Golden West Rail Tour
- Australia, New South Wales
- Sydney Return • Apr - Nov 22 / Mar 23
- 5 Day Itinerary
- From $4,250 (AUD)
- 48 Max.
- Operated by one of our trusted partners
Sydney Return • Apr - Nov 22 / Mar 23
This exceptional journey through some of Australia’s most breath taking scenery features sandstone cliffs by the Hawkesbury River, the stunning coastline to Newcastle, the far regions of the Central West and the Jurassic rainforest of the Blue Mountains.
Stroll around the Hunter Valley wineries, roam the spectacular Mayfield Garden, while sampling the finest produce that the region has to offer.
Relax aboard a refurbished 1960s sleeping train – fully restored ex-Southern Aurora carriages to their original condition. Celebrate Australia’s diverse history and rich culture with visits to regional towns, gardens and attractions. You will also travel on rail lines which don’t have scheduled passenger services, making this a real adventure.
AURORA AUSTRALIS
Aurora Australis is a restored 1960s sleeper train, formally known as The Southern Aurora which ran overnight passenger express journeys between Sydney and Melbourne from 1962 up until 1986. Now fully refurbished, carriages have been brought back to life, restored with love back to their original condition.
The Compartments have two room options available, Twinette Compartments cater for couples and Roomette Compartments for singles. By day the compartments feature lounge chairs for your comfort with the evening being changed into beds which hinge down over the lounge chairs – double bunk for Twinette or single bed for Roomette. Twinette also includes an ensuite with shower, toilet and vanity and the Roomette includes vanity and mirror with two shared ensuite/showers located at one end of the carriage and a shared toilet at the other end.
The Lounge Carriage is where you can enjoy pre and post dinner drinks which is a perfect place to catch up with fellow travellers and meet with friends – new and old. Bar attendants are on hand to serve you, with water, soft drink and juices included. Aurora Australis is licensed to serve alcohol which can be purchase at an additional cost. Their liquor license does not allow BYO.
The Dining Carriage serves regional cuisine, freshly prepared by chefs onboard and where possible using locally sourced and fresh produce. Seating 48 guests, set to tables of four, staff onboard will do their very best to ensure you are seated at your preferred time and with your preferred travel companions.
Unpack only once and enjoy everything that slow rail touring provides!
Tour Highlights
A ‘Riverboat Postman’ cruise on the Hawkesbury River
The Hunter Valley
Werris Creek
Orange Heritage
Mayfield Garden
Kandos and the Capertee Valley
Blue Mountains Villages
Gallery
Aurora Australis – All aboard!
Twinette Compartment: Your private compartment for two people – a great place to sit and watch the scenery roll by during the day
Twinette Compartment: Your day lounge provides seating for up to 3 people, so invite a friend for a chat!
Twinette Compartment: By evening, an upper and lower bunk hinge down over the day lounge, Guest Attendants will ensure that your bed is made and ready for you
Roomette Compartmet for solo travellers
Roomette Compartment: Your own private compartment – a great place to sit and watch the scenery roll by during the day
Roomette Compartment: By evening, a single bed hinges down over your day lounge, and Guest Attendants will ensure that your bed is made and ready for you
Lounge Carriage: Behind the bar, a Bar Attendant will be on hand to pour you a drink
Lounge Carriage: Enjoy a pre or post dinner drink in the Lounge Cars
Lounge Carriage: perfect place to catch up with fellow travellers and meet with friends, new and old
Dining Carriage: Enjoy regional cuisine in the dining carriages as the scenery rolls by
Southern Aurora: Exterior of Lounge Car
5 Day Itinerary
Departing on a Sunday your Golden West adventure starts at Central Station, Sydney. Once on board, you can choose to sit in the lounge or dining cars, or your private cabin while we travel to the spectacular Hawkesbury River. We will depart the train for a lunch cruise with the ‘Riverboat postman’.
We then rejoin the train and travel right by the water at Mullet Creek and alongside Brisbane Water. We skirt around Newcastle and on to Maitland in the Hunter Valley. The train will be stabled for the night at The Rail Motor Society, Paterson.
Today we will enjoy the best that the Hunter Valley region has to offer using our private Aurora Explorer shuttle bus. Our first stop is the spectacular Hunter Valley Gardens featuring 10 amazingly themed gardens with influences from all over the world. Included in the Aurora Explorer shuttle bus circuit will be cellar door wine tastings at selected wine makers.
Coaches will also take you to the Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village with its unique collection of boutique retailers promoting the best local produce, artistic talent, contemporary cafe dining and cellar door wine tasting.
Lunch today is at your own choice and cost.
Your Aurora Explorer buses will return you to Maitland Station in preparation for a 3pm departure. We will travel the remainder of the Hunter Valley, and on through Ardglen Tunnel to Werris Creek. We will visit the Australian Rail Monument and Railway Journeys Museum. Dinner will be served on-board the train at Werris Creek Station, before we move to the rail yard where we will be stabled for the night.
Enjoy breakfast on board the train traveling along the freight only line from Werris Creek, arriving at Binnaway Junction by mid-morning, where the train changes direction.
We will continue our journey and enjoy lunch on the train as we make our way to Orange. Visit the beautiful Cook Park, 4.5 hectares of parkland in the heart of Orange. This is a 145 year old, traditional Victorian style park which embodies the seasonal colours of Orange.
Dinner will be served on-board the train at Orange rail yard, where we will be stabled for the night.
Enjoy Breakfast on board as we head to Bathurst, where we will board coaches to transfer to Mayfield Garden, one of the world’s largest privately owned cool climate gardens. Covering more than 64 hectares, the scale of the gardens is truly breathtaking. At the garden, Lunch will be provided for you to enjoy at your leisure in numerous picnic spots.
Alternatively, visit Abercrombie House, an outstanding example of Victorian Tudor style architecture, built by the Stewart family in the 1870s. The Morgan family purchased the house in 1969, have made major restorations and currently live in the house. Lunch will be provided at Abercrombie House.
After lunch, our coahces will return us to Bathurst, where we can visit the Bathurst Railway Museum or take a quick stroll into town. We will then have the rare opportunity to ride the closed Gwabegar line from Wallerawang, up the Capertee Valley to Kandos, the town famous for its cement works.
We will take a short walk through town for an after hours visit to the Kandos Museum, and learn more about the fascinating industrial history of this town. We will then enjoy a true Aussie dinner at the Kandos Hall, followed by a bush dance! We will stay for the night in the tranquility of Kandos.
Enjoy breakfast as we travel back down the stunning Gwabegar line and cross the Great Dividing Range to Wallerawang. On through Lithgow and through the 10 tunnels that replaced the Lithgow Zig-Zag, then cross the Darling Causeway on the way to Mount Victoria.
Stopping at Mount Victoria, you will depart the train and board your Blue Mountains Explorer Bus, which gives you access to the ‘Hop-on, Hop-Off’ service to explore the vibrant Blue Mountains Villages in your own time. Walk out to the edge at Echo Point, see the majestic Three Sisters. Take a ‘Scenic World‘ ride (optional extra – tickets may be bought on the train). Check the waterfalls and the vibrant villages. Visit Everglades Historic House and Gardens. Leuralla Toy and Railway Museum is a must visit!
Lunch is at your own arrangements in the picturesque Blue Mountains villages.
At 4:00pm we will again board the train for our return to Central Station, Sydney at approximately 6:30pm.
You will have had a truly memorable Vintage Rail Journey!
Itinerary subject to change due to circumstances beyond tour operators control.
Tour Inclusions
All meals while onboard – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
All water, soft drinks and juices included. Alcohol can be purchased for an additional cost (sorry, no BYO allowed)
By day, compartments feature lounge chairs for your comfort
By evening, beds (double bunk or single bed) hinge down over the lounge chairs as your sleeping accommodation
Twinette compartments include an ensuite with shower, toilet, and vanity
Roomette (solo) compartments include a vanity & mirror. Two managed ensuite/showers are at one end of the carriage and a shared toilet is located at the other end of the carriage
High quality linen, towels (including facewashers); All carriages are Air-conditioned
240V power outlet (CPAP suitable) in every compartment
USB adapter power outlets in some compartments
Drinking water in every compartment
Shelving and hanging closet – There is limited room in compartments so please bring aircraft ‘carry on’ luggage and a garment bag
Tour Dates & Prices
| Departure Date | Return Date | Price Per Person From | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/09/2022 | 15/09/2022 | $4,250 per person twin share *FULLY BOOKED* | |
| 09/10/2022 | 13/10/2022 | $4,250 per person twin share* | |
| 06/11/2022 | 10/11/2022 | $4,250 per person twin share* | |
| 19/03/2023 | 23/03/2023 | $4,250 per person twin share* |
*Pricing is for Twinette (per person twin share) and Roomette (single) – there is no extra single supplement charge
Commences: Central Station, Sydney at 9:00am Sunday
Concludes: Central Station, Sydney at 6:30pm Thursday
Terms and Conditions
All pricing is on a per person twin share basis, unless otherwise noted ie: stated as a single. All prices based on cash payment – credit & debit card fees may apply. Deposits, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Full Terms & Conditions of tour/cruise operators will be supplied on booking, or ask us for full Terms & Conditions at the time of enquiry.
Region
Sydney Return • Apr – Nov 22 / Mar 23
Operator
Operated by one of our trusted partners
Duration
5 Day Itinerary
Prices from
$4,250
Book Your Own Group
Do you have a club or group interested in travelling as a group on this tour? Call us to discuss how we can tailor this package for your group.
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