An exceptional rail tour that uncovers the rich history of regional New South Wales all the while passing through breathtaking scenery aboard the beautifully restored Aurora Australis. Stroll through stunning wineries, roam spectacular gardens and be and ready to immerse yourself into the treasures of this fascinating ‘Golden West’ region.
DAY 1: SYDNEY – THE HAWKESBURY – PATERSON
Your Golden West adventure starts at Sydney’s Central Station. Once on board, you can choose to sit in the lounge or dining cars, or your private cabin as you travel to the spectacular Hawkesbury River. Then depart the train for a lunch cruise aboard the ‘Riverboat Postman’.
The iconic Riverboat Postman commenced its run in 1910, delivering mail and other essentials to the river-access-only residents. Relax on board as you cruise in comfort and listen to the stories of the river and learn some of the fascinating history and heritage of the area on one of the most anticipated off-train experiences of the trip.
Rejoin the train and travel right by the water at Mullet Creek and alongside Brisbane Water. Skirt around Newcastle and on to Maitland in the Hunter Valley. The train will then be stabled for the night at Paterson Rail Motor Museum.
DAY 2: HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS & VINEYARDS – WERRIS CREEK
Today you will be visiting the Hunter Valley, and we have three choices of off-train experiences for you.
Hunter Valley Gardens and the Village - visit the 10 amazingly themed gardens with influences from all over the world. You will then have a choice of staying at the Gardens for longer, or walk or take the coach to the nearby Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village with its unique collection of boutique retailers promoting the best local produce, artistic talent, contemporary cafe dining and cellar door wine tasting; or
Hunter Valley Gardens and Audrey Wilkinson Wines - after viewing the gardens, board a coach to visit this winery established in 1866, set on top of a hill with spectacular views overlooking the vineyards. You will enjoy a guided wine tasting; or
Margan Wines - Travel by coach to Broke (this option does NOT visit the Hunter Valley Gardens). 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. To choose this option you must have good mobility.
The coach will return you to Branxton Station where we will board our train, travelling the remainder of the Hunter Valley, and on through Ardglen Tunnel to Werris Creek. Dinner will be served on-board the train at Werris Creek Station, where we will be stabled for the night.
DAY 3: WERRIS CREEK – BINNAWAY JUNCTION – ORANGE
Enjoy breakfast on board the train, and take the opportunity to visit the Werris Creek Railway Journeys Museum, which the volunteers will open especially for you.
Werris Creek came into existence in the middle of a paddock when 500 rail workers descended on the area in 1877 to build the rail line from Murrurundi to Tamworth. It is a proud railway town with street signs shaped like rail signals, a huge and elegant railway station, an important railway museum and an impressive collection of statues celebrating the railway workers.
You’ll then board coaches to meet with locals and gain a greater understanding of the Liverpool Plains, which boasts some of the best and most productive agricultural land in the country - it is our national food-bowl. We’ll spend the rest of the day travelling along the freight only line from Werris Creek, arriving at Binnaway Junction by mid-afternoon. At Binnaway Junction, you will have the opportunity to watch the locomotives go past the carriages while we change direction.
From Binnaway Junction we travel past Dubbo. Dinner will be served on-board the train on our way to Orange Railway Yard, where we will be stabled for the night.
DAY 4: ORANGE – BATHURST – RYLSTONE
We’ll board coaches early this morning to enjoy breakfast hosted by Paula and Allen Charnock at Hillside Harvest. This is a third generation family run orchard, and the family has been growing fruit in the rich volcanic soils of Mount Canobolas since their first orchard was established in 1947. Their 75 acre property proudly yields many varieties of cherries, apples, pears, stone fruit and berries. After breakfast the coach will take you on a coach tour around Orange on the way to rejoin the train;
Our train will take you from Orange RailwayYard to Bathurst Railway Station.
A coach will then take you to Abercrombie House, an outstanding example of Victorian Tudor style architecture, built by the Stewart family in the 1870's. The Morgan family purchased the house in 1969, have made major restorations and currently live in the house. Lunch will be provided at Abercrombie House. After lunch, the Coach will take you to Bathurst Railway Station to rejoin the train.
We will then have the rare opportunity to ride the closed Gwabegar line from Wallerawang, up the Capertee Valley, the world’s widest canyon. The valley offers truly spectacular views and is credited as being one of the best railway journeys to be had anywhere. Enjoy Dinner on the train as we approach Rylstone where we will stable for the night.
DAY 5: RYLSTONE – SYDNEY
Enjoy breakfast on board the train. We’ll then board coaches to explore Rylstone and surrounds. The district was 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. You’ll enjoy a visit to either Rylstone Olive Press to see how cold pressed olive oil is made; or visit Kandos Museum to learn about the town’s industrial heritage including the production of cement that built the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
We’ll then reboard the train in time for lunch, as we travel back up the stunning Gwabegar line and cross the Great Dividing Range to Wallerawang. At Lithgow we’ll travel through the 10 tunnels that replaced the Lithgow Zig-Zag, then cross the Darling Causeway on the way to Katoomba.
You will have the option of departing the tour at Katoomba if you wish to spend a couple of days in the Blue Mountains (additional cost) before making your own way home.
We will again board the train for our return to Central Station. You will have had a truly memorable Vintage Rail Journey!
Itinerary is subject to change. Read more about Australia’s newest regional train holidays or the Riverina Rail Tour.
Click here for our Vintage Rail holidays or contact Holidays of Australia & the World on 1300 854 897 or holidays@holidaysofaustralia.com.au
Image credit: Destination NSW
