THE growing popularity of rail and sail tours in Australia has laid the tracks for a never-before-offered trip featuring a historic train that boasts the best preserved heritage locomotive and carriages in Australia.
Celebrating a golden age when travellers journeyed by rail and sea, the new five-day Melbourne Limited tour in April will sail from Melbourne to Sydney aboard the modern Golden Princess and return on two shiny, immaculately preserved trains - the Melbourne Limited and famous Spirit of Progress, with carriages dating back to the 1920s.
The short break adventure begins in Melbourne on April 19 with the two-night cruise to Sydney.
In Sydney, travellers will stay two nights at the historic Grace Hotel, including breakfast, with free time to enjoy the harbour city's attractions.
Also included - to reflect the tour's heritage theme - is a Sydney Harbour cruise with refreshments aboard the 143-year-old, three-masted tall ship James Craig.
On day five, travellers begin their rail journey to Melbourne on board the gold and Indian red Melbourne Limited at Sydney's Central Station.
The 52-year-old 42101 locomotive with its distinctive bulldog nose will haul five cars dating back to the 1920s and '30s, including compartment and rowed seating, a buffet car and lounge car.
The locomotive and carriages are considered among the finest and best preserved heritage railway stock in Australia.
The day-long rail journey south will include breakfast and morning and afternoon teas on board, with lunch at the 139-year-old Junee Railway Station.
At Seymour in central Victoria, travellers will transfer to the blue and gold carriages of the Spirit of Progress for the final run to Melbourne. A light dinner will be served.
The express connected Sydney and Melbourne from 1937-1986.
Hauling the train, which features original carriages from the 1930s, will be a 1953-built double-ended locomotive, B74.
Including 10 meals, on-train commentary and the services of a Cruise Express tour manager, the five-day Melbourne Limited rail and sail tour is available from $1990 per person twin share, or from $2490 for solo travellers. Flights to and from Melbourne are additional.
