The 2023 Australia & New Zealand Discovery by Land, Rail & Sea

regional and premium class flights may be available on request

Upon arrival, transfer to a 4★ hotel for your two night stay

One of the most geographically isolated cities in the world, Perth is a relaxed, clean and friendly hub. The capital of Western Australia, it sits beside the Swan River and offers picture postcard scenery and a myriad of attractions. A few minutes from the CBD is the distinctive copper and glass Swan Bell Tower, where 18 bells fill the air with their melodic ringing. Across the water, Perth Zoo educates visitors about conservation, while the WACA ground is a must-see for cricket fans. Head to the Perth Cultural Centre for the state ballet and opera companies, a theatre, library, art galleries and the Western Australian Museum.

After breakfast, you will be met and transferred to the train station to board the Indian Pacific for an unforgettable 3-night journey through the picturesque landscapes between Perth, Adelaide and Sydney. Depart Perth in the mid-morning and enjoy a modern Australian lunch as you head through the breath-taking hills of the Avon Valley.

Enjoy an afternoon of relaxing on board before an Off Train Experience in the township of Kalgoorlie this evening.

Rise this morning to the desert landscape of the Nullarbor Plain to witness the spectacular sunrise. Enjoy an Off Train Experience to the ghost town of Cook, once the bustling Nullarbor railway community. Next, relax onboard as you glide across the world’s longest single stretch of railway before a sumptuous dinner onboard this evening. (B,L,D)

Arrive in Adelaide today where you have a choice of the following Off Train Experiences - a walking tour (seasonal), a behind-the-scenes tour of the world-famous Adelaide Oval, or a city tour by coach. (B,L,D)

Rise this morning in the breath-taking Blue Mountains and take in the scenery as you travel towards Sydney (B,L)

Upon arrival into Sydney, disembark the train and transfer to a 4★ hotel for your three night stay

Explore Sydney at your leisure. One of the world's most cosmopolitan cities, Sydney offers a plethora of attractions. Visit the iconic Sydney Opera House for a behind-the-scenes tour, scale Sydney Tower to survey the city from on high, or people watch at legendary Bondi Beach (B)

Transfer to the port and embark Caribbean Princess for your full board 14 night voyage

From the Sydney Opera House to Bondi Beach, man and Mother Nature contribute in equal measure to this splendid city.

Boasting stunning art, a vibrant music scene and excellent food, wine and coffee, it’s little wonder that Melbourne regularly tops ‘most liveable city’ rankings.

Burnie’s long-running logging industry is just one hint at the amazing forests that surround the town, from the UNESCO World Heritage area that contains Tasmania’s most famous crag—Cradle Mountain—to the lesser-known rain forests of the Tarkine wilderness. Woodworkers, papermakers and print artists thrive in this misty land of trees, as does rare wildlife, ranging from wedge-tailed eagles to echidnas and the fabled Tasmanian devils. There’s pristine beachfront, too, where little penguins march and well-to-do locals dine on seafood platters as they gaze off into Bass Strait. Tasmania's separation from mainland Australia has created a resourceful, self-reliant and sometimes rebellious community that cooks and farms as well as it crafts and explores. Burnie's bounty includes award-winning single-malt whiskeys, hard apple cider, trout and salmon, hormone-free milk and cheeses and beef from Cape Grim in the far northwest. Known for having the world’s cleanest air, Burnie is an exciting base for a taste tour as well as a rugged or refined adventure.

Fifteen dramatic fjords are protected within this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the spectacular Milford, Dusky and Doubtful Sounds.

Every year, visitors flock to New Zealand in search of landscapes straight out of Middle Earth. They find what they're looking for in Fiordland National Park, on the southwestern coast of the South Island. This stunning 12,000-square-kilometer (4,633-square-mile) park encompasses mountains, lakes, fjords and rain forests. The area was once the home of Maori hunters; later, European whalers established small settlements here. But mostly, this region has seen a notable lack of human activity—the steep peaks and wet landscape deterred all but the hardiest people. That changed around the end of the 19th century, when travelers discovered the beautiful scenery of Fiordland. The national park was formally established in 1952. Countless plant and animal species find a haven here. Among the park's rare birds is the flightless takahe, thought for decades to be extinct until it was spotted in the area in 1948. The natural wonders continue offshore: Seals, dolphins and whales frequent these waters.

Much of New Zealand feels like England, by way of Polynesia. There are a few exceptions, though, such as the town of Akaroa, a former French settlement, and the distinctly Scottish city of Dunedin, named after the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh. After Dunedin was founded in 1848, city surveyor Charles Kettle attempted to impose Edinburgh's New Town grid plan on the growing city. But the Otago Peninsula's hilly landscape proved challenging—for evidence, note that Dunedin has one of the world's steepest streets (Baldwin Street). The volcanic remnants around the harbor make for a dramatic backdrop. Dunedin's prominence during the gold rush in the late 19th century resulted in many grand Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Thanks to the beautiful University of Otago (the country's oldest), there's a large student population to keep the city vibrant and modern. But Dunedin's heritage is always proudly on display: The magnificent Dunedin Railway Station and Larnach Castle have been restored to their full glory, and the fascinating Toitu Otago Settlers Museum provides a glimpse into the lives of early residents. Outside the city, the Otago Peninsula is lined with scenic beaches and home to rare birdlife like the royal albatross and yellow-eyed penguin.

Strolling along the city’s hilly streets and past its Edwardian and Victorian buildings and green spaces, you might not guess that Timaru was built on the lava flows of a now-extinct but vividly named volcano, Mount Horrible. Timaru’s own name comes from the Maori Te Maru, which means \"place of shelter.\" Chief among Timaru’s charms are its parks and gardens. As if the backdrop of the Southern Alps wasn't enough, a rose garden, boardwalk and beach also enliven the already beautiful waterfront of Caroline Bay, named for a 19th-century whaling ship. Up the hill, the scenic reserve of Centennial Park offers picturesque picnic spots and walking and biking trails. Timaru showcases New Zealand and Maori culture at the stellar Aigantighe Art Gallery and South Canterbury Museum. (If you have time to venture beyond Timaru and are interested in learning about the area's truly ancient history, the fascinating Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre, about half an hour outside the city, exhibits rock art made by early Maori settlers more than 700 years ago.)

Set in the upper reaches of Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton is perfect in every way: climate, scenery, outdoor adventure. Gateway to the largest grape-growing and wine-producing region of New Zealand. Sample shore excursions: A Taste of Picton; The Wines of Marlborough; Queen Charlotte Sound Kayaking.

New Zealand’s capital city is a veritable hotspot of food, fun and culture situated in one of the planet’s most beautiful countries.

A city of vision, rebuilt in the striking, clean style of art deco after a devastating earthquake in 1931 and reinvented as a center for gourmet food and wines. Sample shore excursions: Napier Art Deco Highlights; Cape Kidnappers Gannet Safari; Hawke's Bay Wineries; A Taste of New Zealand:: Epicurean Experience at Sileni Estates.

Site of fierce Maori wars, Tauranga today is a peaceful city in the heart of kiwifruit-growing country. Farther afield: Rotorua, with its spouting geysers and bubbling mud pools, the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves and nocturnal kiwi houses. Sample shore excursions: Fascinating Rotorua; Longridge Park & Jetboat Ride; Maori Marae Visit.

Stretched over a volcanic field on New Zealand's North Island is multicultural Auckland. The country's largest city, this thriving hub offers everything you would expect.

Transfer to a 4★ hotel for your two night stay

Stretched over a volcanic field on New Zealand's North Island is multicultural Auckland. The country's largest city, this thriving hub offers everything you would expect - enchanting scenery at every turn, fascinating Maori heritage and friendly locals. The urban centre occupies a narrow isthmus between two harbours, while the outer region boasts beautiful beaches, fertile farmlands and rainforest-covered hills. One of the best ways to appreciate Auckland's amazing vistas is from the 328m tall Sky Tower which offers impressive 360-degree views of the city. (B)

regional and premium class flights may be available on request