The six-day ‘Southern Food & Wine Adventure’ provides an opportunity to discover the culinary experiences that are putting the New South Wales and Victorian borderlands on the map.
Departing on September 19, guests will travel in the comfort and elegance of modern and heritage trains, including the former ‘Spirit of Progress’ – Australia’s first completely streamlined, air-conditioned, all-steel train – on scenic Victorian railway that isn’t usually open to passenger trains.
Foodie highlights include vineyard lunches with matched wines at De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate and Rye at Tallis Winery, Corowa Distilling Co tasting, a lunch of local produce during a farm visit and a final meal inside the historic former Wodonga railway station.
The trip is priced from $3,090 per person twin share ($3,690 for solo travellers) and includes:
- Return travel in exclusive carriages aboard the NSW TrainLink XPT between Sydney and Albury
- Private heritage rail travel aboard the former ‘Spirit of Progress’ from Yarrawonga to Benalla and from Seymour to Albury, as well as travel on the Oaklands Branch, which is usually reserved for freight and not open for passenger trains
- Accommodation at Albury, Yarrawonga and Shepparton
- A Lake Mulwala cruise on historic paddle steamer Cumberoona
- Sightseeing including silo art at St James and Devenish and a tour and tasting at Corowa Distilling Co
- Meals including a lunch of local produce during a farm visit to Walla Park; vineyard lunches with matched wines at De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate and Rye at Tallis Winery; and a final meal at Miss Amelie inside the historic former Wodonga railway station
- Cruise Express tour manager and escorts.
“All around the world rail journeys are on the rise and we are tapping into this desire for slow and sustainable travel with this fantastic new package that offers our group exclusive access to a heritage train,” said Meg Hill, Cruise Express Managing Director.
“Our guests will feel like they have been transported back in time to a golden era of travel when they watch the world go by from the train’s parlour or observation lounge.
“And they will be transported back to modern Australia when they discover the exceptional quality of the restaurants, wineries and distilleries in the burgeoning border region.”
