Grand Southern Loop

This morning visit the National Gallery of Australia and National Portrait Gallery. Continue on to the Museum of Australian Democracy (Old Parliament House) and enjoy lunch and a private tour of select rooms. Take in the spectacular views from Mount Ainslie before a visit to the Australian War Memorial including the Last Post Ceremony. Tonight we enjoy dinner at the spectacular mid- century Shine Dome.

Overnight: Novotel Canberra (or similar) – B,L,D

After breakfast we head south to visit the recently restored Cooma Railway Station on the now closed Bombala Line. Explore the museum and enjoy morning tea. We travel along the shores of Blowering Dam to Tumut for lunch. Continue on to the small township of Walwa for afternoon drinks at the local pub before arriving at Albury. After checking in to our hotel the rest of the evening is at leisure.

Overnight: Atura Albury (or similar) – B,L

After breakfast transfer to Albury station to board the iconic ‘Spirit of Progress’. Settle back in the 1930s compartment cars or perhaps visit the unique Observation-Parlor car for a drink with friends. After arriving early afternoon make the short walk to our hotel. Rest of day at leisure.

Overnight: Batmans Hill on Collins (or similar) – B,L

Mid morning our heritage train will initially head south to Geelong then west into the Wimmera. Disembark at Horsham and check in to our Horsham hotel then enjoy dinner at a local pub.

Overnight: Horsham International (or similar) – B,L,D

After breakfast transfer to Murtoa where we will visit the historic Stick Shed. We then return to Murtoa Station to board the ‘Spirit of Progress’ and travel to Sheep Hills to view the local silo art. Enjoy lunch at Warracknabeal then an afternoon stop at Brim for more silo art. Enjoy a light dinner aboard the train before returning to Horsham mid evening.

Overnight: Horsham International – B,L,D

After breakfast travel by coach to Boroka Lookout for stunning views over the Grampians National Park. Continue on to Stawell to board the famous ‘Overland’. Relax in private carriages as we journey across the plains to Murray Bridge and on to Adelaide. Transfer by coach to our hotel with the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Ibis Adelaide (or similar) – B,L

After breakfast transfer by coach to Mount Barker railway station. Board our Streamranger Heritage Railway privately chartered steam-hauled train for a thrilling journey to Victor Harbor. There is free time to explore and have lunch before returning to the train for the journey back to Mount Barker. Transfer to Hahndorf for dinner at The Haus. Return to Adelaide late evening.

Overnight: Ibis Adelaide (or similar) – B,D

Today is entirely at leisure to do as you please. Our centrally located hotel provides an easy jumping off point for exploring the city or even further afield. Dinner tonight is at the Largs Pier Hotel.

Overnight: Ibis Adelaide (or similar) – B,D

Today we will continue north by road for a spectacular lunch at historic Seppeltsfield Winery. Seppeltsfield was established in the Barossa Valley by Joseph and Johanna Seppelt just 15 years after European settlement of South Australia in 1850. Tour the winery then enjoy a food and wine pairing experience followed by lunch. Continue on to the imposing Martindale Hall. Constructed for Edmund Bowman Jr., in 1879-1880, the house was made famous by the 1975 film ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’. Later, transfer to Port Augusta with dinner tonight at our hotel.

Overnight: Standpipe Motor Inn Port Augusta (or similar) – B,L,D

After breakfast transfer to Port Augusta Railway Station to board the historic Pichi Richi Railway. The line which opened in 1879 is part of the old Ghan route to Alice Springs and passes through the spectacular Pichi Richi Pass on its way to Quorn. This quaint town was once the junction of two railroads and retains many of its historic buildings. You have the opportunity to explore on your own or take a Brill Railmotor shuttle to the nearby rail yards to view the collection. Enjoy lunch at the Transcontinental Hotel then return by train to Port Augusta arriving late afternoon. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Standpipe Motor Inn Port Augusta (or similar) – B,L,D

This morning we head north to spectacular Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges. Join a walking tour with an experienced Yura guide for an informative stroll to Old Wilpena Station, one of South Australia’s oldest and best-preserved pastoral settlements. Walk along Wilpena Creek with stunning views of Wilpena Pound in the distance. Our visit will include lunch at the resort. We also explore local Aboriginal culture with Adnyamathanha man Kristian Coulthard on a guided tour of Sacred Canyon. On our return to Port Augusta, stop at the tiny outback town of Hawker for afternoon drinks. Dinner tonight is at our hotel.

Overnight: Standpipe Motor Inn Port Augusta (or similar) – B,L,D

Today after passing through Horrocks Pass in the lower Flinders Ranges, we travel through vast plains of farming land on our way to Peterborough. We stop for a tour and lunch at Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre. Continuing we pass through ever changing countryside before making a short stop at historic Manna Hill Station. After passing through Cockburn into New South Wales we arrive at Broken Hill and enjoy dinner with fellow travellers at the Broken Hill Hotel.

Overnight: Broken Hill local motels – B,L,D

Today we’ll visit some of the iconic sights of Broken Hill such as the Line of Lode Memorial, Sulphide Street Railway & Historical Museum and the Living Desert and Sculptures. Take in the breathtaking views while enjoying sundowners at Mundi Mundi Plains Lookout followed by dinner at the iconic Palace Hotel.

Overnight: Broken Hill local motels – B,L,D

After breakfast transfer to Broken Hill Station to board heritage railmotor 621/721. With windows that open you have a greater connection with the passing countryside. We pass through Menindee then make a short stop at Ivanhoe for a leg stretch. The line from here moves far away from main roads. The scenery will slowly change from the vast outback to the flat farmlands surrounding Parkes. Disembark here and transfer to local motels. Dinner tonight is at the local services club.

Overnight: Parkes local motels – B,L,D

This morning we transfer back to the station to continue our journey east. Stop in Bathurst for lunch at a nearby pub and take time to visit the fascinating Bathurst Rail Museum. Watch as the landscape changes as the railmotor climbs into the beautiful Blue Mountains. Disembark at Katoomba, walk to our nearby hotel and join fellow travellers for our farewell drinks and dinner.

Overnight: Carrington Hotel (or similar) – B,L,D

After breakfast transfer to the station to rejoin the railmotor. Take in the morning views from the mountains before rolling through the suburbs to Sydney Terminal at the end of our epic adventure. – B