Central West Explorer

This morning after breakfast we’ll begin our exploration of the local area, starting with the charming, historic gold rush town of Gulgong.   Often called a “living museum” or “the town that time forgot,” it’s renowned for its remarkably well-preserved 19th-century streetscapes, making it feel like stepping back into the 1870s.  Famous writer and bush poet Henry Lawson spent part of his childhood here and the area influenced much of his work.  His mother, Louisa Lawson, was coined the Mother of Suffrage by the NSW Government for her work in securing women the right to vote in 1902. 

While here, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Prince of Wales Opera House, the oldest operating entertainment venue in Australia as well as have free time to explore the town with its rich collection of gold rush heritage buildings and perhaps visit one of the local museums or do some shopping.

It’s then back to Mudgee for lunch at the Mudgee Brewing Co. If you like a beer or two – the brewery manufactures 7 beers locally including Pale ales and IPAs. After lunch we’ll visit the local Museum and Historical Society with its spectacular and fascinating collection of local items that includes everything from clothing and photos to farm machinery. We’ll also take a short guided tour of the town with a knowledgeable local guide to hear just some of the sometimes eye opening stories from the past.

After returning to the hotel and having some time to relax and freshen up, we’ll head out of town to Cooks Gap on the Great Dividing Range for a sunset soiree reception hosted by the owner of Railway Adventures, Scott McGregor, at his private and unique railway themed retreat, Ruwenzori Retreat. Perched high on the mountains overlooking the valleys below, Ruwenzori is a collection of vintage railway carriages, restored in the Orient-express style, set amongst themed gardens and memorabilia. 

Featured in many travel articles and TV shows, it’s a place Scott loves to share with special friends. Here, on top of the mountain, you’ll enjoy a Mudgee sunset with canapés and local beer and wine before heading back to your hotel, or if you’re interested to kick on, go into town and enjoy the atmosphere at one of the many venues in Mudgee’s main street.

Overnight: Parklands Resort, Mudgee (B, L, D)

This morning after breakfast and checking out, we’ll return to Gulgong Station to board our train for the next leg of our regional rail cruise. The regional town of Dunedoo is our first stop with its stunning silo art. The stunning murals, painted by 3 artists, depict Winx, a retired champion Australian thoroughbred racehorse, her famous rider Hugh Bowman, who was born in Dunedoo, and her trainer, Chris Waller.  

Continuing north, we’ll arrive at the tiny town of Merrygoen where we’ll shunt our train onto another branch line at the junction, and reverse our direction for the journey to Dubbo.  Upon arrival, our private coach will be waiting to whisk us off to lunch at a local pub.

After lunch we’ll check into our centrally located hotel.  This afternoon you’ll have the choice of putting your feet up, exploring the nearby CBD or visiting the Old Dubbo Gaol (your entry is included!), just a short walk away.

Later this afternoon we’ll head out to Dundullimal Homestead, a beautifully preserved historic property for dinner.  Managed by the National Trust, it’s widely regarded as one of the oldest surviving slab-built homesteads in the country and a rare example of early colonial “squatter” architecture from the pre-gold rush era.  Before sitting down to a fabulous dinner, we’ll enjoy a short tour of the 1840s homestead with its unique collection of 1850s furniture, wide halls, fine cedar joinery, and cobblestone verandah. Out in the park-like grounds, explore sandstone stables, a timber church and blacksmith’s forge for a real sense of working life on a sheep and cattle station.

Overnight: Quest, Dubbo (B, L, D)

This morning after a ‘have what you want’  breakfast at the cafe across the road from our accommodation, we’ll embark on a full day of touring.  The day is broken into morning and afternoon activities, so you can choose to do just one, or go all in and do everything!   

First up is a morning visit to the famed Taronga Western Plains Zoo – Australia’s first open-range zoo covering some 300 hectares. During our guided tour you’ll have the opportunity to see hundreds of rare and endangered animals like giraffes, rhinos, and elephants roaming in large, natural habitats using moats instead of bars. The 5km circuit allows you to see animals up close. We’ll return to our hotel late morning where you’ll have some free time to relax and enjoy lunch at leisure.

Our afternoon adventure is back on our private rail motor for a run to Narromine to visit the fascinating Narromine Aviation Museum, now Australia’s oldest regional aero club. In the past the club hosted famous visitors such as Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, Charles Ulm, Sir Alan Cobham, Arthur Butler, Jean Batten and Sir Francis Chichester. You’ll have the opportunity to view the fascinating collection and marvel at the frail construction of the Narromine Wright Flyer ‘A’, the world’s first flyable replica of the 1907 ancestor of powered aircraft.

Dinner tonight is at leisure – there are several good restaurants and pubs within walking distance of the hotel – ask your tour leaders for recommendations!

Overnight: Quest, Dubbo (B)

After breakfast and check out, it’s back to the station to board our train for Bathurst, today’s destination.  As we head south over the Macquarie River at Wellington, past Stuart Town and across the tablelands, the scenery explodes to reveal expansive views of the valleys below and, as we approach Orange, the looming geographical landmark of the ancient volcano, Mt Canobolas. Passing through Orange, we reach the historic village of Millthorpe, our lunch stop today.  This charming village is home to an excellent rural and heritage museum, where the amazing team of volunteers will give us a great lunch and share the story of Australia’s most famous inventions. 

Back on the train, our last leg of our journey today takes us through Blayney and down the famous Tumulla Bank to the Macquarie River flats and Bathurst, where our private coach will be waiting to transfer us to our hotel situated right on the perimeter of the famous Panorama Race Track.   

After some time to unwind and relax (maybe even take a stroll on the famous race track), we’ll head out to the tiny town of Rockley, which has a population of around 180 on a good day, for dinner at the the Rockley Pub, owned by the famous Sydney restaurateur Matt Moran, who grew up on the nearby family farm.

With over 30 stellar years in the food industry behind him, a plethora of awards to his name, a handful of best-selling cookbooks under his belt, and the tour de force behind some of Australia’s most celebrated dining establishments; it’s safe to say that Matt Moran is an Australian food icon. But more so than this, Matt is passionate and committed to the land and producing local produce which feature in our meal this evening. 

Overnight: Rydges Mount Panorama, Bathurst (B, L, D)

After breakfast and checking out, we’ll board our private coach and head south towards Oberon for a visit to the beautiful Mayfield Garden – considered to be one of the largest and most spectacular cool climate gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. This privately-owned garden featuring a maze, chapel, stumpery, aviary and garden rooms set amongst extensive gardens in the Capability Brown style is yours to explore at your own pace. 

We’ll return to Bathurst later in the morning to join our Rail Motor rail motor for the journey to Katoomba in the iconic Blue Mountains, stopping at the historic Tarana Station.  We’ll disembark her and walk a few steps up the bank to the Tarana Hotel for a BBQ lunch.  After reboarding our train and arriving in Katoomba, we’ll stroll the short distance from the station to check into the historic Carrington Hotel dating back to the 1880’s – a golden age of tourism in the Blue Mountains.  

After some time to freshen up, we’ll regroup and transfer to Echo Point and the stunning  ‘The Lookout’ restaurant with spectacular views over the surrounding valleys and to the world famous Three Sisters.  Here, we’ll enjoy a celebratory farewell dinner including drinks to reminisce on the adventure we’ve shared. 

Overnight: The Carrington, Katoomba (B, L, D)

Today we’ll enjoy a lazy breakfast and a gentle morning before checking out and embarking on an excursion to the Scenic Railway at Katoomba – officially recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s steepest passenger railway. The track features a maximum incline of 52 degrees (a gradient of about 128%), dropping around 310 metres through a cliff-side tunnel and into the lush Jamison Valley rainforest below. The ride is short but intense – taking you from the clifftop escarpment down into ancient Jurassic-era rainforest in just a couple of minutes. At the bottom, you can connect to the 2.4 km elevated Scenic Walkway boardwalk through the rainforest before heading back up via the railway or the nearby Scenic Cableway – you’ll have time to explore it all.

After some free time for lunch at leisure back in town, we’ll board our private coach for a fast transfer back to Sydney’s Central Station.  Our mid-afternoon arrival heralds the end of our rail adventure around the wonderful central west of NSW. 

(B)