OT/ Rail Travel in Australia

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 00:13:17 GMT, MI
wrote:

Alan, you mentioned that the train down the east coast of Australia has been
cancelled. I am planning a trip to Australia next fall (your Spring).
Because of the large distances to be travelled, when I look at the itinerary
I get that "Today's Tuesday, it must be Belgium" feeling.

Since there are no trains, are there any buses that could take me down the
coast‹say from Brisbane to Sydney or Sydney to Melbourne? I feel flying from
place to place won't give a true feeling of the country. Also, I don't drive
so renting a vehicle is not an option. Even if I did, I think learning to
drive on the 'wrong' side of the road at the age of 73 is more than Aussies
should have to endure!

If you have time and it isn't too much of an inconvenience, I would
appreciate any information you can give.

You may reach me if you wish so we don't bore the rest of
the group with OT information.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Martha T2 Canada

Hi Martha

I'm happy to bore the group (I do it all the time - so why
be different now:-) and I've added rec.travel.australia+nz
with a change of subject as a crosspost, because others
there may be able to assist.

There is still a train from Brisbane to Sydney. You'll find
details he
http://www.countrylink.info/timetabl.../brisbane_from

The train I talked about in
http://loraltraveloz.blogspot.com/20...t-railway.html
was my local branch line from Casino to Murwillumbah, which
used to support a direct train to Sydney from here. However,
the main line from Brisbane to Sydney still operates.

Once you reach Casino and Grafton, additional trains run on
the line. There is also a bus link from Brisbane via the
Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise and also Pottsville, my
place:-) to meet the Casino-Sydney train.

You might find the East Coast Discovery pass worth
considering. That covers one-way Brisbane to Sydney (or
vice-versa) with unlimited stopovers. If booking, mention
your age as there may be further discounts.
http://www.countrylink.info/travel_p...discovery_pass

To go further north, check out the Queensland Rail options
he
http://www.traveltrain.com.au/Travel...l_Services.asp

Contact me direct if you're interested in meeting at the
time. I'm at - remove weight
and carbs:-) or let me know here and I'll email you.

HTH

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1000mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Pompeii, Amalfi, Bari

On 11/23/06 7:22 PM, in article ,
"Alan S" wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 00:13:17 GMT, MI
wrote:

Snipped for brevity


Hi Martha

I'm happy to bore the group (I do it all the time - so why
be different now:-) and I've added rec.travel.australia+nz
with a change of subject as a crosspost, because others
there may be able to assist.

Snipped again for brevity

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1000mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Pompeii, Amalfi, Bari

Thanks Alan. I will certainly try to meet up with you when I get there.

"Alan S" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 00:13:17 GMT, MI
wrote:

Alan, you mentioned that the train down the east coast of Australia has
been
cancelled. I am planning a trip to Australia next fall (your Spring).
Because of the large distances to be travelled, when I look at the
itinerary
I get that "Today's Tuesday, it must be Belgium" feeling.

Since there are no trains, are there any buses that could take me down
the
coastsay from Brisbane to Sydney or Sydney to Melbourne? I feel flying
from
place to place won't give a true feeling of the country. Also, I don't
drive
so renting a vehicle is not an option. Even if I did, I think learning to
drive on the 'wrong' side of the road at the age of 73 is more than
Aussies
should have to endure!

If you have time and it isn't too much of an inconvenience, I would
appreciate any information you can give.

You may reach me if you wish so we don't bore the rest
of
the group with OT information.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Martha T2 Canada

The Brisbane - Sydney trains barely goes near the coast nowadays, but
does go through some fairly scenic countryside. The train is painfully
slow.

Sydney - Melbourne is all inland and unless the drought breaks soon in
those areas will not be a pleasant viewing trip - just lots of very brown
land.

The coach services like McCaffertys/Greyhound travel along the Pacific
Highway (BNE - SYD) and the Princes Highway (SYD - MEL) and call
into selected towns along the route.

Have you thought of renting a campervan as your accomodation on wheels,
you'd get to see a lot more than being stuck in a train or on a bus. Choose
where and when you stop, plus meet a lot more locals than you would staying
in hotels or motels.

On 11/24/06 12:29 PM, in article
, "Roger"
wrote:


"Alan S" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 00:13:17 GMT, MI
wrote:

snipped for brevity

The Brisbane - Sydney trains barely goes near the coast nowadays, but
does go through some fairly scenic countryside. The train is painfully
slow.

Sydney - Melbourne is all inland and unless the drought breaks soon in
those areas will not be a pleasant viewing trip - just lots of very brown
land.

The coach services like McCaffertys/Greyhound travel along the Pacific
Highway (BNE - SYD) and the Princes Highway (SYD - MEL) and call
into selected towns along the route.

Have you thought of renting a campervan as your accomodation on wheels,
you'd get to see a lot more than being stuck in a train or on a bus. Choose
where and when you stop, plus meet a lot more locals than you would staying
in hotels or motels.


Thanks, Roger. This is most helpful and just the sort of thing I'm looking
for. I wish I could have an open ended holiday,but like most people I can't
afford it.

I would like to use a campervan, but I do not drive. I wonder about letting
a 73yo Canadian drive on the 'wrong' side of Australian highways under any
circumstances! I will certainly add your information to my file.

Martha T2 Canada

On Sat, 25 Nov 2006 01:29:39 GMT, MI
wrote:




On 11/24/06 12:29 PM, in article
, "Roger"
wrote:


"Alan S" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 00:13:17 GMT, MI
wrote:

snipped for brevity

The Brisbane - Sydney trains barely goes near the coast nowadays, but
does go through some fairly scenic countryside. The train is painfully
slow.

Sydney - Melbourne is all inland and unless the drought breaks soon in
those areas will not be a pleasant viewing trip - just lots of very brown
land.

The coach services like McCaffertys/Greyhound travel along the Pacific
Highway (BNE - SYD) and the Princes Highway (SYD - MEL) and call
into selected towns along the route.

Have you thought of renting a campervan as your accomodation on wheels,
you'd get to see a lot more than being stuck in a train or on a bus. Choose
where and when you stop, plus meet a lot more locals than you would staying
in hotels or motels.


Thanks, Roger. This is most helpful and just the sort of thing I'm looking
for. I wish I could have an open ended holiday,but like most people I can't
afford it.

I would like to use a campervan, but I do not drive. I wonder about letting
a 73yo Canadian drive on the 'wrong' side of Australian highways under any
circumstances! I will certainly add your information to my file.

Martha T2 Canada

On slowness - Jetstar and Virgin (airlines) are quick, but I
enjoy the train for the ability to look at the passing
scenery. It is a long journey from Brisbane to Sydney (7:30
am to 10 pm) but it is through some quite spectacular
scenery. You don't get many water views until Broken Bay,
towards the end of the trip (apart from crossing some big
rivers en-route) but the scenery varies quite a lot over
that trip.

And if you get bored, you can always snooze or talk to the
others in your carriage or break your journey en-route.

I don't know how much time you have, but if you can break
your journey a few times I'd suggest any of the following:

Grafton: a pleasant town on the Clarence River, typical of
the older North Coast towns and an easy side trip to coastal
holiday towns like Yamba.

Coffs Harbour: a larger city on the coast, with beaches,
tourist facilities and side trips available to the
hinterland villages.

Urunga: a smaller coastal holiday/beach town, with side
trips up the picturesque Bellinger Valley.

Newcastle: a major city, previously a coal and steel town
and a major port but slowly becoming a tourist town with the
loss of the steel industry; also the gateway to the Hunter
Valley wine district. if wine is your interest, Maitland is
closer.

Gosford: on the water at the entrance to Broken Bay; the Bay
is spectacular if you can take a boat into the upper
reaches.

A lot depends on your interests. In your country (I drove
from the border above Lake Champlain to Niagara via Montreal
and the north side of Lake Ontario) I enjoyed wandering
around outwardly boring little towns, chatting in libraries
(when getting internet access), seeing little local museums
etc.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1000mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Pompeii, Amalfi, Bari

On 11/24/06 6:12 PM, in article ,
"Alan S" wrote:

snip

On slowness - Jetstar and Virgin (airlines) are quick, but I
enjoy the train for the ability to look at the passing
scenery. It is a long journey from Brisbane to Sydney (7:30
am to 10 pm) but it is through some quite spectacular
scenery. You don't get many water views until Broken Bay,
towards the end of the trip (apart from crossing some big
rivers en-route) but the scenery varies quite a lot over
that trip.

And if you get bored, you can always snooze or talk to the
others in your carriage or break your journey en-route.

I don't know how much time you have, but if you can break
your journey a few times I'd suggest any of the following:

Grafton: a pleasant town on the Clarence River, typical of
the older North Coast towns and an easy side trip to coastal
holiday towns like Yamba.

Coffs Harbour: a larger city on the coast, with beaches,
tourist facilities and side trips available to the
hinterland villages.

Urunga: a smaller coastal holiday/beach town, with side
trips up the picturesque Bellinger Valley.

Newcastle: a major city, previously a coal and steel town
and a major port but slowly becoming a tourist town with the
loss of the steel industry; also the gateway to the Hunter
Valley wine district. if wine is your interest, Maitland is
closer.

Gosford: on the water at the entrance to Broken Bay; the Bay
is spectacular if you can take a boat into the upper
reaches.

A lot depends on your interests. In your country (I drove
from the border above Lake Champlain to Niagara via Montreal
and the north side of Lake Ontario) I enjoyed wandering
around outwardly boring little towns, chatting in libraries
(when getting internet access), seeing little local museums
etc.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1000mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Pompeii, Amalfi, Bar


Thanks, Alan. You are describing my idea of a holiday. I can see the Sydney
Harbour Bridge and the Opera House on the TV. I can't get to know the people
of a country or town that way. To me the reason to travel is to enjoy
wandering the highways and byways. Unfortunately, I don't have unlimited
time and resources and expect to be there for a maximum of 3 weeks. No way
to learn much about a place but better than nothing. If we win the
$8,000,000 Lottery tomorrow night I'll come for 3 months.

Martha T2 Canada

On 11/24/06 6:12 PM, in article ,
"Alan S" wrote:

On Sat, 25 Nov 2006 01:29:39 GMT, MI
wrote:

snip

On slowness - Jetstar and Virgin (airlines) are quick, but I
enjoy the train for the ability to look at the passing
scenery. It is a long journey from Brisbane to Sydney (7:30
am to 10 pm) but it is through some quite spectacular
scenery. You don't get many water views until Broken Bay,
towards the end of the trip (apart from crossing some big
rivers en-route) but the scenery varies quite a lot over
that trip.
snip

Hi, Alan.

I just had another thought.How many kilometres is it (by train)
Approximately from Brisbane to Sydney and Sydney to Melbourne. I like trains
and we have hardly any passenger trains any more. It would be nice to spend
some time on the train and as you say get to see some of the locals.

I'm getting a little frustrated‹so little time‹so much to see‹and a country
nearly as big as my own.

Thanks, Martha.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1000mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Pompeii, Amalfi, Bari

On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 04:37:09 GMT, MI
wrote:




On 11/24/06 6:12 PM, in article ,
"Alan S" wrote:

On Sat, 25 Nov 2006 01:29:39 GMT, MI
wrote:

snip

On slowness - Jetstar and Virgin (airlines) are quick, but I
enjoy the train for the ability to look at the passing
scenery. It is a long journey from Brisbane to Sydney (7:30
am to 10 pm) but it is through some quite spectacular
scenery. You don't get many water views until Broken Bay,
towards the end of the trip (apart from crossing some big
rivers en-route) but the scenery varies quite a lot over
that trip.
snip

Hi, Alan.

I just had another thought.How many kilometres is it (by train)
Approximately from Brisbane to Sydney and Sydney to Melbourne. I like trains
and we have hardly any passenger trains any more. It would be nice to spend
some time on the train and as you say get to see some of the locals.

I'm getting a little frustrated‹so little time‹so much to see‹and a country
nearly as big as my own.

Thanks, Martha.


I'm not sure of the exact rail distances. I'm exactly
892km(555 miles) from Sydney by road and 135km(84 miles)
from Brisbane. Oddly, Melbourne is 892km from Sydney by road
(that's why I remember it:-)

So, in round figures, Brisbane would be about 1050km (650
miles) from Sydney.

Time is probably more relevant. The Brisbane-Sydney train
takes 14 1/2 hours if you don't break the journey.

Of course, it's not possible to see it all. If time is your
problem, then the corridor you are looking at is probably
your best option: possibly fly into Brisbane, then go to
Sydney, stopping at one or two towns for a day or so
en-route then possibly Melbourne (or Canberra) by train -
then fly back to your departure point.

Allow enough time for Sydney; there is not just the city
itself and it's attractions, but the Blue Mountains, the
harbour, the beaches and the zoo.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1000mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Pompeii, Amalfi, Bari

On 11/26/06 1:41 AM, in article ,
"Alan S" wrote:

On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 04:37:09 GMT, MI
wrote:




On 11/24/06 6:12 PM, in article ,
"Alan S" wrote:

On Sat, 25 Nov 2006 01:29:39 GMT, MI
wrote:

snip

On slowness - Jetstar and Virgin (airlines) are quick, but I
enjoy the train for the ability to look at the passing
scenery. It is a long journey from Brisbane to Sydney (7:30
am to 10 pm) but it is through some quite spectacular
scenery. You don't get many water views until Broken Bay,
towards the end of the trip (apart from crossing some big
rivers en-route) but the scenery varies quite a lot over
that trip.
snip

Hi, Alan.

I just had another thought.How many kilometres is it (by train)
Approximately from Brisbane to Sydney and Sydney to Melbourne. I like trains
and we have hardly any passenger trains any more. It would be nice to spend
some time on the train and as you say get to see some of the locals.

I'm getting a little frustrated‹so little time‹so much to see‹and a country
nearly as big as my own.

Thanks, Martha.


I'm not sure of the exact rail distances. I'm exactly
892km(555 miles) from Sydney by road and 135km(84 miles)
from Brisbane. Oddly, Melbourne is 892km from Sydney by road
(that's why I remember it:-)

So, in round figures, Brisbane would be about 1050km (650
miles) from Sydney.

Time is probably more relevant. The Brisbane-Sydney train
takes 14 1/2 hours if you don't break the journey.

Of course, it's not possible to see it all. If time is your
problem, then the corridor you are looking at is probably
your best option: possibly fly into Brisbane, then go to
Sydney, stopping at one or two towns for a day or so
en-route then possibly Melbourne (or Canberra) by train -
then fly back to your departure point.

Allow enough time for Sydney; there is not just the city
itself and it's attractions, but the Blue Mountains, the
harbour, the beaches and the zoo.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1000mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Pompeii, Amalfi, Bari

Thanks. I intend to spend several days in both Sydney and Melbourne. The
plan is to fly to Melbourne from Sydney and then down to Hobart. I
originally thought I would go to Adelaide, but I do want to see part of the
coast at a leisurely pace, thus I'll fly to Brisbane in all likelihood and
meander down from there. My physiotherapist is from Melbourne and he of
course thinks I should spend my time there! Thank goodness I'm not seeing
one of the others in the clinic as well, as he is from Perth.

IK appreciate the distance information. It gives me an idea at how fast the
trains move and where I would like to break my trip. Does the train stop in
Pottsville or you too far off the track?

Martha T2 Canada

On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 17:28:02 GMT, MI
wrote:




On 11/26/06 1:41 AM, in article ,
"Alan S" wrote:

On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 04:37:09 GMT, MI
wrote:




On 11/24/06 6:12 PM, in article ,
"Alan S" wrote:

On Sat, 25 Nov 2006 01:29:39 GMT, MI
wrote:

snip

On slowness - Jetstar and Virgin (airlines) are quick, but I
enjoy the train for the ability to look at the passing
scenery. It is a long journey from Brisbane to Sydney (7:30
am to 10 pm) but it is through some quite spectacular
scenery. You don't get many water views until Broken Bay,
towards the end of the trip (apart from crossing some big
rivers en-route) but the scenery varies quite a lot over
that trip.
snip

Hi, Alan.

I just had another thought.How many kilometres is it (by train)
Approximately from Brisbane to Sydney and Sydney to Melbourne. I like trains
and we have hardly any passenger trains any more. It would be nice to spend
some time on the train and as you say get to see some of the locals.

I'm getting a little frustrated‹so little time‹so much to see‹and a country
nearly as big as my own.

Thanks, Martha.


I'm not sure of the exact rail distances. I'm exactly
892km(555 miles) from Sydney by road and 135km(84 miles)
from Brisbane. Oddly, Melbourne is 892km from Sydney by road
(that's why I remember it:-)

So, in round figures, Brisbane would be about 1050km (650
miles) from Sydney.

Time is probably more relevant. The Brisbane-Sydney train
takes 14 1/2 hours if you don't break the journey.

Of course, it's not possible to see it all. If time is your
problem, then the corridor you are looking at is probably
your best option: possibly fly into Brisbane, then go to
Sydney, stopping at one or two towns for a day or so
en-route then possibly Melbourne (or Canberra) by train -
then fly back to your departure point.

Allow enough time for Sydney; there is not just the city
itself and it's attractions, but the Blue Mountains, the
harbour, the beaches and the zoo.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1000mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Pompeii, Amalfi, Bari

Thanks. I intend to spend several days in both Sydney and Melbourne. The
plan is to fly to Melbourne from Sydney and then down to Hobart. I
originally thought I would go to Adelaide, but I do want to see part of the
coast at a leisurely pace, thus I'll fly to Brisbane in all likelihood and
meander down from there. My physiotherapist is from Melbourne and he of
course thinks I should spend my time there! Thank goodness I'm not seeing
one of the others in the clinic as well, as he is from Perth.

IK appreciate the distance information. It gives me an idea at how fast the
trains move and where I would like to break my trip. Does the train stop in
Pottsville or you too far off the track?

Martha T2 Canada

Hi Martha

The train from Brisbane goes much further inland, via Kyogle
and Casino if you look at the map. Pottsville is on the
coast, between Byron Bay and the state border. Kyogle is due
west about 140 km (80mi).
http://www.countrylink.info/__data/a...nk_network.pdf

There is a local train service from Brisbane to Robina on
the Gold Coast, then bus from there to my place. There is a
"Rail" bus which replaced the train from here, which takes
about 2 1/2 hours from here to connect to the train at
Casino. You can also use that bus to drop in on Byron Bay.

Subject to timing and other commitments I'd be happy to pick
you up in Robina and act as a free "tour guide". Email
direct to discuss that closer to the day if you're
interested.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1000mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Pompeii, Amalfi, Bari