Inclusions:

• 5 days/ 4 nights experience aboard the newly restored, iconic 1960’s ex-Southern Aurora Sleeping Train, travelling along rail lines normally closed to the public
• Dining and Lounge carriages are available when travelling. Most meals included. Meals served on the train are freshly prepared by an onboard chef using local ingredients from each region
• Sightseeing is included in private chartered coaches at each stop for off train excursions.

Highlights:

• A ‘Riverboat Postman’ cruise on the Hawkesbury River,
• The Hunter Valley,
• Werris Creek,
• Orange Heritage,
• Mayfield Garden,
• Kandos and the Capertee Valley,
• Blue Mountains Villages.

Itinerary:

Day 1 | Sunday: Sydney – The Hawkesbury – Paterson
Your Golden West adventure starts at Central Station, Sydney. Once on board, you can choose to sit in the lounge or dining cars, or your private cabin while we travel to the spectacular Hawkesbury River. We will depart the train for a lunch cruise with the ‘Riverboat postman’.

We then rejoin the train and travel right by the water at Mullet Creek and alongside Brisbane Water. We skirt around Newcastle and on to Maitland in the Hunter Valley. The train will be stabled for the night at The Rail Motor Society, Paterson.

Day 2 | Monday: Hunter Valley Gardens & Vineyards – Werris Creek
Today we will enjoy the best that the Hunter Valley region has to offer using our private Aurora Explorer shuttle bus. Our first stop is the spectacular Hunter Valley Gardens featuring 10 amazingly themed gardens with influences from all over the world. Included in the Aurora Explorer shuttle bus circuit will be cellar door wine tastings at selected wine makers.

Coaches will also take you to the 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. Lunch today is at your own choice and cost.

Your Aurora Explorer buses will return you to Maitland Station in preparation for a 3pm departure. We will travel the remainder of the Hunter Valley, and on through Ardglen Tunnel to Werris Creek. We will visit the Australian Rail Monument and Railway Journeys Museum. Dinner will be served on-board the train at Werris Creek Station, before we move to the rail yard where we will be stabled for the night.

Day 3 | Tuesday: Werris Creek – Binnaway Junction – Orange
Enjoy breakfast on board the train traveling along the freight only line from Werris Creek, arriving at Binnaway Junction by mid-morning, where the train changes direction.

We will continue our journey and enjoy lunch on the train as we make our way to Orange. Visit the beautiful Cook Park, 4.5 hectares of parkland in the heart of Orange. This is a 145 year old, traditional Victorian style park which embodies the seasonal colours of Orange.

Dinner will be served on-board the train at Orange rail yard, where we will be stabled for the night.

Day 4 | Wednesday: Orange – Mayfield Garden – Bathurst – Kandos
Enjoy Breakfast on board as we head to Bathurst, where we will board coaches to transfer to Mayfield Garden, one of the world’s largest privately owned cool climate gardens. Covering more than 64 hectares, the scale of the gardens is truly breathtaking. At the garden, Lunch will be provided for you to enjoy at  your leisure in numerous picnic spots.

Alternatively, visit Abercrombie House, an outstanding example of Victorian Tudor style architecture, built by the Stewart family in the 1870s. 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, our coahces will return us to Bathurst, where we can visit the Bathurst Railway Museum or take a quick stroll into town. We will then have the rare opportunity to ride the closed Gwabegar line from Wallerawang, up the Capertee Valley to Kandos, the town famous for its cement works.

We will take a short walk through town for an after hours visit to the Kandos Museum, and learn more about the fascinating industrial history of this town. We will then enjoy a true Aussie dinner at the Kandos Hall, followed by a bush dance! We will stay for the night in the tranquility of Kandos.

Day 5 | Thursday: Kandos – Katoomba – Sydney
Enjoy breakfast as we travel back down the stunning Gwabegar line and cross the Great Dividing Range to Wallerawang. 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, Sydney at approximately 6:30pm.

You will have had a truly memorable Vintage Rail Journey!