PTG Tours · Escorted tour

Great Australian Steam Spectacular

Great Australian Steam Spectacular, a rail journey with PTG Tours

An action-packed steam adventure through Victoria and New South Wales, including the Puffing Billy Railway, the Zig Zag Railway, the Sydney Transport Heritage Expo, and First Class travel on the XPT from Melbourne to Sydney.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Melbourne (6 nights)

    Arrive Melbourne

    Arrive and meet the group at the Movenpick Hotel for a six-night stay; free time before dining at leisure.

  2. Day 2overnight: Melbourne

    Melbourne (free day)

    Free day in Melbourne; optional heritage Tram Route 35 or a stroll along the Yarra River. Welcome dinner.

  3. Day 3overnight: Melbourne

    Bendigo and Murray River paddle steamer

    Road to Bendigo for the Tramways Museum, then Echuca to board a vintage paddle steamer for lunch on the Murray River, returning via Rochester's Silo Art Trail.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Melbourne

    Victorian Goldfields Railway to Maldon

    Regional express train to Castlemaine for a steam-hauled return journey on the Victorian Goldfields Railway to the historic town of Maldon.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Melbourne

    Puffing Billy Railway

    Coach to Belgrave for a steam-hauled journey on the narrow-gauge Puffing Billy Railway through the Dandenong Ranges, including the Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Melbourne

    Newport Workshops and Bellarine Railway

    Private visit to the Newport Workshops of Steamrail Victoria and the Newport Railway Museum, then a steam charter on the Bellarine Railway to Drysdale.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Sydney (7 nights)

    XPT to Sydney

    Day-long First Class journey on the XPT (Express Passenger Train) from Melbourne to Sydney, checking in to the Rydges Hotel for a seven-night stay.

  8. Day 8overnight: Sydney

    Sydney (free day)

    Free day in Sydney using included local transport passes; Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, Royal Botanic Gardens.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Sydney

    NSW Rail Museum, Thirlmere

    Local train to Picton, special charter to the NSW Rail Museum at Thirlmere for a guided tour of Australia's largest heritage rollingstock collection, then a return steam journey to Buxton.

  10. Day 10overnight: Sydney

    Sydney (free day)

    Free day using included transport passes; option to visit Bondi Beach.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Sydney

    Zig Zag Railway, Blue Mountains

    Scenic train ride into the Blue Mountains for a nostalgic steam-hauled journey on the switchback Zig Zag Railway, with panoramic views on the return.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Sydney

    Sydney Transport Heritage Expo

    Full day at the Sydney Transport Heritage Expo at Central Station, including the 'Great Train Race' with two historic steam locomotives running side-by-side through the suburbs.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Sydney

    Loftus Tramway Museum, Illawarra Light Railway

    Rail to the Loftus Tramway Museum for a ride on vintage trams, then a steam charter on the narrow-gauge Illawarra Light Railway at Albion Park, followed by the HARS Aviation Museum.

  14. Day 14

    Depart Sydney

    Independent onward travel to the airport for the flight home (transfer provided for PTG-booked flights).

Included

  • 13 nights' bed & breakfast
  • Meals as listed in itinerary B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
  • Services of experienced Tour Manager

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