DAY 1: ARRIVE SYDNEY

Be met on arrival and transferred by private car to your city hotel. Day at leisure to explore the city. Overnight: Sydney, The Grace Hotel for 2 nights

DAY 2: SYDNEY CITY SIGHTS

This morning you'll be met by your driver/guide at your hotel. Get an overview of the city and surroundings as you view the Opera House, Botanic Gardens and Conservatorium of Music. Travel to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair for city and harbor views. Continue to exciting Darling Harbor before traveling through Kings Cross, the exclusive suburbs of Double Bay and Rose Bay and on to The Gap for spectacular ocean views. Arrive at Bondi Beach where you'll see the famous Bondi Beach Lifesavers. (B)

DAY 3: SYDNEY-BROKEN HILL ABOARD THE INDIAN PACIFIC TRAIN

Transfer to Sydney Central Train Station via private car to board The Indian Pacific by 1:55pm for a 2:55pm departure. Travel through the stunning Blue Mountains, then across outback New South Wales. Enjoy dinner in the stylish restaurant car (wines and beverages available for purchase). Enjoy a nightcap in the Lounge Car before settling in to your private sleeper cabin. Overnight: The Indian Pacific, Gold Service twin sleeper (B,D)

DAY 4: BROKEN HILL-OUTBACK SHEEP STATION-WHITE CLIFFS

You'll be met by your guide at the Broken Hill train station upon arrival and travel north to a working "outback" sheep station. This familyowned property has an abundance of Aboriginal rock art. Your guide will show you big Red Kangaroos, emus, eagles and more. Note: Due to the unique experience of sleeping "underground" the Dugout Motel has no private facilities, but very nicely designed off-suites located close to your rooms. Overnight: White Cliffs Underground Dugout Motel (B,L,D)

DAY 5: WHITE CLIFFS OPAL FIELDS- BROKEN HILL

Spend the morning discovering this amazing outback settlement. Learn how and why this unique community lives underground. Visit underground houses and inspect an opal mine. See the "Old Field" where, in search of precious "color," over 50,000 holes have been dug since the 1880's. After lunch, return to Broken Hill. Overnight: Broken Hill, Royal Exchange Hotel (24-room boutique hotel) (B,L,D)

DAY 6: SILVERTON "GHOST TOWN"

Pick-up time 8:30am for your visit to Silverton, where films such as "A Town Like Alice" and "Mad Max II" were filmed. Visit outback artists' galleries and see the Mundi Mundi Plains, an expanse of total "flatness" where it is often possible to see the curvature of the earth! Return to Broken Hill for lunch then transfer to the airport for an onward flight to Sydney or Adelaide (included). (B,L)

Departs: Thursday. (Day 3 train journey departs Sydney on Saturday)