Your Golden West journey begins at Sydney’s Central Station, where you’ll check in before a short coach transfer to Darling Harbour. Here, board the Spirit of Migloo for a Morning Discovery Cruise with Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney.* Enjoy a light breakfast and take in uninterrupted 360-degree views of Sydney Harbour before returning to Central Station to board your Vintage Rail journey.

Settle into your cabin or relax in the lounge carriage as the train heads north towards Hawkesbury River for your first Off Train Experience. Here, step aboard the famous Riverboat Postman for a leisurely lunch cruise along the lower Hawkesbury. Then follow the river’s winding course towards settlements accessible only by water, taking in the tranquil waterways, rugged sandstone cliffs, and bushland that surrounds this beautiful stretch of the coast.

Return to the train and settle in for an afternoon of some of Australia’s most scenic rail travel. As the train rounds the bends at Mullet Creek, glimpse the water’s edge before continuing through Woy Woy Tunnel and alongside Brisbane Water National Park. The journey then turns towards Newcastle and Maitland in the Hunter Valley, with dinner served on board as you travel towards Paterson, where we will stable overnight. (L, D)

*This experience is included for guests travelling in 2027, and available as an optional upgrade on 2026 departures ($60 per person).

Enjoy breakfast on board before exploring The Rail Motor Society in Paterson, home to a fascinating collection of historic rail motors and railway memorabilia. Then set out to experience the iconic Hunter Valley, where vineyards, local produce, and country landscapes set the scene for the day.

Spend time at Twine Hunter Valley, where a relaxed lunch celebrates seasonal local produce and the flavours of the Hunter. For those seeking a different perspective, an optional upgrade helicopter flight offers sweeping views over the valley’s rolling vineyards and countryside before joining the group for lunch.

Alternatively, travel by coach to Broke where you will visit Margan Wines, a family-owned winery where sustainable farming and local produce are at the heart of the experience. Wander through the kitchen’s vast gardens, guided by their passionate horticulturalist, before being led inside to enjoy a tasting of Margan’s single vineyard wines and a leisurely lunch within the barrel room.

Return to Lochinvar Station and reboard the train, continuing through the Hunter Valley before travelling through the Ardglen Tunnel towards Werris Creek. Settle into the lounge carriage or your cabin as the landscape changes from vineyards to open country, with dinner served on board before the train is stabled overnight at Werris Creek. (B, L, D)

Enjoy breakfast on board as another day of discovery unfolds across the Golden West. Arrive in Quirindi, nestled among the fertile Liverpool Plains, where the region’s rich agricultural heritage comes to life at the Quirindi Rural Heritage Village.

Explore the Quirindi Rural Heritage Village, with its collection of historic machinery, artefacts, and displays offering an insight into the people, industries, and pioneering communities that shaped this part of regional New South Wales. Take a closer look at the model railway and miniature railway before enjoying morning tea with freshly baked scones.

Return to the train and settle into the lounge or your cabin as we continue travelling along the freight-only line from Werris Creek towards Merrygoen. Journey through vast farmland and quiet country communities, offering a rare glimpse into the working landscapes of regional Australia.

As evening approaches, enjoy dinner on board while the scenery rolls past. Arrive in Merrygoen, where we will stable overnight. (B, L, D)

Wake to breakfast on board before arriving in Gulgong and travelling by coach into the Mudgee wine region.

Visit Lowe Family Wine Co., where certified organic and biodynamic farming practices shape the vineyards, winery, and food garden. Soak in the relaxed country setting and enjoy a guided wine tasting, before savouring a leisurely lunch at the cellar door, where the region’s produce and wines take centre stage.

Return to the train and settle into the lounge or your cabin as the journey continues through the landscapes of regional New South Wales. As evening falls, enjoy a three-course dinner on board before arriving in Orange Railway Yard, where we will stable overnight. (B, L, D)

Wake and enjoy your final breakfast on board before arriving in Bathurst. Travel by coach to Abercrombie House, a magnificent 1870s estate set among the rolling grounds of Stewarts Mount.

Explore the grand home with insights from the family who live there and have cared for it, discovering beautifully restored rooms, historic details, and sweeping gardens before enjoying a relaxed sit-down lunch.

Return to the train and settle in for the final leg of your journey. Travel through Wallerawang and Clandulla, passing through the national parks and changing landscapes of the Blue Mountains as the journey winds back towards Sydney.

Arrive at Sydney’s Central Station in the evening, bringing your five-day Golden West adventure to a close. (B, L)