DAY 1 ­ FRIDAY - DEPART USA Departure day is determined by the schedule of The Ghan Train which travels from Adelaide in South Australia through the Outback to Alice Springs and Darwin. (or reverse itinerary) Depart your home city for Los Angeles where you'll board a jet bound for Melbourne, Australia.

DAY 2 ­ SATURDAY - EN ROUTE
Enjoy the amenities on board as you travel across the Pacific and cross the International Dateline, skipping a day ahead of your friends back home.

DAY 3 ­ SUNDAY - ARRIVE MELBOURNE
Early morning, you'll arrive at Melbourne, in the state of Victoria. You'll be transferred to your hotel in the heart of Melbourne. Relax and rest until late afternoon when you'll get embark the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, which cruises the streets of Melbourne while diners enjoy fine cuisine, Australian wines and spirits. Overnight: Melbourne

DAY 4 ­ MONDAY - MELBOURNE SIGHTSEEING AND PHILLIP ISLAND - FAIRY PENGUINS
This morning you'll begin to familiarize yourself with the city of Melbourne starting with a city sightseeing tour. Your afternoon and evening tour to Phillip Island to witness the Fairy Penguin Parade on the floodlit Summer-land Beach will be one you will long remember. Overnight: Melbourne

DAY 5 ­ TUESDAY ­ GREAT OCEAN ROAD
Travel by deluxe motorcoach today, along Australia's shipwreck coast, the beautiful southern coastline. You'll have ample opportunity to stretch your legs along the way as you encounter the Twelve Apostles stone monoliths, Island Arch, Razorback and the rugged coastline with spectacular views. Return to Melbourne late evening. Overnight: Melbourne

DAY 6 ­ WEDNESDAY- ADELAIDE
Transfer to the airport for your short flight to Adelaide, South Australia. Upon arrival and transfer to your hotel, explore Adelaide and environs with an afternoon sightseeing tour of the highlights of Adelaide. Travel to the Adelaide Hills with its' quaint villages and stunning distant land and seascapes. Adelaide has more restaurants per capita than any other Australian city so enjoy the cuisine and the wine. Overnight: Adelaide

DAY 7 ­ THURSDAY - KANGAROO ISLAND, AUSTRALIA'S THIRD LARGEST ISLAND
You'll be picked up early for departure to Kangaroo Island. Travel by coach along the Fleurieu Peninsula and then by Sealink ferry to the island. You'll visit Flinders Chase national Park to view wildlife. A stop for picnic lunch is included. Continue your discovery of Kangaroo Island with a visit to the Remarkable Rocks and Admiral's Arch, where fur seals play. Later afternoon take the short flight from the island back to Adelaide. Overnight: Adelaide

DAY 8 ­ FRIDAY ­ DEPART ADELAIDE ON THE LEGENDARY GHAN RAILWAY
The day is at leisure until departure of The Ghan at 5:15 PM. Travel overnight in either Gold or Red Kangaroo Service and encounter the spectacular landscapes of Australia as The Ghan travels north into the outback. Overnight On Board The Ghan

DAY 9 ­ SATURDAY - ARRIVE ALICE SPRINGS, NORTHERN TERRITORY
As dawn breaks over the awesome landscape, continue towards Alice Springs, arriving at 11:55 AM and disembarking for your visit to the Red Rock area. Transfer to your hotel in Alice Springs and get ready for an afternoon guided tour of "The Town Called Alice" which includes the historic Overland Telegraph Station, Anzac Hill, School of the Air and the Royal Flying doctor Service. Overnight: Alice Springs

DAY 10 ­ SUNDAY ­ "ULURU" - AYERS ROCK DAY TOUR
Depart Alice Springs (departure times vary with seasons) for the trip to "Uluru", the aboriginal name for what became known later as Ayers Rock. There will be an opportunity to climb or tour the base of the rock, visit the Olgas and later return to Alice Springs. Overnight: Alice Springs

DAY 11 ­ MONDAY ­ ALICE SPRINGS ­ DEPART FOR DARWIN ABOARD THE GHAN
The morning is free to explore the town of Alice Springs before the 4:10 PM departure of The Ghan. The wonder of the Outback continues to unfold as the train travels north toward Katherine. Overnight: On Board The Ghan

DAY 12 ­ TUESDAY ­ KATHERINE GORGE - DARWIN
Arrive at Katherine at 8:00 AM where you'll take a tour of Katherine Gorge with 2-hour boat cruise through two spectacular gorges. An optional extra here is to take a helicopter tour of Katherine Gorge. At 12:10 PM The Ghan departs Katherine and later in the afternoon at 4:00 PM the train arrives in Darwin. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight: Darwin

DAY 13 ­ WEDNESDAY ­ KAKADU NATIONAL PARK
Your coach departs early for a view of the Kakadu wetlands, with visits to Nourlangie Rock, Aboriginal sites and rock art. Take the Yellow Waters cruise, visit the South Alligator River, Adelaide River and into Jabiru township, returning to Darwin in evening. Overnight: Darwin

DAY 14 ­ THURSDAY ­ DARWIN
Today you can explore Darwin at leisure on your own. You might like to visit the Artillery Museum, which is housed in a World War II Blockhouse and has an interesting collection of wartime artifacts. The Museum of Arts and Sciences at Bullocky Point, has an excellent collection of Aboriginal art and specimens of Northern Territory wildlife. At high tide, multitudes of fish swim in from the sea to be fed by hand at Doctor's Gully. Overnight: Darwin

Day 15 ­ FRIDAY - DARWIN - SYDNEY
Depart for the airport and your flight to Sydney. After transferring to your hotel you'll enjoy dinner with Captain Cook Cruises as you take in the varying and wonderful views of the spectacular Sydney Harbour. Overnight: Sydney

DAY 16 - SATURDAY - SYDNEY SIGHTSEEING
Get acquainted with Sydney with an Afternoon Sightseeing Tour, traveling past the famous Opera House, the Botanical Gardens, Mrs. Macquaries Chair, to Kings Cross area and back across the city through Paddington with its wrought iron terraces, to Darling Harbour. Your evening is free to explore the multi-ethnic cuisines of Sydney. Overnight: Sydney

DAY 17 ­ SUNDAY - DEPART SYDNEY - ARRIVE USA
Depart Sydney and retrace your route across the Pacific, crossing the International Dateline and the time you "lost" on the way to Australia. Arrive in Los Angeles and, depending on your connections, continue homeward the same day with memories of your spectacular rail trip!

FOR AN EXTENDED JOURNEY, TAKE THE INDIAN PACIFIC TRAIN FROM SYDNEY TO ADELAIDE AND THE GHAN TO ALICE SPRINGS AND DARWIN ­ THE TRIP TAKES 73 HOURS INCLUDING STOPS AT BROKEN HILL, CHANGE OF TRAINS AT ADELAIDE, AND STOPS AT ALICE SPRINGS AND KATHERINE.

WANT TO STAY LONGER IN THE OUTBACK? YOUR AUSSIE SPECIALIST CAN ARRANGE FOR VISITS WITH ABORIGINE, AN ELEGANT DINNER UNDER THE STARS OVERLOOKING AYERS ROCK, OUTBACK BUSH DINNERS, NATURE TOURS, THE ABORIGINAL DREAMTIME, EVEN TAKE A CAMEL TO DINNER! EXTENDED TOURS CAN INCLUDE KINGS CANYON, GLEN HELEN GORGE, AND GUIDED CAMPING THROUGHOUT THE RED ROCK AND TOP END (DARWIN-KAKADU-ARNHEM) AREA.

DON'T HAVE 17 DAYS FOR THIS TRIP? YOUR AUSSIE SPECIALIST CAN DESIGN THE TRIP TO SUIT THE TIME YOU HAVE.

ASK MARY! Email: marytravels@cox.net

THIS IS AN ABBREVIATED ITINERARY TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE FUN YOU CAN HAVE. YOUR ACTUAL ITINERARY WILL INCLUDE MUCH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FLIGHTS TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS, ADDRESSES, ETC.