Board Royal Princess® for a cruise up and down the Queensland coast, hitting highlights including the Whitsundays, the Daintree Rainforest, and the Great Barrier Reef. After time to explore the Harbour City and Blue Mountains, board the Indian Pacific. This is a journey of contrasts, with spectacular coastlines, pristine beaches, and the vast expanse of the Nullarbor Plain, demonstrating Australia’s diverse landscapes.
Day 01
BOARD THE ROYAL PRINCESS® IN SYDNEY
Make your way to the Cruise Terminal and board the Royal Princess ®, ready to truly light up the seas, serving up tantalising cuisine, dazzling live entertainment, and enriching experiences. Relax in The Sanctuary~, a tranquil haven reserved for adults, or put your feet up at Movies Under the Stars (TM) – whatever you decide to do, your time onboard will be unforgettable. (D)
OVERNIGHT: 10 nights Royal Princess®
Day 02
ROYAL PRINCESS®, AT SEA
Familiarise yourself with the layout of the ship today. A variety of everyday dining venues are available including The Trident Grill, Horizon Court, International Café, and Prego Pizzeria. Choose from specialty restaurants~ Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Crown Grill, and the Chef’s Table Experience. (B,L,D)
Day 03
ROYAL PRINCESS®, AT SEA
Relax in one of the lounges, read a good book or visit The Sanctuary~, an exclusive adults-only retreat offering a relaxing alternative to the myriad outdoor activities and entertainment available elsewhere on the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 04
ROYAL PRINCESS®, AIRLIE BEACH
(Water Shuttle Required, Wheelchair Access Limited)
Airlie Beach is your gateway to the Whitsunday Archipelago. These 74 islands feature pristine fringing reefs, calm, lagoon-like waters, and superb beaches. The archipelago is one of Australia’s premier playgrounds. B,L,D)
Day 05
ROYAL PRINCESS®, YORKEYS KNOB (CAIRNS)
(Water Shuttle Required, Wheelchair Access Limited)
The picturesque town of Yorkeys Knob, dominated by its dramatic headland, is your gateway to Cairns – one of Australia’s hottest vacation destinations. Cairns boasts three of Australia’s great natural wonders. Just offshore, immense bastions of living coral form the Great Barrier Reef. Sixteen miles of superb beaches stretch to the north of the city – the famed Marlin Coast. Inland lays the ancient rainforest of Daintree National Park. (B,L,D)
Day 06
ROYAL PRINCESS®, PORT DOUGLAS
(Water Shuttle Required, Wheelchair Access Limited)
Located between the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas provides a perfect gateway to hardy adventurers enroute to rainforest and reef. (B,L,D)
Day 07
ROYAL PRINCESS®, WILLIS ISLAND (SCENIC CRUISING)
Willis Island is one of several tropical islands sitting beyond the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea Islands Territory and is surrounded by thriving reefs where many creatures make their homes. Numbering into the thousands, Willis Island caters to many species of seabirds, including Masked, Brown and Red-footed Boobies that cry out nearly 24 hours a day. It is also an important nesting ground for turtles. Please note Willis Island is a scenic cruising site. Ships will slowly travel past while a knowledgeable port lecturer points out significant sites you’ll be able to see from onboard. (B,L,D)
Day 08
ROYAL PRINCESS®, AT SEA
Today is yours to enjoy. Take some time to relax and revitalise with a dip in one of the freshwater pools or hot tubs. Enjoy the sea breeze as you soak up the sun in a padded lounger with a good book, listen to music, or dream about your next adventure. (B,L,D)
Brisbane, the capital of Queensland is in the Sunshine State and boasts over 280 days of sunshine per year Brisbane is known for its laid back and friendly atmosphere, sophisticated art galleries and museums, beautiful botanic gardens, and Moreton Bay.
The Brisbane River, which flows through the city, gives you great access to both north and south via the famous CityCats. (B,L,D)
Day 10
ROYAL PRINCESS®, AT SEA
Visit the shops of Princess for the last chance to pick up some keepsakes and souvenirs. Enjoy a musical production, dabble in the casino~, or simply relax in a lounge, sipping one last co*cktail~ as you enjoy your final full day at sea on board the Royal Princess®. (B,L,D)
Day 11
ROYAL PRINCESS®, SYDNEY
As your ship passes Harbour Heads, you are presented with the shimmering skyline of Sydney – hailed by many seafarers as “the most beautiful harbour in the world.” Two prominent landmarks, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the sail-like curves of the Sydney Opera House grace the backdrop of this picturesque Harbour.
Farewell the Royal Princess® this morning as you disembark upon arrival into Sydney. After you are transferred to your accommodation, the rest of the day is at your leisure to discover the many attractions of this buzzing city (B)
OVERNIGHT: 5 nights Swissotel Sydney
Day 12
SYDNEY, LEISURE DAY
Ample time to explore the harbour city from the CBD to Chinatown, Manly to Newtown, or Barangaroo to Darling Harbour. There are plenty of diverse sights, flavours and experiences to take in, including museums, galleries, aquariums, gardens and more. (B)
Day 13
SYDNEY, LEISURE DAY
Continue your exploration of all that Sydney has to offer. (B)
Day 14
BLUE MOUNTAINS
Depart Sydney to explore this million-acre World Heritage-listed area from an insider’s perspective – from secluded lookouts, rainforest bush tracks and pristine valleys. Learn local stories and legends about aboriginal culture. Short guided bushwalks are of around 10-45 minutes duration (weather permitting) and may be on some uneven surfaces and steps in the National Park. (B)
Day 15
SYDNEY HARBOUR LUNCH CRUISE
Experience one of the world’s most iconic cities on an all-inclusive lunch cruise on an exclusive 78ft luxury vessel, Spirit of Migloo. Enjoy a premium two-course menu featuring regionally sourced ingredients. Departing Darling Harbour, we cruise towards Sydney Harbour Bridge and pass the iconic Sydney cityscape and Sydney Opera House. We believe lunch should be a long, lavish affair, so expect a generous al a carte meal inspired by local and regional produce, paired with a selection of beers, wines from some of the finest wine-producing regions in New South Wales, soft drinks and tea or coffee. (B,L)
Day 16
BOARD THE INDIAN PACIFIC IN SYDNEY
Feel the excitement build as you arrive at Sydney Central Station to begin your epic adventure on board the Indian Pacific. The anticipation as you settle into your first evening on board, enjoying the fabulous food, wine, service, and social atmosphere of this much-loved rail journey. (D)
OVERNIGHT: 3 nights Indian Pacific
Day 17
INDIAN PACIFIC, BROKEN HILL AND ADELAIDE
As you wake, prepare for your first Off Train Experience in Broken Hill, exploring the beauty of the Silver City. Discover its mining history or the artistic culture that abounds in the area. Back on board enjoy breakfast as you approach the southern tip of the Flinders Ranges, and the train weaves its way into Adelaide. Here, you’ll have more afternoon Off Train Experiences to choose from before returning to the train. (B,L,D)
Day 18
INDIAN PACIFIC, NULLARBOR PLAIN
Today, wake up and marvel at the barren beauty of the Nullarbor Plain. Taking its name from the Latin meaning ‘no trees’, the ancient plain conjures a sense of limitless space and time, making this journey all about those amazing outback views as you cross this famous stretch of the Australian interior. Dinner this evening is under an outback sky (weather permitting) on the edge of the country’s largest sheep station at Rawlinna. (B,L,D)
Day 19
INDIAN PACIFIC, PERTH
Watch the delightful Avon Valley pass by as the final stage of your transcontinental crossing unfolds before disembarking in Perth where your epic ocean and rail journey comes to an end. (B)
