The Southern Aurora was an overnight express passenger train that operated between Australia's two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne.

First-class throughout, including the dining facilities, the Southern Aurora featured all-sleeper accommodation.

The train first ran on 13 April 1962 after the opening of the North East standard gauge line from Melbourne to Albury,[1] eliminating the break-of-gauge between the capital cities.

[1][7][8] With declining passenger numbers, it was decided to combine the Spirit of Progress and Southern Aurora into one train, the Sydney/Melbourne Express.

[12] From December 2017 four NAM Twinette carriages were restored at the Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park & Railway on behalf of Vintage Rail Journeys.