Canberra

Step inside the working heart of Australian democracy at Parliament House, where architecture, art and the landscape come together in one of Canberra’s most remarkable landmarks.

Explore the Senate and House of Representatives with a guide who brings the building and its stories to life, from the eucalyptus greens of the Senate to the ochre reds of the House, colours inspired by the Australian landscape. These are the chambers where national debates unfold and decisions shaping the country are made.

Continue into the Great Hall, where Arthur Boyd’s monumental tapestry stretches the full height of the wall, before discovering Michael Nelson Jagamara’s striking granite mosaic in the forecourt. Along the way, take in the sweeping marble staircase and geometric roofline, and discover how the building’s design was carefully considered to connect it with the landscape beyond.

From the grand interiors to the smallest architectural details, uncover the ideas and artistry that make Parliament House as much a celebration of Australia as it is a place of government.

Recommended Fitness level: Low – Guests are required to walk and stand for approximately 45 minutes.

Visit the Australian War Memorial, one of the country’s most significant places of remembrance, where stories of service, sacrifice and courage are preserved for generations to come.

With a guide to lead the way, explore galleries spanning the First and Second World Wars and the Cold War, discovering the people and events behind some of the defining moments in Australia’s history. Continue to the Hall of Valour, where the stories of Australia’s Victoria Cross recipients offer a moving insight into extraordinary acts of bravery under fire.

Conclude your visit in the cloisters at the Roll of Honour, where the names of those who lost their lives in service are inscribed in bronze. Take a moment to place a red poppy among the thousands already laid in remembrance, and pause in quiet reflection on the lives behind the names and the enduring legacy of their service.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – Guests are required to walk and stand for approximately 60 minutes.

Discover where Australian currency comes to life at the Royal Australian Mint, looking onto the factory floor to see coins being made. With your guide, follow the journey from design and engraving through to the striking process, and explore a collection of rare and commemorative coins that capture moments, people and stories from Australia’s history.

From the Mint, continue to the Australian National Arboretum, a vast 250-hectare landscape dedicated to the conservation and celebration of trees and plants from Australia and around the world. Wander among nature and discover the National Bonsai Collection, home to an extraordinary display of miniature trees shaped over generations.

If you’d prefer to take things at a slower pace, settle in at the Arboretum café with a coffee and enjoy sweeping views across Canberra, with the city laid out beyond the treetops.

Recommended Fitness level: Low – Guests are required to walk and stand for approximately 45 minutes.

Step into the National Portrait Gallery and discover the people behind the faces that have shaped Australia. Housed in an award-winning, light-filled building, the gallery offers an intimate glimpse into the many people and stories that have helped define the nation.

An expert presenter guides you through the world-class collection, from historical pioneers and artists to sporting legends and contemporary Australian icons. Look beyond each portrait to uncover the stories of the people depicted, as well as the artists and ideas behind their creation.

Take your time exploring the elegant galleries, with plenty of opportunity to pause, reflect and appreciate the portraits at your own pace. It’s a thoughtful introduction to Australian identity, told through the people who have helped shape it.

Recommended Fitness level: Low – Guests are required to walk and stand for approximately 45 minutes.

Designed exclusively for guests of the Australis and Aurora Suites, this intimate Off Train Experience offers a deeper way to discover Australia’s capital, with private access, considered dining and personal insights into the people and stories that shaped the nation.

Travel by private vehicle with fellow suite guests to Parliament House, where a private guide leads you through the working heart of Australian democracy. Explore the chambers and discover the building’s remarkable design, from the monumental Great Hall tapestry to Michael Nelson Jagamara’s granite mosaic in the forecourt.

Continue to one of Canberra’s celebrated dining destinations for a leisurely lunch of exceptional cuisine, paired with fine wines and sweeping views across the city.

This afternoon, join a private guide at the Australian War Memorial and venture beyond the main galleries to view selected pieces from the national collection. The experience concludes with a personal wreath-laying ceremony, offering a quiet moment to pause and remember those who served.

Return to the train with the stories, places and experiences of Canberra still fresh, having seen the capital through a more personal lens.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – Guests are required to walk and stand for approximately 90 minutes.

*Please note, this experience is exclusively available to guests travelling in the Aurora or Australis Suites.