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1960s rail motor 621_761 heritage train - credit Chris Lithgow.jpg

The 1960s Rail Motor 621/761 Heritage Train. Photography by Chris Lithgow.

Cruise Express launches their new Spirit of the Southwest Australia tour

By Geoffrey Williams and Wires

Cruise Express is an award-winning Australian travel company established in 2001. Best known for its rail and sail packages, Cruise Express specialises in domestic and international cruises and has been offering escorted Australian heritage rail holidays since 2016. Rail tours take place on a variety of trains from vintage rail motors to heritage steam and diesel hauled trains, often exclusively chartered for Cruise Express guests. Cruise Express was named 'Best Small Cruise Agency of the Year Australia 2023' at the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia Awards.

Cruise Express has launched a new rail and road tour that combines some of New South Wales’ and Victoria’s most iconic towns and sights with exclusive access to heritage trains to create the ultimate south-western Australia adventure. The new ‘Spirit of the Southwest’ tour starts in Sydney and takes guests on an incredible two-week journey as far west as Mildura and Broken Hill, and south to Albury, Melbourne and Ballarat, with stops along the way in Mudgee, Bathurst, Parkes and Murrumbateman.

Cruise Express Managing Director Meg Hill said this new one-off rail and road exploration of country New South Wales and Victoria took guests off the beaten tourist track to enjoy exclusive experiences above and beyond average tour inclusions and away from the crowds and queues. “Our in-depth exploration of south-western New South Wales and Victoria combines must-see sights such as Mungo National Park with exclusive experiences including a private trip aboard the ‘Royal Train’ through Victoria’s Wimmera and dinner aboard a Murray River paddle steamer. With virtually everything included, it’s jam-packed with value and with some extended stays, there’s less rushing and the chance to see more of these iconic Australian destinations.”

The Living Desert Broken Hill - credit Destination NSW.jpg

The Living Desert Broken Hill, Australia. Image: Destination NSW.

Catering to the increasing demand for rail adventures, the new Cruise Express tour features four exclusive heritage train trips including the ‘Royal Train’, offering guests the chance to soak up sweeping views of Victoria’s countryside from the open-air balconies, take lunch in the dining car, and gaze out the windows in the heritage compartments that once carried royalty. Other highlights include dinner with matching wines at Mudgee’s picturesque Lowe Winery, sundowners at The Living Desert and Sculptures in the outback, and after a drive around the famous Mount Panorama circuit at Bathurst, lunch at the Rockley Pub with cuisine by celebrated chef Matt Moran.

The new 14-day 'Spirit of the Southwest' Australia tour departs from Sydney, Australia – onboard the classic 1960s Rail Motor 621/761 Heritage Train – on 31 August 2026.

Geoffrey Williams is the Founder and Publishing Curator of The Solo Traveller. Wires include international news agencies and public relations representatives, published here with The Solo Traveller editorial oversight.

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