Explore the Hawkesbury River, Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains
7 Days
16 to 22 November 2025
Active
$6,855pptw
137 villabucks
Explore the Hawkesbury River, Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains
Step aboard a journey of elegance and nostalgia as you experience New South Wales like never before aboard the restored heritage train of Vintage Rail Journeys. Enjoy the dramatic sandstone cliffs of the Great Dividing Range at the beginning and end of your rail 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. After returning to Sydney, celebrate your journey with a visit of the Sydney Opera and a Sydney Harbour lunch cruise before flying home with memories of Australia’s golden rail past.
Itinerary
Day 1. Perth to Sydney (D)
We collect you from home and transfer you to Perth Airport for your direct flight to Sydney. Upon arrival, your coach will transfer you to your accommodation in the heart of Darling Harbour. After check-in, enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel and settle in for the night.
Overnight: Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour, Sydney
Day 2. Hawkesbury River and Newcastle (BLD)
Your Golden West adventure start 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. When you rejoin our train, you'll enjoy views from the train which we think are some of the bests in Australia. You'll see the whole length of the train as round curves and the line traces the water’s 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. Overnight: Vintage Rail Journeys
4 Nights: Onboard Vintage Rail Journeys
Day 3. The Hunter Valley (BLD)
Today you will be visiting the Hunter Valley for your Off-Train Experiences. Following your tour, board the coaches 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 4. Werris Creek to Orange (BLD)
This morning enjoy breakfast on board 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 5. Orange to Rylstone (BLD)
Wake up in Orange and journey onward to Bathurst for your choice of Off-Train Experiences that highlight the history and charm of this regional centre. Continue to Rylstone, nestled in the countryside west of the Great Dividing Range. Enjoy the train’s atmosphere, fine food, and ever-changing scenery as you wind your way deeper into the Golden West.
Day 6. Rylstone, Mudgee and Return to Sydney (BLD)
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 and 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.
Overnight: Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour, Sydney
Day 7. Sydney to Perth (BL)
After a refreshing rural escape, today soak up everything the beautiful city of Sydney has to offer with a tour of the Sydney Opera House and visit to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Lunch Cruise at the harbour to see it all from the water. We then bid farewell to Sydney and begin our journey to Perth. On arrival, our courtesy small charter vehicle will be on hand to take you home safely.
Please note: Direct flights to Syndey now available from Busselton. If you want to know more, please speak to our friendly Villa staff. Additional costs may apply.
Itinerary is subject to change. Terms and conditions apply. Call 08 9754 2026 for details.
Guide: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
eg. BLD indicates three meals included on that day of the itinerary.
PPTW is per person twinshare accommodation.
Dates & Pricing
$6,855pptw
$330 single option
Highlights
"• Step back in time at the unique Braidwood Museum, rich in colonial charm
• Follow the scenic Wallaga Lake Tourist Drive with breathtaking coastal views
• Cruise the pristine waters of Twofold Bay and spot marine life along the way
• Discover the tales of orcas at the insightful Eden Killer Whale Museum
• Visit & tasting at Wheeler’s Oyster Farm
• Bega Cheese Heritage Centre and savour Australia’s finest cheeses
• Enjoy a stop at the beloved Bemboka Pie Shop, famed for its country hospitality
• Be inspired at the must-see Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma
• Unwind in the idyllic alpine town of Jindabyne with lakeside tranquillity
• Marvel at the peaks of Kosciuszko National Park, a true alpine wonderland
• Ascend aboard the mesmerising Kosciuszko Express Chairlift to Eagles Nest
• Take in the charm of bustling Thredbo Village nestled in the high country
• Sample award-winning schnapps in the scenic surrounds of Wild Brumby Distillery
"
Inclusions
• Pre/post tour transfers (ex Perth, WA)
• Airfares & taxes
• 18 meals – 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
• All-inclusive dining with Australian wines, beers, base spirits and non-alcoholic drinks (on the Vintage rail journey)
• 6 nights’ accommodation
• Tours & attractions
• Professional Villa Tour Leader
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Dates & Pricing
Duration: 7 Days
Dates: 16 to 22 November 2025
Activity Level: Active
$6,855pptw
$330 single option
Earn: 137 villabucks
Highlights
"• Step back in time at the unique Braidwood Museum, rich in colonial charm
• Follow the scenic Wallaga Lake Tourist Drive with breathtaking coastal views
• Cruise the pristine waters of Twofold Bay and spot marine life along the way
• Discover the tales of orcas at the insightful Eden Killer Whale Museum
• Visit & tasting at Wheeler’s Oyster Farm
• Bega Cheese Heritage Centre and savour Australia’s finest cheeses
• Enjoy a stop at the beloved Bemboka Pie Shop, famed for its country hospitality
• Be inspired at the must-see Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma
• Unwind in the idyllic alpine town of Jindabyne with lakeside tranquillity
• Marvel at the peaks of Kosciuszko National Park, a true alpine wonderland
• Ascend aboard the mesmerising Kosciuszko Express Chairlift to Eagles Nest
• Take in the charm of bustling Thredbo Village nestled in the high country
• Sample award-winning schnapps in the scenic surrounds of Wild Brumby Distillery
"
Inclusions
• Pre/post tour transfers (ex Perth, WA)
• Airfares & taxes
• 18 meals – 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
• All-inclusive dining with Australian wines, beers, base spirits and non-alcoholic drinks (on the Vintage rail journey)
• 6 nights’ accommodation
• Tours & attractions
• Professional Villa Tour Leader
Itinerary
Day 1. Perth to Sydney (D)
We collect you from home and transfer you to Perth Airport for your direct flight to Sydney. Upon arrival, your coach will transfer you to your accommodation in the heart of Darling Harbour. After check-in, enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel and settle in for the night.
Overnight: Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour, Sydney
Day 2. Hawkesbury River and Newcastle (BLD)
Your Golden West adventure start 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. When you rejoin our train, you'll enjoy views from the train which we think are some of the bests in Australia. You'll see the whole length of the train as round curves and the line traces the water’s 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. Overnight: Vintage Rail Journeys
4 Nights: Onboard Vintage Rail Journeys
Day 3. The Hunter Valley (BLD)
Today you will be visiting the Hunter Valley for your Off-Train Experiences. Following your tour, board the coaches 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 4. Werris Creek to Orange (BLD)
This morning enjoy breakfast on board 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 5. Orange to Rylstone (BLD)
Wake up in Orange and journey onward to Bathurst for your choice of Off-Train Experiences that highlight the history and charm of this regional centre. Continue to Rylstone, nestled in the countryside west of the Great Dividing Range. Enjoy the train’s atmosphere, fine food, and ever-changing scenery as you wind your way deeper into the Golden West.
Day 6. Rylstone, Mudgee and Return to Sydney (BLD)
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 and 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.
Overnight: Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour, Sydney
Day 7. Sydney to Perth (BL)
After a refreshing rural escape, today soak up everything the beautiful city of Sydney has to offer with a tour of the Sydney Opera House and visit to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Lunch Cruise at the harbour to see it all from the water. We then bid farewell to Sydney and begin our journey to Perth. On arrival, our courtesy small charter vehicle will be on hand to take you home safely.
Please note: Direct flights to Syndey now available from Busselton. If you want to know more, please speak to our friendly Villa staff. Additional costs may apply.
Itinerary is subject to change. Terms and conditions apply. Call 08 9754 2026 for details.
New Paragraph
Guide:
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
eg. BLD indicates three meals included on that day of the itinerary.
PPTW is per person twinshare accommodation.
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Tour Activity Levels
With such a diverse collection of travel options, we want to ensure you choose the right holiday for you.
Our tour activity levels are a guide to the required fitness level for each of our holidays.
Look out for the feet when reading about a tour!
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Relaxed
Suitable for travellers with lower mobility.
You will be required to embark/disembark coaches, trains and other transport via steps unaided. You must be able to carry your own luggage and walk short distances. Stairs may need to be negotiated at times. Travellers with walking aids (sticks and walkers) are welcome and those requiring accompanying assistance and/or carer may consider these holidays.
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Moderate
Required to walk confidently and unaided.
Expect guided walking tours of attractions with occasional inclines and stair climbs, some long days and multiple hotel changes during the holiday. Your accommodation may require access via stairs, a short walk to reach hotel facilities and have showers over baths. Travellers with walking sticks are welcome unless there is overnight rail or overnight cruising - please check with staff.
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Active
Requires some fitness. Involves longer days filled with activities, excursions requiring standing and walking for extended periods of time and nature-based activities. You will be required to walk confidently over uneven ground and surfactant at a timely pace.
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Highly Active
Requires good general fitness. Excursions will be over more difficult terrain and require a certain level of agility. You will be required to walk confidently for up to 3 hours over uneven surfaces including soft sand, rocky surfaces and creek crossing. Some itineraries will explore remote locations. No walkers allowed.
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Challenging
A high level of fitness is required. Tours have an emphasis on active pursuits and often explore remote locations which are challenging to access. You will be required to walk confidently for up to 6 or more hours per day and have experience in outdoor pursuits. No walkers allowed.
Your health, wellbeing and enjoyment of the holiday is very important to us. In order to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff and suppliers, electric scooters and buggies are not permitted on Villa tours.
Anyone providing care or assistance to others must be fit and able to provide the required support and care.