North Coast Rail Tour
- Australia, New South Wales
- Sydney Return • Jun & Oct 2022
- 5 Day Itinerary
- From $4,250 (AUD)
- 48 Max.
- Operated by one of our trusted partners
Sydney Return • Jun & Oct 2022
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.
You’ll discover the beautiful Hastings River at Port Macquarie, the breathtaking hinterland rainforest and eclectic community of Byron Bay, the crystal clear creeks and uncrowded surf beaches of the Macleay Valley Coast, and the history and heritage of Maitland & Morpeth.
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
North Coast Rail Line
Hastings River Dolphin Spotting Cruise
Byron Bay Solar Train
Food and shopping Byron Bay style
Slim Dusty Museum, Kempsey
Arakoon National Park
Historic Maitland & Morpeth
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
Your North Coast adventure starts at Central Station, Sydney. Welcome aboard the Aurora Australis where you can choose to sit in the lounge or dining cars, or your private cabin. Today we’ll spend all day on the train. We’ll travel over the spectacular 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. The Gloucester River joins the Manning River and we follow it through Taree and on to Wauchope on the Hastings River, the closest station to Port Macquarie.
We’ll arrive just in time for dinner, served on board in the dining carriages.
Enjoy breakfast on-board 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 tranquil rural landscapes and abundant wildlife of the Hastings River.
We’ll return to the train after lunch, as we continue down the North Coast Line. We will be travelling for around five hours through some interesting landscapes. We will be inland for a while before turning to the coast again and travelling along the water, past Sawtell and through Coffs Harbour. We then turn inland again, arriving at Casino just in time for dinner served in the dining carriages on-board the train.
We plan to stable for the night at Old Casino Railway Station which is the start of the Casino to Murwillumbah line. It ceased to operate in May 2004, and was formally closed in September 202o to facilitate the construction of a rail trail.
Enjoy breakfast on board the Aurora Australis at Old Casino Railway Station. You will then board our ‘Aurora Explorer’ coaches to take you to Byron Bay, a place known for its natural attractions and eclectic community.
While at Byron Bay, you have the option of visiting Zentveld’s Coffee Plantation and Roastery which will see you walking through the plantation and seeing the coffee being grown, watching as the team roast the beans and taste testing their Australian coffee creations. You’ll also visit Duck Creek Macadamia Nuts, who have built a reputation as a producer of Australia’s finest macadamia products. Alternatively, visit Cape Byron Lighthouse and Maritime Museum.
You will then ride the Byron Bay Solar Train, the world’s first solar train, from North Beach into Byron Bay. Lunch today is at your own choice and cost.
Your ‘Aurora Explorer’ buses will return you to Casino Railway Station and we will then travel south to Kempsey Railway Yard where we will be stabling for the night.
Dinner will be served on-board the train this evening.
After enjoying breakfast, we will board coaches to enjoy a scenic drive to the Arakoon National Park and the South West Rocks area. National Parks in this region have the best vantage points to see whales during their annual migration (from May to November). Guests will walk through the Trial Bay Gaol, an open air museum which captures the history of the area.
Alternatively, visit the Kempsey Museum, where you can experience Aboriginal history, boot making, timber industry, military history, natural history, dairy industry, shipping, historical vehicles to name just a few subjects touched on in the collections, displays and historical artefacts. You can also spend time in the Dunghutti-Ngaku Aboriginal Art Gallery, which showcases and markets work of prominent, established and emerging Aboriginal artists of the Dunghutti region and mid-North Coast area.
We will then visit the Slim Dusty Centre, an innovative museum dedicated to Australia’s iconic legend Slim Dusty where you will experience a wealth of music history, Australian culture and art. You will also enjoy lunch at the Slim Dusty Centre.
Your Aurora Explorer coaches will return you to the Kempsey Railway Station where we will continue along the North Coast Railway Line to The Rail Motor Society, Paterson where we will be stabling for the night.
Dinner will be served on-board the train this evening.
Enjoy breakfast on-board the Aurora Australis at The Rail Motor Society, Paterson.
Today we have two options for you: Discover Maitland where you will spend time at the 1870 built Grossman House, restored by the National Trust in the 1960’s and the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Or, discover Morpeth, an historic inland river port alongside the Hunter River. A visit to Morpeth is a real journey through time. Visit the narrow laneways, walk along sandstone footpaths and into heritage buildings where you’ll discover unique shopping, artisan treasures and delightful treats.
At Maitland we will board the train for the last time, enjoying lunch as we travel back past Brisbane Water and the Hawkesbury River, concluding your railway journey at 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19/06/2022 | 23/06/2022 | $4,250 per person twin share* | |
| 23/10/2022 | 27/10/2022 | $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 • Jun & Oct 2022
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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