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Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Great Australian Steam Spectacular (Ground Only)

14-day steam railway tour across Australia from Melbourne to Sydney

Illustration of Great Australian Steam Spectacular (Ground Only)

Railtrail Tours' Great Australian Steam Spectacular is a 14-day escorted journey from Melbourne to Sydney combining heritage railway adventures with exploration of Australia's two largest cities. The tour features six different steam and heritage railways including the legendary Puffing Billy Railway through the Dandenong Ranges, the Victorian Goldfields Railway to the gold rush town of Maldon, and the dramatic Zig Zag Railway with its unique switchback design in the Blue Mountains. The centerpiece is a full day on the XPT express in First Class from Melbourne to Sydney. Between railway excursions, the itinerary includes museum visits (notably Australia's largest heritage rail collection at Thirlmere), a vintage paddle steamer cruise on the Murray River, and free time in Melbourne and Sydney using included transport passes. An experienced Railtrail Tour Manager leads the group throughout the 13 nights, with accommodation at the Movenpick Hotel in Melbourne and the Rydges Hotel in Sydney. The pace balances structured excursions with leisure days, making it well suited to rail enthusiasts and history lovers who want guided comfort and substantial time on working heritage lines.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is ground-only pricing; return flights to Australia from the UK must be booked separately or purchased via the operator's Flight Inclusive version.
  • The tour has only one confirmed departure listed (September 2026); check availability for other dates before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Melbourne

    Tuesday 22nd September

    After making your own flight arrangements to Melbourne, you will meet the group at the Movenpick Hotel for our six-night stay and, after check-in, we enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before dining at leisure.

  2. Day 2overnight: 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.

  3. Day 3overnight: 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.

  4. Day 4railovernight: 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.

  5. Day 5railovernight: 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.

  6. Day 6railovernight: 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.

  7. Day 7railovernight: 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.

  8. Day 8overnight: 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.

  9. Day 9railovernight: 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.

  10. Day 10overnight: 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.

  11. Day 11railovernight: 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.

  12. Day 12railovernight: 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.

  13. Day 13railovernight: 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.

  14. Day 14

    Monday 5th October

    After our fantastic Australian adventure, you will make your way independently to the airport for your chosen flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Board the Victorian Goldfields Railway at Castlemaine for a steam-hauled return journey through forested terrain to the historic gold rush town of Maldon, crossing timber trestle bridges.
  • Day 5Experience the Puffing Billy Railway in the Dandenong Ranges, Australia's most popular heritage railway, on a narrow-gauge steam line winding through fern gullies and over timber trestle bridges.
  • Day 7Travel First Class on the XPT express from Melbourne to Sydney, watching Australian bush, farmland, and hilly landscapes pass from the open plains to Sydney's approach.
  • Day 11Ride the Zig Zag Railway in the Blue Mountains on a steam-hauled journey along its unique switchback design, winding through sandstone cliffs and sweeping valleys with panoramic views on return.
  • Day 12Attend the Sydney Transport Heritage Expo at Central Station and witness the Great Train Race, with two historic steam locomotives departing and running side-by-side through Sydney suburbs.

Included

  • 13 nights bed & breakfast plus 1 evening meal and 2 lunches
  • All train rides, transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed
  • Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Not included

  • Return flights to/from Australia (this is the Ground Only fare; a Flight Inclusive version of the tour is sold separately)

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, all train rides and rail journeys on six heritage railways plus the XPT First Class express from Melbourne to Sydney are included. Return flights to Australia are not included in the ground-only fare.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes, Railtrail Tours provides an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager throughout the 14 days. However, some days include free time to explore Melbourne and Sydney independently using included transport passes.
Which trains are featured?
Puffing Billy Railway (narrow-gauge heritage steam in the Dandenong Ranges), Victorian Goldfields Railway (Castlemaine to Maldon), Bellarine Railway (Newport to Drysdale), XPT First Class (Melbourne to Sydney), Zig Zag Railway (Blue Mountains switchback steam), and Illawarra Light Railway (Albion Park narrow-gauge).
Where do we stay?
The Movenpick Hotel in Melbourne for 6 nights and the Rydges Hotel in Sydney for 7 nights.
What meals are included?
13 nights of bed and breakfast, one evening welcome dinner, and two lunches are included. Other meals are at leisure or can be purchased on train café cars.
How much walking and activity is involved?
The tour is rated Active. Days include train journeys, museum visits, city exploration on foot, and time exploring preserved towns and heritage sites, but no hiking or high-altitude activity.

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