Great Australian Steam Spectacular (Ground Only)

Duration

14 Days

Departure Dates

22nd September 2026

Prices from

£6,445 Per person

Experience an action-packed steam adventure to Australia with a unique collection of excursions including the legendary Puffing Billy Railway and dramatic Zig Zag Railway. Enjoy impressive steam charters, picturesque journeys, the fantastic Transport Heritage Expo, a vintage paddle steamer cruise, fascinating museum visits, and so much more! Journey in First Class on the XPT from Melbourne to Sydney with free time to explore these vibrant cities and create unforgettable memories.

Overview
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Melbourne ©Shutterstock

14 days from £6,445 (Ground Only)

DEPARTS

Tuesday 22 September 2026

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Experience the legendary Puffing Billy Railway
Ride behind steam on the Victorian Goldfields Railway to historic Maldon
Steam nostalgia on the Bellarine Railway
Journey in First Class on the XPT from Melbourne to Sydney
Tour Australia’s largest collection of heritage rollingstock at Thirlmere Rail Museum
Steam on the impressive Zig Zag Railway with its unique switchback design
Journey into the Blue Mountains with panoramic views
Enjoy a full day at the fantastic Sydney Transport Heritage Expo
Experience the incredible "Great Train Race" with parallel running through Sydney suburbs
Ride behind steam on the narrow-gauge Illawarra Light Railway
Cruise the Murray River aboard a vintage paddle steamer
Marvel at the magnificent artworks along the Silo Art Trail
Visit fascinating museums and explore extensive collections
Free time to explore the vibrant cities of Melbourne and Sydney

Also included in your Tour Fare:

13 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 1 evening meal and 2 lunches
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

Tuesday 22nd September
After making your own flight arrangements to Melbourne, you will meet the group at the Movenpick Hotel for our six-night stay and, after check-in, we enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before dining at leisure.

DAY 2

Wednesday 23rd September
Today, we enjoy a full day at leisure to spend how you please in Melbourne. You can relax and unwind at the hotel, explore this vibrant city on the iconic Tram Route 35 which uses heritage cars, or stroll along the banks of the Yarra River. This evening, we reconvene and enjoy a welcome dinner together at a local restaurant.

B, D

DAY 3

Thursday 24th September
After breakfast this morning, we journey by road to the gold rush town of Bendigo where we visit the Tramways Museum and explore the hidden treasures and stories that have shaped this community. We continue to Echuca in time to board our vintage paddle steamer enjoying our lunch on board as we roll down the Murray River from the historic port of Echuca. On our return, our coach will take us via Rochester's fantastic Silo Art Trail to marvel at the magnificent art works arriving back in Melbourne for an evening at leisure.

B, L

DAY 4

Friday 25th September
This morning, we board the regional express train to the quaint goldfield town of Castlemaine where we embark on a return steam-hauled journey on the Victorian Goldfields Railway along the old branch line crossing timber trestle bridges, winding through beautiful forest scenery, and spotting kangaroos in the bush. On arrival in Maldon, we have time for lunch and to explore this delightfully preserved, historic town wandering amongst the stone buildings and decorative shop fronts before our return journey to Castlemaine and onwards to Melbourne.

DAY 5

Saturday 26th September
Today, our private coach transfers us to Belgrave, the departure point for the legendary Puffing Billy Railway, Australia's most popular heritage railway located in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges. We will experience a fantastic steam-hauled journey along the length of the character-filled, narrow-gauge line, winding through towering forests, fern gullies, and over historic timber trestle bridges including the iconic Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge. We'll have the chance to look around the new Lakeside Visitor Centre and take our lunch before returning to Belgrave and retracing our steps to Melbourne for an evening at leisure.

DAY 6

Sunday 27th September
After breakfast this morning, we travel by road to the Newport Workshops of Steamrail Victoria for a private visit to explore their collection and gain an insight into the restoration projects that keep their historic fleet in tiptop shape before continuing to the Newport Railway Museum with its extensive collection of steam, diesel, and electric locomotives. This afternoon, we will experience a special steam charter in beautifully restored heritage carriages aboard the Bellarine Railway to Drysdale including a yard visit to the historic Lakers Siding Station before returning by road to Melbourne.

DAY 7

Monday 28th September
Today, we join the XPT (Express Passenger Train) travelling in First Class for our day-long journey from Melbourne to Sydney. With a café car on board to purchase meals, snacks, and drinks, we can relax and watch the scenery roll by from the open plains of Australian bush and farmland to the hilly landscapes as we approach Sydney. On our arrival, we make our way to the Rydges Hotel for our seven-night stay and, after check-in, we enjoy an evening at leisure to unwind and dine.

DAY 8

Tuesday 29th September
After breakfast this morning, we have a free day in the dynamic city of Sydney, and you can hop on the local trains, trams, buses, and ferries using our included transport passes. Discover the iconic Sydney Opera House, walk the famous Harbour Bridge, take lunch in The Rocks, visit the remarkable Royal Botanic Gardens, or explore the museums and galleries of Sydney's harbour area.

DAY 9

Wednesday 30th September
This morning, we join the local train service to Picton for a special charter from the main line to visit the spectacular NSW Rail Museum in Thirlmere where we enjoy a guided tour of Australia's largest collection of heritage rollingstock with an exclusive look at the workings of the roundhouse. After taking lunch together at the museum, we embark on a return steam journey to Buxton including a fantastic photo opportunity before retracing our steps to Picton and onwards to Sydney.

B, L

DAY 10

Thursday 1st October
Today, we enjoy a day at leisure to continue our exploration with our included transport passes, relax in the fantastic facilities of the hotel, or discover the beautiful beaches of Sydney including the world-famous Bondi Beach where you can immerse yourself in the laidback lifestyle, golden sand, and sparkling ocean.

DAY 11

Friday 2nd October
Today, we experience a scenic train ride into the Blue Mountains for a nostalgic steam-hauled journey on the impressive Zig Zag Railway. We will step back into a bygone era as we wind through sandstone cliffs, lush forests, and sweeping valleys along the unique switchback design of this railway, a zig-zagging route required to climb the steep terrain. Our return journey affords us panoramic views of the Blue Mountains before we retrace our steps to Sydney for an evening at leisure.

DAY 12

Saturday 3rd October
After breakfast this morning, we will enjoy a full day at the fantastic Sydney Transport Heritage Expo based around Central Station and our tickets include the incredible 'Great Train Race' as two historic steam locomotives depart and travel side-by-side through the suburbs. The rest of the day is free to explore the event with steam trains, steamboat cruises, vintage bus rides, heritage displays, and exclusive merchandise available.

DAY 13

Sunday 4th October
This morning, we travel by rail to the Lofthus Tramway Museum to explore their large collection of vintage trams including a short return ride along the 4km track before continuing by rail to Albion Park. Here, we have an exciting steam charter aboard the Illawarra Light Railway along the narrow-gauge line and the chance to discover their impressive collection of industrial locomotives including sugar cane, coal mines, and blue metal. We complete our day with a visit to the nearby HARS Aviation Museum for a fascinating guided tour ahead of our return to Sydney for our final evening at leisure.

DAY 14

Monday 5th October
After our fantastic Australian adventure, you will make your way independently to the airport for your chosen flight home.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

HOTELS

Movenpick Hotel, Melbourne

Ideally located within 30 minutes of Melbourne Airport and close to Melbourne’s attractions, the Movenpick Hotel offers a stylish restaurant serving flavoursome Asian cuisine, a welcoming bar, and a café serving barista-made coffee alongside a decadent dessert menu plus a heated pool and a fitness centre. The modern bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom with a rain shower, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, ironing facilities, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

Rydges Hotel, Sydney

Set in the vibrant heart of Sydney, the Rydges Hotel offers an award-winning microbrewery and restaurant serving outstanding craft beers and hearty, pub-style dishes plus fantastic leisure facilities including an indoor pool, spa, and fitness centre. The comfortable bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, ironing facilities, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

FARES

Ground Only Fare:
Ex Melbourne/Sydney	£6,445
Single Traveller Supplement	£1,250
Deposit	£645

* If you would like to include return flights to/from Australia, please book on the "Flight Inclusive" version of the tour.

Please see below the details of the flights we intend to use on our Flight Inclusive tour:

SQ 305 – 21SEP – LHR 0925 – SIN 0530 +1 (London Heathrow to Singapore)

SQ 207 – 22SEP – SIN 0750 – MEL 1710 (Singapore to Melbourne)

SQ 222 – 05OCT – SYD 1600 – SIN 2120 (Sydney to Singapore)

SQ 322 – 05OCT – SIN 2300 – LHR 0555 +1 (Singapore to London Heathrow)

13 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 1 evening meal and 2 lunches

All train rides, transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Important – Please select the number of passengers before proceeding to ‘Book Now’

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Date	From Price	Book Now	Callback
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Movenpick Hotel, Melbourne

Rydges Hotel, Sydney

Visit Melbourne

Bendigo Tramways Museum

Rochester Silo Art Trail

Victorian Goldfields Railway

Puffing Billy Railway

Steamrail Victoria

Newport Railway Museum

Bellarine Railway

Visit Sydney

Zig Zag Railway

Transport Heritage Expo

Loftus Tramway Museum

Illawarra Light Railway

HARS Aviation Museum

Melbourne, City Circle Tram ©AdobeStock

Melbourne, Yarra River ©Shutterstock

Bendigo Tramways Museum ©Shutterstock

Murray River, Echuca ©AdobeStock

Rochester Silo Art ©AdobeStock

Victorian Goldfields Railway ©Shutterstock

Maldon ©AdobeStock

Puffing Billy Railway1 ©Shutterstock

Puffing Billy Railway2 ©Shutterstock

Bellarine Railway ©Bellarine

XPT, Melbourne to Sydney ©Shutterstock

Sydney, Opera House ©Shutterstock

Sydney, Royal Botanic Gardens1 ©Shutterstock

Sydney, Royal Botanic Gardens2 ©Shutterstock

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