Riverina Rail Tour

Enjoy breakfast on board as we leave Goulburn and continue along the Main South Line. We pass many interesting villages and towns today as we travel through the Canola Trail, so keep an eye out for the many grain silos adjacent to the rail line. Today we spend time in Coolamon, stopping at the Coolamon Railway Station dated 1881. Coolamon is named after the Wiradjuri word for a vessel carrying goods, children and water, “Gullaman” and this little town offers us a warm welcome.

Flanked by the Train Station at one end of the street and the Fire Station at the other, we have developed an afternoon experience of ambling the beautifully preserved heritage main street of Coolamon. A stop at the Coolamon Cheese Factory is a must for anyone who likes cheese or is interested in the cheese making process. The Up-To-Date Store, built in 1909 plays host to a variety of museum displays and collections. A stroll through this heritage listed building will bring back memories for some and offer interesting stories for others. The Coolamon Fire Museum hosts a truly amazing private collection of fire fighting equipment, uniforms and memorabilia. Along with heritage museums and buildings, the main street contains many local shops, restaurants and cafes, making this afternoon an unforgettable experience for all.

We will return to Coolamon Railway Station throughout the afternoon in preparation for a 3pm departure. We will travel along the Yanco to Griffith Line. Dinner will be served on-board the train at Murrami Grain Siding, where we will be stabled for the night in the serenity of the Australian bush.

This morning we will board coaches to join the Piccolo Family (owners of Limone Dining Restaurant) who will be hosting our breakfast this morning on their 20 acre farm just outside of Griffith. Using sustainable farming practices, all of their produce is harvested by hand and free of chemicals and pesticides. This is an excellent way to experience farming in Griffith as well as sample their delicious produce.

After breakfast we will enjoy the best that Griffith has to offer using our private Aurora Explorer shuttle bus. Explorer stops include the Griffith Regional Art Gallery, the Griffith War Memorial Museum, Emeri De Bortoli’s Garden Il Compo, various wineries, providores and local shops so that you can experience Griffith’s distinctive food and wine culture.

Lunch today is at your own choice and cost.

Your ‘Aurora Explorer’ buses will return you to Griffith Station throughout the afternoon in preparation for a 3pm departure, travelling on the freight only Lake Cargellico Line. Dinner will be served on-board the train at Temora Railway Yard, where we will be stabled for the night.

Breakfast this morning is on board the Aurora Australis before experiencing Temora. Today you choose one of two Temora tours.

1. The Aurora Explorer Bus will take you directly to the Bundawarrah Centre which houses the Temora Rural Museum. Spend the morning experiencing the history of the region including a cottage of hardwood slabs that was Sir Donald Bradman’s first home, a one room public school, bush church, country dance hall, printery, flour mill and ambulance station. The Ambulance Museum includes ambulance vehicles and conveyances dating back to 1897 and originating from throughout Australia, including NSW, ACT and Victoria.
2. The Temora Aviation Museum was built on the site of the biggest and longest lasting RAAF Elementary Flying Training School during World War II. Spend the morning in the three main exhibit buildings, the Museum which is in the original 10 EFTS Guardhouse; the second exhibition area, located in the Engineering Hangar overlooking the aircraft which are currently in maintenance; and the display hangar which houses the new exhibition area along with the aircraft.

Your ‘Aurora Explorer’ buses will return you to Temora Station in preparation for a 12pm departure. Lunch will be served in the Dining Carriages as we travel on freight only lines via Stockinbingal. There are many freight trains to pass on this single track line, and we are likely to experience substantial delays. Dinner will be served on-board the train as we travel through Parkes and onto the Broken Hill line to Orange Rail Yard at an unknown time (!) where we will be stabled for the night.

Enjoy breakfast as we travel from Orange and towards the Great Dividing Range. 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 at approximately 6:30pm.

You will have had a truly memorable Vintage Rail Journey!

Day to day itinerary is subject to change due to circumstances beyond the tour operators control.