“We like to slow things down and to really take things in,” said Simon Mitchell and Danielle Smith from Vintage Rail Journeys. “There’s something romantic about a train journey that traverses through the countryside, taking in the scenery and immersing yourself in the sights, the sounds of the people you meet along the way.”
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In 2019, the Canberra couple transformed the glorious Southern Aurora express passenger train into the Aurora Australis with the addition of modern luxuries but decided to keep the train’s beautiful mid-century vintage features.
“We have a lot of repeat clients that travel with us and, most of the time, with the people they met on the previous journey. There is such a warm and convivial atmosphere on the train,” said the couple.
“The beauty about our journeys is that we showcase some of the best regions in the state, from the coast to the western regions of New South Wales,” they added.
Vintage Rail Journeys offers three distinct journeys which also include off-train experiences. “We have great relationships with the communities we visit. On our Golden West Rail Tour, we visit regions in the Central West including a tiny town called Kandos. We stop there for an evening and on our first trip, we had a party at the community hall. The entire town turned up.
“That’s the charm of our rail journeys … And because we don’t travel by night, guests get to see the stars in these amazing places.”
Another drawcard of a Vintage Rail Journey is the food and wine on offer. They said: “Our chef, Scotty, is from Orange, so he has an intimate knowledge of the produce. One of the favourite dishes is the lamb and Scotty even harvests his own strawberries.”
“But the food experiences extend off the train. We spend some time in Griffith and in the morning, we leave the train and head to the farm of local chef Luke Piccolo from Limone Dining [for] a fabulous breakfast.”
And keeping up with the vintage theme, a 1950s bus also accompanies the train, meeting the locomotive in each place and transporting passengers into town.
“It’s such a lovely experience and we have an option of Roomette (solo) Cabins and Twinette Cabins (upper and lower bunk beds). It doesn’t matter if you’re not travelling with a partner. Our guests make great life-long friends and have a memorable trip.”
2022 itineraries
North Coast Rail Tour
This five day journey takes you along the scenic North Coast Line. You’ll enjoy a Dolphin watch lunch cruise on the Hastings River, the Byron Bay hinterland rainforest, uncrowded surf beaches of the Macleay Valley Coast and the historic towns of Maitland/Morpeth before returning to Sydney.
Price: from $4250 per person
2022 dates: June 19-23 and October 23-27
Riverina Rail Tour
Tour the heart of Australia’s food bowl stopping at regional attractions and towns – such as Temora, Coolamon, Junee and Griffith – on this four-night Riverina trip.
Price: from $4250 per person
2022 dates: February 27 to March 3, March 27-31, August 28 to September 1, September 25-29
Golden West Rail Tour
This four-night journey highlights some of our most breathtaking scenery, including the sandstone-cliffs lining the Hawkesbury River, the stunning coast to Newcastle and the wide expanse of the Central West.
Price: from $4250 per person
2022 dates: February 13-17, March 13-17, April 10-14, September 11-15, October 9-13, November 6-10
Visit: vintagerailjourneys.com.au
