Rail Tour of New South Wales

Friday 06 September

A morning flight with Air New Zealand to arrive in Sydney midday. We then transfer to Circular Quay to board our Sydney Harbour Lunchtime Cruise. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of Sydney harbour before checking into our harbourside hotel. Afternoon free to relax.

Saturday 07 September

This morning we take a guided walking tour of “The Rocks”. Hear the legends and history of Sydney as you stroll the shoreline of the sparkling Sydney Harbour. The afternoon and evening is free to explore.

Sunday 08 September

Your adventure starts at Sydney’s Central Station. Once on board, you can choose to sit in the lounge or dining carriages, or your private compartment. First stop is at the spectacular Hawkesbury River where you board the famous ‘Riverboat Postman’ for a lunch cruise. 

After that as we continue, you’ll see the whole length of the train as we round curves. Then the line traces the waters edge at Mullet Creek on through Woy Woy Tunnel to Maitland in the Hunter Valley. The train will overnight at Paterson Rail Motor Society. 

Monday 09 September

Today you have one of three choices of off-train experiences for a visit in the Hunter Valley.

Hunter Valley Gardens and the Village - Visit 10 amazingly themed gardens with influences from all over the world. Afterwards you will then have a choice of staying at the Gardens for longer, or walk 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; 

• Hunter Valley Gardens and Audrey Wilkinson Wines - After viewing the gardens as above, coach to this hilltop 1866 winery with spectacular views to enjoy a guided wine tasting;

 • Margan Wines - (this option does NOT visit the Hunter Valley Gardens) Coach to Broke for a guided, behind the scenes tour through the kitchen garden, the olives and vineyards into the winery. Learn how the single vineyard and sustainably farmed wines are made from vine to glass in this award winning winery. NOTE: For this option you must have good mobility.

 On re-boarding, the train will travel the remainder of the Hunter Valley, and on through Ardglen Tunnel to Werris Creek. 

Tuesday 10 September

After an onboard breakfast, take the opportunity to visit the Werris Creek Railway Journeys Museum, volunteers will open especially for you. Then by coach get to meet with locals and gain an understanding of the Liverpool Plains, it is NSW national food-bowl.

The rest of the day the train travels along the freight-only line from Werris Creek, arriving at Binnaway Junction by mid afternoon where we change direction. And continue past Dubbo, dinner will be served 

on-board the train on our way to Orange Railway Yard, where we overnight. 

Wednesday 11 September

This morning’s breakfast is hosted by Paula and Allen Charnock at Hillside Harvest, a third generation family run orchard where the family has been growing fruit in the rich volcanic soils of Mount Canobolas since first established in 1947. This 75 acre property yields many varieties of cherries, apples, pears, stone fruit and berries. Following this a coach tour around Orange on the way to rejoin the train which will then continue our journey to Bathurst Railway Station. Here a coach to Abercrombie House for lunch. (An outstanding example of Victorian Tudor style architecture.). Continuing on the train we have the rare opportunity to ride the closed Gwabegar line from Wallerawang, up the Capertee Valley, the world’s widest canyon with its truly spectacular views, to our overnight at Rylstone.

Thursday 12 September

Enjoy breakfast on board the train. We’ll then by coach to explore Rylstone and surrounds. 

Settled in the 1820’s, it is one of the oldest settlements west of the Great Dividing Range it features 19th century sandstone public houses, cottages and government buildings. 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. 

Back on board for lunch, as we travel back up the stunning Gwabegar line then 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. Here we disembark after a truly memorable Vintage Rail Journey, for a two night stay.

Friday 13 September

Today’s coach tour of this dramatic area includes Echo Point and Three Sister (great photo stop), Luera Cascades along with time to linger in the village, Jamieson Lookout, Govetts Leap and more. Tonight a farewell dinner.

Saturday 14 September

After breakfast we journey down to Sydney airport for a late morning flight home on Air New Zealand to arrive late afternoon.