How to explore Australia in style; on the water and by rail

Two of Australia’s greatest regional travel icons - the Murray River and the Indian Pacific train - are to be showcased in a new ‘slow travel’ rail and river cruise package released exclusively by leading small ship cruise specialist Cruise Traveller. 

Cruise Traveller’s 10-night ‘Australia by Paddlewheel and Locomotion’ package - available from July to November, 2022 - features a four-night cruise along the legendary Murray River aboard the only overnight passenger paddle steamer on the river, the deluxe, 18-guest PS Emmylou. 

That is followed by a journey on board the Indian Pacific train across the outback. 

The PS Emmylou starred in the hit 1983 TV mini-series All the Rivers Run starring Sigrid Thornton, and is still one of the most recognisable paddle steamers in Australia. 

Cruise Traveller’s itinerary begins with a night’s accommodation in Melbourne before a transfer to the Murray River town of Echuca to board PS Emmylou, which offers overnight, boutique river cruises.

A four-night trip along the meandering Murray follows, with visits to wineries, historic farm stations, indigenous sites and the World Heritage-listed river red gum wetlands at Barmah. 

Guests will also enjoy meals and complimentary barista-made espresso coffees and dinner beverages on deck, riverside picnics, a campfire dinner on the riverbank under the stars and the chance to join the crew in the wheelhouse and even try their hand at steering the boat alongside the skipper. 

At dusk, the wood-fired paddle steamer ties up at tranquil and remote moorings, allowing guests to experience the serenity and wildlife of the bush at night. 

After a night back in Melbourne, guests will fly to Adelaide for a three-night stay and free time to explore the stately city before boarding the Indian Pacific for an overnight journey to Sydney via the outback town of Broken Hill where the train will stop for a local tour. 

Offering all-inclusive fine dining, wines and beverages, the famous Indian Pacific train is designed to rekindle the golden era of rail travel, with panoramic windows in sleeping cabins and the lounge and restaurant cars. 

Three departure dates are available in 2022: July 10, August 14 and November 6. 

Including a flight from Melbourne to Adelaide, meals and beverages on the Indian Pacific and meals and dinner beverages on PS Emmylou as well as transfers along the way, the 10-night ‘Australia by Paddlewheel and Locomotion’ package is available from $4895 per person, twin-share. 

Visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au/locomotion or call Cruise Traveller on 1800 507 777.

Explore the Australian coast on the the world's largest sailing ship

The largest sailing ship ever built will make its Australian debut next southern summer.

The spectacular SV Golden Horizon is a steel-hulled five-masted barque rigged tall ship, whose design is based on France, a famous French five-mast cargo windjammer built in 1911.

Australians are being offered a Rail and Sail package combining a cruise on the Golden Horizon and a journey on the iconic Indian Pacific train. 

Golden Horizon - operated by Tradewind Voyages - will arrive in Australia for the first time in December. The Croatian built, Malta-registered ship can carry 272 passengers and a crew of up to 139.

Cruise Traveller’s 16-night ‘Rail and Sail Remote Southwestern Australia’ package begins in Sydney on January 19, 2022, with an overnight journey aboard the legendary Indian Pacific train to Adelaide with onboard meals and drinks included along with an excursion in Broken Hill. 

Two nights in an Adelaide hotel follow before guests board the majestic, 272-guest tall ship, Golden Horizon, for a 13-night voyage to Perth.

The voyage from Adelaide to Perth aboard the 162-metre ship will feature eight destinations along Australia’s southern coast, including small and remote places not visited by larger ships, including wildlife-rich Kangaroo Island, oyster capital Coffin Bay, and Head of Bight - a spectacular bay in the Great Australian Bight lined by the longest stretch of uninterrupted sea cliffs in the world, the Bunda Cliffs. 

The voyage also features Esperance – home to some of Australia’s whitest beaches - the rugged beauty of Israelite Bay, the fishing village of Bremer Bay, the pretty coastal town of Albany and Busselton – gateway to the famous Margaret River wine region.

The holiday ends in Perth with a flight back to Sydney. The special 16-night rail and sail package is available from $10,575 per person, twin-share, ex Sydney, including transfers and beer and wine with lunch and dinner aboard the ship.

The vessel has a fine dining room, three pools, gym, library, spa sanctuary, four bars, a marina platform and a collection of kayaks and wakeboards for guests to use. 

All 140 cabins will offer ocean views.

During her inaugural visit to Australia this summer, Golden Horizon will circumnavigate the continent between December and next February, with Cruise Traveller offering a range of sectors from 14 to 73 nights. 

Call Cruise Traveller on 1800 507 777 or visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au.