Wings and Wheels by Private Train

This morning after breakfast and check out we return to the station for a great day of country train travel along the Southern railway to Junee and onto Griffith. The first section of the line is undoubtedly one of the most interesting between Sydney and Melbourne, indeed the state. Along with the split track at Frampton and the future junction of the Inland Rail at Ilabo, there’s the famous Bethungra Spiral which uses a series of loops, tunnels, and overpasses to descend the ranges. 

Junee, the junction of railway lines south and west is our lunch stop. Junee is very much a railway town and thankfully has preserved its rich history in many of the old railway buildings and infrastructure. First, we’ll bring the old Railway Refreshment room alive with a lovely lunch, before taking a guided tour into the heart of the still busy and historic Junee Roundhouse and Museum.  Back at the station, we’ll board our train for the cross-country journey on the old branch line to Griffith – a couple of hours of scenic meandering across fertile plains and rolling hills.  

Planned by Walter Burley Griffin in 1914 and established in 1916 as part of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme, Griffith has since become one of Australia’s most productive agricultural areas, particularly renowned for its vineyards and citrus orchards. The city boasts a unique blend of cultures, with many Italian immigrants settling here post-World War II, which has greatly influenced its food, wine, and festivals. We particularly like Burley Griffin’s plan as he placed the railway station a block from the heart of town where your hotel is located! 

After checking into our hotel, there’ll be time to freshen up before we walk across the road to Zecca, one of Griffith’s highly regarded Italian restaurants for dinner. 

Overnight: The Gem Hotel Griffith  (B, L, D)    

After breakfast and checking out, we’ll re- board our train for the journey east to the once important railway hub of Temora. Our private coaches will be on hand for the transfer to the Temora Aviation Museum, home to the Temora Air Show and one of the largest collections of vintage aircraft in the country, many of which are maintained in working order. Your day at the ‘Showcase’ will include flypasts of a variety of rare and iconic warbirds and operational historic flying machines. 

You’ll have time between the many flying demonstrations to explore the excellent museum and have lunch at leisure, either at the show or in town – we’ll have our coaches on hand to shuttle you to and from the CBD and, if you’d like, the Temora Rural Museum which also has a great collection of historic artifacts.

We’ll reunite with our special train in the mid-afternoon and progress back to Stockinbingal Junction and its still intact Railway Station dating back to 1893, where we’ll shunt our train onto the ‘Inland Rail’ line and begin our trek north. A short way up the line we’ll pause at Bribbaree, a tiny village with a great old country pub, the Rusty Horse, our location for an early dinner this evening. Then it’s back on board to enjoy the sun setting over the plains as we progress north through Quandialla and Forbes arriving in Parkes in the early evening. 

After we check into our motel, not far from the station, you can relax in the bar over a light evening supper and a drink or two with your fellow travellers and tour leaders.

Overnight: Parkview Motel, Parkes (B, D)

After breakfast we’ll embark on a full day tour of the region, starting with a visit to the HARS Parkes Aviation Museum, operated by an all volunteer group of Aviation Professionals and Enthusiasts and home to a large collection of vintage aircraft and memorabilia housed in and around the World War II hangars and out-buildings. The dedicated volunteers will also provide morning tea for us. 

The next stop is The Henry Parkes Centre where we can explore The King’s Castle Elvis Exhibition and Parkes Motor Museum. You’ll then have the option of joining an excursion to The Dish or alternately head off to Forbes to visit the excellent McFeeters Motor Museum. Both groups will meet up for lunch at the leafy Forbes Golf Club.

After lunch, we’ll take a short tour around Forbes before heading out along the Lachlan Valley Way and the Sculpture Trail to Condobolin. The route features stunning large artworks exploring the themes of human relationship with the land in ancient and modern times. Upon our arrival in ‘Condo’, we’ll do a town tour before looping down to the railway station to board our private train for the return journey to Parkes and an evening at leisure.

Overnight: Parkview Motel, Parkes (B, L)

After breakfast and check out, we’ll transfer back to the station to board our train for the journey to Narromine along the recently completed first stage of the Inland Rail. Just outside the town we’ll view the main junction of the Inland Rail where the extensive infrastructure work is going on as part of this nation-building project. The newly laid heavy rail allows for maximum speed running so we’ll arrive in Narromine in good time for a visit to the excellent Aviation Museum built around the old WW2 RAAF base. After a look around and morning tea, we branch onto the line to Dubbo and the Great Western Railway, stopping at Stuart Town and the classic old Ironbark pub for lunch. It’s a short run up onto the Tablelands and into Orange, our base for the evening. 

Nestled among rolling hills and surrounded by fertile farmland, Orange has become a major agricultural hub, famous for its apples, cherries, and premium wine production, particularly cool-climate varieties like Chardonnay and Shiraz. The city’s heritage is reflected in its historic buildings, lush parks, and vibrant arts culture. You’ll have some free time in the recently built premier hotel, before wandering downstairs to the restaurant and a well deserved dinner, inspired by local produce.

Overnight: The Remington Hotel, Orange (B, L, D)

We depart Orange at a respectable hour this morning and our first stop on the journey east along the Tablelands is the heritage village of Millthorpe. Here you’ll have time to browse the excellent array of shops, galleries, cafes, and interesting museums all gathered within an easy walk from the station in this charming community.

Back on the train, we’re off down the line to Bathurst where we start with a visit to the acclaimed Bathurst Railway Museum, to learn of the impact of the railway on the culture of the city and marvel at the extraordinary working model of the western line on show before we wander across to the ‘Victoria’ for a light pub lunch. 

After lunch, you’ll have the option of staying in Bathurst and visiting the outstanding Fossil and Mineral Museum, the National Motor Racing Museum and the original Ben Chifley house and museum which reveals the life and times of one of our most celebrated Prime Ministers.

Alternatively, you might like to take a tour out to the spectacular Mayfield Gardens – 160 acres of stunning gardens inspired by the work of the likes of Capability Brown.  Acquired by the Hawkins family in 1984 as a sheep farm, the heart of the property has gradually transformed – with the help of talented local landscapers and tradespeople – from bare paddocks into one of the largest, privately-owned cool climate gardens in the world and a sight to behold. 

Dinner tonight we will be heading out to the lavish surroundings of Abercrombie House, a veritable 1870’s Baronial Castle in the bush, for a lavish three course dinner in the grand dining hall of this historic home.

Overnight: Rydges Hotel Bathurst (B, L, D)

After breakfast we’ll head up the main western line over the Great Dividing Range to Lithgow. Here we visit the State Mine Museum and immerse ourselves in the early industrial history of New South Wales and the stories of the people who have been the backbone of the region’s mining industry for over 150 years. The “Fire in the Mine” Spectravision presentation will transport you back to a different time.

You’ll then have some time for lunch at leisure in the heart of Lithgow before boarding the 1:18pm express train to Sydney, stopping at Katoomba and Penrith and arriving into Sydney Central station in quick time by the mid afternoon to close the loop on a very special Wings and Wheels escape.

End of Tour (B).