Australia

The Must-sees of the trip

1. Sydney, a cosmopolitan cityWell-rested and invigorated, you’ll be captivated by Sydney’s charm on your city tour. You’ll admire the interior and exterior of the world-famous White Opera House, before immersing yourself in the colourful hustle and bustle of the narrow streets of the Old Town, in the shadow of Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Rocks district. On a harbour cruise, you’ll discover Australia’s metropolis from surprising perspectives. What other major city can boast 94 beaches? You’ll pass through the exclusive residential suburbs of Double Bay and Rose Bay to reach the most famous beach of all: Bondi Beach, a crescent-shaped beach with white sand, is one of the world’s best-known surf spots. To round off this fantastic day, you’ll enjoy an atmospheric dinner cruise.
2. Blue MountainsThe Blue Mountains are over 250 million years old! Sandstone formations ranging from ochre to pink, a sight more spectacular than the last! With a little imagination, you’ll recognize the special trio of rocks as Three Sisters turned to stone, locked away by their father to protect them from a water spirit. So says an Aboriginal legend. Next, another extraordinary experience awaits you: your journey on the incredibly steep Katoomba Scenic Railway in the Jamison Gorge. This 310 metre long narrow-gauge funicular is the steepest inclined lift in the world, with a gradient of up to 64 degrees. The funicular was built in the 1880s to transport coal and oil shale from the valley to the lounge of The Ghan, which was converted in the 1940s to accommodate visitors.
3. The Australian legend of The Ghan trainToday, the Australian legend of The Ghan train awaits you at the Adelaide station. The name of this world-famous train is associated with countless stories. One of them says that the name The Ghan is a reminiscence of the Afghan chiefs of the camel caravans that transported goods in the interior of Australia before the advent of motorisation. In 2004, after 120 years of construction, it was done: one of the longest railway lines on the planet (2,979 km) now crosses the land of the Aborigines’ Dreamtime. Since then, The Ghan has linked Australia from the south coast to the north coast, crossing 22 degrees of latitude and four climatic zones. Climb aboard and take a complete tour of Australia – from Mediterranean wine country through the Red Centre to the tropical north. Make yourself comfortable in your compartment and watch the rolling landscape of southern Australia from your window. Soon you’ll see some of the world’s oldest rock formations, the Flinders Ranges. As darkness envelops the rugged outback, you enjoy an exquisite dinner and fine wines. You will spend the night on board.