Perth to Adelaide train holiday: wine and wildlife

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Perth
• 1 night Pemberton
• 2 nights Albany
• 2 nights Margaret River
• 1 night Fremantle
• 2 nights on the Indian Pacific Train
• 2 nights Adelaide
• 2 nights Barossa Valley
• 3 nights Kangaroo Island
• 1 night Adelaide

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Perth

On arrival in Perth you will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel, checking in for two nights.

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel    

Day 3: Perth

Start your holiday with a couple of days to enjoy Perth. Today is yours to enjoy the city at your leisure - we’ve included a 90-minute walking tour of Karrgatup (Kings Park) where you’ll learn about the area’s intriguing past and spiritual significance to Noongar People. Start your experience with the Noongar welcome and ochre ceremony before hearing a Dreamtime story, traditional songs and Noongar language against the backdrop of modern-day Perth.

Included: Karrgatup (Kings Park) walking tour, 4* hotel             

Day 4: Perth to Pemberton

Pick up your hire car this morning and head south towards Pemberton. Why not stop for lunch in Bunbury - you could head out on a cruise, looking for dolphins in the blue sea, or even swim with these incredible creatures if you’d like! On arrival in Pemberton, you’ll check into your hotel for one night, before heading out to explore the leafy landscapes in this beautiful area. Make sure you visit the remarkable Gloucester Tree just outside the little town. Once used as a fire lookout, this incredible tree offers panoramic views over the forests below. Karri trees are the third tallest in the world, and the climb up is not for the faint-hearted but worth it for such a unique experience. Enjoy the local area where there are lots of walking trails and tracks to explore while looking out for rare birds including the elusive red-tailed black cockatoos. There are also lots of delicious food and drink suppliers in this verdant area of WA, from truffle farms and apple orchards to boutique wineries and breweries.

Included: Hire car, 3* hotel        

Day 5: Pemberton to Albany

This morning, you’ll drive over to Albany, along the coastal road. We’d recommend spending the day exploring the region around Denmark and Williams Bay – this whole area is full of vineyards and breweries that are just waiting to be explored – why not have a mooch through some of the nicest ones before stopping for a woodfired pizza for lunch with views over the wineries? It’s also a spectacular area of the coast – both Elephant Rocks and Greens Pool are stunning beaches with shallow bays to float in and enormous boulders from which you can leap into the water.

Included: Hire car, 4* hotel        

Day 6: Albany

Today is yours to explore the interesting town of Albany. Spend the morning at the National ANZAC Centre, the museum that celebrates Australia and New Zealand’s military history. It’s fascinating place, with most of the exhibits about WWI and the role the ANZACs played in Gallipoli. The museum has huge windows that overlook the Frenchman’s Bay, where hundreds of ships were gathered in 1914, taking soldiers off to war. The museum has a clever system – when you arrive you are given a card with a real soldier on it, who experienced the war. As you go around and learn about different things, you can scan your card and learn how the war unfolded for that particular man.

In the afternoon, why not drive out to Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Explore Little Beach, a beautiful cove tucked away on the east coast. The beach itself is relatively secluded already but if you walk to the end and follow a little path, you will come to an even more secret beach with perfect warm waters for a swim.

Included: Hire car, 4* hotel        

Day 7: Albany to Margaret River

Head back east today as you drive towards Margaret River. Make sure you stop in at the Valley of the Giants. This treetop walk takes you up into the canopy of the vast tingle trees that cover this area – it’s a magical walk through the dappled sunlight under the rustling leaves above. It’s a spectacular drive towards Margaret River and when you arrive, settle in at a local restaurant for a cold glass of wine while the sun sets.

Included: Hire car, 4* hotel        

Day 8: Margaret River

With over 120 wine producers and countless breweries and restaurants, the Margaret River region is ‘foodie’ heaven! Snack on crayfish straight from the ocean, try Australia’s finest wines at one of the cellar doors and try artisan cheeses at the farmers' markets. The scenery here is breath-taking, and the coastline is spectacular, making it the perfect spot to go hiking or diving. If you want to explore a little further, nearby Eagle Bay is a great place to snorkel while Cosy Corner Beach boasts fantastic sunsets over the ocean. There are several caves in the region that you can explore – Jewell Cave is one of our favourites. We also recommend a visit to the lighthouses at Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste.

Included: Hire car, 4* hotel  

Day 9: Margaret River to Fremantle

Leave Margaret River behind and head north towards Perth. Make sure you drop in at Bussleton, home to the second longest jetty in the world with an underwater observatory at the end. By the afternoon, you’ll arrive back into Fremantle, a beachy suburb of Perth, where you’ll drop off your hire car. Sip cold ales at Little Creatures Brewery, shop for souvenirs in Fremantle Market, tour the World Heritage Fremantle Gaol and take a ride on the famous Ferris wheel in Esplanade Park.

Included: Hire car, 4* hotel        

Day 10: Board the Indian Pacific

Check out of your hotel and head to East Perth railway station to board the legendary Indian Pacific for your expedition across the desert to Adelaide – it’s the longest stretch of straight railway track in the world! Your meals, drinks and off-train excursions are all included, and you’ll stay in a well-appointed private sleeper cabin with ensuite facilities. Watch as the ever-changing views glide past and get ready for your first off-train excursion in the wild west town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

Included: Gold Twin Cabin & lunch/dinner/excursions

Day 11: Onboard the Indian Pacific

You’ll wake up to views of desert landscapes as you cross the Nullarbor Plain. After breakfast, there’s a stop in the now virtually deserted town of Cook – you’re definitely in the middle of nowhere here! After a short tour where you’ll learn of the history of this once bustling town, you’ll hop back on the train. Once back onboard, you’ll enjoy the hospitality while watching the ever-changing landscape, and be sure to keep an eye out for the local wildlife.

Included: Gold Twin Cabin & all meals/excursions          

Day 12: Arrive Adelaide

This morning, the desert views will be replaced by the rolling South Australia countryside, and you’ll arrive in Adelaide bright and early. You’ll be met and taken to your hotel to drop off your luggage. The rest of the day is at leisure so you can explore.

Included: Gold Twin Cabin & breakfast, 4* hotel               

Day 13: Adelaide

With two days to explore this friendly city, you’ll be spoiled for choice on how to spend your time. Why not head to the Oval to visit the iconic cricket ground – you can even walk along the roof if you choose on the iconic Roofclimb – if you’d like us to book this, just ask! Wander through the heritage architecture of Adelaide Central Market, stroll through the Art Gallery of South Australia or visit the National Wine Centre to taste some local vintages. We’ve included a short walking tour with a born-and-raised local, Katina, who will give you an orientation of the city, teaching a little about Adelaide’s history and showing off the best shopping areas and food spots.             

Included: Walking tour, 4* hotel              

Day 14: Adelaide to Barossa

This morning you’ll pick up your hire car and drive to the Barossa Valley, a verdant wine region just north of Adelaide. Spend the afternoon relaxing in your boutique hotel, which has views over the estate vineyard or head out to visit some of the other local wineries.             

Included: Hire car, 4* hotel        

Day 15: Barossa Valley

 Today we’ve included a trip through some local vineyards. The day will be very wine focussed, including tastings at 4 boutique wineries and a sensational restaurant lunch. You’ll be visiting smaller vineyards but if you have any specific requests, it might be possible to be flexible with the itinerary. If you want something completely private that visits vineyards specific to your wine taste, we can build that too – just ask.     

Included: Hire car, Barossa wine tour, 4* hotel  

Day 16: Fly to Kangaroo Island

After breakfast, you’ll drive back to Adelaide and drop your hire car at the airport before boarding the short flight to Kingscote in Kangaroo Island. On arrival in Kangaroo Island, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel, the Stranraer Homestead. Enjoy a delicious homecooked dinner and head to bed ready to explore Kangaroo Island tomorrow!

Included: Hire car, internal flight, transfers, dinner, 4* hotel      

Day 17: Kangaroo Island    

After breakfast, get an introduction to friendly island life, where drivers wave as they go by and every cup of tea comes with a homemade cake. Take a walk down a country track through tall Eucalyptus trees where koalas snooze overhead, or perhaps wake briefly for a feed. Travel through some of the island’s best farming country to the North Coast and Lathami Conservation Park. Walk quietly through the bush with your guide - look for wallabies which are almost extinct on the mainland, and a kangaroo found only on Kangaroo Island. Break for lunch and enjoy a delicious meal featuring local seafood, fresh salads and fine South Australian wines at a private bush location.

At Seal Bay Conservation Park walk with your guide among Australian sealions on a beautiful sandy beach. Watch pups nursing, or playing in the surf, see old bulls bearing the scars of territorial disputes and learn about their unique breeding biology. The remainder of the afternoon is spent exploring more of the southeast region of the Island with destinations and experiences chosen to reflect seasonal opportunities. Head back to Stranraer Homestead for another sensational dinner.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, shared touring, 4* hotel   

Day 18: Kangaroo Island

After breakfast, you’ll head off towards Flinders Chase National Park - a vast wilderness covering the entire west end of the Island. This unique area is home to kangaroos, wallabies, possums, goannas, echidnas, koalas, platypus and many birds. You’ll visit Cape du Couedic, a fur seal colony which now has over 20,000 after being decimated by hunting in the early 1800’s. These animals can be observed at rest on the rocks or frolicking in the surf under Admirals Arch - a spectacular coastal grotto. On the headland above is a beautiful stone lighthouse where three light keepers and their families lived, maintaining a warning for ships. With no road access until 1940 life was tough - supplies came by sea only every 3 months. Another impressive stone structure had a different architect. The Remarkable Rocks, huge natural granite sculptures, have been carved by relentless winds, rain and salt from the Southern Ocean. The end result looks like a meeting of the minds of Henri Moore and Salvador Dali! Good wines and local produce features highly in our picnic lunch which we can enjoy out in the bush before exploring more of the Island. Depending upon the season, the afternoon might include a visit to “Grassdale” in the heart of Kelly Hill Conservation Park, the secluded pools of the Rocky River or a rugged South Coast cove. Spend another evening discussing your adventures and tucking into a delicious and well-deserved dinner.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, shared touring, 4* hotel  

Day 19: Fly to Adelaide

After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to the airport for the short flight back to Adelaide. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Adelaide – why not head to the beach suburb of Glenelg to relax on the sand and soak up the Aussie vibes on your final day in Australia.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, 4* hotel

Day 20:  Depart Adelaide

This morning you’ll be driven back to the airport in time for your flight home.

Included: Transfers, international flights            

Day 21: Arrive UK