How much does it cost?

From A$6,345 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,551 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. The tour features a special steam train charter from Warwick to Goondiwindi on a normally freight-only line, plus the NSW Explorer train, though private coach is also used to cover the border country and New England area.

Is it escorted or independent?

It is a fully-escorted tour, with Tour Leader Stephen Matchett accompanying the group throughout.

Which trains does the tour use?

A special steam train charter on the freight-only line between Warwick and Goondiwindi, and the NSW Explorer train through the border country and New England area.

What meals are included?

Most meals are included, according to the tour highlights; the evidence does not itemize which meals are excluded.

Railway Adventures · Escorted tour

The Borderlands Steam Adventure 2026

10-day steam and heritage rail tour, Brisbane to Queensland's border country

Railway Adventures' Borderlands Steam Adventure is a 10-day, fully-escorted tour of southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, led by Tour Leader Stephen Matchett. The route runs from Brisbane through Ipswich, Toowoomba and Warwick before a rare steam train charter carries the group along a normally freight-only line to the border town of Goondiwindi. From there, private coach and the NSW Explorer train cover the border country and the New England area, taking in Moree, Armidale, Tenterfield and Stanthorpe, with a stop at the Goondiwindi Show. Most meals are included. The evidence does not detail specific hotels or a day-by-day schedule. This tour suits travellers drawn to heritage rail and the history of railway building along the Queensland and New South Wales border, rather than a single scenic through-route.

What to know before you look closer

Much of the border country and New England area is covered by private coach, not train, despite the steam and rail focus of the description.
Only 'most' meals are included, according to the tour highlights; confirm which meals are excluded before booking.
Only one departure is listed, in April 2026; confirm availability and dates with Railway Adventures before booking.
The operator publishes no day-by-day itinerary for this package; confirm the daily schedule and hotels with Railway Adventures before booking.

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From A$6,345 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,551 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. The tour features a special steam train charter from Warwick to Goondiwindi on a normally freight-only line, plus the NSW Explorer train, though private coach is also used to cover the border country and New England area.
Is it escorted or independent?: It is a fully-escorted tour, with Tour Leader Stephen Matchett accompanying the group throughout.
Which trains does the tour use?: A special steam train charter on the freight-only line between Warwick and Goondiwindi, and the NSW Explorer train through the border country and New England area.
What meals are included?: Most meals are included, according to the tour highlights; the evidence does not itemize which meals are excluded.