ANZAC CENTENARY SOUTHERN AURORA
Oaklands, NSW,Yarrawonga, VIC, to Border Loop and Casino. Coach to Wallangarra, special train to Warwick,
Grandchester and Ipswich. Aurora Brisbane to Werris Creek and Sydney
In its 53rd year of operation, we have planned a special itinerary for
the Southern Aurora – another first for the train. The 25th of April 2015
commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing. It is where the ANZAC legend was born – when we remember those who served. We recreate a journey from Oaklands, NSW, via Benalla, Victoria, to Brisbane – with a visit to Canberra and the Australian War Memorial,
and special trains from Wallangarra to Warwick in Queensand. Recalling
those who travelled by troop train north from Victoria to Queensland,
we are planning some special experiences en route. - an ambitious rail
cruise to mark this important time.
Date : Friday 24 April – Saturday 2 May 2015
Highlights include:
* Mark the Centenary of Anzac on the Southern Aurora
* ‘Southern Aurora’ private sleeping compartments
* ‘Dinner in the Diner’ and drinks in the Lounge Cars
* Nine day / eight night rail cruise
* Explore NSW, VIC & QLD aboard your private train
* Recreate the path of the troops moving from Victoria
to Queensland, via Wallangarra
* Two nights off train in Warwick and Ipswich, QLD
* Rutherglen and Hunter Valley Vineyards
* Ipswich Rail Workshops Museum and special train
* Celebrate 150th Anniversary of Queensland Rail
* Special train from Wallangarra to Warwick
* Anzac Day in Yarrawonga, Victoria
* Australian War Memorial on Anzac Day Weekend
Day 1
(Fri 24th Apr)
From Sydney via the Illawarra and ascending the escarpment to Moss Vale, to Albury, Benalla and Yarrawonga
A mid afternoon departure with welcome aboard drinks, via the scenic Illawarra Line through Stanwell Park, and then ascending the escarpment to Summit Tank for a pre-dinner stop to enjoy the view. Dinner follows in the restaurant cars, then relax with friends and fellow travellers with a night cap in the lounge before you retire to your sleeping compartment that has been made ready for your night’s sleep. (D)
Day 2
(Sat 25th Apr)
Yarrawonga (VIC) and Oaklands (NSW)
As the sun rises we are travelling through north-eastern Victoria from Benalla to Yarrawonga. The rail line from Benalla into southern NSW was constructed during a period of great rail expansion when Victoria sought to capture the grain from southern NSW and rail it to the port of Melbourne. We again create a ‘first’ with the Southern Aurora visiting this region. Join with locals as they mark the Centenary of Anzac in special ceremonies. Then we travel along the scenic road near Lake Mulwala for luncheon in a Rutherglen Vineyard. Rejoin the Southern Aurora mid afternoon, we cross the border and head to the end of the line at Oaklands, where there is time to enjoy a drink with locals at the end of Anzac Day in this small country town. Dinner is then served ‘in the diner’ as we retrace our steps back to Benalla, then overnight north through southern NSW to Canberra. (B/L/D)
Day 3
(Sun 26th Apr)
The Australian War Memorial and Canberra Vineyards
In the 1960’s and 70’s it was possible to travel from Melbourne and Benalla by sleeping car to the national capital. Wake as we descend the Molongolo Gorge into Queanbeyan and then Canberra. We have some hours at the Australian War Memorial where you can reflect and mark the Anzac Centenary. The Australian War Memorial is commemorating the centenary of the First World War through a major redevelopment of its First World War galleries. We’ll then join our coaches and head out of Canberra for luncheon in the vineyards, before rejoining the Southern Aurora for dinner and our overnight journey north through Sydney to the mid North Coast. (B/L/D)
Day 4
(Mon 27th Apr)
Laurieton, North Haven and Lake Cathie
Wake in the mid north coast of NSW passing rich green pastures and fertile farmland. We visit the scenic areas of Lake Cathie, North Haven and Laurieton, and enjoy a seafood luncheon, and a picture screening in the Plaza Theatre, Laurieton – a special arrangement with the owner of this movie theatre of a by gone era. Rejoin the Southern Aurora for dinner in the diner and overnight to the QLD border. (B/L/D)
Day 5
(Tue 28th Apr)
Border Loop, Tenterfield, Wallangarra and to Warwick on the Southern Downs Steam train
Enjoy breakfast as we head south through the beautiful Border Ranges National Park towards Kyogle and Casino, where we change to our coaches. Across the Great Dividing Range to Tenterfield and to Wallangarra. The point of change from NSW to QLD railways for so many years, and the place where troops made this crossing of the platform on their journey north – standard gauge tracks on one side, and narrow gauge on the other. We join a specially chartered steam train from the Southern Downs Steam Railway and enjoy afternoon refreshments as we climb to Stanthorpe and Warwick. Enjoy dinner with some local Queensland wines in this cool climate area. Overnight Warwick. (B/L/D)
Day 6
(Wed 29th Apr)
Ipswich Rail Workshops Museum and Grandchester by special train
We visit one of the best rail museums in the country during the Queensland rail 150th Anniversary year. We also plan to travel by special train from Ipswich to Grandchester with refreshments aboard. Overnight Ipswich. (B/L/D)
Day 7
(Thu 30th Apr)
Brisbane Limited Express to Sydney
We travel on the local QR rail service to Roma Street, and then reboard the Southern Aurora in Brisbane for a mid morning departure south. Enjoy luncheon as we travel through spectacular scenery to Border Loop, Casino and Grafton. At the Anglican Cathedral we mark the Centenary of Anzac in a short service specially arranged for us, and then enjoy a glass of wine and nibbles overlooking the Clarence River. Rejoin the Southern Aurora for dinner as we head south along the beautiful North Coast.(B)
Day 8
(Fri 1st May)
Hunter Vineyards, Werris Creek, the Australian Railway Monument and Rail Journeys Museum
Wake as we head through the Hunter Valley towards Muswellbrook, where we alight for luncheon in the Hunter vineyards. Then rejoin the Southern Aurora as we head north west to Werris Creek. We meet the locals on the station, and inspect the Rail Monument and the Museum, before rejoining the Southern Aurora for our final dinner aboard. (B/L/D)
Day 9
(Sat 2nd May)
Brisbane Waters, Hawkesbury River and to Sydney
Wake as we head south from Maitland, through Wyong and Gosford, and along the Brisbane Water. Enjoy breakfast in the dining cars, and then as we cross the Hawkesbury River, farewell friends old and new as we arrive in Sydney late morning. The end of our spectacular rail cruise to mark the Centenary of Anzac on the Southern Aurora.(B)
*Meals included are shown as (B) Breakfast, (MT) Morning Tea, (L) Luncheon, (AT) Afternoon Tea, (LR) Light Refreshments, (SD) Sunset Drinks, (D) Dinner
FARES
$5,985 Adult
$5,785 Concessions
$ 230 Supplement for single room in hotels
in Warwick and Ipswich
$3,950 Supplement for sole use of twin cabin
* Please note there is no supplement for a single roomette cabin
on the train.
For booking, any further details or information,
use the "BOOKING AND ENQUIRY" buttoms above or call us on
(02) 9326 9660
0418 585 838
or email at
