Enjoy the dramatic sandstone cliffs of the great dividing range at the beginning and end of your journey. Explore the vineyards of the Hunter Valley and Orange, and the rare opportunity to travel on special access train lines across the Liverpool Plains from Werris Creek on the way to Orange. A real treat is the spectacular scenery inthe Capertee Valley on the way to Rylstone.
The Southern Aurora overnight passenger train, which operated from 1962 to 1986 between Sydney and Melbourne, has seen its original carriages lovingly restored. You can now once again experience the charm and comfort of train travel on board the Souther Aurora.
Your Golden West adventure begins at Sydney’s Central Station. After check-in, enjoy a short coach transfer to Darling Harbour to board a Morning Discovery Cruise* with Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney. Aboard Spirit of Migloo, take in uninterrupted 360-degree views of Sydney Harbour with a light breakfast served on board.
*This experience is included for guests travelling in 2027, and available as an optional upgrade on 2026 departures ($60 per person).
Return to Sydney’s Central Station to board your Vintage Rail Journey. Once onboard you can choose to relax in the lounge carriage, or settle into your cabin while we travel to the spectacular Hawkesbury River. Here you step off for your first Off Train Experience, joining the famous ‘Riverboat Postman’ for a lunch cruise. Enjoy the magnificent scenery of the lower Hawkesbury River as we deliver the mail and other essentials to the river-access-only settlements upriver from Brooklyn.
When you rejoin the train, you’ll enjoy views from the train which we think are some of the best in Australia. You’ll see the whole length of the train as we round curves and the line traces the waters edge at Mullet Creek. The waterside theme is continued after we go through Woy Woy Tunnel and alongside Brisbane Water. We skirt around Newcastle and onto Maitland in the Hunter Valley. The train will be stabled for the night at Paterson.
Included Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Today you will be visiting the Hunter Valley, and we have three offtrain experiences for you to choose from.
Option 1: Lunch at Twine Restaurant Hunter Valley
Established in 2013, Twine Hunter Valley celebrates seasonal local produce and delectable dining options, paired with quality wines, picturesque views & impeccable service. Overlooking some of the oldest vineyards in the region, Twine is home to a wonderful restaurant, also the perfect spot for our Muscat tasting experience.
Optional Upgrade: Hunter Valley Helicopter Experience (limited capacity)
Soar to new heights with a breathtaking helicopter flight at additional cost. Experience unforgettable aerial views of the Hunter region, before joining lunch.
Option 2: Margan Wines
Travelling by coach to Broke, you’ll walk down the garden path through the kitchen garden, then past the olives and vineyards into the winery for a guided, behind the scenes tour. Learn how the single vineyard and sustainably farmed wines are made from vine to glass in this award-winning winery. Enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at this family owned winery and restaurant.
Following your tour, board the coach for the return journey to Branxton Station where you’ll board the train, travelling the remainder of the Hunter Valley, and on through Ardglen Tunnel to Werris Creek. Dinner will be served onboard the train at Werris Creek, where it will be stabled for the night.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning enjoy breakfast onboard the train, before another day of discovering the charms of the Golden West.
Your adventure begins with a visit to the Quirindi Rural Heritage Village. The village has been designed to collect, preserve, restore, interpret and exhibit artefacts that relate to the history, heritage and culture of the region. From here we head to Werris Creek, the first and last railway town in NSW, located on a major railway junction. The Werris Creek railway station is the third largest in NSW. It houses the Werris Creek Rail Journeys Museum, which brings this town’s railway past back to life.
Your afternoon is then spent travelling along the freight only line from Werris Creek, headed for Orange. Dinner will be served onboard as
your train makes its way for a late arrival into Orange for the evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wake to another delicious breakfast onboard the train before stepping off at Bathurst Station. From here, you’ll transfer by coach to the exquisite Abercrombie House, a true heritage treasure of New South Wales.
Bathurst is world-famous for the Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit, home of the legendary Bathurst 1000. But there’s more to this regional gem than its motorsport fame. Rich in gold rush history and dotted with historic architecture, Bathurst offers a fascinating glimpse into Australia’s past. No visit would be complete without taking on the mountain itself—enjoy a scenic drive along the iconic Mt Panorama track as you make your way to Abercrombie House.
Set on the rolling grounds of Stewarts Mount, this 1870s country estate welcomes you with its stunning gardens, hilltop views, and approximately 50 beautifully restored rooms. Explore grand staircases, a magnificent ballroom and more, all while hearing stories and insights from the family who call this home. Here, you’ll also enjoy a sit-down lunch inside the house, soaking in the grandeur and history of this remarkable property.
After farewelling the family and Abercrombie House, return to Bathurst Station and reboard the train. Relax as the scenery unfolds outside your window, passing through towns such as Wallerawang and Clandulla and glimpsing the region’s national parks. As evening falls, settle in for another indulgent three-course dinner onboard, savouring the flavours as the train continues on to its stabling location for the night in Rylstone.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy your final breakfast onboard the train. We’ll then board coaches traveling from Rylstone, a beautiful district settled in the 1820’s, making it one of the oldest settlements west of the Great Dividing Range. Rylstone’s streetscape features 19th century sandstone public houses, cottages and government buildings.
From here we are welcomed to the Lowe Family Wine Co in Mudgee. Based around certified organic & biodynamic farm, vineyard, winery and food garden, enjoy a spectacular last lunch in the cellar door
before returning to Rylstone Station and your return journey arriving
late into Sydney Central station.
Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
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Tours depart from Platform 1, Central Station, 1 Eddy Avenue, Haymarket NSW 2000
Commences: Central Station, Sydney, 9:30am Monday
Concludes: Central Station, Sydney,8:00pm Friday
