St James Rail offers one day trips and extended tours in Australia, as well as tours overseas. All our tours are planned and organised by the tour leaders who have great passion to introduce and share their unique experiences with you.
Our Next Tours
WORLDWIDE TOURS
If you haven’t joined before, don’t miss this opportunity for a short break to New Zealand to experience the ‘Forgotten World’ – a 142 km railway adventure where we drive our own motorised rail carts through 24 tunnels and across 98 bridges – in each direction – along the abandoned Stratford – Okahukura railway line. Travel through the rugged King Country landscape – a unique 10 day rail experience on the north island of New Zealand, with two nights in Auckland before the tour to explore Waiheke Island.
Date: Saturday 30 January - Monday 8 February 2027
Status: Brochure is available - BOOK NOW
Vietnam is a long, graceful country where limestone karsts rise from emerald bays, rice paddies ripple across river deltas, and motorbikes stream through cities that hum with life. Explore Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Be, Tan Chau, Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat and more. Scenic Spirit is an ultra-luxury, 5-star boutique ship designed for Mekong River cruising between Vietnam and Cambodia, hosting a maximum of 68 guests. Launched in 2016, it features all-balcony suites—including the largest on the river—with butler service, four dining options, a resort-style pool, a wellness centre, and a near 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio. On board Scenic Spirit, you can expect impeccable service, world-class dining, luxurious suites and a truly all-inclusive river cruise that is personalised to meet your needs.
Date: Saturday 20 February - Friday 5 March 2027
Status: Waitlist only - let us know if you are interested.
Join us to discover Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi and experience an eight-day / seven-night train journey that turns Vietnam into a slow-unfolding panorama, trading speed for immersion and rhythm. Voyage through Vietnam’s most spectacular destinations, from Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant pulse to Hanoi’s timeless charm, past UNESCO World Heritage sites and pristine coastal wonders in unparalleled comfort. This is Asia luxury travel reimagined: where every moment blends cultural immersion with refined elegance. Unpack just once and witness Vietnam’s breathtaking diversity unfold beyond your window, as you travel in the sophisticated serenity of Southeast Asia’s most exclusive rail journey.
Date: Monday March 8 - Saturday 20 March 2027
Status: 2 suites available - BOOK NOW
Join us for a twenty-one day tour to experience the beauty of Southern France. Moving from the Atlantic-influenced, historic wine estates of the west, through the rugged medieval heartland of the south, and culminating in the sun drenched, high-octane glamour of the Mediterranean. Journey on some of the most scenic and spectacular rail lines of Southern France and sink into the rhythm of the French art de vivre. Enjoy relaxed winery lunches, rugged mountain landscapes, historic sites, scenic rail journeys, stay and dine at French Château and enjoy seaside hotels. Appreciate the land that inspired master painters like Matisse and Van Gogh, and indulge in sensory overload with lavender fields, olive groves, outdoor markets, and staggering Roman architecture bathed in the famous Mediterranean light.
Date: Saturday 22 May - Sunday 13 June 2027
Status: A brochure is available - BOOK NOW
Cruise the Rhône and Saône rivers, enjoying the region’s incomparable wine and cuisine and discovering its many treasures. Stroll the very streets of Arles made famous by Van Gogh. Visit Avignon’s majestic Palace of the Popes. Experience “Village Day” in enchanting Viviers. Hike the vineyards of the Rhône or pedal through Lyon, a city designed with bike riders in mind. Explore unforgettable “Burgundy & Provence” where tradition is as deeply rooted as the historic grapevines on the hills.
Date: Sun 13 June - Sun 20 June 2027
Status: Limited suites remain - let us know if you are interested to receive details.
Join us for a twenty-five day tour to experience the beauty of the Swiss and Austrian alps by rail during the summer months – we journey on some of the most scenic and spectacular rail lines of Europe; cruise on century old paddle steamers; enjoy mountain rack railways and cable cars; dine on the move; and swim in beautiful lakes. Delight in the wonderful mountain railways to the ‘top of the world’ and stay in some splendid hotels - as we travel by rail through the remarkably beautiful mountains, valleys and lake districts of Switzerland and Austria. We have also planned the tour to provide some ‘rest’ days for those who wish, as well as a number of alternative activities on certain days, to explore a range of other historic, cultural or cosmopolitan activities, as well as special rail experiences.
Date: Saturday 4 September - Thursday 30 September 2027
Status: 6 places remain - BOOK NOW
Join us for our Autumn Colours tour to Japan – a twenty-three day experience of autumn colours on the Japanese islands of Honshu, Hokkaido and Shikoku. Enjoy lovely hot spring resorts; travel in Green Cars (first class) on the high speed 'Shinkansen' trains – making your journey relaxed, exhilarating and very comfortable; experience scenic rail journeys through colourful forests; and explore the rich culture and history of the country, with gardens, famed textiles, art and food, and options for walking in nature. Experience a range of accommodations from modern city hotels, convenient simpler business hotels, traditional onsen resorts (ryokan) and enjoy a range of included meals, some special dining occasions and freedom to dine when, with whom and where you wish. Enjoy local cuisine at ‘Izakaya’ restaurants and great meals featuring local produce. Even if you’ve been to Japan before, you’ll visit different locations and gain a deeper cultural experience. The tour is designed and led by Japanese expert Takako Ishige, who with Owen Johnstone-Donnet have researched and organised the tour. We are proud and passionate about our tours - we make it possible to experience the real Japan, not only iconic cities and sights, but also ‘off the beaten track’ small villages and islands, meeting local people.
Date: Friday 15 October – Sunday 7 November 2027
Status: Brochure is available now
Join us for our Autumn Colours tour to Japan – a fifteen day experience of autumn colours on the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. Enjoy lovely hot spring resorts; travel in Green Cars (first class) on the high speed 'Shinkansen' trains – making your journey relaxed, exhilarating and very comfortable; experience scenic rail journeys through colourful forests; and explore the rich culture and history of the country, with gardens, famed textiles, art and food, and options for walking in nature. Experience a range of accommodations from modern city hotels, convenient simpler business hotels, traditional onsen resorts (ryokan) and enjoy a range of included meals, some special dining occasions and freedom to dine when, with whom and where you wish. Enjoy local cuisine at ‘Izakaya’ restaurants and great meals featuring local produce. Even if you’ve been to Japan before, you’ll visit different locations and gain a deeper cultural experience. The tour is designed and led by Japanese expert Takako Ishige, who with Owen Johnstone-Donnet have researched and organised the tour. We are proud and passionate about our tours - we make it possible to experience the real Japan, not only iconic cities and sights, but also ‘off the beaten track’ small villages and islands, meeting local people.
Date: Friday 15 October – Sunday 31 October 2027
Status: Brochure is available now
TOURS IN AUSTRALIA
Join us for a relaxing day out in our own backyard – a morning ferry ride on the Parramatta River from Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island for a mid-morning exploration and refreshment; then by ferry further along the Parramatta River to Abbotsford to the Sydney Rower’s Club adjacent to the wharf – to our private room overlooking the river ! Enjoy lovely scenery, a quality 3-course luncheon in our private Wharfside Room with included drinks, and the company of your SJR friends as we mark the end of another year and the approaching Christmastide.
Date: Friday 11 December 2026
Status: Brochure is available - BOOK NOW
Join us for our annual rail cruise through NSW, and commemorate Anzac Day in Griffith, in the beautiful NSW Riverina region. Travel on our private chartered two car rail motor, with overnight stops in Orange, Griffith (to nights) and Junee (two nights.) Daylight rail travel across the Blue Mountains to Orange, then Parkes through Forbes to Temora and Griffith. Visit Merriwagga by rail, then Junee and Wagga Wagga
Date: Friday 23 April – Wednesday 28 April 2027
Status: Brochure is available now