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
GREAT SOUTHERN RAIL JOURNEY
AND KANGAROO ISLAND, SA
Sun 13 to Mon 21 Dec 2020
‘With its rugged coastline, sun-kissed beaches, forested peaks, and exhilarating capital cities, the stunning journey between Brisbane and Adelaide feels like nowhere else in Australia.’ Journey Beyond Rail. Join us for a nine day / eight night tour that includes the Great Southern train journey (4 days / 3 nights) from Brisbane through Sydney, Melbourne and to Adelaide, and then four nights on Kangaroo Island.
TOURS IN AUSTRALIA
SHORT TRIPS IN AUSTRALIA
WORLDWIDE TOURS
WORLDWIDE TOURS
EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS 2021
BANGKOK – KUALA LUMPUR - SINGAPORE
INDULGE YOURSELF WITH A LUXURY RAIL JOURNEY & HOTELS
Travel from Bangkok, through the beautiful landscape of Thailand and Malaysia to Singapore aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express, visiting the infamous River Kwai. Enjoy its comfortable, elegant lounges and suites, panoramic windows, delicious cuisine and superb service. Two nights in Bangkok in a luxurious five-star hotel before the E&O Express and an overnight in a five-star hotel in Singapore as well.
Date: Wednesday 10 to Wednesday 17 February 2021 - 4 places remain - BOOK NOW
JAPAN’S KYUSHU BY RAIL - JAPAN BY RAIL 2021
SCENIC RAIL TOUR AROUND THE ISLAND OF KYUSHU IN SMALL GROUP
AUTHENTIC JAPAN & OFF THE BEATEN TRACK VISITS AND MORE
Join us for one of our new tours to Japan – an 18 day in-depth tour of the southern of Japan’s four main islands – Kyushu. With a combination of splendid coast line and mountainous hinterland, the natural landscape is spectacular. Add to that the rich culture of the island, with gardens, famed pottery, textiles, art and food, there is much to see. We travel on a range of trains, from the shinkansen, to local trains, and special ‘resort’ trains where the train is itself the destination. Experience a variety of accommodations, including excellent hot spring (onsen) resorts in beautiful ryokans. The tour is led by Japanese speaking expert Takako and Owen, who have designed and organised the tour. We are proud and passionate about our tours - we make it possible to experience the real Japan. The tour is limited to 14 guests.
Date: Tue 16 Feb – Sat 6 Mar 2021 - 10 places remain - BOOK NOW
CHERRY BLOSSOMS - JAPAN BY RAIL 2021
EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF JAPANESE NATURE & CULTURE
AUTHENTIC JAPAN, ICONIC & OFF THE BEATEN TRACK VISITS AND MORE
Join us for one of our most popular tours to Japan – a twenty-two day tour to view cherry blossoms on the Japanese islands of Kyushu, Honshu and Hokkaido. Enjoy staying in excellent hot spring (Onsen) resorts in beautiful ryokans as well as city hotels. Travel first class on the high speed 'Shinkansen' trains, enjoy special scenic rail journeys – such as the steam hauled SL Hitoyoshi along the Kuma River and themed scenic trains - and experience an overnight coastal ferry journey from Honshu to Hokkaido. The tour is led by Japanese speaking expert Takako Ishige and Owen Johnstone-Donnet, who have designed and organised the tour.
Date: Wed 24 Mar – Thu 15 Apr 2021 - Full Brochure is available - BOOK NOW
CANADA BY RAIL & SHIP 2021
EAST CANADA EAST COAST & NEWFOUNDLAND
Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island, Halifax & Lunenburg and more.
Join us for a 25 day tour of Eastern Canada – from the sophisticated cities of Toronto, Montreal and Quebec, through to the picturesque and stunning landscapes of Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Novia Scotia. The tour features dramatic scenery and nature, the history, culture and modernity of modern cities, and the delicious regional produce and cuisine of eastern Canada. The pre-tour option – across Canada aboard Via Rail’s flagship train The Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto on a four night journey is also available.
Date: Fri 30 July to Wed 25 Aug 2021 - New date - 2 places remain
TOURS IN AUSTRALIA
DANGAR FALLS, URALLA, WALCHA
FOOD, WINE, WATERFALLS AND NEW ENGLAND COUNTRYSIDE
Join us for a four-day tour to Petersons Guesthouse and Winery, Dangarleigh, located on the outskirts of Armidale, amongst the beautiful New England countryside. Enjoy a scenic rail journey to and from Armidale, comfortable guesthouse accommodation with breakfast and dinner in house, wine tasting, and two days exploring the nearby countryside to view waterfalls, historic homes, the University of New England, heritage sites, winery, Kentucky distillery and more.
Date: Monday 19 To Thursday 22 October 2020 - Fully Booked
DANGAR FALLS, URALLA, WALCHA
FOOD, WINE, WATERFALLS AND NEW ENGLAND COUNTRYSIDE
Join us for a four-day tour to Petersons Guesthouse and Winery, Dangarleigh, located on the outskirts of Armidale, amongst the beautiful New England countryside. Enjoy a scenic rail journey to and from Armidale, comfortable guesthouse accommodation with breakfast and dinner in house, wine tasting, and two days exploring the nearby countryside to view waterfalls, historic homes, the University of New England, heritage sites, winery, Kentucky distillery and more.
Date: Monday 26 to Thursday 29 October 2020 - Fully Booked
DANGAR FALLS, URALLA, WALCHA
FOOD, WINE, WATERFALLS AND NEW ENGLAND COUNTRYSIDE
Join us for a four-day tour to Petersons Guesthouse and Winery, Dangarleigh, located on the outskirts of Armidale, amongst the beautiful New England countryside. Enjoy a scenic rail journey to and from Armidale, comfortable guesthouse accommodation with breakfast and dinner in house, wine tasting, and two days exploring the nearby countryside to view waterfalls, historic homes, the University of New England, heritage sites, winery, Kentucky distillery and more.
Date: Monday 2 to Thursday 5 November 2020 - Fully Booked
DANGAR FALLS, URALLA, WALCHA
FOOD, WINE, WATERFALLS AND NEW ENGLAND COUNTRYSIDE
Join us for a four-day tour to Petersons Guesthouse and Winery, Dangarleigh, located on the outskirts of Armidale, amongst the beautiful New England countryside. Enjoy a scenic rail journey to and from Armidale, comfortable guesthouse accommodation with breakfast and dinner in house, wine tasting, and two days exploring the nearby countryside to view waterfalls, historic homes, the University of New England, heritage sites, winery, Kentucky distillery and more.
Date: Sunday 29 November to Wednesday 2 December 2020 - Fully Booked
NUTCOTE
One day tour to the home of May Gibbs
Join us for a day tour to Nutcote the home of famed author May Gibbs - one of Australia’s foremost children’s authors and illustrators and best known for the iconic Australian children’s story - Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Join us for an inspection of Nutcote, luncheon and travel by ferry on Sydney Harbour.
Date: Wednesday 18 November 2020 - New date / BOOK NOW
MILLTHORPE
CARCOAR, ORANGE, CANOBOLAS
FOOD, WINE AND AUTUMN COLOURS
A three day, two night rail / coach journey to the Central West to explore Millthorpe, Carcoar, Canobolas and Orange. Inspect Millthorpe ‘open’ gardens, taste local regional food, great cool-climate wines, and an excellent degustation meal at Millthorpe’s famed one-hatted restaurant – Tonic.
Date: Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 November 2020 - new date - BOOK NOW
A 7 DAY, 6 NIGHT RAIL & COACH JOURNEY
DRAMATIC SCENERY OF AUSTRALIAN ALPS, HISTORY AND WINES
Join us on our seven day, six night trip to the Snowy Mountains region and high country of NSW. Highlights include: Bungendore Village; the Australian War Memorial; Cooma; Thredbo; Corryong; and Tumbarumba. Inspect the Snowy Scheme, stay in Thredbo, visit the Tumbarumba Winery, traverse the Alpine Way and more.
Date: May 2021 - 8 Places remain - Brochure with new date will available soon
RAIL FROM BRISBANE TO SYDNEY, MELBOURNE AND ADELAIDE
EXPLORE KANGAROO ISLAND
‘With its rugged coastline, sun-kissed beaches, forested peaks, and exhilarating capital cities, the stunning journey between Brisbane and Adelaide feels like nowhere else in Australia.’ Journey Beyond Rail. Join us for a nine day / eight night tour that includes the Great Southern train journey (4 days / 3 nights) from Brisbane through Sydney, Melbourne and to Adelaide, and then four nights on Kangaroo Island. In the warmer months of December and January, when the Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin does not operate, the train is rebranded as the Great Southern and offers a rare opportunity to travel in style between Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide – and vice versa. Kangaroo Island is the third largest island in Australia, and as it is not on the tourist trail, has stayed remarkably untouched by mass tourism. Indeed, a third of the island has been set aside as a Natural or Conservation Park, and the rest of the island is composed of farms, wineries and sanctuaries, and a couple of tiny towns. The island is better known abroad than by Australians – it is a unique destination worthy of discovery
Date: Sunday 3 to Monday 11 January 2021 - 6 Places remain - BOOK NOW
RAIL FROM BRISBANE TO SYDNEY, MELBOURNE AND ADELAIDE
EXPLORE KANGAROO ISLAND
‘With its rugged coastline, sun-kissed beaches, forested peaks, and exhilarating capital cities, the stunning journey between Brisbane and Adelaide feels like nowhere else in Australia.’ Journey Beyond Rail. Join us for a nine day / eight night tour that includes the Great Southern train journey (4 days / 3 nights) from Brisbane through Sydney, Melbourne and to Adelaide, and then four nights on Kangaroo Island. In the warmer months of December and January, when the Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin does not operate, the train is rebranded as the Great Southern and offers a rare opportunity to travel in style between Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide – and vice versa. Kangaroo Island is the third largest island in Australia, and as it is not on the tourist trail, has stayed remarkably untouched by mass tourism. Indeed, a third of the island has been set aside as a Natural or Conservation Park, and the rest of the island is composed of farms, wineries and sanctuaries, and a couple of tiny towns. The island is better known abroad than by Australians – it is a unique destination worthy of discovery
Date: Sunday 13 to Monday 21 December 2020 - 4 Places remain - BOOK NOW
DARWIN – BROOME
The Ghan, Le Laperouse Ponant Cruise – Darwin to Broome and Indian Pacific
Join us for all or part of our tour from Adelaide to Darwin, Broome, Perth and return to Sydney. The full tour features the Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin; Ponant’s superb Le Bellot mega-yacht 11 day cruise from Darwin to Broome; a flight from Broome to Perth; and the Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney. (Part travel is possible, flying direct to Darwin to join us, or direct from Broome to your home city at the conclusion of the tour.)
Date: Tuesday 1 June – Friday 18 June 2021 - 2 places remain - BOOK NOW
ANZAC SOUTHERN AURORA 2021
GREAT FOOD, WINE AND SCENERY OF REGIONAL NSW
SJR’S SALUTE TO THE HON TIM FISCHER
Join us as for a six day / five night rail cruise aboard the Southern Aurora through regional NSW - with sleeping, lounge and dining cars. Mark Anzac Day in the Riverina town of Coolamon as we salute the Hon Tim Fischer AC, friend and traveller with St James Rail over many years. Enjoy the great scenery of areas not normally visited by passenger trains, watch the world pass from the lounge car, and enjoy fine meals and taste local produce.
Date: Saturday 24 - Thursday 29 April 2021 - Fully booked, waitlist available
SHORT TRIPS IN AUSTRALIA
NUTCOTE
One day tour to the home of May Gibbs
Join us for a day tour to Nutcote the home of famed author May Gibbs - one of Australia’s foremost children’s authors and illustrators and best known for the iconic Australian children’s story - Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Join us for an inspection of Nutcote, luncheon and travel by ferry on Sydney Harbour.
Date: Wednesday 18 November 2020 - New date / BOOK NOW
MILLTHORPE
CARCOAR, ORANGE, CANOBOLAS
FOOD, WINE AND AUTUMN COLOURS
A three day, two night rail / coach journey to the Central West to explore Millthorpe, Carcoar, Canobolas and Orange. Inspect Millthorpe ‘open’ gardens, taste local regional food, great cool-climate wines, and an excellent degustation meal at Millthorpe’s famed one-hatted restaurant – Tonic.
Date: Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 November 2020 - new date - BOOK NOW
SJR CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
EASY, RELAXING ONE-DAY OUTING WITH YOUR OLD AND NEW FRIENDS.
Join us for our annual Christmas Luncheon in Sydney. It will be a perfect opportunity to catch up with your friends with whom you’ve travelled, or to meet new friends. Travelled with us before or new, you are all welcome to join us. Easy, relaxing, one-day outing. Keep the day free. We will send details when finalised.
Date: Saturday 12 December 2020 - Keep the day free / Brochure will be available soon
DANGAR FALLS, URALLA, WALCHA
FOOD, WINE, WATERFALLS AND NEW ENGLAND COUNTRYSIDE
Join us for a four-day tour to Petersons Guesthouse and Winery, Dangarleigh, located on the outskirts of Armidale, amongst the beautiful New England countryside. Enjoy a scenic rail journey to and from Armidale, comfortable guesthouse accommodation with breakfast and dinner in house, wine tasting, and two days exploring the nearby countryside to view waterfalls, historic homes, the University of New England, heritage sites, winery, Kentucky distillery and more.
Date: Monday 19 To Thursday 22 October 2020 - Fully Booked
DANGAR FALLS, URALLA, WALCHA
FOOD, WINE, WATERFALLS AND NEW ENGLAND COUNTRYSIDE
Join us for a four-day tour to Petersons Guesthouse and Winery, Dangarleigh, located on the outskirts of Armidale, amongst the beautiful New England countryside. Enjoy a scenic rail journey to and from Armidale, comfortable guesthouse accommodation with breakfast and dinner in house, wine tasting, and two days exploring the nearby countryside to view waterfalls, historic homes, the University of New England, heritage sites, winery, Kentucky distillery and more.
Date: Monday 26 to Thursday 29 October 2020 - Fully Booked
DANGAR FALLS, URALLA, WALCHA
FOOD, WINE, WATERFALLS AND NEW ENGLAND COUNTRYSIDE
Join us for a four-day tour to Petersons Guesthouse and Winery, Dangarleigh, located on the outskirts of Armidale, amongst the beautiful New England countryside. Enjoy a scenic rail journey to and from Armidale, comfortable guesthouse accommodation with breakfast and dinner in house, wine tasting, and two days exploring the nearby countryside to view waterfalls, historic homes, the University of New England, heritage sites, winery, Kentucky distillery and more.
Date: Monday 2 to Thursday 5 November 2020 - Fully Booked
DANGAR FALLS, URALLA, WALCHA
FOOD, WINE, WATERFALLS AND NEW ENGLAND COUNTRYSIDE
Join us for a four-day tour to Petersons Guesthouse and Winery, Dangarleigh, located on the outskirts of Armidale, amongst the beautiful New England countryside. Enjoy a scenic rail journey to and from Armidale, comfortable guesthouse accommodation with breakfast and dinner in house, wine tasting, and two days exploring the nearby countryside to view waterfalls, historic homes, the University of New England, heritage sites, winery, Kentucky distillery and more.
Date: Sunday 29 November to Wednesday 2 December 2020 - Fully Booked
A 7 DAY, 6 NIGHT RAIL & COACH JOURNEY
DRAMATIC SCENERY OF AUSTRALIAN ALPS, HISTORY AND WINES
Join us on our seven day, six night trip to the Snowy Mountains region and high country of NSW. Highlights include: Bungendore Village; the Australian War Memorial; Cooma; Thredbo; Corryong; and Tumbarumba. Inspect the Snowy Scheme, stay in Thredbo, visit the Tumbarumba Winery, traverse the Alpine Way and more.
Date: May 2021 - 8 Places remain - Brochure with new date will available soon