Please note that these tours are now sold out.
Travel by private steam-hauled sleeper train from Melbourne to Deniliquin and the spectacular central Murray region.
Relax in fully restored sleeper, lounge, and dining cars as steam locomotive R707 hauls the train overnight from Melbourne - a unique and rare opportunity to sleep to the sounds of steam.
Visit the community of Deniliquin, known for its hospitality, architecture and country charm
Enjoy a private cruise on the mighty Murray
Marvel at the spectacular Moama Winter Lights Festival
Support the flood-impacted town of Rochester, spending the night under its spectacular illuminated silo art
Tour the awe-inspiring Echuca Silo Art Trail; and
Relax into the rhythm of steam on a daylight return journey
Two weekends only: 19-21 July (almost full) and 26-28 July
Fares range from $850-$1,495 per person
All Slow Rail Journey weekend tours are fully hosted and inclusive of all meals and tours. All passengers travel in restored sleeping carriages with everything needed for the weekend and have access to the train's lounge, bar and other carriages.
Itinerary
Friday 19-July and Friday 26-July
Step back in time onboard The Riverlander to enjoy a weekend of slow rail travel to some of Northern Victoria and Southern New South Wales's most beautiful townships and famous attractions.
Your Slow Rail Journey experience will commence with a Bon-Voyage dinner at the iconic Savoy Hotel, located firectly adjacent to Southern Cross Staiton. At dinner you will be greated by your volunteer crew, checked in and escorted to the platform once the Riverlander is ready for boarding.
Entering Melbourne's busy Southern Cross Station, you will immediately notice steam locomotive R707 and our moving museum of carriages juxtaposing the modernity and hustle surrounding. From the moment you board you'll immediately relax and enter the elegance of a bygone era.
At 10:10 pm The Riverlander will wake up the station as the whistle is sounded announcing our departure. Join your fellow travellers and tour organisers in one of two luxury Club Carriages with a welcome aboard drink and evening supper as we head north out of the city. Enjoy drinks at the bar as the train climbs the Great Dividing Range toward Bendigo, where a stop will be made during the night to service the locomotive. In Bendigo R707 will be detached from the train and we will continue north to Deniliquin hauled by our fleet of heritage diesels.
Saturday 20-July and Saturday 27-July
Overnight R707 will work hard to pull the Riverlander over the ranges, through the Goldfields and out onto the plains of Central Victoria - a unique opportunity to be rocked to sleep by the sounds of steam.
During the night our train will steam through Echuca (where, due to yard constraints in Deniliquin, R707 will be shunted from the train which will continue north under diesel power) and cross the Murray River into New South Wales, continuing north into southern New South Wales.
As you raise the blinds of your compartment, it will be immediately apparent that you have been transformed into a new world – the lights of the city having been replaced by a spectacular sunrise over the fertile plains of the Riverina.
After breakfast in the dining car, the Riverlander will arrive at the historic town of Deniliquin - known for its country hospitality. In Deniliquin, you will have the opportunity to step off the train for our Discover Deniliquin Off-Train Experience. Curated in partnership with the Edward River Council, our Discover Deniliquin Off-Train Experience will offer a unique visit to the Peppin Centre, a hosted tour of the town's spectacular town hall, a chance to explore the verandaed historic shopping precinct and beautifully manicured parklands. For guests travelling on the 26-28 July departure, there will also be an opportunity to attend the town’s monthly markets.
Just before lunch, rejoin the Riverlander and settle into the rhythm of slow rail travel for the journey south to the Murray.
As you enjoy lunch in the dining car, the Riverlander will pass through the fertile plains of the Riverina and across the mighty Murray.
Relax as the Riverlander slowly makes its way south through some of Australia's most productive farmland on the freight-only line back to Echuca, passing through the heart of the NSW food bowl which, with its large areas of flat land, clay-based soils and plentiful irrigation is home to much of Australia's rice crop. Deniliquin in fact is home to Sun Rice and the largest Rice Mill in the Southern Hemisphere! After crossing the Murray and entering Victoria pass through Echuca before continuing into grain country and on to the flood-impacted township of Rochester, hosting of Victoria’s most spectacular silo art installations.
In 2022, Rochester was severely hit by flood water, with the majority of businesses and homes inundated. Today, the community is rebuilding and your support of its economy during our visit is invaluable.
After arriving in Rochester, board coaches to commence the Murray Explorer Off-Train Experience, taking in the historic Port of Echuca, a privately chartererd cruise on a paddle steamer and the spectacular Moama Winter Lights.
After seeing the mighty Murray from the decks of our privately chartered cruise, see the river like never before - spectacularly illuminated by the Moama Winter Lights. See the river, along with the region's iconic red gum bushland come to life under one of Australia's most unique artworks.
After enjoying the lights, transfer back to Rochester where dinner will be served in the Shamrock hotel before guests retire for the evening onboard the Rivlerlander, proudly standing under the town's spectacularly illuminted silo art - a tuely breathtaking experience. Perhaps even enjoy a nightcap from the Club 1 Lounge outside in front of the spectacular art.
Sunday 21-July and Sunday 28-July
After a restful night's sleep in Rochester, awake to breakfast in the dining car before what for some will be the highlight of the weekend - the Riverlander Silo Explorer Off-Train Experience touring the awe-inspiring artworks along the Central Murray Silo Art Trail.
It’s big, it’s bold, it’s beautiful, and it’s no wonder that the popularity of silo art has boomed across Australia over the past six years. While new to the Silo Art scene, the Central Murray region is now home to some of Victoria's most spectacular silo art installations and is fast becoming one of Australia's best Silo Art destinations. The tour will commence in the tiny hamlet of Colbinabbin with its spectacular silo art installation celebrating the history and importance of railways in the region. The town’s six silos were painted by renowned artist Tim Bowtell and depict a range of scenes highlighting the significance and history of railways in the area (one even featuring an R-Class steam locomotive).
Continuing from Colbinabbin, make a stop in the regional centre of Kyabram. Jimmy Dvate has painted the town’s Water Tank, celebrating the wetlands at the Kyabram Fauna Park, a crucial tourism and environmental feature of Kyabram.
The Eastern long-necked turtle, the Golden Whistler, and a Red-capped Robin, which has been brought to life on the side of the tank, are featured on the tank. Other birds, animals, and insects are also featured, including a Yellow crimson Rosetta, a Major-Mitchell's cockatoo, a Plains wanderer, a spotted-tail Quoll, a Blue skimmer dragonfly, a Brolga, and my favourite, a Bush stone curlew.
Finally, visit the agricultural township of Tongala, which has reinvented itself as the Mural Capital of Campaspe Shire. The town’s tree-lined streetscapes pop with the vibrant colour of the region’s most extensive open-air art gallery, which includes over 40 murals depicting the town’s history.
Departing Rochester settle in for the final afternoon aboard as the Riverlander steams through the Goldfields and over the ranges toward Melbourne.
Enjoy lunch and afternoon tea in the dining car followed by a spectacular view as we decend the ranges into Melbourne, where the Riverlander will terminate.
Fares
Route Map
Cabins and Onboard Accommodation
Enjoy overnight travel aboard our fleet of heritage sleeping cars.
On-Train Facilities
The train will feature a fully stocked bar/club car, a luxurious lounge car, espresso coffee and other refreshments along with a number of additional carriages.
Locomotives
Our train to Deniliquin and Echuca will feature steam locomotive R707 "City of Melbourne" between Melborune and Bendigo, assisted at times by our heritage diesel fleet. From Bendigo to Deniliquin and return the train will be hauled by heritage diesel locomotives.
Comments