A nostalgic journey through New South Wales' hidden gems.
7 Days
1 to 7 March 2026
Active
$7,985pptw
160 villabucks
A nostalgic journey through New South Wales' hidden gems.
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. Travel through the heart of the Riverina, explore charming regional towns and enjoy exclusive access to rare freight lines. Sample local produce, meet passionate producers and uncover the beauty of the Capertee Valley and Canola Trail. Ride the historic Zig Zag Railway through the western escarpment of the Blue Mountains and finish your adventure with an indulgent harbour lunch cruise and a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. This is a truly immersive escape into 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. Sydney to Goulburn (BLD)
Your Riverina adventure starts at Sydney's Central Station. Once aboard the Aurora Australis, relax in the lounge carriage or settle into your cabin. Enjoy lunch on board as we travel south. Stop for your first off-train experience at either Retford Park National Trust or Fairground Follies before rejoining the train at Moss Vale. Dinner is served on board as we continue to Goulburn, where we stable for the night.
4 Nights: Onboard Aurora Australis train
Day 3. Junee to Coolamon and Murrami (BLD)
After breakfast, enjoy views of the Canola Trail en route to Junee. Visit the Junee Roundhouse and Historical Railway Museum, followed by a tour and tasting at Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory. Continue to Coolamon for lunch and artisan cheese tasting before travelling on to Murrami, where you will enjoy a special stargazing experience after dinner on board.
Day 4. Whitton to Griffith (BLD)
Today’s off-train experiences include two options. Choose to meet producers at Morella Grove, Southern Cotton Gin and Whitton Malt House or explore Murray Cod Farm and Calabria Family Wines. Both options include tastings and regional insight before rejoining the train at Yenda and continuing to Temora where we stable overnight, enjoying another delicious dinner onboard.
Day 5. Temora to Bundawarrah and Orange (BLD)
Start the day with a visit to either the Temora Rural History Museum and Bundawarrah Centre or the Temora Aviation Museum. Lunch is served on board as we travel on freight-only lines through Parkes and onward to Orange. Enjoy another delightful dinner aboard the train before we stable overnight.
Day 6. Mount Victoria to Katoomba and Sydney (BLD)
Travel through the Great Dividing Range to Mount Victoria and disembark for a nostalgic steam ride aboard the Zig Zag Railway. Afterward, explore Leura and Katoomba before returning to the train for a final light supper. Upon arrival at Sydney’s Central Station, transfer back to your Darling Harbour hotel.
Overnight: Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour, Sydney
Day 7. Sydney to Perth (BL)
This morning, visit Mrs Macquarie’s Chair before joining a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. A relaxing harbour lunch cruise offers stunning views of the city before your final visit to Hyde Park Barracks. Later, we transfer you to the airport for your return flight to Perth, where a courtesy transfer will take you home.
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.
Zig Zag Railway
Dates & Pricing
$7,985pptw
$235 single option
Highlights
• Travel aboard the restored heritage train with Vintage Rail Journeys
• Enjoy exclusive rail access through the scenic Canola Trail and Capertee Valley
• Visit Retford Park or explore the whimsical Fairground Follies in Bowral
• Step inside a working roundhouse at Junee’s Historical Railway Museum
• Sample handmade treats at Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory
• Meet Riverina producers including olive oil, cotton, whisky and wine makers
• Discover Temora’s rural heritage or the renowned Aviation Museum
• Ride the Zig Zag Railway through the western escarpment of the Blue Mountains
• Stay in Sydney’s vibrant Darling Harbour precinct
• Tour the iconic Sydney Opera House with a guided experience
• Enjoy a spectacular Sydney Harbour lunch cruise
• Step back in time at the historic Hyde Park Barracks
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: 1 to 7 March 2026
Activity Level: Active
$7,985pptw
$235 single option
Earn: 160 villabucks
Highlights
• Travel aboard the restored heritage train with Vintage Rail Journeys
• Enjoy exclusive rail access through the scenic Canola Trail and Capertee Valley
• Visit Retford Park or explore the whimsical Fairground Follies in Bowral
• Step inside a working roundhouse at Junee’s Historical Railway Museum
• Sample handmade treats at Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory
• Meet Riverina producers including olive oil, cotton, whisky and wine makers
• Discover Temora’s rural heritage or the renowned Aviation Museum
• Ride the Zig Zag Railway through the western escarpment of the Blue Mountains
• Stay in Sydney’s vibrant Darling Harbour precinct
• Tour the iconic Sydney Opera House with a guided experience
• Enjoy a spectacular Sydney Harbour lunch cruise
• Step back in time at the historic Hyde Park Barracks
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. Sydney to Goulburn (BLD)
Your Riverina adventure starts at Sydney's Central Station. Once aboard the Aurora Australis, relax in the lounge carriage or settle into your cabin. Enjoy lunch on board as we travel south. Stop for your first off-train experience at either Retford Park National Trust or Fairground Follies before rejoining the train at Moss Vale. Dinner is served on board as we continue to Goulburn, where we stable for the night.
4 Nights: Onboard Aurora Australis train
Day 3. Junee to Coolamon and Murrami (BLD)
After breakfast, enjoy views of the Canola Trail en route to Junee. Visit the Junee Roundhouse and Historical Railway Museum, followed by a tour and tasting at Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory. Continue to Coolamon for lunch and artisan cheese tasting before travelling on to Murrami, where you will enjoy a special stargazing experience after dinner on board.
Day 4. Whitton to Griffith (BLD)
Today’s off-train experiences include two options. Choose to meet producers at Morella Grove, Southern Cotton Gin and Whitton Malt House or explore Murray Cod Farm and Calabria Family Wines. Both options include tastings and regional insight before rejoining the train at Yenda and continuing to Temora where we stable overnight, enjoying another delicious dinner onboard.
Day 5. Temora to Bundawarrah and Orange (BLD)
Start the day with a visit to either the Temora Rural History Museum and Bundawarrah Centre or the Temora Aviation Museum. Lunch is served on board as we travel on freight-only lines through Parkes and onward to Orange. Enjoy another delightful dinner aboard the train before we stable overnight.
Day 6. Mount Victoria to Katoomba and Sydney (BLD)
Travel through the Great Dividing Range to Mount Victoria and disembark for a nostalgic steam ride aboard the Zig Zag Railway. Afterward, explore Leura and Katoomba before returning to the train for a final light supper. Upon arrival at Sydney’s Central Station, transfer back to your Darling Harbour hotel.
Overnight: Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour, Sydney
Day 7. Sydney to Perth (BL)
This morning, visit Mrs Macquarie’s Chair before joining a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. A relaxing harbour lunch cruise offers stunning views of the city before your final visit to Hyde Park Barracks. Later, we transfer you to the airport for your return flight to Perth, where a courtesy transfer will take you home.
Itinerary is subject to change. Terms and conditions apply. Call 08 9754 2026 for details.
Zig Zag RailwayNew 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.