Rail Tour of New South Wales

Saturday 22 May

A morning flight with Air New Zealand. On arrival transfer to your central city hotel before a Welcome Dinner tonight.

Sunday 23 May

This morning 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.

Monday 24 May

Enjoy a Sydney Harbour breakfast cruise, before boarding the Aurora Australis train at Sydney Central Station to begin your vintage rail journey. Once on board, sit back and relax in the lounge or dining carriages, or your private compartment as the train travels south to Goulburn where you’ll have the choice of two Off Train Experiences. Rejoin the train at Moss Vale for dinner on board.

Option 1: Retford Park - Discover the charm of this exceptional heritage property in Bowral, which boasts the captivating “Portuguese Pink” mansion, extensive well-kept gardens and sculptures, as well as stunning art collections. 

Option 2: Fairground Follies - Step back in time and immerse yourself in one of the world’s finest collections of vintage folk art, mechanical music, and 100-year-old carousels, spanning from the 1840s to the 1950s. Key highlights include the incredible 8-metre-high pipe organ with 101 keys – The Mortier “Taj Mahal”; and a stunning Century-old English Carousel featuring 30 ornately hand carved timber horses and cockerels.

Tuesday 25 May

Today journey along the Main South Line through the scenic Canola Trail to Junee where you can choose to visit either Junee Roundhouse Museum or indulge your sweet tooth at the Junee Liquorice & Chocolate Factory. Enjoy lunch at Coolamon Cheese and explore the quaint little town before reboarding the train.

Option 1: The Junee Roundhouse Museum - Step into the Junee Roundhouse Museum for an exciting insight into Australia’s railway heritage. This impressive working railway museum features one of the few surviving roundhouses in the Southern Hemisphere and showcases an impressive collection of vintage locomotives – steam as well as diesel, and many passenger carriages which include a beautiful sleeping car and a mail van where letters were sorted as the train travelled between Sydney and country stations.

Option 2: The Junee Liquorice & Chocolate Factory - Delight your senses at the Junee Liquorice and Chocolate Factory, where you will experience the magic of artisanal confectionery and the traditional methods used to create delicious liquorice and creamy chocolates. Join a guided tour where one of their passionate chocolatiers will talk you through the process of liquorice and chocolate production and witness it being made before your eyes. 

Wednesday 26 May

Today explore the Riverina region. Discover the area’s agricultural heritage with a visit to Southern Cotton and Whitton Malt House, or immerse yourself in the charm of Morella Grove olive farm and Yarran Wines winery for a tasting and a charcuterie style lunch. Rejoin the train at Yenda and continue to Temora.

Option 1: Meet the Producers - Explore two closely linked agricultural partners in the Riverina Region. At Southern Cotton, knowledgeable guides walk you through the cotton farming process and its significance to the local economy and environment. Next door, the iconic Whitton Malt House – renowned for food, drinks, and events rooted in regional agriculture – provides a relaxed setting among manicured grounds by Lake Hulong to enjoy local deep-fried Murray cod and chips (alternate meals available for pre-advised dietary needs).

Option 2: Farm & Vines - Start your day at Morella Olive Grove Farm, where you will step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in the captivating charm of a working farm. Afterward, head to Yarran Wines to enjoy a tasting of their various wines on offer, paired with a charcuterie style grazing lunch.

Thursday 27 May

Step off and explore Temora with your choice of Off Train Experiences - either visit the Temora Rural History Museum or the Temora Aviation Museum. Return by coach to the train for lunch as your journey continues along freight-only lines via Stockinbingal, through Parkes and onto the Broken Hill line toward Orange Rail Yard.

Option 1: Temora Rural History Museum - Set in landscaped grounds and meticulously maintained, the impressive Temora Rural History Museum is the centrepiece of Temora’s vibrant new heritage precinct. Explore an amazing variety of exhibits and working examples of rural technology that highlight the way of living and working in the Temora community. Take your time and perhaps enjoy a tea or coffee before returning to the train for a delicious lunch and a relaxing afternoon.

Option 2: Temora Aviation Museum - Discover the exceptional Temora Aviation Museum, which boasts a remarkable collection of historic aircraft, including rare military and civilian planes and overall highlighting Australia’s rich aviation heritage. The museum sits on the historic site of the largest and longest-running RAAF Elementary Flying Training School from World War II, lovingly refurbished in order preserve its original charm. 

Friday 28 May

Enjoy your last breakfast on board as the train travels from Orange towards the Great Dividing Range. Pass through Lithgow and traverse the ten tunnels that replaced the Lithgow Zig-Zag, before crossing the Darling Causeway on our way to Mount Victoria. Ride the iconic Zig Zag Railway steam train for a scenic 90-minute journey through the Blue Mountains. Enjoy a stop at Echo Point Lookout before continuing to Katoomba to disembark for a two-night stay in the Blue Mountains.

Saturday 29 May

Today enjoy a coach tour of the dramatic Blue Mountains including The Three Sisters (great for a photo stop), Leura Cascades along with time to linger in the village, Jamieson Lookout, Govetts Leap and more. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner tonight. 

Sunday 30 May

After an early breakfast travel by coach down to Sydney airport for a late morning flight home on Air New Zealand to arrive late afternoon.