Golden West Rail Tour

1. The Legendary JourneyExperience the beauty of Australia's heartland on the Golden West Rail Tour. This 5-day journey takes you from Sydney to Bathurst, traversing through picturesque landscapes, charming towns, and iconic destinations. Along the way, you'll discover the quaint town of Werris Creek, explore the historic Abercrombie House, and marvel at the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Mountains, including the iconic Three Sisters rock formation. After exploring Bathurst, the tour returns you to Sydney, allowing you to savor the memories of your unforgettable journey.

Day 01: Sydney - The HawkesburyYour Golden West adventure starts at Sydney’s Central Station. 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 our 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.

Today you will be visiting the Hunter Valley, and we have several off-train 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.

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.

Day 04: Bathurst

Waking up in Orange this morning, your adventure continues as we’re soon departing for Bathurst, where you will again have the choice of two off-train experiences.

    Option 1: Abercrombie House - It wouldn’t be a visit to Bathurst without first taking on the mountain Mt Panorama. You’ll then head onto Abercrombie House, a heritage treasure of NSW set in stunning grounds at Stewarts Mount just west of Bathurst. A grand country home, and an 1870s cultural gem, the home of the Morgan Family for half a century, see gardens, paths and outbuildings, explore the reception rooms, grand staircase, ballroom, first-floor bedrooms and more, before enjoying lunch.

    Option 2: Mayfield Gardens - A spectacular 65-hectare private garden that delivers not only a significant horticultural experience but also a day out that is both magical and unexpected. Mayfield Gardens is considered to be one of the largest and most spectacular cool-climate gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. Here a self-guided tour awaits, with a delicious boxed lunch which can be enjoyed in your own quiet spot of the gardens. Following your tour, return to Bathurst Station where you may like to visit the Railway Museum prior to the train departing again and stabling at Rylstone for the night.

Enjoy your final breakfast onboard the train. We’ll then board coaches travelling 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 a 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.

2. Highlights & Inclusions Experience the ultimate luxury and indulgence on the Golden West Rail Tour. Enjoy all-inclusive dining, wines, beverages, tea, and coffee throughout your journey. Cruise down the picturesque Hawkesbury River, including a delicious lunch. Embark on a winery experience in the Hunter Valley and savor the region's finest wines. Discover the charm of the quaint heritage village of Quirindi in rural New South Wales. Explore Bathurst's historic Abercrombie House or immerse yourself in the beauty of Mayfield Gardens.