South East Escape Rail & Sail 2026

Overview

Indian Pacific

From the mountains to the sparkling coast, discover a world of wonders as you travel between these two great cities.

Make your way from the Festival City of Adelaide to the renowned Harbour City of Sydney, stopping in the Silver City of Broken Hill and the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains area.

Grand Princess

With an atmosphere of comfortable elegance, tantalizing dining options and dazzling entertainment, your stay on board Grand Princess will be anything but ordinary. Relax at The Sanctuary, a tranquil haven reserved for adults, enjoy Movies Under the Stars® poolside or dine on tantalizing cuisine at venues like Crown Grill and more.

Great Southern 

Australians know their unique summer deserves to be celebrated – and that’s just what a Great Southern journey is all about. Departing Brisbane, you’ll travel south into the rolling hills of New South Wales before indulging in an incredible beachside dining experience in Coffs Harbour. Meander through the historic vineyards of the Hunter Valley or explore beautiful Port Stephens by land or sea, before heading towards regional Victoria and Melbourne. Enjoy a mixture of relaxing time on train and immersive Off Train Experiences, as you journey toward your final destination of Adelaide.

Inclusions

Indian Pacific

• 3 days / 2 nights aboard the Indian Pacific, travelling from Adelaide to Sydney in a Gold Twin cabin
• An exclusive pre-boarding event in Adelaide, including a gourmet dinner and world-class wine
• All-inclusive meals, fine wines, and beverages
• A regionally-inspired menu paired with a selection of local wines
• Off Train Experience in Broken Hill and the Blue Mountains

Upgrade to Platinum from $3,200pp

Cruise Inclusions

• 2 night cruise from Sydney to Brisbane onboard Grand Princess
• Breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner daily
• Room Service
• Broadway style nightly entertainment & comedy shows
• MedallionClass Experience
• Taxes and government fees

Cruise upgrade options

Upgrade from $65pp per day - Princess Plus 

• Wi-Fi (1 device per guest)
• Plus Beverage Package - including beverages up to the value of $22 per drink – includes unlimited juice bar
• Premium desserts (2 per day)
• Fitness classes (2 per cruise)
• NEW OceanNow® & Room Service Delivery
• NEW Casual dining meals (2 per cruise)

Savings of 60%!

Upgrade from $100pp per day - Princess Premier package

• Premier Beverage Package – including beverages up to the value of $30 per drink  includes unlimited juice bar
• Unlimited Specialty dining meals (NEW!)
• Multi-Device Wi-Fi (4 devices per guest)
• Premium desserts (unlimited)
• Fitness classes (unlimited)
• Photo Package
• Medallion Accessory
• Reserved Theatre Seating
• NEW OceanNow & Room Service Delivery
• NEW Casual dining meals (Unlimited)

Savings of 70%!

Great Southern

• 3 nights aboard the Great Southern, travelling from Brisbane to Adelaide in a Gold Twin Cabin
• All-inclusive meals, fine wines and beverages
• A regionally-inspired menu paired with a selection of local wines
• Off Train Experiences at Coffs Harbour, the Hunter Valley Region, regional Victoria and Melbourne
• Enjoy a unique beachside dinner at Coffs Harbour, feasting on local produce and fresh seafood matched with fine wines
• Taste wines from the Hunter Valley, explore Port Stephens’ sun-soaked beaches and beautiful waterways, or take a walk through Newcastle
• Venture into Melbourne for a day spent exploring the city, or wine and dine in the beautiful Moorabool Valley

Upgrade to Platinum from $3,400pp

Itinerary

7-Dec-26
Celebrate the start of your journey with an exclusive "Flavours of South Australia Welcome Dinner", held at the Adelaide Parklands Terminal, showcasing fabulous food and world-class wine, this dinner promises to deliver the best bottles from around South Australia and sublime regional offerings from both land and sea.

After dinner, you'll be welcomed aboard the Indian Pacific where you will settle into your cabin, or head to the lounge for a night-cap as you begin your journey towards Sydney. (D)

8-Dec-26
Crossing the border during the night, you'll wake up in Broken Hill, New South Wales. Enjoy a hearty breakfast, ready for the day's activities in the Silver City.

You'll have a choice of Off Train

Experiences, including guided history, art and cultural experiences that showcase the highlights of Australia's first heritage-listed city.

Returning to the train for lunch, admire the scenery as the Indian Pacific travels through regional New South Wales.

Tonight, dinner is served on board as you make the most of your final night exploring Australia by train. (B,L,D)

9-Dec-26
The Blue Mountains is known for its soaring sandstone ridges wrapped in native flora. This World Heritage-listed area marks your final stop before arriving in Sydney. Say goodbye to the Indian Pacific after breakfast, to travel deep into the mountains for this afternoon's Off Train Experiences.

Scenic World includes four phenomenal mountain experiences, from the Scenic Skyway, which takes you over ancient ravines, with 360-degree vistas to the Scenic Cableway that glides over the forest to the valley floor and the Scenic Railway, the steepest passenger railway in the world. Alternatively, stretch your legs on a guided walk with spectacular views from numerous lookouts along the trail. Both experiences end at Echo Point Lookout, perched on the edge of the escarpment in Katoomba, where a light lunch is served.

Complete your journey on our chartered New South Wales rail service (fully hosted by your Indian Pacific train crew) into Sydney Central Station. (B,L)

Make your way to the rail terminal to board the Grand Princess to start your cruise

10-Dec-26      
At Sea

11-Dec-26      
Disembark the Grand Princess in Brisbane and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure staying overnight

12-Dec-26
Enjoy an overnight stay in Brisbane

13-Dec-26
Enjoy an overnight stay in Brisbane

14-Dec-26
Your East Coast journey begins at Hanworth House in East Brisbane, where you'll check in and be welcomed at a celebratory gathering. After setting off from Brisbane on the Great Southern, savour lunch on board and spend a relaxing afternoon settling into your cabin before arriving at the coastal town of Coffs Harbour. As the sun dips beneath the horizon, enjoy drinks and canapes on the beach at Charlesworth Bay before a unique outdoor dinner - as long as the weather allows - where you'll feast on local produce and fresh seafood paired with fine wines. Listen to the waves lapping at the nearby shore as the backing track for a live band playing the classics. After a few leisurely hours, you'll reboard the train and set off for your first night on board. (L,D)

15-Dec-26
Start the day with a hearty breakfast on board before setting off on your choice of Off Train Experiences. You may choose to meander through the picturesque, historic vineyards of the Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest wine region.

Known for Semillon and Shiraz, here you'll spend the day amongst the vines, visiting Tulloch and Brokenwood Wines. After your wine tastings, you'll sit down for a platter-style lunch featuring local produce at Twine Restaurant. If you'd prefer to take to the skies, treat yourself to an optional upgrade with a Hunter Valley helicopter flight that soars over the rolling green hills, showcasing the best of the wine region and beyond.

Other options include exploring Port Stephens by land or sea. On the land tour, you'll drive along and into the largest mobile sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, in a 4WD vehicle. You'll stop to admire your surrounds and drive to the top of a dune to take in the incredible views - you may even choose to sandboard down. On the water tour, you'll be dazzled by the turquoise water as you soak up the stunning coastline from a relaxed boat cruise. You may be lucky enough to spot dolphins along the way. Whether by land or sea, after your Port Stephens adventure, you'll enjoy a relaxed lunch at Nelson Bay Golf Club before returning to the train in the afternoon.

Alternatively, explore Newcastle and discover the vibrant mix of old and new in the beautiful coastal city with a fun and insightful guided walking tour. After lunch at Scratchleys on the Wharf, spend an hour at your leisure embracing everything Newcastle has to offer, and late afternoon, return to the train along with the rest of the guests to enjoy a regionally inspired meal and relaxing time on board before retiring for the night. (B,L,D)

16-Dec-26
After a leisurely breakfast on board as you travel through Victoria's high country, you'll again have a choice of Off Train Experiences.

Victoria is well-known for its excellent food and wine scene, which is on show at Clyde Park in the Moorabool Valley. Clyde Park is a beautiful vineyard, cellar door and bistro set among rolling hills. Here, you'll enjoy a long lunch and sample cool-climate wines while being entertained on

the glorious lawns.

Alternatively, opt to visit cosmopolitan Melbourne to find out why it's considered the cultural and sporting capital of Australia.

Explore the highlights of the lan Potter Centre at

NGV Australia, home of Australian art or opt to check out the "Cats & Dogs" exhibition featuring more than 250 works of art and design exploring humanity's deep connection to these animals.

Visit the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on an insightful tour with an Melbourne Cricket Club member, where you'|l be regaled with the highs and lows of sporting history. If you're a history buff, head to the Old Melbourne Gaol, which, from 1842 until its closure in 1929, was the scene of 133 hangings, including Australia's most infamous citizen, Bushranger Ned Kelly.

Having worked up an appetite, visit Melbourne Skydeck, taking in the soaring views 88 floors above sea level, and then ascend one more floor to Eureka 89, where you'll dine on a beautifully curated menu showcasing local and seasonal produce. After lunch, you'll make your way back to the train to continue your journey south.

(S,L,D)

17-Dec-26
Catch the morning light over regional South Australia. Sit back and enjoy your final breakfast on board before arriving into Adelaide. (B)

Dates/Prices

Advertised pricing is based on per person twin share. Cruise pricing is based on Princess Standard fare. Indian Pacific is based on Gold Twin advanced purchase fare, upgrades are available. Correct as of 14 November 2024