Our rail tour of Australia begins and ends in Southeastern city of Sydney.
We first work our way south to Melbourne visiting railroad museum's and riding many
mainline steam excursions and regular scheduled trains and ferries. This includes a
doubleheader between Picton and Glulburn. We will also visit the Lllawqarra Light
Railway, the Zig-Zag Railway, the Newport Railway, the Puffing Billy Railway with
a narrow gauge Garratt, the Mornington Peninsular Railway and the Melbourne trams.
Our 600 mile journey between Sydney and Melbourne in eastern Australia will be onboard
the Australian built HST (High Speed Train). This may be the latest in passenger
train tecnogicy in Australia, but is is the older diesel models that are of extreme
interest to most railfans. keep your eyes peeled for the many color schemes and
diesel models in operation, but most important the classic EMD E units and the Alco
FA's. Australia is a gold mine of covered wagon operations.
From Melbourne we then fly north to Cairns which is more than 1000 miles in Northeastern
Australia and in Queensland. At Cairns we spend the next several days on the Savannahlander
which is one of the most exciting and remote outback rail experiences in Australia. We will
be onboard a unique railcar that will take us southwest deep into outback country to Forsayth
and return, a total of 531 miles. Stops will be made at points of historic interest and several
photo run-bys will be also preformed each day. Upon arrival back in Cairns we enjoy the local
region by both train and cruise ship including a visit to the Great Barrier Reef and a rainforest.
We then head by train southbound along the Eastern Australian coast back to Sydney.
AUSTRALIA ALSO HAS MUCH MORE THAN JUST COVERED WAGONS
THE DIESEL MODELS AND PAINT SCHEMES SEEN ENDLESS
DAY 1 THURSDAY APRIL 2: Individiual flight arrivals into Sydney Airport which has a rail connection into the city center. Hotel check-in and relax. Our guides will be at the hotel greeting most tour members as they arrive. Our hotel will be near the main railway station.
DAY 2 FRIDAY APRIL 3: A day at leisure in Sydney. The tour includes a day pass to ride trains, buses and ferries. Overnight Sydney.
DAY 3 SATURDAY APRIL 4: (L) Enjoy a main line steam special into the Southern Highlands. Vintage diesel from Sydney to Picton from where we are double headed by steam onwards for the climb to Goulburn. Time to visit the Goulburn Brewery, have lunch and see the locos being serviced in the old roundhouse before steaming back to Picton and diesel to Sydney. We shall be travelling in classic vintage wooden bodied coaches. Overnight Sydney.
DAY 4 SUNDAY APRIL 5: (L) Ride the service train to Picton, then ride behind steam up the steeply graded former Great Southern Railway line to Thirlemere for a visit to their depot housing over 40 locomotives dating back as far as 1865, a huge Garratt, diesel and electric locos, railcars and much more. Return to Sydney for lodging.
We ride diesel powered trains from Sydney to Picton and return.
We ride behind steam between Picton and Thirlemere and return. In Thirlemere we visit the
New South Wales Transport Museum.
DAY 5 MONDAY APRIL 6: (L) Travel by train to Valley Heights for a special steaming of the amazing 1891 Sydney steam tram engine at the depot. Return to Sydney for lodging.
DAY 6 TUESDAY APRIL 7: (L) Local train to the 610mm gauge Illawarra Light Railway for a special steam charter using one of their five steam locos. The collection features Baldwin, Hudswell Clark and Hawthorn Leslie locos. Return to Sydney for lodging.
DAY 7 WEDNESDAY APRIL 8: (L) A rail journey into the scenic Blue Mountains for the 3'6" gauge Zig-Zag Railway for a ride behind steam over the original switchback line to Lithgow. Return to Sydney for lodging.
DAY 8 THURSDAY APRIL 9: (L) We now board the fast HST train for the 600 mile run Sydney to Melbourne. This mianline runs into the Great Dividing Range crossing from New South Wales to Victoria and then down into Melbourne. This is a busy mainline so keep a lookout for other trains that will have a large variety of movtive power and color schemes. Upon arrival in Melbourne we transfer to the hotel which is near the South Cross Station.
We ride the fast Australian built HST train between Sydney and Melbourne
During our 600 mile journey today keep an eye open for all of the trains we will meet and past with a wide variety of motive power and color schemes.
DAY 9 FRIDAY APRIL 10: Today the group will ride a non-public steam working from the Newport Railway workshops to Southern Cross station for an exhibition. Afterwards travel by local train to the 2' 6" gauge Puffing Billy Railway operated by 2-6-2T's and a superb Garratt locomotive. Overnight lodging at the same hotel.
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DAY 10 SATURDAY APRIL 11: (L) By rail to Castlemaine for the weekend steam operation over the 10-mile line to Maldon usually in charge of a broad Gauge (5'3") J or K class 2-8-0. Return to Melbourne for lodging.
We spend the day on the Victoria Goldfiled Railway with steam and diesel operations.
DAY 11 SUNDAY APRIL 12: By road to the Mornington Peninsular Railway for a ride behind their K class broad gauge steam loco to Mooroodoc and return. Return to Melbourne for lodging.
DAY 12 MONDAY APRIL 13: By road to the 3'6" gauge Bellarine Peninsula Railway for a ride behind steam over the 10-mile line from Drysdale to Queenscliffe. Return to Melbourne for lodging.
DAY 13 TUESDAY APRIL 14: Morning ride on the Melbourne trams. Three routes still use the 60 year-old W class trams. Mid-day flight to Cairns in Northereast Australia near the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea. Hotel check-in at the Mercure Hotel Harborside. The rest of day at your own leisure.
DAY 14 WEDNESDAY APRIL 15: (D) For the next four days we will present to you a fantastic "Outback Rail Experience" onboard the Savannahlander railcar from Cairns to Forsayth and return. Today we travel from Cairns to Almaden.
Overnight in Almaden.
The Savannahlander is a unique train journey which begins in Cairns , Australia. It is one of the great rail experiences of the world as it rattles its way from the coast, up the scenic Kuranda Range including stops at Barron Falls and Stoney Creek, through World Heritage listed rainforests to Kuranda. It then continues on through the savannah to outback Australia. The Savannahlander is also a unique way to see the Chillagoe Caves , Cobbold Gorge and the Undara Lava Tubes .
"The Silver Bullet" as the train is affectionately known, was state-of-the-art when it was brought into service. Now it reflects the pace and grace of a by-gone era, while at the same time offering a unique experience to people adventurous enough to make the journey. This grand-old-lady travels at a sedate pace, and stops at suitable locations for the driver to point out interesting landscape features to the passengers. It's a unique and comfortable way to see Australia's outback.
For "the locals" of the Queensland outback, The Savannahlander is still a vital communications link, while for the fortunate visitor to the region, it offers a unique rail experience, and an insight into one of the most diverse and fascinating regions of Australia.
DAY 15 THURSDAY APRIL 16: (B-D) We reboard the Savannahlander and continue westbound from Almaden to Forsayth and overnight lodging.
DAY 16 FRIDAY APRIL 17: (B-D) Today we start the journey back to the east coast of Australia onboard the Savannahlander. We travel from Forsayth to Mt. Surprise and overnight in local hotel.
DAY 17 SATURDAY APRIL 18: (B) On our final day onboard the Savannahlander we travel from Mt. Surprise to Cairns. Transfer to the Mercure Hotel Harborside in Cairns with wonderful harbor view rooms.
DAY 18 SUNDAY APRIL 19: (B) Today we have a full day excurison to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Depart from Cairns wharf onboard the "Ocean Spirt", a luxury 105ft sailing vessel-the largest of her kind in the world. We sail to Michaelmas Cay, known as the Isle of the Birds, a year round home to thousands of sea birds of some 14 different species. Its spectacular coral reef, which thrives in the ideal conditions of clear shallow, sunlit water, is home to a variety of marine life including giant clams and brilliant fish. Because Michaelmas Cay is a National Pakr the fish are so tame you can feed them from the beach and birds know they are safe to wander amount you with their chicks. Lunch will be served buffet style onboard. We will spend four hours at the reef with plenty of time for a variety of activities. You may wish to do a guided snorkeling tour or scuba dive with a qualified instructor (extra cost) or just lay on the beach and take in the sun. We return in the afternoon to Cairns and our hotel.
DAY 19 MONDAY APRIL 20: (L) In the morning we transfer to the Freshwater Railway station to board the train for the scenic journey through tunnels and past waterfalls to Kuranda. Upon arrival you will have some leisure time to explore the village & markets before meeting at the Skyrail Terminal. Marvel at the spectacular views as you glide silently above the rainforest canopy. There are two stations en route where you can alight to walk through the rainforest to scenic lookouts. The Skyrail ends at Caravonica Lakes where we have a buffet lunch at the Boomerang Restaurant. Next, enter the Tjapakai Aboriginal Culture Center. There are stage shows, movie theatres, craft demonstrations and an aborginal Village. Late afternoon we return our hotel in Cairns.
DAY 20 TUESDAY APRIL 21: (B) Today we board the "Sunlander" one of Australia's great train journeys and a favoritre with travelers between Cairns and Bisbane. This superb 1019 mile journey, which snakes its way along the Queensland's Coastline, offers options to sluite every traveler. Our group will be in the Queenslander Class compartments , which have a comfortababe 3-seater lounge which converts to upper and lower sleeping berths at night, complete with fluffy comforters and pillows. Cabins feature private vanity, wardrobes, full length mirror, reading lamps and foldaway table. Meals are included in an exclusive restaurant car.
DAY 21 WEDNESDAY APRIL 22: (B-L) We arrive in Brisbane at 3:25pm. Transfer to the Sebel Suites Hotel Brisbane. Leisure time to explore the city on your own.
DAY 22 THURSDAY APRIL 23: (L) Today we will visit the Queensland Museum, Brisbane Tramway Museum and the Workshops Rail Museum plus offer you a Brisbane city tour. We return to our hotel for a 2nd night in the city.
We pay a visit to the Brisbane Tramway Museum
DAY 23 FRIDAY APRIL 24: (B) We continue our southbound journey by train departing Brisbane at 7:30am on the fast XPT tilt train for the 617 mile jouourney to Sydney. Arrival time is at 9:54 pm. We continue our southbound journey by train. Upon arrival in Sydney transfer and check-in at the Four Points Sheraton Darling Harbor.
DAY 24 SATURDAY APRIL 25: End of tour upon hotel check-out.
PRICES PRICES ARE PERSON
Double occupancy.....................................$5998
Single room supplement...............................$1298
Deposit to hold space................................$3000
Final payment due by December 23, 2008
TOUR INCLUDES
*20 MEALS
*FULLY ESCORTED
*SKYRAIL TICKET
*10 RAILROAD MUSEUMS
*SYDNEY RAIL DAY PASS
*22 NIGHTS LODGING IN TOURIST CLASS HOTELS
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