The huge popularity of the world’s largest and newest square-rigged sailing ship, Golden Horizon, has put wind in the sail for the ship’s exclusive Australian partner, Cruise Traveller, which has now released new ‘slow travel’ rail and sail packages combining a journey across Australia aboard the tall ship and the iconic Indian Pacific train.
Specialising in small ships, Cruise Traveller is experiencing its busiest booking period this year following the opening of sales on November 2 of 2021/22 Australian summer voyages aboard the deluxe, five-masted Golden Horizon, due to be launched next April. Cruise Traveller is the exclusive launch partner for new UK-based cruise line, Tradewind Voyages, which will debut Golden Horizon in 2021 and bring her to Australia in December 2021.
Cruise Traveller has 14 cruise and stay packages around Australia from December, 2021, to February, 2022, ranging in length from 14 to 73 nights.
Adding to the deals is Cruise Traveller’s exclusive new, transcontinental Rail and Sail packages starting in Sydney or Adelaide in January, 2022.
Rail and Sail ex Sydney – 16-night package beginning 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 tall ship, Golden Horizon, for a 13-night voyage to Perth, followed by a flight back to Sydney. The Rail and Sail package is available from A$9375 per person, twin-share, ex Sydney, including beer and wine with lunch and dinner aboard the ship.
Rail and Sail ex Adelaide – 17-night package beginning January 22, 2022, with a 13-night voyage aboard Golden Horizon to Perth, followed by two nights in the WA capital and a two-night trip back to Adelaide aboard the Indian Pacific including onboard meals and drinks and off-train experiences on the world-famous Nullarbor Plain. This Rail and Sail package is available from A$9165 per person, twin-share, ex Adelaide, including beer and wine with lunch and dinner aboard the ship.
Connections and fares from other cities are available on application
The voyage from Adelaide to Perth aboard the mighty, 162m-long tall ship, Golden Horizon, 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.
Also on the itinerary are 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.
Carrying just 272 guests, Golden Horizon is modern, luxurious and spacious but also graceful and traditional in style, with 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. The majestic 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.
* Call Cruise Traveller on 1800 507 777 or visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au/railandsail or contact a travel agent.
SOURCE: Cruise Traveller
