North Coast Rail Tour
- Australia
- Sydney Return • Jul - Sep 2025 / May - Jul 2026
- 5 Day Itinerary
- From $3,595 (AUD)
- 48 Max.
- Operated by one of our trusted partners
Sydney Return • Jul - Sep 2025 / May - Jul 2026
This exceptional 5 day, 4 night journey takes you along the scenic North Coast Line through the Central Coast, the Mid-North Coast and Northern Rivers regions of New South Wales.
Our North Coast Rail Tour is fast becoming one of our favourites. Every day there is a different view of the NSW coastline and you’ll see the North Coast like never before. Discover the beautiful Hastings River at Port Macquarie, the breathtaking hinterland rainforest and eclectic community of the Northern Rivers region, the crystal clear creeks and uncrowded surf beaches of the Macleay Valley Coast.
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 Cabins have two room options available, Heritage Twin Cabins cater for couples and Heritage Single Cabins 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 Twin Cabins or single bed for Single Cabins. Twin Cabins also includes an ensuite with shower, toilet and vanity and the Single Cabins 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
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Explore Port Macquarie on a scenic lunch cruise
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Take in the sights & surrounds of the Byron Bay Lighthouse
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Discover some of Australia’s cultural icons at the Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey
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Enjoy some of Maitland’s historical and cultural icons with a day of touring
Gallery
Aurora Australis – All aboard!
Heritage Twin Cabin
Heritage Twin Cabin
Heritage Twin Cabin: By evening, an upper and lower bunk hinge down over the day lounge
Heritage Single Cabin
Heritage Single Cabin
Heritage Single Cabin: By evening, a single bed hinges down over your day lounge
Lounge Carriage
Lounge Carriage: Enjoy a pre or post dinner drink
Lounge Carriage
Dining Carriage: Enjoy regional cuisine
Southern Aurora
5 Day Itinerary
Your North Coast adventure starts at Sydney Central Station,
aboard the Aurora Australis. Stepping onboard you may either
choose to relax in the lounge carriage, or settle into your cabin
while we travel north out of Sydney. Lunch will be served onboard
the train today as we travel north headed for Kundabung.
Enjoy an afternoon of onboard trivia and musicans you take in the
spectacular views of the Hawkesbury River, alongside Mullet
Creek and through the ‘Venice of Australia’ to Brisbane Water.
We skirt around Newcastle and on to Maitland in the Hunter Valley,
where we turn right to join the meandering North Coast Line.
At Gloucester, the North Coast Line starts to follow the Gloucester
River, continuing the enjoyment of travelling beside the water.
Relax and meet your fellow train travellers over dinner onboard as
we stable overnight at Kundabung.
Meals Included – Lunch, Dinner: served on board the train in the Dining Carriage
Enjoy breakfast onboard the Aurora Australis before boarding
coaches to explore Port Macquarie.
We’ll take a scenic lunch cruise of the tranquil waters of Port
Macquarie, with the possibility of seeing dolphins, turtles, osprey
and sea eagles. Enjoy the peaceful rural landscapes and abundant
wildlife on the Hastings River. Enjoy lunch onboard your cruise,
before travelling via coach to Kempsey Station and rejoining the train. This afternoon you’ll experience more beautiful scenery, travelling inland before turning towards the coast again travelling along the water, past Sawtell and through Coffs Harbour. This evening the train stables at Nammoona.
Meals Included – Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy breakfast onboard the Aurora Australis before choosing one of
two off-train experiences for the day.
Option 1 – Byron Bay Lighthouse
From Nammoona, we travel via coach into Byron Bay, and visit the
Byron Bay Lighthouse. Built at the turn of the 19th century to protect
ships passing along the coast, Cape Byron Lighthouse stands
resolute on the most easterly point of the Australian mainland.
Operated by resident keepers until 1989, its now automated light is
clearly visible from Byron Bay township.
Option 2 – Zentvelds Coffee Plantation
Alternatively visit Zentvelds Coffee Farm & Roastery, nestled in the
heart of the Ballina-Byron Hinterland. Zentveld’s Coffee offers more
than just a daily cup; they offer a unique ‘crop to cup’ experience.
The coffee beans are cultivated, processed, roasted, packed,
served, and supplied right here in the beautiful Northern Rivers on
their family farm.
From here we visit the Byron Solar Train. A world first, step aboard
the immaculately restored 1949 era two carriage heritage train. All
thanks to a 4.6 billion year old power source. The three kilometre
coastal track links the Byron Town Centre with the burgeoning North
Beach precinct and Byron Arts Estate. The journey takes ten minutes
one way or 25 return from North Beach Station. Relax as you pass
through littoral rainforest, endangered coastal wetlands and over the
stunning tea tree Belongil Creek, part of Cape Byron Marine Park.
Following your morning touring, we enjoy lunch at the North Byron
Hotel. We step away from the centre of town & into a shimmering
oasis away from the crowds. Like a tucked away treasure, the North
Byron Hotel is a thriving mecca of good food, great music, laughter
and the “Byron Bay chill seeker” vibe. Our coaches then take us to
The Farm, before returning us to our waiting train in Casino. us to
our waiting train in Casino. Tonight enjoy another delicious dinner
onboard, as we begin our return journey south, and stable for the
evening in Kundabung.
Meals Included – Breakfast, Dinner (be served on-board the train this evening)
Enjoy breakfast onboard the train before boarding coaches to enjoy
a scenic drive to the Trial Bay Goal. The gaol opened in 1886 after 13
years of construction. It must have been a strange feeling building
a prison in such a beautiful setting. Today, this picturesque historic
ruin stands as a testament to those who lived and died here, with
a museum and memorial for visitors to get a better idea of life in
those days.
It’s then onto the Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey. An innovative
museum dedicated to Australia’s Cultural Icons, Slim Dusty and Joy
McKean. The museum honours the positive impact on rural and
regional Australia by these two stalwarts of the Australian country
music scene. You will also enjoy lunch at the Slim Dusty Centre.
Coaches will return you to our train where we will continue south
along the North Coast Railway line to The Rail Motor Society,
Paterson where we will be stabling for the night. The rolling hills of
this prime dairy country are really shown to best effect as sunset
approaches. Dinner will be served onboard the train this evening as
we arrive and stable in Paterson.
Meals Included – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy your last breakfast onboard the Aurora Australis at The Rail
Motor Society, Paterson. Today we will discover Maitland where
you’ll spend time at the 1870 built Grossmann House, restored
by the National Trust in the 1960’s and the Maitland Regional Art
Gallery. At Maitland you’ll board the train for the last time and
enjoy lunch onboard. As you travel back past Brisbane Water and
the Hawkesbury River, enjoy one more dinner onboard before
concluding your rail journey at Central Station, Sydney.
You will have had a truly memorable Vintage Rail Journey!
Itinerary subject to change due to circumstances beyond tour operators control.
Tour Inclusions
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All-inclusive dining, wines, beverages, tea & coffee throughout your journey
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A range of curated tours
Tour Dates & Prices
| Departure Date | Return Date | Price Per Person From | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14/07/2025 | 18/07/2025 | $3,595 per person twin share – Twin Cabin / $3,545 per person single – Heritage Single Cabin | |
| 28/07/2025 | 01/08/2025 | $3,595 per person twin share – Twin Cabin / $3,545 per person single – Heritage Single Cabin | |
| 11/08/2025 | 15/08/2025 | $3,595 per person twin share – Twin Cabin / $3,545 per person single – Heritage Single Cabin | |
| 25/08/2025 | 29/08/2025 | $3,595 per person twin share – Twin Cabin / $3,545 per person single – Heritage Single Cabin | |
| 08/09/2025 | 12/09/2025 | $3,595 per person twin share – Twin Cabin / $3,545 per person single – Heritage Single Cabin | |
| 25/05/2026 | 29/05/2025 | $3,790 per person twin share – Twin Cabin / $3,690 per person single – Heritage Single Cabin | |
| 08/06/2026 | 12/06/2026 | $3,790 per person twin share – Twin Cabin / $3,690 per person single – Heritage Single Cabin | |
| 22/06/2026 | 26/06/2026 | $3,790 per person twin share – Twin Cabin / $3,690 per person single – Heritage Single Cabin | |
| 06/07/2026 | 10/07/2026 | $3,790 per person twin share – Twin Cabin / $3,690 per person single – Heritage Single Cabin | |
| 20/07/2026 | 24/07/2026 | $3,790 per person twin share – Twin Cabin / $3,690 per person single – Heritage Single Cabin |
HERITAGE TWIN CABINS
- Heritage Twin cabins accommodate 2 guests
- By day, you have a 3-seat lounge
- By night, you have upper and lower bunks (one member of your party will need to be able to climb the ladder to the top bunk)
- You have your own ensuite, complete with the original fold down hand basin and fold down toilet
HERITAGE SINGLE CABINS
- We love to welcome solo guests onboard, and there is no single supplement for our Heritage Single cabin
- Each has a Day Lounge, foot rest, fold down washbasin and mirror
- By night, your cabin converts to a cosy bed
- A large, shared bathroom is available at either end of the Singles carriage
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 • Jul – Sep 2025 / May – Jul 2026
Operator
Operated by one of our trusted partners
Duration
5 Day Itinerary
Prices from
$3,595
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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