Newsletter September Issue
Sat 12 Sep 2026
- Check it now
FRANCE BURGUNDY & PROVENCE TO CRUISE THE RHÔNE RIVER FROM ARLES TO LYON 2027
Sun 13 - Sun 20 Jun 2027
- 4 places remain - BOOK NOW
FORGOTTEN WORLD NZ 2027
Sat 30 Jan - Sun 8 Feb 2027
- BOOK NOW
VIETNAM BY RAIL 2027
Mon 8 to Sat 20 Mar 2027
- 2 suites remain - BOOK NOW
Welcome, welcome back.
If you are new to St James Rail (SJR) - welcome.
To our regular SJR travellers - welcome back.
St James Rail specialises in personalised, escorted tours, across Australia and around the world - we’ve been looking after people for more than 40 years as we explore the world by rail.
We are very proud that our tours are researched, planned and led by us - Takako Ishige and Owen Johnstone-Donnet - who are your personal contacts and tour leaders from the first email or phone call, until the end of the tour.
Featuring Tours
FORGOTTEN WORLD RAILWAY - NZ 2027
If you haven’t joined before, don’t miss this opportunity for a short break to New Zealand to experience the ‘Forgotten World’ – a 142 km railway adventure where we drive our own motorised rail carts through 24 tunnels and across 98 bridges - travel through the rugged King Country landscape. A unique 10 day rail experience on the north island of New Zealand, with two nights in Auckland before the tour to explore Waiheke Island.
Date: Saturday 30 Januray to Sunday 8 February 2027
HO CHI MINH TO HANOI by TRAIN 2027
Experience an eight-day / seven-night journey that turns Vietnam into a slow unfolding panorama, trading speed for immersion and rhythm. Voyage through Vietnam’s most spectacular destinations, from Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant pulse to Hanoi’s timeless charm, past UNESCO World Heritage sites and pristine coastal wonders in unparalleled comfort. Unpack once as the train becomes your moving hotel – with off train excursions each day, meeting local people, tasting local food and immersing yourself in the landscape through which we pass.
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Date: Monday 8 March to Saturday 20 March 2027
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SWITZERLAND AND AUSTRIA 2027
Join us for a twenty-five day tour to experience the beauty of the Swiss and Austrian alps by rail during the summer months – we journey on some of the most scenic and spectacular rail lines of Europe; cruise on century old paddle steamers; enjoy mountain rack railways and cable cars; dine on the move; and swim in beautiful lakes. Delight in the wonderful mountain railways to the ‘top of the world’ and stay in some splendid hotels - as we travel by rail through the remarkably beautiful mountains, valleys and lake districts of Switzerland and Austria. We have also planned the tour to provide some ‘rest’ days for those who wish, as well as a number of alternative activities on certain days, to explore a range of other historic, cultural or cosmopolitan activities, as well as special rail experiences.
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Date: Saturday 4 to Thursday 30 September 2027