THE TRIP

Austravel (0808 250 4889, austravel.com) has a 7-night trip from £2,929pp, with two nights at the Pan Pacific Hotel (Perth), three nights on the Indian Pacific to Sydney, Gold Service, and two nights at the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney. The offer includes all transfers and return flights from Heathrow with Cathay Pacific [based on travel in September 2018]. For more info on the Indian Pacific, visit greatsouthernrail.com.au

Getting there

Qantas flies to both Perth (17 hrs direct) and Sydney (from 22 hrs with a stopover) from the UK, with return flights from £794 and £707 respectively. The airline will fly daily from London Heathrow to Perth on its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner from 25 March 2018. qantas.com.

Getting around

Perth and Sydney both have efficient and well-priced public transport networks. Two memorable public transport options to consider are Perth CBD to Fremantle along the coast by rail (AUD4.70/ £2.65), and Circular Quay to Manly by ferry (AUD8.90/ £5.10).

Cost of travel

The strength of the Australian dollar means that travel here can be pricey, but not crazily so. Count on spending AUD5 (£2.85) for a coffee and AUD25 (£14.30) for a main in a good restaurant. Tipping protocol is similar to the UK.

Accommodation

Australia caters to everyone from high-rollers to backpackers. Choices in Perth include hip new hang-out Tribe Perth (+61 8 6247 3333; tribehotels.com.au; doubles from AUD149; £84), while in Sydney you can try heritage boutique property The Hughenden (+61 2 9363 4863; thehughendenhotel.com.au; doubles from AUD187/ £107.50).

Food & drink

It’s no secret that Australia offers a high-quality food and drink experience – the only barrier, really, is how much you’re willing to pay for the privilege. Only-in-oz options like kangaroo meat and dishes with wattleseed – a nutty acacia seed – are worth trying in the hands of good chefs. And for a fish dish, barramundi is an excellent option and easy to come by.

For fresh produce head along on a Saturday morning to the superb Carriageworks farmers’ market.