Fri to Mon, Nov 28 to Dec 1, 2008 - MID-WEST SANTA TRAIN

SOUTHERN AURORA® RAIL ESCAPE™

MID-WEST SANTA TRAIN
Santa rides the Southern Aurora® through NSW's rural heartland
Friday November 28 to Monday December 1

Join Santa on Safari - come with us on a unique four-day Rail Escape™ as the Southern Aurora® Santa Train tours mid-west country and outback NSW, bringing Christmas cheer to the children of rural and remote communities.

Take the Spirit of Christmas on a Southern Aurora rural Rail Escape

Escape from the city on the Southern Aurora – enjoy great country hospitality and fabulous scenery – meet the locals and participate in an uplifting community event – see NSW's heartland from a new perspective.

Experience a truly memorable expedition, taking NSW's rail heritage to distant communities and spreading the joy of Christmas to the children of the bush.

Unwind and enjoy life at a slower pace on a rolling hotel. Take a grand circuit around rural and outback NSW:
Sydney	Robertson	Cootamundra
Bribbaree	Forbes	Narromine
Dubbo	Coonamble	Gilgandra
Binnaway	Werris Creek	Sydney

... an all-inclusive and comprehensive Rail Escape with a difference ...

Santa will stop to greet country kids from his specially decorated, verandahed carriage at remote sidings and distant communities along the lines.

Country kids, school groups and families will converge from far and wide when the Santa Train comes to town, providing country folk with a rare and exciting glimpse of our rail heritage, and spreading Christmas cheer through the bush.

Don’t miss being a part of this uniquely inspiring community event – share the joy and help make it happen!

Step off and explore at small towns, see the sights at major centres along the way. Go in airconditioned comfort - participate in the excitement at each stop, or simply relax aboard - spend time in the airconditioned Lounge Cars, or get some fresh air with Santa aboard his specially-decorated carriage.

However you choose to spend your trip - experience the usual legendary Southern Aurora service and meals!

Mid-West Santa Train Itinerary

Day 1	Friday, November 28	(T/D)	> Grand departure from Sydney Central
			> Scenic Illawarra coast and highlands
			> 'Dinner in the diner'

Depart Sydney Central at 2.30 pm
Enjoy afternoon tea in the lounge cars as we travel along the South Coast and up the Illawarra Escarpment to Robertson for Santa's first stop and a pre-dinner stroll.
Twilight 'dinner in the diner' travelling through the Southern Tablelands
Overnight on board

Day 2	Saturday, November 29	(B/L/D)	> Through the heart of NSW - Bribbaree to Forbes, Narromine and Dubbo
			> Riverside wine tasting and dinner at Western Plains Zoo

Wake at the quaint hamlet of Bribbaree - Santa's first country stop, the first of many crowds of excited children will surge toward the bearded celebrity
Breakfast on board heading to Forbes - over the next two days we'll stop at each tiny settlement to meet and greet the locals and spread Santa's Christmas cheer
Walking stopover in Forbes - explore the centre of this historic gold mining town on foot
Lunch on board heading to Narromine and Dubbo
Visit an outback winery on the banks of the Macquarie River for a pre-dinner tasting and hors d'ouvres - then enjoy a sunset dinner at the famous Western Plains Zoo
Overnight on board

Day 3	Sunday, November 30	(B/L/D)	> Outback to Coonamble and Gilgandra
			> Dubbo city sights
			> Cross country to Binnaway for a bush barbecue

Wake early for Santa's first stop of the day at Coonamble in the arid outback of NSW
Breakfast in the restaurant cars trundling along the rarely travelled ricketty rural line to Gilgandra and Dubbo - a real slice of country!
Enjoy a picnic lunch of regional specialties in Dubbo and time to visit the Old Dubbo Gaol and city centre
Leisurely afternoon journey through Merrygoen to Binnaway - arriving at sunset for a friendly, relaxed - and hearty - bush barbecue dinner with the locals
Overnight on board

Day 4	Monday, December 1	(B/T)	> Return through the Hunter Valley to Sydney

Depart Werris Creek at dawn
Scenic breakfast journey climbing over the Liverpool Range and descending into the Upper Hunter Valley
Farewell morning tea in the lounge cars before arrival in Sydney at 12.30 pm

Indicative Timetable

Friday, December 5:		Monday, December 8:
Sydney Central	depart 2.30 pm	Sydney Central	arrive 12.30 pm
The Southern Aurora will be capably hauled by vintage diesel locomotives from the Museum's collection.

Fares (including GST)

TOUR CODE:	1201P	Rail Escape
4 days / 3 nights	$1495.00 per passenger - Southern Aurora twin share or single berth - inclusions as shown in the Itinerary and Tour Conditions.

TOUR CODE:	1201M	Rail Escape
	NSWRTM Member discount fare		***Not yet a* member? Why not join?**
4 days / 3 nights	$1445.00 per passenger - NSWRTM Member discount fare - Southern Aurora twin share or single berth - inclusions as shown in the Itinerary and Tour Conditions.

Meals included in the above fares are indicated in the itinerary:
	B=Breakfast L=Luncheon D=Dinner T = morning or afternoon tea

OFFERS:
	'Early bird' discount - a fare reduction of $75.00 per passenger applies when booking and full payment is made before 22 August, 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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