Is train travel included in the price?

Yes. All train rides are included in the tour price, along with flights from London Heathrow, transfers, and museum admissions. The tour features six heritage steam railways plus First Class travel on the XPT from Melbourne to Sydney.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. Railtrail Tours provides an experienced Tour Manager throughout the 16 days. A Ground Only option is available for travellers arranging their own flights.

What are the main heritage railways featured?

The Puffing Billy Railway in the Dandenong Ranges, Victorian Goldfields Railway from Castlemaine to Maldon, Bellarine Railway from Newport to Drysdale, Zig Zag Railway in the Blue Mountains, Illawarra Light Railway at Albion Park, and steam journeys on the narrow-gauge Bellarine Railway.

Where do we stay, and for how long?

Six nights at the Movenpick Hotel in Melbourne (Days 2 to 7) and seven nights at the Rydges Hotel in Sydney (Days 8 to 14). Bed and breakfast are included daily.

What meals are included?

13 nights of bed and breakfast, plus 1 evening meal (welcome dinner in Melbourne on Day 3) and 2 lunches (aboard the vintage paddle steamer on Day 4 and at the Thirlmere Rail Museum on Day 10).

When does this tour depart?

The single departure is September 21 to October 6, 2026. The deposit is GBP 865.

No longer offered

Railtrail Tours has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. Live alternatives are under Similar journeys below.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Great Australian Steam Spectacular (Flight Inc) 2026

16-day Australian steam railway tour from Melbourne to Sydney

Railtrail Tours' Great Australian Steam Spectacular is a 16-day escorted adventure centred on heritage steam railways across Australia. The tour begins with a London Heathrow flight on Singapore Airlines, arriving in Melbourne for six nights based at the Movenpick Hotel. Days include journeys on the legendary Puffing Billy Railway through the Dandenong Ranges, the Victorian Goldfields Railway to historic Maldon, a vintage paddle steamer cruise on the Murray River, and free time to explore Melbourne's tram network and the Yarra River banks. After the lengthy First Class journey on the XPT express train to Sydney, the tour settles for seven nights at the Rydges Hotel. From there, excursions include the Zig Zag Railway's switchback climb through the Blue Mountains, a tour of Australia's largest heritage rolling stock collection at Thirlmere, the Sydney Transport Heritage Expo with the Great Train Race, and the Illawarra Light Railway. Three days are unguided, allowing independent exploration of Sydney's Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and beaches with complimentary local transport passes. This tour suits repeat rail travellers and history lovers drawn to working steam railways and railway museums.

What to know before you look closer

The from-price of GBP 6,995 is for the tour package including flights and rail; this is a single 2026 departure, so availability is limited.
Day 2 to Day 8 are based at Melbourne; Day 8 to Day 15 at Sydney, giving two long hotel stays rather than daily moves.
Days 3, 9, and 11 are free days; the itinerary does not include guided activities on those days, though Day 9 and Day 11 include complimentary local transport passes.

Day by day

Day 1
Monday 21st September
Arriving at our chosen flight check-in desk at London Heathrow Airport to board our morning Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore connecting onwards to Australia.
Day 2overnight: Melbourne
Tuesday 22nd September
On arrival at Melbourne Airport this afternoon, we transfer to the Movenpick Hotel, our hotel for the next six nights. Those on our Ground Only package will travel independently meeting us at the hotel and, after check-in, we enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before dining at leisure.
Day 3overnight: Melbourne
Wednesday 23rd September
Today, we enjoy a full day at leisure to spend how you please in Melbourne. You can relax and unwind at the hotel, explore this vibrant city on the iconic Tram Route 35 which uses heritage cars, or stroll along the banks of the Yarra River. This evening, we reconvene and enjoy a welcome dinner together at a local restaurant.
Day 4overnight: Melbourne
Thursday 24th September
After breakfast this morning, we journey by road to the gold rush town of Bendigo where we visit the Tramways Museum and explore the hidden treasures and stories that have shaped this community. We continue to Echuca in time to board our vintage paddle steamer enjoying our lunch on board as we roll down the Murray River from the historic port of Echuca. On our return, our coach will take us via Rochester's fantastic Silo Art Trail to marvel at the magnificent art works arriving back in Melbourne for an evening at leisure.
Day 5railovernight: Melbourne
Friday 25th September
This morning, we board the regional express train to the quaint goldfield town of Castlemaine where we embark on a return steam-hauled journey on the Victorian Goldfields Railway along the old branch line crossing timber trestle bridges, winding through beautiful forest scenery, and spotting kangaroos in the bush. On arrival in Maldon, we have time for lunch and to explore this delightfully preserved, historic town wandering amongst the stone buildings and decorative shop fronts before our return journey to Castlemaine and onwards to Melbourne.
Day 6railovernight: Melbourne
Saturday 26th September
Today, our private coach transfers us to Belgrave, the departure point for the legendary Puffing Billy Railway, Australia's most popular heritage railway located in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges. We will experience a fantastic steam-hauled journey along the length of the character-filled, narrow-gauge line, winding through towering forests, fern gullies, and over historic timber trestle bridges including the iconic Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge. We'll have the chance to look around the new Lakeside Visitor Centre and take our lunch before returning to Belgrave and retracing our steps to Melbourne for an evening at leisure.
Day 7railovernight: Melbourne
Sunday 27th September
After breakfast this morning, we travel by road to the Newport Workshops of Steamrail Victoria for a private visit to explore their collection and gain an insight into the restoration projects that keep their historic fleet in tiptop shape before continuing to the Newport Railway Museum with its extensive collection of steam, diesel, and electric locomotives. This afternoon, we will experience a special steam charter in beautifully restored heritage carriages aboard the Bellarine Railway to Drysdale including a yard visit to the historic Lakers Siding Station before returning by road to Melbourne.
Day 8railovernight: Sydney
Monday 28th September
Today, we join the XPT (Express Passenger Train) travelling in First Class for our day-long journey from Melbourne to Sydney. With a café car on board to purchase meals, snacks, and drinks, we can relax and watch the scenery roll by from the open plains of Australian bush and farmland to the hilly landscapes as we approach Sydney. On our arrival, we make our way to the Rydges Hotel for our seven-night stay and, after check-in, we enjoy an evening at leisure to unwind and dine.
Day 9overnight: Sydney
Tuesday 29th September
After breakfast this morning, we have a free day in the dynamic city of Sydney, and you can hop on the local trains, trams, buses, and ferries using our included transport passes. Discover the iconic Sydney Opera House, walk the famous Harbour Bridge, take lunch in The Rocks, visit the remarkable Royal Botanic Gardens, or explore the museums and galleries of Sydney's harbour area.
Day 10railovernight: Sydney
Wednesday 30th September
This morning, we join the local train service to Picton for a special charter from the main line to visit the spectacular NSW Rail Museum in Thirlmere where we enjoy a guided tour of Australia's largest collection of heritage rollingstock with an exclusive look at the workings of the roundhouse. After taking lunch together at the museum, we embark on a return steam journey to Buxton including a fantastic photo opportunity before retracing our steps to Picton and onwards to Sydney.
Day 11overnight: Sydney
Thursday 1st October
Today, we enjoy a day at leisure to continue our exploration with our included transport passes, relax in the fantastic facilities of the hotel, or discover the beautiful beaches of Sydney including the world-famous Bondi Beach where you can immerse yourself in the laidback lifestyle, golden sand, and sparkling ocean.
Day 12railovernight: Sydney
Friday 2nd October
Today, we experience a scenic train ride into the Blue Mountains for a nostalgic steam-hauled journey on the impressive Zig Zag Railway. We will step back into a bygone era as we wind through sandstone cliffs, lush forests, and sweeping valleys along the unique switchback design of this railway, a zig-zagging route required to climb the steep terrain. Our return journey affords us panoramic views of the Blue Mountains before we retrace our steps to Sydney for an evening at leisure.
Day 13railovernight: Sydney
Saturday 3rd October
After breakfast this morning, we will enjoy a full day at the fantastic Sydney Transport Heritage Expo based around Central Station and our tickets include the incredible 'Great Train Race' as two historic steam locomotives depart and travel side-by-side through the suburbs. The rest of the day is free to explore the event with steam trains, steamboat cruises, vintage bus rides, heritage displays, and exclusive merchandise available.
Day 14railovernight: Sydney
Sunday 4th October
This morning, we travel by rail to the Lofthus Tramway Museum to explore their large collection of vintage trams including a short return ride along the 4km track before continuing by rail to Albion Park. Here, we have an exciting steam charter aboard the Illawarra Light Railway along the narrow-gauge line and the chance to discover their impressive collection of industrial locomotives including sugar cane, coal mines, and blue metal. We complete our day with a visit to the nearby HARS Aviation Museum for a fascinating guided tour ahead of our return to Sydney for our final evening at leisure.
Day 15
Monday 5th October
After our fantastic Australian adventure, we make our way to Sydney Airport for our afternoon Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore connecting onwards to London Heathrow. Those on our Ground Only package will make their way independently to the airport for their chosen flights home.
Day 16
Tuesday 6th October
We land in the morning at London Heathrow Airport.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 5Board a steam-hauled Victorian Goldfields Railway train from Castlemaine to Maldon, winding through forest scenery, crossing timber trestle bridges, and spotting kangaroos in the bush.
Day 6Ride the legendary Puffing Billy Railway, a narrow-gauge heritage line through the Dandenong Ranges, with a steam-hauled journey over historic timber trestle bridges through fern gullies and towering forests.
Day 8Travel in First Class on the XPT from Melbourne to Sydney, watching the Australian bush, farmland, and hilly landscapes pass from the open plains to the approach to Sydney.
Day 12Experience a steam-hauled journey on the Zig Zag Railway through the Blue Mountains, winding through sandstone cliffs and lush forests along its unique switchback design to climb steep terrain.
Day 13Attend the Sydney Transport Heritage Expo with tickets to the 'Great Train Race', watching two historic steam locomotives depart and travel side-by-side through Sydney suburbs.

Included

13 nights bed & breakfast plus 1 evening meal and 2 lunches
Return flights from London Heathrow to Australia with Singapore Airlines
All train rides, transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?: Yes. All train rides are included in the tour price, along with flights from London Heathrow, transfers, and museum admissions. The tour features six heritage steam railways plus First Class travel on the XPT from Melbourne to Sydney.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. Railtrail Tours provides an experienced Tour Manager throughout the 16 days. A Ground Only option is available for travellers arranging their own flights.
What are the main heritage railways featured?: The Puffing Billy Railway in the Dandenong Ranges, Victorian Goldfields Railway from Castlemaine to Maldon, Bellarine Railway from Newport to Drysdale, Zig Zag Railway in the Blue Mountains, Illawarra Light Railway at Albion Park, and steam journeys on the narrow-gauge Bellarine Railway.
Where do we stay, and for how long?: Six nights at the Movenpick Hotel in Melbourne (Days 2 to 7) and seven nights at the Rydges Hotel in Sydney (Days 8 to 14). Bed and breakfast are included daily.
What meals are included?: 13 nights of bed and breakfast, plus 1 evening meal (welcome dinner in Melbourne on Day 3) and 2 lunches (aboard the vintage paddle steamer on Day 4 and at the Thirlmere Rail Museum on Day 10).
When does this tour depart?: The single departure is September 21 to October 6, 2026. The deposit is GBP 865.

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