Small ship specialist, Cruise Traveller, has announced substantial savings on a new luxury rail, sail and stay adventure across Australia, combining the glistening sands of the tropics and the shimmering sands of the outback in December 2022.
Available until September 30, 2021 (or until sold out) the discounts mean couples can save A$4400 and solo travellers A$7790 on the exclusive, slow-travel ‘Golden Sands of Australia’ package which pairs a luxe Ponant small-ship expedition voyage along the Great Barrier Reef, with a refreshing sojourn in the Blue Mountains and a bucket-list journey across the continent aboard the famous Indian Pacific train.
The new 17-night, pre-Christmas package begins in Cairns on December 7, 2022, with a nine-night expedition voyage south to Sydney aboard Ponant’s luxurious and intimate, 184-guest ship, Le Laperouse. Boasting a refined and intimate, French-styled elegance, Le Laperouse offers a fine dining restaurant, panoramic lounge, theatre, pool, spa and fitness centre, pesonalised service and an expert expedition team.
The cruise visits small, secluded nature-based destinations accessible exclusively to smaller vessels. These include the pristine coral cays and rich wildlife sanctuaries of Hardy Reef, Middle Percy Island and Lady Musgrave Island and the bush-lined stretches of the Hawkesbury River.
After the cruise ends in Sydney, a night is spent at a hotel with a food and lunch tour of the harbour city the next day. A relaxing three-night stay at the Fairmont Resort in the beautiful Blue Mountains follow with a trip to Jenolan Caves with high tea, a visit to the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens and free time to enjoy a bushwalk. After another night in Sydney, the adventure continues with a three-night iconic rail journey aboard The Indian Pacific train from Sydney to Perth. The legendary 4352km trans-continental trip offers all-inclusive dining, fine wines and beverages as well as unforgettable Off Train Experiences in Broken Hill, Adelaide and the Barossa Valley, Cook, Rawlinna and Perth.
Reliving the golden era and romance of rail travel, guests will travel in a Gold Service with panoramic window, twin beds or solo bed and in-cabin music. In the lounge and restaurant cars, guests can enjoy all-inclusive fine wines and beverages, hearty breakfasts, two-course lunches and three-course dinners prepared by onboard chefs. The fine, locally-inspired cuisine is sourced using regional ingredients in partnership with local suppliers and providores.
The package ends in Perth on Christmas Eve, 2022, with the opportunity to spend Christmas in the west at leisure.
Including excursions and drinks on the cruise and rail journey, the 17-night Golden Sands of Australia package is available from A$11,995 per person, twin-share, in a Prestige Balcony stateroom – a saving of A$2200 per person, subject to availability. A discount and a reduced solo supplement means solo travellers can save A$7790 on the package in a Prestige Balcony stateroom, with fares from A$14,795 including the savings (subject to availability). The reduced fares are valid for bookings made by September 30, 2021 (unless sold out or withdrawn), and conditions apply.
* To book, visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au/golden or call Cruise Traveller on 1800 507 777.
Cruise Traveller is Australia’s premier, small ship cruise specialist, representing 57 boutique, luxury and expedition cruising operators around the world. www.cruisetraveller.com.au
