Golden Vintage Rail Journey (2025 & 2026)
Step aboard a unique rail adventure aboard the Southern Aurora, the iconic overnight passenger train that once connected Sydney and Melbourne from 1962 to 1986. Today, its original 1960s carriages have been meticulously restored, offering travellers the chance to rediscover the golden age of train travel through curated daytime journeys across New South Wales. With the train stationary overnight, you can enjoy peaceful rest before waking to explore charming regional towns, stunning landscapes, and the heritage-rich heart of Australia.
Embark on Vintage Rail Journeys' original and most beloved rail tour, where breathtaking landscapes and unique experiences await. Begin and end your journey surrounded by the dramatic sandstone cliffs of the Great Dividing Range. Savor the delights of the Hunter Valley and Orange, renowned for their vineyards, and enjoy a rare opportunity to traverse special access train lines across the Liverpool Plains from Werris Creek to Orange. The highlight of the journey is the stunning scenery of the Capertee Valley as you make your way to Rylstone.
Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply seeking a memorable travel experience, these vintage rail tours promise a truly timeless escape.
Highlights & Inclusions
- All-inclusive dining, wines, beverages, tea & coffee throughout your journey
- Take a Riverboat cruise on the Hawkesbury River, including lunch
- Enjoy a winery experience in the Hunter Valley
- Visit the quaint heritage village of Quirindi in rural New South Wales
- Discover Bathurst’s Abercrombie House or Mayfield Gardens
Your fare excludes:
- Travel insurance
Day 1 | Sydney - The Hawkesbury
Your 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.
Day 2 | Hunter Valley Vineyards
Today you will be visiting the Hunter Valley, and we have three 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, which is 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.
Day 3 | Werris Creek
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 4 | 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 to Abercrombie House, a heritage treasure of NSW set in stunning grounds at Stewarts Mount, just west of Bathurst. A grand country home, and a 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, accompanied by a delicious boxed lunch that can be enjoyed in your own quiet spot in the gardens.
Day 5 Mudgee | Sydney
Enjoy your final breakfast onboard the train. We’ll then board coaches travelling from Rylstone, a beautiful district settled in the 1820s, 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, and 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.
* The above itinerary is subject to change.
2025 Departure Dates: 8 Sep / 22 Sep / 5 Oct / 20 Oct / 3 Nov / 17 Nov
- Heritage Twin Cabin from $4,195 per person*
- Heritage Single Cabin from $4,145 per person*
2026 Departure Dates: 17 Aug / 31 Aug / 14 Sep / 28 Sep / 26 Oct / 9 Nov / 23 Nov
- Heritage Twin Cabin from $4,490 per person*
- Heritage Single Cabin from $4,290 per person*
*Advertised pricing is subject to departure date and availability. Please call 1300 414 198 to confirm up-to-the-moment availability and pricing.
Heritage Twin Cabins are designed to accommodate two guests, offering comfort and convenience throughout your journey. During the day, the space transforms into a cosy three-seat lounge, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the passing scenery. At night, it converts into upper and lower bunk beds, with one guest needing to be able to climb a ladder to access the top bunk. Each cabin also features a private ensuite, complete with original 1960s fittings, including a fold-down hand basin and fold-down toilet, preserving the charm of vintage rail travel.
Heritage Single Cabins offer a comfortable and private space for solo travellers, featuring a day lounge with a footrest, a fold-down washbasin, and a mirror for convenience. As evening falls, the cabin transforms into a cosy bed, providing a restful retreat after a day of exploration. Guests in Single Cabins also have access to spacious shared bathrooms located at either end of the carriage, blending vintage charm with thoughtful amenities.
Lounge Carriage - the social heart of the train, invites you to unwind and connect with fellow travellers in a relaxed, welcoming setting. With all-inclusive travel, you can enjoy a selection of Australian wines and beers, as well as unlimited tea, coffee, soft drinks, and juices - all served as you sit back and take in the journey.
Dining Carriage - step into the original ex-Southern Aurora Dining Carriage, where the onboard chef serves hearty, delicious meals crafted with care and inspired by local flavours. Complement your meal with a selection of Australian wines, beers, and other beverages - all included in your fare.
Commences: Central Station, Sydney
9:30 am Monday
Concludes: Central Station, Sydney
8:00 pm Friday