About This Package
Rail by Day, River by Sunset
The VIP 2-UP River and Rail Package captures the romance of the Australian outback in a way few single experiences can. It pairs the rhythm of heritage rail travel with the calm of a sunset river cruise, bookending the day with genuine outback hospitality. Beginning and ending in Longreach, the package carries travellers through scrub, grasslands, and the Coolibah-lined banks of the Thomson River, finishing with an award-winning dinner and show at Smithy’s.
STAGE BY STAGE
Your Day – Stage by Stage
From the Railway Station and Beyond The Great Darr River Rail Run departs from and finishes at Longreach Railway Station on the Landsborough Highway, leaving at 8:30 am with check-in up to 30 minutes prior. Later in the day, the Drover’s Sunset Cruise includes return coach transfers from Longreach accommodation, with pickup times varying by location and confirmed on your booking confirmation.
River and Rail Combined The VIP 2-UP River and Rail Package brings together the very best of Longreach in a single day. By combining the Great Darr River Rail Run with the Drover’s Sunset Cruise, guests experience heritage rail travel, a relaxed river cruise, and alfresco dining, all while saving 10 percent and soaking up outback hospitality at its finest.
Heritage Rail and Storytelling The Great Darr River Rail Run begins aboard the historic 2000 class rail motor, offering a different perspective on the country as the natural and cultural heritage of the region comes alive. Knowledgeable crew share stories along the way, bringing genuine outback hospitality to every leg of the journey out from Longreach.
Bush Medicines and Riverbank Tea Partway through the Rail Run, guests step off the rail motors for a short mulga walk, learning about bush medicines and the secrets of the Leander Sand Ridge. The highlight follows on arrival at the beautiful Darr River waterhole, where a homemade morning tea is served on the riverbank before the journey continues back towards Longreach.
360-Degree River Views Aboard the M.V. Longreach Explorer, guests take their seats on the top deck to capture sweeping river and floodplain views. The skipper shares captivating stories about the Thomson River, its wildlife, and Indigenous heritage as the catamaran glides downstream. Photo opportunities are endless, but the stop at Sunset Bend remains the hands-down favourite moment of the cruise.
Dining Under the Stars As the sunset colours fade into starlight, the cruise docks at Smithy’s, where guests settle in for an evening beside the Coolibah-lined Thomson River. Enjoy table service as you tuck into succulent camp-oven cuisine cooked over gidgee coals, followed by seasonal desserts and freshly baked damper with billy tea or coffee. A resident outback performer entertains live on stage at this award-winning must-do experience.
Rail Run Departures From 15 to 30 April 2026 the Great Darr River Rail Run operates on Wednesdays. From 1 May to 30 September it runs Wednesday and Saturday, returning to Wednesday-only departures from 1 to 15 October. The train departs Longreach Railway Station at 8:30 am, so guests should plan to arrive up to 30 minutes prior for check-in.
Sunset on the Thomson From May through July 2026, the Drover’s Sunset Cruise operates on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with pickups starting from 4:00 pm. As the season shifts, pickup times move later, beginning at 4:15 pm from August into mid-September and 4:30 pm through to the end of the month. Return coach transfers from Longreach accommodation are included for the cruise.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Inclusions and Package Details
Frequently Asked Questions
