Fri to Sun, Sep 12 to 14, 2008 - Southern Aurora® - THE GOLDEN WEST AURORA MINI RAIL ESCAPE™

SOUTHERN AURORA® RAIL ESCAPE™

THE GOLDEN WEST AURORA™ RAIL ESCAPE™
Friday to Sunday, September 12 to 14

See the best of the Central Highlands on an indulgent Southern Aurora® Rail Escape™ to the famous Mudgee Wine Celebration and the historic goldfields villages of the Central West

Wine, honey and history all in one compact weekend rail escape.

Explore historic Gulgong, Hill End and Sofala
	Inspect the heritage village of Gulgong - travel remote into the central Ranges to explore the goldfields history of Hill End and Sofala - marvel at the early farming and steam equipment at the Turon Technology Museum.
Experience the Mudgee Wine Celebration
	Visit the land of Wine and Honey - wander among the vines, taste the wines and local produce - relax with a quality lunch at Blue Wren wines.
*Travel back in time and see the best of the Central Highlands*
	Unpack once and relax aboard - see it all from the Southern Aurora - the Hunter, western wheatfields, remote villages, the pretty Central Ranges and the spectacular rail crossing of the Blue Mountains
*Enjoy creative cuisine on board...*
	... Hunter wine and cheese tastings, fine cuisine in the Restaurant cars and at specially selected venues showcasing fine regional produce.
Go the easy rail way
	Relax on the Southern Aurora® in cosy, air-conditioned Sleeping Cabins, elegant Restaurant Cars and comfortable Lounge / Bar Cars.
	Optional travel in the classic ‘EAM’ Edwardian Sleeping Car.

The Golden West Aurora Rail Escape Itinerary

Day 1	Friday, September 12	(D)	> Board at Sydney Central
			> 'Welcome Aboard' Hunter wine and cheese tasting
			> Dinner in the Diner

Board the Southern Aurora® at Sydney Central at 3.00 pm.
Meet friends old and new in the Lounge / Bar Cars as we travel the scenic waterways route to the Hunter
Enjoy a tasting of fine Hunter wines and cheeses as the sun sets over the Hunter Valley
Relax with a quality dinner in the diner
Travel overnight through the North West plains - Werris Creek, Binnaway and Dunedoo.

Day 2

Saturday,
September 13

(B/L/D)

> Arrive at Gulgong

> Experience the Mudgee Wine Celebration - visit
boutique wineries, taste local produce, enjoy lunch at the renowned Blue Wren Winery restaurant

> Explore the historic goldfields towns of Hill End,
Sofala and Gulgong; visit the Turon Technology Museum

>Dinner on board the Southern Aurora

Wake in a new world and take breakfast as the Southern Aurora wends through the vast western wheatfields
Board one of our guided coach tours from Gulgong:

Option 1
Explore the land of wine and honey at the Mudgee Wine Celebration

The Annual Mudgee Wine Celebration presents a feast of all that the bountiful Cudgegong Valley offers.

Take our comfortable coach tour of the Mudgee district –

> Enjoy a honey tasting, olive grove inspection and artisan cheese tasting;

> Sample fine wines at two boutique wineries, meet the winemakers and learn about wine production;

> Explore Mudgee township.

> Plenty of opportunities to taste and purchase regional produce.

> Savour a fine two course Lunch and wine tasting at the renowned Blue Wren Winery

or...

Option 2
Goldfields Explorer - Hill End, Sofala and Gulgong

> A heritage walking tour of Gulgong with a local guide includes the historic Prince of Wales Opera House and Pioneers Museum.

> Travel to the fascinating Turon Technology Museum to see some of the preserved steam and farming machinery,

> Hill End thrived in the 1870’s – gold reef mining brought fame and fortune to the town and supported 8000 pioneering miners, a mile of shops and 27 hotels. Now, only ghostly reminders remain of the boom and bust town perched on the rim of the beautiful Turon valley.

There’s plenty to see in the attractive village – the restored 1870’s buildings, the classic Royal Hotel, abandoned mine workings, Hawkins Hill lookout, the visitors centre and museum.

A hearty picnic style luncheon and a fascinating guided walking tour of the historic site are included in our tour.

> Inspect historic Sofala, attractively situated on the banks of the Turon River.

Whichever day time option you choose, our coach will transfer you to the Southern Aurora at Gulgong in time for dinner aboard.

Day 3	Sunday, September 14	(B/L)	> Relaxing daylight journey to Sydney
			> Homeward through the Central Highlands and Blue Mountains
			> Visit the 'Daffodils at Rydal' festival

Wake as the Southern Aurora climbs the Central Ranges, travelling from Dubbo to Orange and Bathurst.
Stopover at charming Rydal village for the annual 'Daffodils at Rydal' festival.
Enjoy a relaxing daylight journey with leg-stretching rambles in a heritage village or two along the way and a leisurely breakfast and lunch in the Restaurant Cars.
Return to Sydney Central around 1600 hours after crossing the Blue Mountains.

Indicative Timetable:

Friday, September 12:		Sunday, September 14:
Sydney Central	depart 1500	Sydney Central	arrive 1600
The Southern Aurora will be capably hauled by vintage diesel locomotives from the Museum's collection.

Fares (including GST):

TOUR CODE:	901P	Rail Escape
3 days / 2 nights	*$945.00 per passenger - Southern Aurora* twin share or single berth** - inclusions as shown in the Itinerary and Tour Conditions.

TOUR CODE:	901E	Rail Escape
3 days / 2 nights	$895.00 per passenger - 'EAM' Edwardian Sleeping Car twin-share berth - inclusions as shown in the Itinerary and Tour Conditions.

TOUR CODE:	901M	Rail Escape
	NSWRTM Member discount fare			***Not yet a* member? Why not join?**
3 days / 2 nights	$880.00 per passenger – 'EAM' Edwardian sleeping car twin-share berth - inclusions as shown in the Itinerary and Tour Conditions.

OPTIONS (including GST):
	When booking, be sure to nominate your preferred day-trip option for Saturday.

Meals included in the above fares are indicated in the itinerary:
	B=Breakfast	L=Luncheon	D=Dinner	S=Supper

OFFERS:
	'Early bird' discount - a fare reduction of $50.00 per passenger applies when booking and full payment is made before 4 July, 2008.

Enquiries & Reservations:
	Phone:	02 9379 1110
	Fax:	02 9379 1063
	e-Mail:	info@heritageexpress.com.au

Dining Car

Lounge / Bar Car

Sleeping
Compartment
(daytime sitting configuration)

HERITAGE EXPRESS™
a business unit of the
NSW Rail Transport Museum -
operating the NSW rail heritage fleet

NEW SOUTH WALES
RAIL TRANSPORT MUSEUM
telling the NSW rail story – rail heritage conservation, experiences and involvement

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