Heritage Express™ - Schedule of All Trains, Events, Tours

Friday to Sunday, September 12 to 14
THE GOLDEN WEST AURORA™ RAIL ESCAPE™

See the best of the Central Highlands on an indulgent Southern Aurora® Rail Escape™ to the famous MUDGEE WINE CELEBRATION and the historic goldfields villages of the Central West. Visit the land of Wine and Honey - wander among the vines, taste the wines and local produce - relax with a quality lunch at Blue Wren wines.

Inspect the heritage village of GULGONG - travel remote into the Central Ranges to explore the goldfields history of HILL END and SOFALA - marvel at the early farming and steam equipment at the Turon Technology Museum.

Unpack once and relax aboard - see it all from the Southern Aurora - the Hunter, western wheatfields, remote villages, the pretty Central Ranges and the spectacular rail crossing of the Blue Mountains.

... Hunter wine and cheese tastings, fine cuisine in the Restaurant cars and at specially selected venues showcasing fine regional produce. Optional travel in the classic ‘EAM’ Edwardian Sleeping Car.

Saturday, September 20
BLUE MOUNTAINS FLYER™
Spring Special - triple-headed steam
to Leura, Katoomba, Mt Victoria & the Lithgow Zig Zag Railway

Book now - Standard Class filling fast - just a dozen seats left in Premier Class - only 2 seats remaining in Lounge / Observation Car

Full steam across the Blue Mountains with locos 3526, 3642 and 3830 - steam up from Sydney to see the best of the Blue Mountains in Spring.

Steam spectacular - experience the excitement of three steam locos storming the mountain grades.

Take the easy rail way for a great day out in LEURA, KATOOMBA or MOUNT VICTORIA, or.... continue on to Lithgow’s ZIG ZAG RAILWAY.

Hop off at Leura to enjoy a Springtime walk along the treelined streets and a leisurely lunch at the village shops, restaurants and cafes, right by the station.

Enjoy a mountain café lunch and an easy bushwalk at historic Mount Victoria, or, explore the traditional charms of Katoomba – lunch at the historic Paragon Café or the grand Carrington Hotel - the rejuvenated Echo Point and the Scenic Railway complex are an achievable walk or shuttle bus ride from the station.

Saturday & Sunday, September 27 & 28
SYDNEY GREAT TRAIN WEEKEND
Sydney Central comes alive with a weekend of steam!

Visit Sydney's CENTRAL STATION for a weekend alive with steam trains and heritage train displays. Ride a steam train through the suburbs and take in the free display of railway history.....

Bring the family for some steam excitement...
	Climb aboard a heritage train hauled by famous steam locos 3642 and 3526 for a 75-minute round trip through the suburbs from Sydney Central. Ride with NSW's Legends of Steam™ along the seldom seen freight lines through Enfield. There are great value fares and special family fares for a memorable adventure travelling in our Standard Class 1930s carriages. Or, treat yourself to travelling in true Edwardian style aboard our First Class and Lounge carriages. Be sure to book early as similar steam events at Central have been very popular. There are 5 departures each day.
Visit the Heritage Train Display at Central...
	Get a glimpse of our proud railway history at the free display of classic heritage trains, including the famous Southern Aurora® glamour express of the 60s. Marvel at the craftsmanship and style of a bygone era - see elegant, antique sleeping and executive carriages - even see inside a diesel loco and meet a train driver. Display open from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm both days.

Sunday, October 5
RIDE THE RAIL MOTOR AT ROBERTSON

Vintage rail motors provided the regular passenger service on the scenic Unanderra - Moss Vale railway until the 1980s.

Relive days of old when historic CPH Rail Motor No.18 returns to ROBERTSON on October 5, as part of Robertson Spring Fair, centred on the historic Robertson Railway Station.

Take a ride into the past on a round trip from Robertson to Calwalla and return,or Robertson to Mount Murray and return. Three departures in each direction, throughout the day. A flat fare of just $12.00 per person (or $39.00 for a family of four - 2 adults & 2 school students) per round trip.

Tickets sold at Robertson Station, and on the train, on the day.

Saturday, October 25
SOUTH COAST RAIL & SAIL™
Spring Steam & Sail with 3642 & Ocean Dreaming to Wollongong

Steam to Wollongong with 3642 - cruise the coast aboard Ocean Dreaming ... all-in-one day trip - go one way by sea, the other by steam train.

South Coast by sea aboard Ocean Dreaming
	Cruise out through the heads aboard Ocean Dreaming - see the harbour sights, Bondi and the southern beaches, the rugged National Park cliffs, the fabulous Sea Cliff bridge and the Illawarra coast line from a new perspective. Sail from Sydney in the morning, or cruise home from Wollongong in the afternoon. Triple-deck, catamaran cruiser Ocean Dreaming offers comfortable and stable sea-going, on-board snacks, an airconditioned cabin and open decks for admiring the spectacular ocean and coastal views. Ocean Dreaming docks in Wollongong harbour, with shops and cafes nearby, and your fare includes a shuttle bus to / from Wollongong station.
South Coast by steam with 3642
	Relive the grand days of rail with a classic steam journey through the Royal National Park and along the South Coast beaches - whichever direction you choose, enjoy spirited hill climbing and great ocean views on one of NSW's most scenic rail rides.

Saturday, October 25
SOUTH COASTER™
Steam to the Surf with 3642

Take a family steam train trip to the SOUTH COAST...

Kids big and small love steam trains - treat your family to a steam experience with family friendly times and fares ...

Pack a picnic and climb aboard classic 1930s carriages at Sydney Central, Hurstville or Sutherland - settle back as 3642 puffs and whistles through the suburbs, and then weaves through the Royal National Park and along the scenic South Coast.

There's plenty to see and do ...
	Hop off at Scarborough for the easy, classic Grand Pacific Coastal walk over the fabulous new Sea Cliff Bridge ...or,
	Continue on to Austinmer - the beautiful patrolled surf beach is just a short walk from Austinmer station - enjoy a picnic under the pines in the park or at a café, take a headland walk, or a dip in the surf or ocean pool.
After a three-hour break by the sea at either Scarborough or Austinmer, hop aboard for the stress-free run home.

Sunday, October 26
THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDER™
Spring Special on the Scenic Coast & Highlands circuit to Robertson

Escape for a Spring day out – steam to the SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS and SOUTH COAST with Loco 3642.

Take a great round trip rail journey through spectacular scenery – head out of the city to Picton, then up the long climb through the highlands to BOWRAL, MOSS VALE and ROBERTSON.

Travel through to charming Robertson village - visit the traditional pub and fine cafés, arts and crafts shops, or picnic on the village common right by the historic railway station – admire the Highland gardens and stretch your legs in the fresh highland air.

Take an optional tour:
	Explore the Highlands - enjoy a picnic lunch, visit the Bradman Museum and taste cool climate wines ...or,
	Enjoy lunch in the country - savour a traditional Sunday roast lunch in the splendid setting of Fountaindale Manor (formerly Ranelagh House) ...or,
	Visit the Illawarra's newest attraction - the *Illawarra Fly* rainforest walk.

Rejoin 3642 at Robertson for the relaxing run back to Sydney – down the spectacular rainforested Illawarra Escarpment, along the south coast beaches and through the Royal National Park.

An ever-popular round trip with fabulous Highland and coastal views and an impressive display of classic steam power.

Sunday, November 2 to Wednesday, November 5
THE MELBOURNE CUP SOUTHERN AURORA™

Get a rails run to the MELBOURNE CUP aboard our ever popular, annual Southern Aurora® tour to the 'race that stops a nation' ...

Relive the excitement and glamour of stylish rail travel aboard the famous Southern Aurora on a relaxing, feature-packed Rail Escape™ to the Melbourne Cup - with a day sampling the wine, heritage and high country of NORTH EAST VICTORIA ...

fine food and comfortable, nostalgic travel aboard the legendary Southern Aurora,
go direct to course for the race that stops a nation – the Melbourne Cup,
grandstand seating at The Cup and quality refreshments in the exclusive ‘Carbine Marqueé',
explore north east Victoria – spend a day in historic Beechworth and the high country ... or enjoy some jazz among the vines while wandering the wineries of Milawa and Rutherglen,
all-inclusive package.

Saturday, November 22
COASTAL STEAMER RAIL & SAIL™
Sail one way to Cronulla by sea - the other by steam train with loco 3642

NEW - half-day sea and steam experiences!

A taste of salt air and steam - go by rail with loco 3642, and sail on Ocean Dreaming ...All in one, easy and economical half-day outing - choice of daytime or twilight round trips ...Bring the family - see the coast, sample an ocean journey, watch for whales and ride a steam train!

Cronulla by sea aboard Ocean Dreaming
	Cruise out through the heads aboard Ocean Dreaming - see the harbour sights, Bondi, Botany Bay, the southern beaches and Port Hacking from a new perspective.
	Sail from Sydney, or cruise home from Cronulla.
	Triple deck, catamaran cruiser Ocean Dreaming offers comfortable and stable sea-going, on-board snacks, an airconditioned cabin and open decks for admiring the spectacular ocean and coastal views.
	Ocean Dreaming docks at East Circular Quay - and near Cronulla's station, shops and cafes.
Through the suburbs by steam with 3642
	Relive the grand days of rail with a classic steam journey through the suburbs - on board snacks are available and whichever direction you choose, enjoy spirited hill climbing and a nostalgic trip in 1930s style.

Sunday, November 23
CENTRAL COASTER™
Santa's Steam Train to the Hawkesbury & Gosford with 3642

Bring the family for a scenic steam train ride along the famous waterway route to HAWKESBURY RIVER and GOSFORD.

Settle back in 1930s style and enjoy the sights and sounds of steam as 3642 climbs through Sydney's north. The attractive waterway route takes 3642 from Brooklyn across the Hawkesbury and along the shores of Mullet Creek and Brisbane Water to Gosford.

Enjoy an effortless day of family fun - spend some time relaxing at Hawkesbury River or Gosford - then climb aboard for the run home, featuring the famous ascent from Brooklyn, through tunnels and forest, to the heights of Cowan.

There's plenty to see and do ...

Hop off at Hawkesbury River ... picnic by the river ... enjoy fish and chips from a café ... laze at the Angler's Rest pub ... or take the quaint timber ferry hourly across to Dangar Island for a snack at the general store / café and a short bushwalk - or book our optional Hawkesbury River Luncheon Cruise.

Alternatively - go to Gosford, experience the entire waterway route and picnic in the park by the Broadwater.

Santa on board – photo opportunities and small gifts for the kids!

Saturday, December 6
SOUTHERN AURORA® CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS™
Coast Twilight

Coast Twilight - Dinner ...along the South Coast to the beach at BOMBO and historic BERRY.

Get a group together and celebrate Christmas in style on the Southern Aurora® Restaurant Train™ – a novel venue for festive fun, food and nostalgia on the rails.
Restaurant Car fine dining Lounge / Bar Car comfort and style Scenic splendour - classic Edwardian Lounge and Observation Cars

Enjoy fine food and a fabulous atmosphere – a unique moving restaurant experience, dining in elegant full-service Restaurant Cars. Relax with a drink in the three licensed Lounge / Bar Cars, wander back to the two magnificent Edwardian Sitting Cars, watch the world go by from the comfortable lounge seats and observation platform of elegant car GMS1.

Savour a quality table d’hôte modern Australian meal with a festive flavour – a lavish feast freshly prepared on board and accompanied by fine views.