Bali is out of the question for a holiday because of closed borders to combat the pandemic but the New South Wales rail system has opened up a four night rail journey that presents a new experience in the delights of touring the picturesque country towns of this state.
Just imagine a journey on a train with sleeper and dining carriages similar to the legendary " Ghan " that runs from Adelaide to Darwin. This new service has being called " Aurora Australis " and the journey starts and ends at Sydney's Central station.
This is not a high speed dash from one place to another. The railways describe it as a " slow rail cruise " in which the train stops at night and there is plenty of opportunity to visit the towns along the way. You will gain the experience of sleeping at night in your private quarters and enjoy fine dining which will feature the food for which country NSW is famous.
The Aurora Australis leaves Central and travels south to Wollongong and then up through the southern highlands to Moss Vale where it will make its first overnight stop. The next morning you journey on to Goulburn, Junee, Coolamon and stop again for the night in the exciting MIA city of Griffith.
The next leg of the journey takes in Temora overnight and then its on to Stockinbingal and an overnight stay in beautiful Parkes. The final days journey takes in Mount Victoria, Katoomba, the Blue Mountains and a return to Central in Sydney.
Stops in all those towns and cities are packed with entertainment. Guided tours take the travellers to places of history and culture and ten off train meals are included. A shuttle bus takes passengers to entertainment where it is beyond walking distance from the train.
The rolling stock that now serves as Aurora Australis was once the sleeper express that connected Sydney and Melbourne. It has been faithfully refurbished to deliver the delights of rail travel on similar journeys to the Ghan and the Southern Aurora which compare with the great train journeys of Europe and America.
These Riverina regional rail tours start next year and each five day, four night journey will commence on March 10, March 24 and October 6, 2021. Passenger numbers will be limited, so it would be a good idea to make an advance booking to secure your place. The price per person is very reasonable considering the distance covered and the service standards. It is $3,995 and a booking can be made at just $250 per person.
One of the things this coronavirus taught us is the hazard of being caught overseas when borders close and air travel shuts down. Thousands of Australians have been stranded in Britain, Europe and America through no fault of their own and nearly six months later many are desperate to get home.
Wise minds thought it appropriate to offer an exciting rail journey not only within the country, but within the state to reduce those hazards to zero. Many will be pleasantly surprised at the delights New South Wales contains within its own borders.
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