Wings and Wheels to the Riverina by Private Train

This morning after breakfast and check out, we transfer to the station for a great day of country train travel along the Southern railway to Junee and beyond. This section of the line is undoubtedly one of the most interesting between Sydney and Melbourne, perhaps even 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, our first stop, is very much a railway town and thankfully has preserved its rich history in many of the old railway buildings and infrastructure. First up we take a tour into the heart of the still busy and historic Junee Roundhouse and Museum then we bring the old Railway Refreshment Rooms at Junee station alive with a hearty lunch. 

Back on the train we swing out onto one of the crosss-country branch lines in southern NSW which takes us across the bread-basket of the region through such towns as Coolamon, Narrandra and Leeton before pulling into Griffith. The station located in the heart of town allows an easy walk across the park to our centrally located hotel. This evening after you’ve settled in we wander across the road for dinner at the acclaimed Italian restaurant, Zecca.

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

The end of the line in the Riverina is the historic town of Hay on the Murrumbidgee River, so today you are offered an excursion by private coach to visit this iconic outback town. The railway line to Hay is now closed but we’ll follow its path, noting along the way how the famous Hay Plain casts its spell, stretching as it does dead flat to the horizon. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy morning tea in the rose garden at Bishop’s Lodge historic house, a magnificent example of how colonial ingenuity built a grand house with intriguing features to cope with the climate. We also tour the Hay Gaol Museum and the important Dunera Museum at the old Hay Railway Station, before a special lunch on the platform. 

After lunch, we’ll drop into Shear Outback and the Shearer’s Hall of Fame to go behind the myth and meet the real men and women who shaped this vital industry.  Hear the click of the shears, learn the lingo of the trade, meet the sheepdogs and watch a live demonstration at the Murray Downs Woolshed. Shearers will be on hand to talk about the machinery and equipment, types of sheep, wool classing and microns for measuring wool quality. Test your own skills and see if you would be able to beat the famed Jackie Howe, the 19th-century Queenslander who was Australia’s fastest ever hand shearer.

We’ll return to Griffith where your evening is at leisure to make the most of your central location being easily accessible to the town’s many dining options.

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

After breakfast and check out this morning, we’ll board our train for the journey west through the junction village of Stockinbingal to the once important railway hub of Temora, now famous for the annual Aviation Showcase. Our private coach will be on hand to transfer us to the Temora Aviation Museum, home to one of the largest collections of vintage aircraft in the country, many of which are 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 have time between the many flying demonstrations to explore the excellent museum and have lunch 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 re-board our train in the mid-afternoon and progress back to Stockinbingal Junction where we’ll shunt our train onto the ‘Inland Rail’ line and begin our trek north to Parkes. A short way up the line we’ll pause at Bribbaree, a tiny village with a great old country pub, the Rusty Horse, and 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 Qandialla and Forbes arriving in Parkes in the early evening. 

After checking 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)

Our exploration of this region begins after breakfast this morning with a tour by private coach to the HARS Parkes Aviation Museum, including morning tea provided by the dedicated volunteers. Parkes has a long history in aviation, the first aircraft to land at Parkes was a Sopwith Camel piloted by aviation pioneer Sydney Pickles in 1919. During World War II, Parkes airport became RAAF Base Parkes, accommodating No.1 Air Navigation School, No.2 Wireless Air Gunners School, No.8 Operational Training Unit (Spitfires) and after the war No.87 SQN (Mosquitos) operated from Parkes. Former PM Gough Whitlam graduated from Parkes as a Flying Officer navigator.

The Henry Parkes Centre is the next stop to view The King’s Castle Elvis Exhibition and Parkes Motor Museum. You then have the option of an excursion out to The Dish, or alternately, head off to Fobes to visit the excellent McFeeters Motor Museum, a stunning new facility purpose built for displaying a vast collection of meticulously restored motor cars. Cars range from veterans to custom cars, rare, common and just downright bizarre. Both groups will meet in Forbes for lunch at the leafy Golf Club.

After lunch, we’ll take a short look around Forbes before heading out along the Lachlan Valley Way and the Sculpture Trail to Condobolin. All along the drive are stunning large art works in a riverside rural setting, all exploring the themes of human relationships with the land in ancient and modern times. 

After a look around the busy rural town of ‘Condo’, we head down to the railway station to board our train for the return journey to Parkes and an evening at leisure.

Overnight: Parkview Motel, Parkes (B, L)

After breakfast at the motel and checking out, we head down to the railway station to board our train for the journey along the recently completed first stage of the Inland Rail to Narromine. 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 extensive 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 then a short run up onto the Tablelands and into Orange, our base for the evening. You’ll have some free time in the newly built hotel, before we head a short distance out of town  to Heifer Station and Winery for a dinner in their atmospheric cellar door.

Overnight: The Remmington (or similar), Orange (B, L, D)

We leave Orange at a respectable hour this morning, heading down the line on our private train to Bathurst, where we’ll 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. 

We then take an excursion by private coach to explore  the spectacular Mayfield Gardens, one of the country’s most extensive private high-country gardens created with great detail and expense in the English style. The gardens are particularly attractive in the middle of Spring and our tour is timed to make the most of this opportunity.

Back in Bathurst you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure or you have the option to visit the National Motor Racing Museum celebrating the rich history of Australian motor sport, the outstanding Fossil and Mineral Museum, and the interesting Ben Chifley House – the former home of Prime Minister Ben Chifley and his wife, Elizabeth. Whether your interest runs to Australian politics or you’d like to step back in time, this unique museum provides a glimpse into how the Chifleys lived, and offers an experience of everyday life in the 1940’s. Its original collection of household furnishings, kitchenware and personal effects date back to when the Chifleys first occupied the house in 1914.

Dinner this evening is hosted in the lavish surrounds of Abercrombie House, a veritable Baronial Castle in the bush where the Morgan family will open their home for us, show us around and share some great stories about the history of the house,  and treat us to a fine spread in the grand Ballroom.

Overnight: Rydges Mt Panorama, Bathurst (B, D)

After breakfast and checking out, we board our train for the last rail run of the tour, over the Great Dividing Range to Lithgow. We’ll say farewell to our heritage train and crew here and continue by coach to visit the State Mine Museum to learn about the life and times of one of Australia’s most important industries and enjoy a morning tea with the volunteers. You’ll then have some free time in Lithgow before we board the express train to Sydney, arriving at Central Station in the mid-afternoon, thus completing a very special and bountiful Wings and Wheels escape (B).