Journey behind our fleet of heritage diesel locomotives aboard the Vinelander as we return to Manangatang and the Sunraysia for the first time in many years. Either explore the spectacular Sunraysia region of Victoria with its barren arid landscapes, river life and irrigated farming on our signature Outback Explorer Off-Train Experience, or attend the Manangatang Cup, one of the pre-eminent events in the country racing calendar and one of the largest events in the Northern Mallee. On our return to Melbourne settle in for a day of slow rail travel as the Vinelander makes its way south through Ultima, Quambatook and Boort to Dunolly where a short stop is made to explore the historic gold-rush town. Dine in some of the best pubs and enjoy the best gastronomic experiences in the region. Don't miss this spectacular weekend Slow Rail Journey to one of Victoria's most famous and most beautiful regions.
Fares range from $850-$1,345 per person
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highlights
Step back in time onboard the Vinelander to enjoy a weekend of slow rail travel to some of the Victorian Mallee and Sunraysia country's most beautiful townships and famous attractions, including the option to either experience our signature Outback Explorer Off-Train Experience visiting the spectacular Sunraysia and regional city of Mildura or attend a legend of the country racing calendar - the Manangatang Cup.
itinerary
Friday 13-October
Your Slow Rail Journey will commence with a bon-voyage dinner held at the historic Savoy Hotel (where we will check-in guests and provide cabin allocations for the weekend) prior to you 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 our imposing string of 1950's and 1960's carriages that make up the Vinelander, our heritage train perfectly juxtaposing the modernity and hustle surrounding.
Upon boarding your Carriage Attendant will greet you as you settle into your private oasis for the weekend as masses of commuters make their way past the windows bound for trains to Ballarat, Geelong, Bendigo and more. From the moment you board you'll immediately relax and enter the elegance of a bygone era.
Sometime after 8pm the Vinelander will wake up the station as the whistle is sounded announcing our departure. Join your fellow travellers and tour organisers in our train's luxury Club 1 Lounge for a welcome aboard drink as we head south to Geelong then along the freight-only line to Ballarat where we will stop to resupply the train.
Depart Ballarat into the night passing through the ironbark forests and undulating country of the Goldfields, over the flat Mallee plains and on toward the arid outback of Victoria.
Awake to the sun rising over a different world. The flat wheat fields of the Mallee have replaced the urban landscapes of Melbourne. Welcome to the Outback!
Saturday 14 October
Two off-train experience options are offered onboard the Vinelander - the Outback Explorer Off-Train Experience exploring the Sunraysia, or the opportunity to attend one of the legends of country racing, the Manangatang Cup.
The Saturday itinerary will vary based on the off-train experience selected.
Outback Explorer Off-Train Experience Guests:
At 7:30am guests joining our Outback Explorer Off-Train Experience will be invited to the dining car for breakfast as the train makes its way north (slowly) from Ultima to Manangatang.
At 8:45am the Vinelander will arrive the tiny outpost of Manangatang - population 274 - which comes to life each October when over 3,000 people descend upon the town to attend the Manangatang Cup. Manangatang, sometimes noted for its unusual name, which derives from the local indigenous words - "manang" meaning land and "kaaiti" meaning water, is home to Victoria's smallest public hospital which serves the surrounding grain and sheep farming communities.
Boarding coaches to commence the Outback Explorer Off-Train Experience we depart Manangatang and drive through the spectacular semi-arid landscape toward the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park.
The spectacular Hattah-Kulkyne National Park lies in typical mallee country with extensive low scrub and open native pine woodland. Superbly adapted birds, animals and vegetation thrive in the poor, sandy soils and searing summers.
The freshwater Hattah Lakes is seasonally filled by creeks connected to the Murray, providing food and shelter for waterbirds and fish. These lakes can remain full for up to ten years without flooding, but flooding generally occurs once every two years.
In Hattah we will be joined by a local guide for a short walk (600m round trip) to the stunning Warepil Lookout, followed by a bush morning tea.
Continuing north along the Calder Highway, take in the spectacular views as we make our way to Red Cliffs, and one of Australia's most unique railways - the Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway. The RCHSR was established in 1992 by a group of people interested in preserving and operating the steam locomotive that once hauled coal and briquettes from the Red Cliffs railway siding to the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission pumping station on the Murray River.
In Red Cliffs we will have the opportunity to ride the a 1.5 km narrow gauge railway on a private charter.
Continuing north to the historic city of Mildura - at the crossroads of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, we enjoy lunch at the beautifully restored Grand Hotel, next to what used to be the start of one of Victoria's great rail adventures - the overnight Vinelander to Melbourne.
Mildura is a vibrant regional city full of contrast. From the Murray River to the outback, there is something for everyone and while we can only sample the tip of the iceberg of the attractions this fascinating region offers, we hope your brief stay wets the appetite for a longer journey to the region.
Mildura is famous for its rich river history - and there is no better way to experience it than onboard a privately chartered paddle steamer cruise aboard one of the region's most historic boats - once the lifeblood of the region surrounding the Murray.
Our journey back to the Vinelander will take us along the Stuart Highway through Southern New South Wales.
Make a stop at a picturesque riverside park, nestled amongst a billabong, to enjoy sunset glass of sparkling wine - the perfect way to end an exhilarating day of touring in this spectacular region.
Image courtesy of Hawkeye Photography
Dinner tonight will be held at the much acclaimed Euston Club, nestled on the river just across from the Victorian town of Robinvale - the historic terminus of the line to Manangatang.
After dinner return to our private oasis on rails - the Vinelander - for a restful night onboard.
Manangatang Cup Guests:
The pre-eminent event on the country racing calendar promises some of the best track action this side of Royal Ascott as over 3,000 people arrive the tiny hamlet of Manangatang for the weekend.
Guests attending the Manangatang Cup will be invited to the dining car for breakfast at 8:30am as the train approaches Manangatang.
After breakfast in the dining car there is ample time to "frock up" for a day in a private marquee at the races.
Get ready for an action packed day at this iconic country racing festival!
After an enjoyable day of country racing, Vinelander guest board coaches for the short drive to Euston, where the spectacular Euston Club is expecting us for dinner, and where we will be joined by guests who travelled on the Outback Explorer experience.
Set amongst the Murray River, just steps across the border from Robinvale (the traditional albeit now closed terminus of the railway we have travelled along from Melbourne), the Euston Club will not disappoint!
Sunday
Early in the morning (5am) the Vinelander will crawl out of Manangatang to commence its journey south back to Melbourne.
Guests who toured Mildura and the Sunraysia will be invited to the dining car at 7:15am, followed by those who attended the Manangatang Cup at 8:15am.
At 8:50am the Vinelander will pull into the small hamlet of Barraport where guests disembark to experience what is likely to be one of the highlights of the weekend - an opportunity to tour the Spanner Man gallery.
John Piccoli, better known as the Spanner Man, was one of Australia's most unique artists. All of his sculpture is built entirely out of spanners, which he purchased at swap meets or in bulk from his local hardware. It is estimated that over 100,000 spanners, in sculpture form, are on display at the gallery.
John's work included, amongst other things, sculptures of mermaids, marlin, and even a full horse and wagon. Sadly John passed away in 2021, however his wife Sonia continues his legacy running the gallery we will visit today.
Rejoining the train we continue south toward Dunolly and the Goldfields. Enjoy a barista made coffee onboard as the Vinelander rolls through Korong Vale and we bid farewell to the flat plains of the Mallee and enter the Loddon Valley. The historic town of Wedderburn, which the railway skirts to the east of, is the commercial hub of the agricultural valley. Continuing south the railway line parallels the Calder Highway as the line side vegetation noticeably increases.
After enjoying a morning onboard the Grainlander will arrive Dunolly at 12:10pm. Guests in Group 1 (who attended the Mildura tour) will be invited to the dining car for lunch at noon, as guests in Group 2 tour the historic gold-rush town of Dunolly.
At 1:00pm, guests in Group 2 will be invited to the dining car, while those in Group 1 tour Dunolly.
Back onboard the Vinelander we make our way through Maryborough, famous for hosting one of Australia's most ornate country railway stations. Maryborough is a major commercial hub for the Goldfields.
Continuing south into the afternoon through the heart of the Goldfields. Towns including Clunes, Talbot and Creswick will flash by the windows as many guests make their way to the bar to chat with new friends made onboard.
Mid afternoon The Grainlander will make a half hour stop in Ballarat giving an opportunity to explore the historic station and vicinity or perhaps to take some last photos of the train or the locomotives from the platforms or station footbridge.
After departing Ballarat afternoon tea will be served onboard as the train races over the dividing range and through Bacchus Marsh offering a spectacular view of Melbourne's lights.
It's not long before the open vistas outside are once again replaced with Melbourne's suburbs and all too soon the train arrives back into the modern world at Southern Cross Station, right on time.
off-train experiences
cabins and 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 will feature two locomotives from our heritage diesel fleet.
Image Credits:
Image with the red cliffs overlooking the river courtesy of Hawkeye Photography