Spectacular Australia with the Historic Ghan Train ( PQ)

20 days from Melbourne to Sydney

2025 Tour Details 2024 Tour Details »

The right vacation to Australia can easily transport you to another state of mind, especially if it includes a wetland cruise on Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park, a glass-bottom-boat tour at the Great Barrier Reef, a scenic cruise on Sydney Harbour, and many other exciting modes of transportation. The most moving experience on this grand tour of Australia, however, is an overnight rail journey on the legendary The Ghan Train—an exhilarating crossing from South Australia through the heart of the Australian Outback. A stop to see an amazing Outback sunrise in Marla offers the perfect opportunity to stretch your legs and imagination. As you venture in every direction on this encompassing tour of Australia—including untamed Tasmania—you’ll also be moved by big-city lights, Red Center sunsets, screeching Tasmanian devils, and sleepy koalas. All aboard for an above-and-beyond adventure through the “Land Down Under.”

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 Meals & Itinerary

 Meals

Breakfast daily, 6 lunches, 5 dinners

 Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA G’day – Welcome to Melbourne! Your hotel room is available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule flights to arrive by 3pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing and dinner.
Dinner Dinner

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Day 2

MELBOURNE Toast of the Town Today’s sightseeing tour includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Visit beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, then drive past the lush Botanic Gardens. You’ll discover the city’s differing architectural influences as you see the Victorian Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. Before returning to your hotel, indulge in a special high tea featuring mouth-watering treats, specialty teas, coffee, and a glass of champagne.
Breakfast Breakfast

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Tonight’s optional evening excursion to see the world-famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is highly recommended. Experience the magic of little penguins returning home at sunset to one of the largest penguin colonies in Australia. Watch as these beloved fairy penguins waddle from the ocean to their burrows in the sand around you.

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Day 3

MELBOURNE Cosmopolitan Cool Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this multicultural and cosmopolitan city. Dine at a local restaurant and immerse yourself in Melbourne’s passionate food and wine scene or walk along Chapel and Brunswick Streets, famous for great shopping.
Breakfast Breakfast

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Take a trip out of town to sample award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley or drive along the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles.” This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.

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Day 4

MELBOURNE–HOBART On the Waterfront Fly to Hobart, Tasmania, home of the famed Tasmanian devil. As the second oldest of Australia’s state capitals, Hobart has a wild convict past and a rich history still evident in its beautifully restored Georgian buildings and colonial cottages. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOTS Join your Tour Director for a walk in Hobart’s waterfront district. See beautiful historic buildings and hear wonderful stories about the hard-working convicts, explorers, and entrepreneurs that built this city. Afterward, enjoy dinner at a historic local pub that is full of wonderful memorabilia and features local seafood and produce.

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Day 5

HOBART. EXCURSION TO THE TASMAN PENINSULA Devilish Fun Travel to the remote and rugged Tasman Peninsula. Make stops at the scenic blowhole, Devil’s Kitchen, and Tasman Arch coastal formations. Visit Port Arthur Historic Site, which began housing convicts in the 1830’s. Then visit the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo. Return to Hobart where your evening is at leisure.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CONSERVATION HEROES Have a devilish good time meeting the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial – the Tasmanian Devil. Witness a feeding presentation and learn how the Unzoo is helping save the endangered devils with natural habitat spaces. Stroll the bushland trail and see kangaroos, cheeky parrots, wallabies, echidnas, and nearly 100 bird species. Your admission helps preserve the Tasmanian devil.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT One of the country’s most important heritage sites, Port Arthur will bring to life Australia’s convict history. On your private guided tour, meet some of the people who have passed through this place, walk in their footsteps, and hear their stories. It was not just hardened criminals but women and children who found their way here as well. See 30 historic buildings, ruins, restored homes, and the beautiful heritage gardens.

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Day 6

HOBART–ADELAIDE Sweet Adelaide Today, fly via Melbourne to South Australia’s capital city. Adelaide is home to world-class art, live music, major festivals, must-try restaurants, and sits at the gateway to amazing wineries. Upon arrival, take a brief orientation tour along the wide, tree-lined streets, and well-manicured gardens. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Breakfast Breakfast

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Day 7

ADELAIDE. EXCURSION TO KANGAROO ISLAND Australia’s Galapagos Early this morning, depart Adelaide and travel by motorcoach and ferry to Kangaroo Island, one of the world’s last unspoiled habitats. Visit Seal Bay Conservation Park and Flinders Chase National Park, a sanctuary for native Australian animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas. Stop for a walk on Remarkable Rocks, with stunning views of the sea. Next, visit Admirals Arch, a unique rock formation and home to a colony of New Zealand fur seals. Return to Adelaide late this evening.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS The stunning views of the Australian sea lion colony and nearby coastline make Seal Bay an essential experience on Kangaroo Island. There are no enclosures or cases at Seal Bay. Instead, you will be taken into the heart of the colony on a private tour with a Park Ranger. You’ll learn how these endangered animals hunt, surf, rest, interact with their pups and defend their territory. This is a truly exception wildlife experience not to be missed. Keep your camera handy for some terrific photo ops!

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Day 8

ADELAIDE–THE GHAN TRAIN All Aboard Mid-day departure on the LF Ghan train for an overnight journey and a unique perspective of the Outback.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch Dinner Dinner

LOCAL FAVORITE
NORTHWARD BOUND The Ghan is an Australian legend and the ultimate journey through the heart of Australia. It takes its name from the pioneering Afghan cameleers who blazed a permanent trail into the “Red Center of Australia” 150 years ago. Sit back and relax as you take in the changing scenery. Enjoy a meal in the restaurant car or a friendly conversation with fellow passengers from around the world in the lounge car. You’ll soon see why this train journey is on every Australians’ bucket list!

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Day 9

THE GHAN TRAIN–MARLA–ALICE SPRINGS Into the Outback This morning you are invited to step off the train in the outback town of Marla. There’s time to stretch your legs as the sun light slowly bathes the surrounding outback. Take a moment to enjoy the stillness and sip on a steaming mug of coffee and snack on a breakfast sandwich. Reboard your train and get ready for the rest of the day’s adventures, or feel free to hop back into bed! Brunch is served onboard before arriving Alice Springs midday. Upon arrival, visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Old Telegraph Station. This evening is at leisure.
Breakfast Breakfast

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
FLIGHT FOR LIFE The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) was established in 1928 to bring much needed medical care to the residents of the remote Outback. Learn the history of Reverend John Flynn, the founder, and hear the heroic tales of the birth and growth of the RFDS. Through the interactive displays you can experience what it’s like to fly with an RFDS pilot and the issues they have faced from dirt runways, inadequate maps, and more.

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Day 10

ALICE SPRINGS–ULURU (AYERS ROCK) Rock Stars Today, travel through the heart of the Outback. Keep a lookout for red kangaroos, dingoes, camels, and feral horses, known as “Brumbies.” Visit the magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological spectacle of some 36 brilliant domes. Tonight, LF dinner is served under the sparkling Outback sky.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

LOCAL FAVORITE
HEAVEN & EARTH Your evening begins with canapés and chilled sparkling wine upon a dune top overlooking Uluru. As the sun sets and darkness falls, listen to the sound of a didgeridoo and sit down for an unforgettable dining experience. Enjoy a bush tucker inspired menu along with a selection of Australian wines and beers. Afterward, sit back and listen to a star talker decode the southern night sky. Before the end of the evening, you’ll be to locate the Southern Cross, signs of the zodiac, the Milky Way as well as planets and galaxies. From amazing scenery to delicious food and wide-open spaces, it’s sure to be a memorable evening!

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Day 11

AYERS ROCK–ALICE SPRINGS–DARWIN Sunrise and Wheels Up For an unforgettable experience, you may choose to rise early for an optional helicopter ride to watch the sunrise at Uluru. Later, travel to Alice Springs for your flight to Darwin.
Breakfast Breakfast

NOTE: Due to this remote location and limited flights, you may be booked on a connecting flight from Alice Springs to Darwin.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE with an optional sunrise helicopter ride at Uluru (Ayers Rock). This once-in-a-lifetime experience takes you high above the magic of early morning at Uluru, where the shades from the emerging sunlight paint the massive stone formation, changing in hue with each second as the sun rises above the Outback. This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus.

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Day 12

DARWIN Remembrance & Resilience Enjoy an orientation tour of the capital of the Northern Territory. See the elegant colonial architecture of the city’s historic buildings that survived Cyclone Tracey in 1974. Visit the splendid Botanic Gardens, beautiful East Point and spend time at the fascinating Darwin Museum. Tonight, you may wish to join the optional dinner cruise in Darwin Harbour.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT In 1942, more than 188 Japanese aircraft attacked Darwin’s harbour and airfield. It was the first and largest foreign attack ever mounted on Australia. At the Darwin Museum, hear first-hand accounts from the men and women who survived the horror of that morning, learn about the Top End’s role in WWII through interactive displays, take a walk through the lush garden to see military vehicles, or climb to the top of the gun emplacement to check out the 9.2’ gun that it houses.

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Day 13

DARWIN. EXCURSION TO KAKADU NATIONAL PARK Picturing History Journey to Kakadu National Park, Australia’s largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is home to exceptional natural beauty and a unique biodome. Take a scenic cruise and then explore ancient Aboriginal rock petroglyphs at Nourlangie Rock and learn more about the history of the area at the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Return to Darwin late this evening.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE Cruise the unspoiled waterways of the Yellow Water Billabong. Enjoy incredible scenery with the opportunity to spot water buffalo and an abundance of bird species such as Whistling Ducks, Magpie Geese, and Sea Eagles. Keep an eye out for crocodiles basking on the banks or even swimming alongside your boat. NOTE: During the wet season (December through April), it can be difficult to spot crocodiles in the wild.

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Day 14

DARWIN–CAIRNS Aussie Adventures Today, fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.”
Breakfast Breakfast

NOTE: Due to this remote location and limited flights, you may be booked on a connecting flight from Darwin to Cairns and may arrive late in the evening.

ENHANCE FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Cairns, known for its mild winters, great nightlife, and plenty of fun things to see and do. Enjoy free time to browse the Cairns Night Markets for a vast array of souvenirs, delicious foods, and the work of local artisans and designers.

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Day 15

CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF Below the Surface Prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a brilliant kaleidoscope of coral and sea life. Return to Cairns late this afternoon. Your evening is at leisure.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
BUCKET LIST. CHECK! The only living structure on Earth that can be seen from space, the Great Barrier Reef is a masterpiece of Mother Nature. Comprising over 3,000 individual reefs and spanning over 135,135 miles (350,000 square kilometres), your day at the Reef will be one to remember. After your scenic catamaran cruise, the day is yours to explore the Reef how you like. Choose to snorkel amid a dazzling array of fish and coral, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, attend an informative presentation by a marine biologist, or just relax and enjoy the serenity of your surroundings.

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Day 16

CAIRNS Ticket to Paradise A full day at leisure.
Breakfast Breakfast

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE For a truly amazing experience, consider an optional trip to Kuranda via the old scenic rail route. You may also wish to take a 4 wheel-drive excursion into the Daintree Rainforest, stroll Cairn’s famous Esplanade home to shops and art galleries, or just sit back and relax at your resort’s pool. You can also cool off in the man-made Cairns Esplanade Lagoon with a swim or sandcastle building. Perhaps take a dip at night in the glowing water, illuminated by underwater lights. These and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.

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Day 17

CAIRNS–SYDNEY Hi C’s on the Harbour Today, fly to Sydney, the largest city in Australia and home to the Sydney Opera House and the Taronga Zoo.
Breakfast Breakfast

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Sydney with free time to enjoy first-class restaurants or browse its grand shopping arcades.

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Day 18

SYDNEY Spectacular Sydney Explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Visit the Sydney Opera House and travel to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s botanic gardens for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor and Harbour Bridge. Next, visit world-famous Bondi Beach with time to explore on your own. Return to Sydney and enjoy a cruise on Sydney Harbour to see some of the city’s best views.
Breakfast Breakfast

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEM The Sydney Opera House is one of the most well-known buildings in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building was designed by Jorn Utzon, a Danish architect, and was finally completed in 1973, after sixteen years of construction, at a cost of over $100 million dollars. You’ll enjoy a private guided tour of the Opera House and see its interiors and theaters. Hear untold stories, be awed by the acoustics, and learn the history and future of this amazing hall beneath the sails.

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Day 19

SYDNEY Sights & Bites Enjoy a full day at leisure. Tonight, join your Tour Director and fellow travel companions for a festive farewell dinner.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Join an optional excursion to Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge for amazing views of the city and harbour below or walk in the footsteps of Australia’s early convicts, mischievous gangs, and locals of the past on the Rocks District Pub tour. These and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.

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Day 20

SYDNEY Until We Meet Again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Sydney and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase.
Breakfast Breakfast

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 Tour Director

With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

JENNIFER PULLMAN

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

" I have dedicated most of my life to exploring our beautiful planet and love nothing more than to share my love and passion of travel with others. I meet so many wonderful people through my role as Tour Director and feel privileged to be able to share Australia & New Zealand's beauty, diversity, bringing amazing places to life and sharing my knowledge through storytelling and a great sense of humor."

Tour Director -  JENNIFER PULLMAN

JULIET HUDSON

Escorting tours for more than 15 years

" Passionate about sharing the best of what Australia and New Zealand has to offer and ensuring that each of our guests experience the trip of a lifetime is why I love being a Tour Director. I enjoy finding ways to showcase and immerse our guests in the destinations we visit, bringing the itinerary to life, and adding special touches with "meet the locals" experiences, morning "power walks," "local wine tastings," and "where to eat" menu boards. I love sharing my destination knowledge and helping guests, with beaming smiles on their faces, make wonderful holiday memories."

Tour Director -  JULIET HUDSON

LEONIE BROOKS

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

" I have been guiding for over 20 years and have a passion for revealing the hidden delights of our country to those who are local or from overseas.  These can be relation to our indigenous culture, our landscape and the people. There is so much to see and to learn about, but more importantly, it is the ability to stop and soak in what is happening around us that I enjoy most. There is something for everyone!"

Tour Director -  LEONIE BROOKS

IVY YANG

Escorting tours for more than 10 years

" Originally from Taiwan. I've called Australia home for 20 years. A certified Australian Tour Guide since 2012, a Tour Director since 2015, and an accredited Kakadu National Park and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park tour guide since 2017. I have managed in excess of over 60 extended tours to destinations throughout Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. The most memorable parts of a journey are often those heartfelt moments we share with our guests, the unexpected adventures we encounter, the stories we hear, experience and learn along our journey, and the people we meet. The same itinerary could be done a thousand times but each will be unique in its own way."

Tour Director -  IVY YANG

 Accommodations

MELBOURNE

THE SAVOY HOTEL ON LITTLE COLLINS

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

HOBART

THE OLD WOOLSTORE HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

ADELAIDE

MAJESTIC ROOF GARDEN HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

GHAN TRAIN

THE GHAN TRAIN - ALICE SPRINGS TO DARWIN

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

ALICE SPRINGS

CROWNE PLAZA ALICE SPRINGS LASSETERS

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

ULURU

DESERT GARDENS HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

DARWIN

HILTON DARWIN

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

CAIRNS

PULLMAN CAIRNS INTERNATIONAL

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

SYDNEY

SYDNEY HARBOUR MARRIOTT

Hotel as shown or similar
Deluxe
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus).
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