Ruwenzori Retreat is an exclusive-hire railway carriage retreat 30 minutes from Mudgee and 3.5 hours from Sydney, sleeping up to 12. Every booking takes the whole property: the State Car, Dining Car, Station and 20 hectares of private mountain bush, with extra sleeping carriages to add for larger groups.
Check-in is from 2:00 pm and check-out is by 10:00 am.
No, Ruwenzori is a self-catering property. We provide basic pantry items such as olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper, tea and coffee, and will have some milk in the fridge for you - but you will need to bring your own supplies. There is a fully equipped kitchen, a gas BBQ and a wood-fired BBQ to inspire you!
We can refer you to great caterers around Mudgee if you'd like to do a catered dinner party as part of your stay.
While Ruwenzori is private and secluded, our caretaker lives on another part of the property and will be on hand to meet you - and will be contactable should you need anything while you're there.
Ruwenzori Retreat is 30 minutes from Mudgee and about 3.5 hours’ drive from Sydney, high on the Great Dividing Range in Central West NSW.
Any time of year, depending on what you’re after.
Autumn: the Mudgee region is at its best, with harvest time at the cellar doors, mild days and golden light.
Winter: cosy up in the carriages with the heating on, a fire outside and a glass of Mudgee red, then step out under some of the darkest, clearest night skies around.
Spring: the days warm up and the bush and gardens come alive, ideal for walking the four kilometres of trails.
Summer: days can be hot, so plan for slow mornings, long lunches and cooling off indoors in the afternoon. The carriages have high roofs, mountain breezes and air conditioning, and the evenings are lovely for sunset dinners.
Yes - we have a range of heating options, including reverse-cycle air conditioning in most rooms and underfloor heating in the bathrooms and main bedrooms.
In summer, the air conditioning provides welcome relief inside the trains. The large, high roofs over the trains help keep them cooler, and being on the top of a mountain captures the prevailing breeze.
There are excellent 7-day supermarkets, pubs, and great specialty stores in both Mudgee and Gulgong.
Mudgee is just 30 minutes from Ruwenzori, and when you get there, you’ll be spoilt for choice. The region has numerous wineries, cellar doors and marvellous restaurants. See our Explore page for some recommendations.
Children are most welcome. After all, what child doesn’t want to stay in a train?
Like any rural property or railway station, Ruwenzori isn’t fully childproofed. There’s plenty to climb and plenty of places to hide, which can mean the odd squashed finger or bumped head, and the gardens include a pond and water features. Older children find the place fascinating and can’t wait to explore, and babies seem to sleep and eat better here than at home. Parents of toddlers will need to keep a keen eye on them at all times.
The booking must be made by someone aged 21 or over. We don’t accept schoolies or groups of under-21s.
Yes, Ruwenzori Retreat is perfect for intimate weddings. The private setting and the views make for incredible photos. We’re happy to recommend local celebrants and Mudgee caterers to help bring your day together, and it’s equally lovely for elopements and milestone celebrations.
Weddings and celebrations are for guests staying on site only, so up to 12 people with all the carriages booked. For more information or enquiries about your special event, email info@stayinatrain.com.
We love our pets but there are just some places where they aren’t ideal. Ruwenzori sits in 20 hectares of pristine bush, full of native flora and fauna so bringing your fur babies with you is not an option.
The unique rail accommodation at Ruwenzori is in antique railway carriages which have been lovingly restored to represent what life would have been like in the Victorian age of rail. This means there are narrow corridors and doorways and steps up into the carriages and all on a site with sloping driveways, paths and steps. The Dining Car and State Car are accessible by a ramp to assist anyone who requires assisted walking but the site is not suitable for wheelchairs.
We don’t have a problem with anyone who wants a ciggie. But absolutely no smoking indoors at all - fully restored railway carriages are impossible to replace! And remember when you’re outdoors that we are surrounded by gorgeous Aussie bush, so please take care and dispose of your butts carefully.
Yes - free Wi-Fi is included with your stay. And if you’re with Telstra, the phone reception is also strong enough to stream your favourite shows and post on social media (which we encourage!) #stayinatrain
We have two TVs - one in the Pullman Car and another in the Dining Car. There’s also an Apple TV unit that you can move between the two and use the data on your phone to connect.
Yes, there’s an outdoor open fireplace, and you don’t need to collect a thing. Part of the joy of a stay in a train is that it’s all done for you. You’ll arrive to a huge pile of firewood, and if you run out, just call our on-site caretaker.
Please note: fires are not permitted on Total Fire Ban days, which can be declared in summer and on other days of high fire danger. Please check the NSW Rural Fire Service website or app before lighting a fire. We’ll also advise if a ban is in place before your arrival.
Still have a question? Get in touch - we’re happy to help.
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