrounds you. Snorkel or stay dry while checking out the marine life from the semi-submersible!

Today breakfast and lunch will be included. 

 

 

Day 4: Cairns 

A ride aboard the historic Kuranda Rail, constructed in 1882, awards you with views of the spectacular Atherton Tablelands. This afternoon enjoy a cruise on Hartley’s Lagoon in search of saltwater crocodiles as well as exotic birdlife. After the cruise, enjoy an authentic Aussie barbecue.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

 

 

Day 5: Cairns - Ayers Rock  

Fly to the heart of the Outback – Ayers Rock. Tour the sandstone domes of the Olgas and the area around the base of “The Rock.” Later, behold a stunning sunset as the Rock’s colours change dramatically.

Today breakfast will be included. 

 

Day 6: Ayers Rock - Alice Springs

Depart for Alice Springs, the largest community in Central Australia. A sightseeing tour of this frontier town includes the Old Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill. Learn about the educational system in the Outback during a visit to the School of the Air - you may even see a class in session. Experience unique dining and entertainment during a traditional dinner in the bush.

Today dinner will be included. 

 

 

Day 7: Alice Springs - The Ghan  

Early this morning you may choose to take an optional hot air balloon ride over the Outback. Next, explore Aboriginal culture through site visits and native cooking. Board the legendary Ghan for an overnight journey through ancient mountain ranges, over red-baked earth, and across oceans of sand hills.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

Day 8: The Ghan - Barossa Valley  

Your train journey concludes in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Adelaide before travelling to Barossa Valley. Experience the Whispering Wall, listening as voices travel along a quartre-mile path powered by natural amplification. A wine tasting at one of the local wineries introduces the flavours of this region. Dinner at your hotel, in the serene Barossa Valley, overlooks the vineyards of well-known vintners such as Jacobs Creek.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

 

 

Day 9: Barossa Valley 

Barossa Valley is Australia’s richest and best-known wine-making region. Enjoy tours and tastings at two of the area’s wineries. Your evening is at leisure.

Today breakfast will be included. 

 

 

Day 10: Barossa Valley - Coonawarra 

Travel through the southern Australian countryside, stopping at Naracoorte Caves National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Learn about the extensive fossil deposits of southern Australia while touring the fossil centre. Continue to Coonawarra.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

 

Day 11: Coonawarra  

Enjoy a morning at leisure. Then learn more about Coonawarra, a rich wine making region known for producing world-class red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon during visits and tastings at two local wineries.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

 

 

D ay 12: Coonawarra - Melbourne  

Traverse the spectacular Great Ocean Road, one of the world's most scenic drives. Pass through Port Campbell and discover the “12 Apostles,” a dramatic row of stone pillars rising from the ocean; the “London Bridge,” a magnificent stone arch formation; and Loch Ard Gorge. Arrive in Melbourne.

Today breakfast will be included. 

 

 

Day 13: Melbourne 

A tour of Melbourne features the Shrine of Remembrance, Parliament House and a visit to Fitzroy Gardens. Travel to Phillip Island, home of the world’s largest colony of “Little Penguins.” Experience the Little Penguin Parade as hundreds of them cross the beach to their burrows in the dunes. Learn about the penguins’ significance to the area at the Interpretation Centre.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

 

 

Day 14: Melbourne - Sydney  

This morning you’re off to Sydney for a panoramic tour of Australia’s capital, followed by a tour of the world-famous Sydney Opera House.

Today breakfast will be included. 

 

 

Day 15: Sydney

This morning, visit Sydney Wildlife World which showcases over 6,000 native animals and Australia's flora and fauna through three floors of exhibits. Walk amongst the wallabies and birds in an interactive display. Visit the koala sanctuary viewing Australia's most famous species in its natural habitat. You can even pet one! This evening, sail Sydney Harbour during a dinner cruise offering spectacular views of Sydney’s renowned icons – the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

 

 

Day 16: Sydney

Explore Sydney on your own.

Today breakfast will be included. 

 

 

Day 17: Sydney - Queenstown, New Zealand  

Fly to the resort town of Queenstown. Visit one of Otago’s best-known wineries for a tour and tasting, followed by a spectacular dinner paired with the local favourites.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

 

 

Day 18: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown 

Travel through beech forest into the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley to world-famous Milford Sound. Relax as you cruise this dramatic fjord. Return to Queenstown by coach or via a short optional flight* for spectacular views of the Southern Alps.

Today breakfast and lunch will be included. 

 

 

Day 19: Queenstown  

Explore Queenstown on your own. Perhaps you’ll enjoy an optional jet boat ride on the Shotover River.

Today breakfast will be included. 

 

Day 20: Queenstown - Mt. Cook  

Travel through the picturesque countryside, stopping in the gold boomtown of Arrowtown. In Mt. Cook National Park, take a nature walk or enjoy an optional flightseeing tour*.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

 

 

Day 21: Mt. Cook - Christchurch  

Travel to Christchurch for a short sightseeing tour highlighting its gardens, cathedral and downtown park district.

Today breakfast will be included. 

 

 

Day 22: Christchurch  

Today is free to relax and unwind. Perhaps enjoy an optional journey through the Southern Alps aboard the Tranz-Alpine Express. This evening, enjoy a special dinner at a restored mansion that was once the homestead of Christchurch’s first settlers.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

 

 

Day 23: Christchurch  

Enjoy a visit to the International Antarctica Centre, the base for all U.S. expeditions to Antarctica. This evening, dine with a New Zealand family in their home, learning about the customs of the “Kiwis” over a home-cooked meal.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

 

Day 24: Christchurch - Picton - Wellington  

Board the Tranz Coastal train for a scenic journey up the eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island taking in its beauty – flanked by the Kaikoura Mountain Range to the west and the Pacific Coast to the east. Sail by ferry from Picton through Marlborough Sound and across Cook Strait to the North Island. Arrive in Wellington, New Zealand’s harbour capital.

Today breakfast will be included. 

 

 

Day 25: Wellington  

A sightseeing tour of Wellington includes the Beehive, New Zealand’s Parliament, historic St. Paul’s Church, and the Government Building. This afternoon, tour the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, the national museum of New Zealand, and enjoy a discussion on the Maori culture.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

 

Day 26: Wellington - Rotorua  

Travel through the heart of the North Island to Rotorua, the centre of Maori heritage. Tonight, discover the indigenous culture of New Zealand when you participate in an authentic Hangi and concert.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

 

 

Day 27: Rotorua  

This morning visit Te Puia for a Maori cultural and geothermal experience. Behold erupting geysers, bubbling mud pools and other geothermal wonders! The Maori keep their customs alive by teaching the tribal youth the skills of traditional carving, weaving and dancing. Take part in an interactive demonstration on the art of weaving and the importance of the Maori dress. View the Kiwi bird and learn how New Zealanders are working to remove the Kiwi from the endangered species list. Next, a visit to the Agrodome offers you insight into how wool is produced during a sheep-shearing demonstration. Visit a jade factory to see how the raw product is transformed into a gemstone. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

 

 

Day 28: Rotorua - Auckland - Tour Concludes

Drive to Auckland where your tour ends.

Today breakfast will be included. 

Destination Information

Climate

Australia is in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are opposite to those in Europe and North America. There are two climatic zones: the tropical zone (in the north above the Tropic of Capricorn) and the temperate zone. The tropical zone (consisting of 40% of Australia) has two seasons, summer (‘wet') and winter (‘dry'), while the temperate zone has all four seasons.

Spring to summer (October to March): Warm or hot everywhere, tropical in the north, and warm to hot with mild nights in the south.

Autumn to winter (April to September): Northern and central Australia have clear warm days and cool nights; the south has cool days with occasional rain but still plenty of sun. Snow is totally confined to mountainous regions of the southeast.

Drought is becoming more widespread with southeast Queensland, Victoria and South Australia all badly affected.

 

 

The climate in New Zealand is subtropical in the north and temperate in the south. The north has no extremes of heat or cold but winter can be quite cool in the south, with snow in the mountains. The eastern areas often experience drought conditions in summer; the west, particularly in the South Island, has more rain.

Spring, summer and autumn are very pleasant throughout New Zealand. Winters tend to be wet and cool, but there's great winter skiing in the centre of the North Island, and in the South Island's Southern Alps, where heli-skiing is particularly popular.

Visa

Visas are required for all travel to Australia. British citizens can obtain the following types of electronic visitor visa:

• an eVisitor visa direct from the Department of Immigration & Citizenship. There is no visa application charge or service fee for this;
• an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) via their travel agent or airline. There is no visa application charge, but a service fee of A$20 applies

Australia does not have a minimum passport validity requirement for incoming passengers.  But if you intend onward travel to other countries in the region, please note you are advised that entry into some countries may be refused, and airlines may not carry you, if your passport has less than six months validity.

 

British passport holders can enter New Zealand as a visitor for up to six months on arrival without a visa, provided they can satisfy an Immigration Officer that they meet the requirements of the Rules.  Visitors must have an onward ticket.

You should ensure that your passport is valid one month beyond the date of expiry of your visa. If you intend to stay in New Zealand as a visitor you are entitled to a six month stay visa-free but should ensure that your passport is valid for one month beyond the date of your visa-free stay.  

 

Health

For up-to-date health advice for Australia and New Zealand, please consult your GP.

 

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions from the policy, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake whilst on holiday. Medway Travel can provide you with a quote for this – please contact a member of the Leisure team for further details.