Price
$3,785 per person
Duration
6 Days
Destination
New South Wales
5 Reviews
5 out of 5

NORTHERN NSW

• WAUCHOPE • PORT MACQUARIE • ARMIDALE • WERRIS CREEK •
• COONABARABRAN • MUDGEE • GULGONG •
  • Information
  • Itinerary
  • Gallery
  • Tour Map
  • Reviews
From the coast to the inland plains, volcanic ranges, and classic country towns this adventure celebrates the variety that the northern regions of NSW have to offer the Railway Adventurer. From the window of your trains and coaches, an ever-changing vista of our coastal and country landscapes will be on show. Using regular regional express trains on morning departures is an ideal way to see the landscape and to cap off the adventure we have a privately chartered rail motor to travel on the rarely visited freight only ‘Sandy Hollow’ line down the scenic Bylong and Goulburn River Valleys. This comfortable classic 1960’s heritage double-ended Railmotor is the pride of the fleet at the volunteer-run Rail Motor Society at Paterson in the Hunter Valley. We will visit them at their depot along with a wonderful long list of special museums, homesteads, and observatories together with charming country cities, towns and villages.

Some Details

Departure Location
Sydney, New South Wales
Return Location
Sydney, New South Wales
Tour Leader(s)
Duncan Wass, Barbara Wass and Scott McGregor (in Mudgee)
Tour Date
30 Oct 2023 - 4 Nov 2023
Extras
Price: $3785 Single Supplement: $530
Price includes
  • 5 nights in comfortable, centrally located accommodation
  • All excursions and entrance fees to attractions, as listed in the itinerary
  • Breakfast daily, 5 lunches and 5 dinners
  • Chartered coach throughout the tour
  • Comprehensive sightseeing with expert local guides and your experienced and knowledgeable host
  • Drinks included with welcome and farewell dinners
Price does not include
  • All other personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, laundry services, camera fees where applicable
  • Excursions/entrances listed as optional in the itinerary
  • Meals and services not mentioned in itinerary
  • Tour Plan
Tour Plan

Day 1 • Monday:

SYDNEY – WAUCHOPE – PORT MACQUARIE

To begin our journey, we’ll meet at Sydney’s Central Station to board our special carriage on the morning XPT North Coast service . We’ll arrive in Wauchope in the late afternoon before boarding our coach for the short trip to Port Macquarie to check into our centrally located hotel. Take some time to freshen up before re-grouping for a sunset cruise on the river followed by a lavish dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Mercure Centro, Port Macquarie (L, D)

Day 2 • Tuesday:

PORT MACQUARIE – BELLINGEN – DORRIGO – ARMIDALE

After breakfast this morning we’ll board our coach for the short trip back to Wauchope. Here we’ll explore the local heritage park, Timbertown, which is inspired by the region’s logging industry, such an integral part of its early economy. Take a short ride on their steam train reminiscent of the trains used in the forestry industry of bygone days. The train traverses approximately 2.5kms around the park and showcases the scenic surroundings from its open carriages while you sit back and enjoy.

Following this we’ll continue our journey to the nearby town of Bellingen. Originally a timber-mill town and surrounded by lush green paddocks, bush, and waterfalls, Bellingen has developed into a relaxed and trendy destination with a number of local shops and restaurants. Take some time to wander, grab a coffee, or do some shopping in this cute town before boarding our coach once again for the short trip up the range to Dorrigo.

We pause at the Rainforest Centre in the Dorrigo National Park where you can soak up the lush forest ambiance, learn about the area at the visitor centre, visit the café and take a walk on the scenic elevated canopy boardwalk. We’ll then enjoy a pub lunch in Dorrigo before embarking on a guided tour of the town. Later on we’ll continue on our way west following the ‘Waterfall Way’ to Armidale. Along the way we’ll stop to view the lookout at Ebor Falls before continuing further up the tablelands to Armidale arriving in time to check in and freshen up before dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Rydges, Armidale (B, L, D)

Day 3 • Wednesday:

ARMIDALE – WERRIS CREEK – COONABARABRAN

This morning after breakfast in the hotel we board the regular Explorer service for the scenic journey across the tablelands and down the ranges past Tamworth to the grand junction station of Werris Creek. Here, on the platform of the unusually shaped brick and stone station, we’ll enjoy a BBQ lunch and have time to explore the excellent railway museum and the adjacent National Railway Monument.

Our journey continues in the afternoon by coach following the cross-country railway line heading west to Spring Ridge, Premer, Binnaway and finally, Coonabarabran to check into our motel and relax, later enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Country Gardens Motel, Coonabarabran (B, L, D)

Day 4 • Thursday:

COONABARABRAN – WARRUMBUNGLES – MUDGEE

Coonabarabran is widely recognised as the stargazing capital of Australia, with its pristine air, high altitude, and low humidity. This morning we’ll take a guided tour of the nearby Siding Spring Observatory where we’ll view the largest optical telescope in Australia, the Anglo-Australian Telescope, learn about the history of the site and the Siding Spring Mountain, as well as the incredible Warrumbungle National Park. Enjoy lunch here before heading to Binnaway once again for a quick stop.

Later on, we’ll travel south to Gulgong and onto Mudgee, our home for the next two nights. Check into our hotel in town and enjoy some time to relax, freshen up or explore the town before heading out to one of Mudgee’s premier restaurants.

Overnight: The Winning Post, Mudgee (B, L, D)

Day 5 • Friday:

MUDGEE

After a hearty breakfast, we gather to begin a series of adventures.  First up we head to Mudgee, exploring the history and heritage of the town. You will have some free time to wander before meeting up for lunch. Following this head out to Gulgong and visit the rich collection of museums and gold rush heritage buildings including the new Gulgong Holtermann Photographic Museum and the vast Gulgong Pioneer’s Museum.

In the late afternoon, we’ll take a short excursion north to Cooks Gap on the Great Dividing Range for a sunset soiree reception at Scott McGregor’s private and unique railway-themed retreat, Ruwenzori. 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 is a place that he loves to share with special friends. Here, on top of the mountain, you’ll enjoy a Mudgee sunset with canapes and local beer and wine before heading back to your hotel.

Overnight: The Winning Post, Mudgee (B, L, D)

Day 6 • Saturday:

MUDGEE – GULGONG – SYDNEY

Today it’s up early to make the most of one of the most unique rail experiences in the state, a rare opportunity to ride the Sandy Hollow railway down the Bylong and Hunter Valleys on the normally freight only line. Departing Gulgong we head east through fields, bush and the wooded hills of the Great Divide before we strike the first of the vast coal mines that are the reason for the lines reconstruction. We pass the towns of Sandy Hollow and Denman before pulling in for an early pub lunch at Muswellbrook, next door to the railway station. We’ll continue onto Paterson where we take a break to view the collection and associated museum that is home to the train we are riding. The last stage of the journey is the run down the main North Line across the mighty Hawkesbury River and into Sydney in the early evening, stopping at Hornsby for anyone who may wish to alight before pulling into Central Station and the end of our adventure. (B, L)

From the coast to the inland plains, volcanic ranges, and classic country towns this adventure celebrates the variety that the northern regions of NSW have to offer the Railway Adventurer. From the window of your trains and coaches, an ever-changing vista of our coastal and country landscapes will be on show. Using regular regional express trains on morning departures is an ideal way to see the landscape and to cap off the adventure we have a privately chartered rail motor to travel on the rarely visited freight only ‘Sandy Hollow’ line down the scenic Bylong and Goulburn River Valleys. This comfortable classic 1960’s heritage double-ended Railmotor is the pride of the fleet at the volunteer-run Rail Motor Society at Paterson in the Hunter Valley. We will visit them at their depot along with a wonderful long list of special museums, homesteads, and observatories together with charming country cities, towns and villages.

User Reviews & Comments

  • Our first tour, we could not fault Scott, Bernie and Mariah’s hospitality and knowledge. They made everyone feel more than welcome on this tour. Tour was just about perfect.

    18 May 2022

    Reply

  • A wonderful and informative tour, very well organised with helpful hardworking staff including all the volunteers on the train. Warrick and Bev really made a big effort for us. Scott, Bernie, and Mariah were exceptional as was Greg the coach driver.

    18 May 2022

    Reply

  • Scotty is the most wonderful tour leader, full of information but better still lots of fun and laughter. Bernie was caring and saw where needs arose. Love the wonderful old trains.

    18 May 2022

    Reply

  • Helen and Rob Kear
    5 out of 5

    The only way to go if you are over 70. Everything is done for you, no worries, no decisions, just sit back and enjoy your holiday!

    18 May 2022

    Reply

  • Scott’s ability to adapt to change thrust upon him and to end up with as good or even better is nothing short of amazing – All the staff are!

    18 May 2022

    Reply

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    Northern NSW

    Price
    $3,785 per person
    Duration
    6 Days
    Destination
    New South Wales

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