The maiden arrival in Australia this December of the world’s largest and newest sailing ship, Golden Horizon, has put more wind in the sails for the Australian travel industry, with large numbers of Australians reserving their cabins aboard what will be the most spectacular and exciting ship to grace our shores next summer.
To enhance the excitement, Australia’s leading small ship cruise specialist, Cruise Traveller, is offering a special rail and sail package combining journeys across Australia aboard Golden Horizon and the iconic Indian Pacific train.
The Indian Pacific itself is receiving heavy bookings, with many departures now full as scores of people redeem rail credits received through Covid. But space on the Indian Pacific held by Cruise Traveller as part of its rail and sail packages ensures slow travel-loving Australians can ride the famous train next summer and experience the thrill of sailing aboard the massive, five-masted square rigger, Golden Horizon.
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 mighty, 162m-long sailing 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. Flanking the Nullarbor Plain, the Bunda Cliffs here stretch for more than 100km and soar 120m vertically from the sea.
The voyages also features the WA destinations of 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 also 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 A$10,575 per person, twin-share, ex Sydney, including transfers and beer and wine with lunch and dinner aboard the ship. 
To be launched this June, Golden Horizon is modern, luxurious and spacious but also graceful and traditional in style, with UK-based Tradewind Voyages planning to have the eco-friendly vessel, which boasts 6300 square metres of billowing sails, under the sole power of wind for 70 per cent of the time. Golden Horizon will offer modern-day seafarers a fine cuisine dining room, three pools, gym, library, spa sanctuary, four bars, a marina platform and a collection of kayaks, waterskis and wakeboards for guests to use. All 140 cabins will offer ocean vistas.
During her inaugural visit to Australia this summer, Golden Horizon will circumnavigate the continent between this December and next February, with Cruise Traveller offering a range of sectors from 14 to 73 nights.
* Call Cruise Traveller on 1800 507 777, visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au/
Cruise Traveller is Australia’s leader in the small ship market, representing 56 boutique, luxury, river and expedition cruising operators around the world including Tradewind Voyages. www.cruisetraveller.com.au
