8-9 February: The Murraylander Slow Rail Journey to Tocumwal, the luxurious RACV Cobram Resort and the attractions of the upper Goulburn Valley.

Fares range from $845 per person (twin share) and $990 for sole use. Up to three children can be added to each adult room booking for just $50 each.

Tour Highlights

Travel between Melbourne and the Murray onboard the Murraylander private train for a weekend of family fun in Tocumwal, Cobram and the upper Goulburn Valley.

• Enjoy travelling along the freight-only lines between Shepparton and Tocumwal with plenty of opportunities to make use of the club and lounge cars on your private train,

• Spend an afternoon by the pool at the luxurious RACV Cobram resort

• Visit the best family-friendly attractions of the upper Goulburn Valley, including the Big Strawberry and Cactus Country, before a relaxing train journey back to Melbourne.

Itinerary

Saturday 8 February

Your Slow Rail Journey will commence with a bon-voyage breakfast held at the historic Savoy Hotel (where we will check-in guests and provide seat and accommodation allocations for the weekend) before being escorted by our friendly volunteers to the train).

Entering Melbourne's busy Southern Cross Station, you will immediately realise you are embarking on a journey like no other. Sitting on the platform—and greeting you like an old friend—is Slow Rail Journey's fleet of carriages, which make up the Murraylander, our heritage train perfectly juxtaposing the modernity and hustle surrounding it.

Upon boarding, settle into your private train for our epic journey. From the moment you step onboard, you'll immediately relax into the Slow Rail Experience.

Departing from Melbourne, the Murraylander will slowly run through Melbourne's leafy western suburbs passing Essendon and Pascoe Vale before leaving behind the urban vistas of the city behind as it climbs the Great Dividing Range toward the Goulburn Valley.

At Heathcote Junction, navigating grades of greater than 2%, the Murraylander crosses the Great Diving Range and begins its wind down toward Seymour, where it will cross the Goulburn River and make a brief pause.

After departing Seymour the Murraylander turns north to run along the lower Goulburn Valley, passing some of Victoria's most productive agriculture as it speeds toward Shepparton.

After departing Shepparton, our private train will continue along the freight-only lines toward Tocumwal. V/Line trains served the line as far as Cobram until 1993 when the line became one of the victims of the Kennett era line closures.

Although the tracks between Strathmerton and Tocumwal were abandoned in the early 1990s, they were revived in 1995 when Tocumwal was developed as an inland port. While modern passenger services terminate in Shepparton, the line beyond continues to carry a significant amount of freight.

As open vistas are replaced by river-red gums and the holiday oasis of the Murray, the Murraylander approaches the 1895 Tocumwal bridge, signalling its arrival into the town.

After a short transfer, it's time for the fun to begin at the RACV Cobram Resort.

Spend the afternoon working out in our gym or relaxing on the sun lounges on the deck overlooking the vast outdoor pool. The kids will particularly enjoy the mushroom waterfall and the rock water fountain in the lagoon-shaped pool, and when evening sets in there is always the 25-metre indoor pool and spa.

With facilities including a playground with a giant jumping pillow, a recreation room, tennis and basketball courts, BMX tracks, fishing, and countless walking tracks, the resort has something for everyone.

Enjoy a gourmet dinner at the Cobram Hotel before retiring for the evening at the resort.

Sunday 9 February

This morning, after enjoying breakfast delivered to your cabin, enjoy one last swim before transferring to the Big Strawberry for a gourmet morning tea and tour of this interesting attraction. Shop for every strawberry-based product you could dream of, let the kids play in the attached playground and soft-play area or perhaps try your hand at strawberry picking at this unique Murray Farmgate Trail attraction.

After enjoying the Goulburn Valley's best scones, continue to Cactus Country - Australia's largest cactus garden - where a pathway leads you through a botanic cacti garden.

Enjoy a sample of Cactus Country's famous Cactus Cake before reboarding coaches to transfer to the Murraylander in Tocumwal.

The afternoon is spent relaxing onboard as the Murraylander speeds south through the Goulburn Valley.

After passing Seymour, our train will make a spirited run over the ranges to arrive, all too soon, at Melbourne's Southern Cross Station, where our adventure will conclude.

Route Map

Onboard the Murraylander

Enjoy a premium epic adventure while staying in the best hotels in the region, travelling in spacious carriages, and enjoying the best gastronomic adventures in the region.

Inclusions:

All Slow Rail Journeys fares include:

• A welcome reception and breakfast at the Savoy Hotel

• All accommodation

• Comfortable seating onboard

• All meals, tours, attraction admissions and more

Onboard the Murraylander

Onboard the Murraylander, relax in Slow Rail Journey's fleet of broad gauge sitting carriages.

Onboard accommodation includes open saloon cars:

and carriages containing compartments:

All guests will also have access to the Club 1 Lounge, BK Lounge and Cafe Hudson, all of which will be available for the journey.

Accomodation

RACV Cobram Resort

Nestled by the Murray River, RACV Cobram Resort offers a tranquil escape for families and friends. Spacious apartments and self-contained cabins provide a comfortable home base for exploring the region. Whether you crave relaxation or adventure, the resort caters to all.

Unwind by the indoor or outdoor pools, or cast a line from the riverbank. Kids will love the playground and jumping pillow. Explore the nearby wineries, historic towns, or renowned golf courses. RACV Cobram Resort allows you to experience the best of the Murray River Murray region – fresh produce, local delights, and stunning scenery – all within easy reach.

All accommodation is in partments and cabins are self-contained. Each apartment is fitted with a fully equipped kitchen, a lounge area with a wide-screen television, a bathroom, air-conditioning and heating, built-in robes, bedding and towels.

Guests purchasing a standard package will be allocated a Standard or Park cabin similar to the one below:

Guests purchasing a deluxe package will be allocated into deluxe or upgraded rooms such as the ones shown below. These compact cabins include a queen bed in the main bedroom and a ¾ size bed bunk in the second bedroom suitable for younger children (linen included, however bunk beds are not made).

Guests purchasing a deluxe package will be allocated into deluxe or upgraded rooms such as the ones shown below. Enjoy a newer style of cabin perfect for groups and couples alike. The two bedroom open-plan cabin features a fully-equipped kitchen with oven, stovetop, microwave, dishwasher and full-sized fridge, leading through to a stylish lounge and dining area with seating for six people.

The main bedroom has a queen bed, and the second bedroom features a queen bed and a set of single bunk beds (linen included, however bunk beds are not made). Please note that the queen bed in the second bedroom cannot be split into single beds. Porta-cot available in bedroom upon request (note not all cabins have two bedrooms - two bedroom cabins will be allocated to families requiring beds for children first).

Most cabins feature a furnished balcony for relaxing mornings and balmy nights, and are air-conditioned and heated for when its needed.

Guests purchasing an apartment package will recieve a self-contained apartment comprising a kitchen, lounge, laundry and bathroom, our two-bedroom apartments can comfortably sleep up to six people. Each apartment is supplied with all linen and towels, a television, Foxtel, DVD player upon request, radio alarm, ducted air-conditioning and heating and includes a verandah and outdoor setting.

Locomotives

Our train will feature two locomotives from our heritage diesel fleet.