Weekend of 2-4 Sep, 2022
Please note: due to operational reasons the departure time of this train has been revised to 20:13 (8:13pm) with check-in commencing at 19:30 and closing at 20:05.
The Grainlander returns to Sea Lake and the famous Silo Art Trail - a spectacular weekend Slow Rail Journey to one of Victoria's most famous attractions hauled by steam locomotive R707
Fares range from $750-$1,145
Seven-0-Seven Operations will operate a Slow Rail Journey from Melbourne to Sea Lake, Wycheproof and the Mallee Silo Art Trail featuring Steam Locomotive R707 "City of Melbourne" over the weekend of 2-4 September 2022.
Join us as the Grainlander returns to Sea Lake, Wycheproof and the Mallee Silo Art Trail on an unforgettable weekend Slow Rail Journey.
Step back in time onboard The Grainlander to enjoy a weekend of slow rail travel to some of the Victorian Mallee country's most beautiful townships and famous attractions.
itinerary
Entering Melbourne's busy Southern Cross Station you will immediately notice our historic 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 10:01 pm The Grainlander 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 south to Geelong then along the freight only line to Ballarat where we will stop to resupply the train. We depart into the night passing Maryborough and crossing the Redwood forests of the Victorian Goldfields.
Awake to a Mallee sunrise and locally catered breakfast as our train makes a brief servicing stop in Wycheproof - the only town in Victoria where the railway line runs along the Main Street.
Continuing north take in the Mallee scenery over a barista made coffee in one of our two lounge cars or in the comfort and privacy of your sleeping accommodation. Passing Nullawil (which we will visit tomorrow) the train steams on to Sea Lake, the end of the line and the railhead for Lake Tyrell, Victoria's inland sea and the famous Silo Art Trail.
After lunch at the much awarded Juke Restaurant in Sea Lake join coaches for a journey like no other. After watching R707 steam past the Sea Lake Silo Art instillation venture to Lake Tyrell - an inland sea in the heart of the dry Mallee country. This shallow, salt-crusted depression just a few kilometres North of the township of Sea Lake has recently become a tourist mecca with photographers and social media users visiting to take photographs of the lake's mirror-like surface during winter. During dry periods, visitors can walk out on to the lake area by using places where salt has formed a solid surface.
After leaving Lake Tyrell, you'll journey along the now famous Silo Art Trail. Your Silo Art Trail journey today will travel to three of four works of art (as time permits) including Lascelles, Rosebury, Brim or Sheep Hills.
After a glass of bubbly beneath our last Silo Art Instillation, the coaches return us to Wycheproof for a quintessential country pub dinner followed by a night of restful sleep as the train remains stabled in the town.
Awake to another Mallee sunrise and the opportunity to explore the regional centre of Wycheproof before a hearty country breakfast.
After breakfast we travel to one final Silo Art Instillation - this time by train. We venture up Wycheproof's Main Street and after a short ride arrive at what is certain to become a highlight of your weekend - the Nullawil Silo. You'll have the opportunity to leave the train at Nullawil as it reverses directly underneath the silo painted by artist Smug. The silo depicts sheep dog Jimmy who often makes a cameo appearance.
After departing Nullawil, we commence the all-daylight rail cruise back to Melbourne.
A short stop back in Wycheproof is followed by a locally catered lunch served in one of the train's lounge cars. Relax as the scenery transforms from the dry Mallee to the Redwood Forrests of the Goldfields. We pause at the elegant historic station of Maryborough before continuing to Ballarat.
After departing Ballarat a locally sourced dinner is served in the lounge car as the train steams over the dividing range and through Bacchus Marsh offering a spectacular view of Melbourne's lights. It's then a quick run into Melbourne, Southern Cross, where our train will arrive and terminate at 8.05 pm.
fares
timetable
route map
sleeping carriages
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 and Cafe Hudson offering light snacks, espresso coffee and other refreshments along with a number of additional carriages.
locomotives
Our train to will feature steam locomotive R707 "City of Melbourne" assisted at times by our heritage diesel fleet.
fares and booking
All sleeping car fares include linen, meals, accommodation and a coach tour of the Silo Art Trail from Sea Lake.