NSW rail and road tour tracks hidden gems

Passengers can sit back, relax and enjoy the ride on this tour that leaves Sydney and visits Bathurst, Parkes, Cowra, Orange, Dubbo, Tamworth, Armidale and Coffs Harbour before returning to Sydney.

The exploration begins at Sydney's Central Station with a picturesque train journey to Bathurst through the Blue Mountains via Katoomba and Lithgow.

On arrival, there's a visit to the Railway Museum before an afternoon hotel check-in.

In Bathurst, we'll drop in at former prime minister Ben Chifley's house, Chifley Home, as well as Abercrombie House and Mount Panorama, home of the Bathurst 1000.

We then hop on a coach to visit the beautiful Mayfield Garden at Mount Oberon and then head to Cowra, where we'll see the Cowra POW Camp and Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre.

The town of Parkes is well worth a visit for the King's Castle Elvis Exhibit and its collection of genuine Elvis artefacts. And of course, no trip to Parkes would be complete without a look at the Parkes Radio Telescope, star of the 2000 movie The Dish.

Moving on to Orange we'll see the Botanic Gardens and Mount Canobolas. And then it's smorgasbord of fine food and wine with a visit to a boutique winery for a bottle of your favourite tipple.

A two-hour trip on the Western XPT takes us to the vibrant regional city of Dubbo on the Macquarie River.

While in town we'll enjoy time at the Royal Flying Doctor Experience as well as Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Tamworth, Australia's country music capital, is next on the itinerary. A must see is the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame with its treasure trove of personal items from Australian country music royalty.

Also on the bucket list is The Big Golden Guitar Tourist Centre, Oxley Scenic Lookout and the Botanical Gardens.

Then it's all aboard the North Western Explorer bound for Armidale.

Dubbed the Cathedral City, Armidale is arguably one of Australia's most elegant regional cities. Travellers will enjoy a city sights tour and may wish to stroll along the Country Music Pioneers Parade in Bicentennial Park.

A coach journey through the Cathedral Rock National Park pops out on the North Coast and Coffs Harbour.

A sightseeing excursion showcases some of the most beautiful beaches and marine conservation areas the region is famous for, such as Solitary Islands Marine Park and Mutton Bird Island. And we'll visit the Big Banana before enjoying a farewell dinner.

The final day is free to explore Coffs Harbour before boarding the North Coast XPT for the return journey to Sydney.

Rail & Coach Exploration of NSW, October 17-29, 2023. From $4190 per person twin share ($5190 single).

For more information call 1800-630-343 or click HERE