Enjoy the dramatic sandstone cliffs of the great dividing range at the beginning and end of your journey. Explore the vineyards of the Hunter Valley and Orange, and the rare opportunity to travel on special access train lines across the Liverpool Plains from Werris Creek on the way to Orange. A real treat is the spectacular scenery in the Capertee Valley on the way to Rylstone.
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. Commences: Central Station, Sydney 10:00am Monday.
When you rejoin our train, you’ll enjoy views from the train which we think are some of the best in Australia. You’ll see the whole length of the train as we round curves and the line traces the waters edge at Mullet Creek. The waterside theme is continued after we go through Woy Woy Tunnel and alongside Brisbane Water. We skirt around Newcastle and onto Maitland in the Hunter Valley. The train will be stabled for the night at Paterson.
Today you will be visiting the Hunter Valley, and we have three offtrain 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, 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.
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.
Wake to another delicious breakfast onboard the train before stepping off at Bathurst Station. From here, you’ll transfer by coach to the exquisite Abercrombie House, a true heritage treasure of New South Wales.
Set on the rolling grounds of Stewarts Mount, this 1870s country estate welcomes you with its stunning gardens, hilltop views, and approximately 50 beautifully restored rooms. Explore grand staircases, a magnificent ballroom and more, all while hearing stories and insights from the family who call this home. Here, you’ll also enjoy a sit-down lunch inside the house, soaking in the grandeur and history of this remarkable property.
After farewelling the family and Abercrombie House, return to Bathurst Station and reboard the train. Relax as the scenery unfolds outside your window, passing through towns such as Wallerawang and Clandulla and glimpsing the region’s national parks. As evening falls, settle in for another indulgent three-course dinner onboard, as the train continues on to its stabling location for the night in Rylstone.
Enjoy your final breakfast onboard the train. We’ll then board coaches traveling from Rylstone, a beautiful district 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. From here we are welcomed to the Lowe Family Wine Co in Mudgee. Based around certified organic & biodynamic farm, vineyard, 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. Concludes: Central Station, Sydney 8:00pm.
B – Full Breakfast MT – Morning Tea L – Lunch AT – Afternoon Tea D – Two Course Dinner
| Fare Type | Heritage Twin Cabin | Heritage Single Cabin | Dates – Shoulder Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance Purchase | $3790 | $3690 | 3 Aug, 17 Aug, 31 Aug |
| Everyday | $4490 | $4290 | |
| Flexible | $4990 | $4790 |
| Fare Type | Heritage Twin Cabin | Heritage Single Cabin | Dates – High Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance Purchase | $4190 | $4090 | 14 Sep, 28 Sep, 26 Oct, 9 Nov, 23 Nov |
| Everyday | $5290 | $5190 | |
| Flexible | $5790 | $5690 |
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