Although the original train departed at 10.00pm, in two divisions, we depart from Sydney Terminal Station at 8.00pm – the traditional departure time for the Southern Aurora in regular service.

Enjoy drinks in the Lounge-&-Bar Cars from 7.00pm - as was the opportunity every day - then we mark the anniversary with music, short speeches and champagne.

Dinner follows in the Restaurant Cars – a special meal to mark this special occasion. Then relax with friends and fellow travellers with a night cap in the Lounge before you retire to your sleeping compartment that has been made ready for your night’s sleep.

As the sun rises we are travelling through southern NSW towards Wagga Wagga and Culcairn to the NSW/VIC border at Albury.

The Southern Aurora marked the end of what author Mark Twain referred to as - "Now comes a singular thing, the oddest thing, the strangest thing, the unaccountable marvel that Australia can show, namely the break of gauge at Albury. Think of the paralysis of intellect that gave that idea birth."

A ceremony on Albury Station to mark the role of the Southern Aurora, and then we head south through Wangaratta and Benalla to Melbourne, for an early afternoon arrival. Late afternoon and evening are free to explore the city, gallery, parks or entertainment precinct, with dinner at leisure.

Overnight in 4½ star accommodation in Melbourne.

We enjoy a special journey on the Puffing Billy preserved steam railway – a splendid journey through the Dandenong Ranges from Belgrave to Gembrook.

Then, we travel by coach through the Dandenong Ranges for a wine tasting and luncheon in the beautiful Yarra Valley. Return to Melbourne for an evening at leisure.

With an enormous selection of fine restaurants in the city centre, on Southbank, or further afield to the Italian restaurant filled Lygon St or bustling St Kilda, there are myriad choices for dinner.

Overnight in Melbourne.

A mid-morning departure from Melbourne and a short ceremony at Spencer Street Station, to mark the departure of the Southern Aurora from Melbourne.

Enjoy luncheon as we head north through Seymour to Benalla and Albury, and then to Cootamundra. A welcome by local dignitaries, and then dinner in Cootamundra – another special event to mark the role of the railway in linking the two cities of Sydney and Melbourne.

We rejoin the Southern Aurora, and enjoy a nightcap in the Lounge-&-Bar Cars before retiring.

Overnight from Cootamundra, through Forbes and Parkes to Dubbo.

Following a mid-morning arrival in Dubbo, we enjoy a day of sightseeing, with lunch and wine tasting at the 'Lazy River Estate'.

In the afternoon, we visit to the National Trust’s property 'Dundullimal' – an 1840s-built head station of a 6,500 hectare squatting run and Dubbo's oldest building - follwed by a visit to Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

After dinner, we rejoin the train for a relaxing overnight run to Werris Creek.

An early-morning arrival in Werris Creek and then breakfast on the station. Whilst not the Railway Refreshment Rooms of old, still a great experience to start the day and meet the locals.

Inspect the Rail Monument and the Museum, before we re-board the Southern Aurora and head south towards the Hunter Valley.

Enjoy an excellent luncheon in one of the Hunter Valley’s famous vineyard restaurants, followed by wine tasting and local produce.

Then, rejoin the Southern Aurora for a pre-dinner drink as the afternoon light bathes the Valley, and then enjoy dinner as we head from Maitland towards Taree and to Coffs Harbour.

A morning in the rainforest around Dorrigo and an evening of Coffs Harbour seafoods.

We visit the quaint village of Bellingen en-route to the picturesque township of Dorrigo. Enjoy a rainforest walk, luncheon and then return to Coffs Harbour for a fabulous fresh local seafood dinner.

A walk on the jetty and then rejoin the Southern Aurora for a good night’s rest.

Enjoy breakfast as we pass through the Border Ranges National Park and cross the NSW/QLD border. We spiral around the famous Border Loop, emerging into the rich green scenery of southern Queensland, before a late-morning arrival in the Queensland Capital.

We transfer to our luncheon venue near the Brisbane River, and then take you to your 4 ½ star accommodation for the next two nights.

Explore Brisbane’s vibrant Southbank, or take a ride on the Brisbane River on its fast ferry services. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Brisbane.

We travel north on the QR CityTrain network to explore the Glass House Mountains, and the lovely villages of Montville and Maleny.

Set in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, the striking geological formations contrast with the rich green countryside - the heritage village of Montville retains much of its early architecture and charm.

Enjoy luncheon then, in the afternoon, we return to the City of Brisbane. Dinner at leisure and overnight Brisbane.

You may choose to rise early and participate in the Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance in ANZAC Square in the city.

We depart from out hotels mid-morning and re-board our Southern Aurora carriages for the final leg of our epic journey to Sydney - this time re-enacting the departure of the Brisbane Limited Express.

In its day, the Brisbane Limited Express was the premier train on the Sydney – Brisbane route and, like Southern Aurora, it too began sleeping car operation in the early 1960s. Carriages of the same design as the Southern Aurora Sleeping Cars, provided a civilised journey between the two capitals – the northbound express departing Sydney at 6.30pm each evening - the southbound one from Brisbane at 4.40pm. Today we leave earlier, to allow time at Grafton to mark the occasion.

We’ll enjoy luncheon as we leave Brisbane, travelling south through Tamrookum and Glenapp, then through the Border Range to Kyogle, Casino and Grafton.

We leave the train for a short tour of Grafton, followed by champagne and nibbles on the banks of the Clarence River. We rejoin the train and enjoy a final dinner – a special meal to mark the last night aboard our grand rail cruise.

Enjoy a post-dinner drink in the Lounge-&-Bar Cars, and then retire for the evening.

Brisbane Water, Hawkesbury River and to Sydney

Wake as we head south from Maitland, through Wyong and Gosford, then along the banks of the scenic Brisbane Water.

Enjoy breakfast in the Restaurant Cars and then, as we cross the Hawkesbury River, farewell friends old and new, as we arrive in Sydney during the late morning.

And so we reach the end of our spectacular rail cruise, marking the 50th Anniversary of the Southern Aurora.