707 Operations Inc

Mother Nature threw a few challenges into the equation for our current VINELANDER Slow Rail Journey but our volunteers quickly adapted to ensure our travels could continue.

With bad weather in the region causing road closures, access to the Mungo National Park was not available. Our team reacted quickly and worked an alternate off-train experience into the weekends program.

This weekend, our touring groups visited Wentworth and Renmark instead of Mungo, with some additional Silo Art viewing stops along the way.
Meanwhile in Mildura, we once again spent time at the Mildura Botanic Gardens, Orange World, and Murray River cruising on board the PB Mundoo to the delightful Trentham Estate.

In conjunction with our brilliant Mildura based caterers and suppliers, we were able to quickly adapt and change our plans to ensure guests were captivated while visiting the Mallee region.

Do you want to travel with us on a VINELANDER slow rail journey? New dates released very very soon : members get notified first, so become a member of 707 Operations today: https://bookings.slowrailjourneys.com.au/events/sevenosevenoperationsinc/1300088

Jade Benham MP

This is your final invitation to travel with 707 Operations Inc and Slow Rail Journeys to Mildura and the spectacular Sunraysia on the Vinelander for 2026.

Need to get over the winter blues? Join the award-winning Vinelander travelling from Melbourne to the sun-drenched Sunraysia, departing on 20 August 2026 (returning on 25 August 2026).

Very limited places are available due to a last-minute cancellation.

🚂 🛤 🚂 🛤 🚂🛤 🚂 🛤

Don't miss your last chance to travel on one of just a few passenger trains each year to Mildura, the gateway to the spectacular Sunraysia.
Depart Melbourne onboard Slow Rail Journeys' private standard gauge sitting car train, hauled by heritage diesel locomotives, as it makes a spirited run from Melbourne to the Goldfields.

After enjoying a night at the luxurious RACV Goldfields Resort, transfer to Maryborough and board the train to Mildura. Sit back and relax as the Goldfields melt into the vast plains of the Mallee and the arid landscapes of Outback Victoria before reaching the vines that signal the train's arrival in Mildura and the oasis of the Sunraysia.

Enjoy three nights at the Grand Hotel, the Commodore Motel, or an equivalent hotel in Mildura. Highlights include touring the spectacular Mungo National Park and gaining exclusive access to premier local venues and experiences including:
*Dining in the Magenta Woolshed, onboard the Mundoo and at the Grand Hotel's Ballroom
*Visiting Orange World
*Cruising upstream to the spectacular Trentham Estate

Relax on our return journey with an overnight stop at the RACV Goldfields Resort, before the trip concludes with a gourmet lunch at the stunning Clyde Park Estate in the Moorabool Valley.

Book your ticket to travel on the VINELANDER here: https://slowrailjourneys.wetravel.com/i/6959f2b8b674eaa9deb3c885 -vinelander-to-mildura

Our members quickly booked out our very first Gippsland Slow Rail Journey before it could be announced to the public.

Back by surging demand, we have released another Gippsland Slow Rail Journey over the weekend of Friday 18th to Sunday 20th of September 2026.

https://slowrailjourneys.wetravel.com/i/6a716789bdb47878e64fde40 #18-sep-second-inaugural-gippsland-slow-rail-journey

However: This second Slow Rail Journey to Gippsland has been on pre-sale to our members and friends for a few days already and it's proving to be very popular. This second Gippsland Slow Rail Journey will SELL OUT QUICKLY, se we advise you to act quickly to secure your accommodation needs.

**Our members learn about future Slow Rail Journey announcements before anyone else - why not join as a member for future incredible pre-sale announcements - Membership to 707 Operations Inc really does come with benefits**
Join today: https://bookings.slowrailjourneys.com.au/events/sevenosevenoperationsinc/1300088

GIPPSLAND SLOW RAIL JOURNEY

While The VINELANDER carriages were parked up in Mildura, we meet with Steve and his team from Carpet Tek.

Over the weekend Carpet Tek Mildura spent a significant amount of time working on cleaning the inside of our five N type carriages.

All carpets and seats have been attended too, improving the quality of the Vinelander experience.

Thanks to the Carpet Tek team in Mildura for your hard work! 👏🏽

Donate to 707 Operations Inc today, and help with our restoration activities. https://www.slowrailjourneys.com.au/donate

Today, the VINELANDER slow rail journey commences its return run from Mildura to Maryborough. 🚂

All of our guests have enjoyed their time, and the off train activities in the Mallee region. We thank our regional suppliers and partners who have once again contributed to showcase this amazing part of Victoria to our 161 guests.

Most importantly, it’s our volunteers who come together to make wonderful trips like this happen and we can’t do it without you, and our guests love what you do ❤️

Volunteer opportunities for The VINELANDER and other Slow Rail Journey excursions are open. Call us and speak to our volunteer co-ordinator should you wish to contribute to a premium regional tourism product in Victoria. 1800 707 677

If you’re disappointed that you’ve missed out on a VINELANDER Slow Rail Journey in 2026, we’re very close to announcing some new dates for 2027 but you’ll need to join as a member of 707 Operations Inc for early notification of journeys and exclusive member only booking periods.

Our members learn about our forthcoming tours first: join today by visiting https://bookings.slowrailjourneys.com.au/events/sevenosevenoperationsinc/1300088

Members are the heart of our operation!

Day one of off-train touring on our SOLD OUT “VINELANDER” Slow Rail Journey has concluded, having offered a multitude of excursions around the greater Mildura and Mallee region.

Matt, Graeme, Dearne and Rodders went out of town with two touring groups, visiting the Mungo National Park, which included walking tours along the boardwalk of the The Walls of China.

Meanwhile in Mildura Nathan, Rocco and Jase took another two touring groups to visit Mario and enjoy the tractor tour at Orange World and to the Botanic Gardens.

Tomorrow, groups will swap to ensure everyone sees this stunning part of the Mallee region.

If you’re disappointed that you’ve missed out on a VINELANDER Slow Rail Journey in 2026, we’re very close to announcing some new dates for 2027 but you’ll need to join as a member of 707 Operations Inc for early notification of journeys and exclusive member only booking periods.

Our members learn about our forthcoming tours first: join today by visiting https://bookings.slowrailjourneys.com.au/events/sevenosevenoperationsinc/1300088

We love engaging with our members!

We’re underway with the second of four SOLD OUT Vinelander Slow Rail Journeys for 2026, and after an excellent run out of Melbourne, we reached our first overnight stop of Maryborough nearly an hour ahead of schedule.

The VINELANDER Slow Rail Journey will continue on Friday morning travelling from Maryborough to Mildura ahead of our weekend of off-train cruising, taking in many of the wonderful sights that the Mallee region has to offer.

If you’re in the Discover Mildura region on Friday afternoon, you can watch the VINELANDER arrive at Mildura at 4.40pm. Updates on our arrival time into Mildura will be posted as we approach.

If you’re disappointed that you’ve missed out on a VINELANDER Slow Rail Journey in 2026, we’re very close to announcing some dates for 2027 but you’ll need to join as a member of 707 Operations Inc for early notification of journeys and exclusive member only booking periods.

Our members learn about our forthcoming tours first: join today by visiting https://bookings.slowrailjourneys.com.au/events/sevenosevenoperationsinc/1300088

Membership has its advantages!

The June edition of Hudon News, the official newsletter from 707 Operations has been sent to all members.

Email subscribers should have their copy already, please check your inbox.
Postal subscribers will receive their printed copy in the mail later this week.

The July edition includes:
- Report From the President,
- R 707 mechanical update,
- Diesel fleet report,
- Steve Gibson donation,
- Slow Rail Journeys Report including upcoming availability, and
- Vinelander tour report

If you're interested in receiving our future Newsletters then become a member of 707 Operations today! Visit https://bookings.slowrailjourneys.com.au/events/sevenosevenoperationsinc/1300088 for more information about becoming a member.

Membership has its benefits!