A few years ago I posted a very short TR about a trip Canberra - Newcastle to visit an old friend on the Nelson Bay peninsula here in Australia. Flew up with a small local airline, in a Jetstream 32. I had reason to visit again recently (and be put to work on her property lol) and as I am now more or less retired I thought I'd take the SLOW way this time. Regional train from Canberra to Sydney, then Inter city train to Newcastle, and finally a BUS to "Bobs farm". The direct flight CBR-NTL is not much over an hour. Driving is a little over 5 hours. (albeit through Sydney..eek) This expedition took 8 hours 15.
I only have photos from the Regional Train... as the Inter city one and Bus could be anywhere, anytime.
Got to Canberra Railway Station a bit too early, but the train rolled in about 15 minutes later and we were invited to board when we felt like it. I had used my "Seniors Card" for the first time ever booking this ticket, and had paid AUD $38 or so for a "First Class" seat.
(Normal Coach fare was $70) Seats were comfortable, with decent pitch. NO power available. Pairs of seats could be rotated 180 degrees to form a four seat "section". The trip was quite enjoyable (if slow) and there was a little compartment in the First class carriage selling snacks and drinks. The train does NOT follow the highway, so we got to pass through a number a small towns I was only familiar with by name. ALL of which had very similar 1880's built Station buildings. Nicely maintained. 43 seats in "First", 29 occupied, which surprised me. The Train takes nearly an hour LONGER than the normal bus to Sydney, and (absent Senior discounts) is more expensive. Lots of rail fans I guess. The TWO Economy carriages were similarly loaded.
Up front
Classic wooden signal station
And of course, the obligatory meal photo! This Aussie loves a Sausage Roll! LOL
Arrived right on time at Central in Sydney , had 20 minutes to get to the Newcastle train which left from 3 platforms down... No problem at all. Thoroughly enjoyed this segment. After that the Necastle inter city train was... a suburban train. Still, being quite new it DID have power points/USB outlets. Another 2 hours or so. Then an hour plus on the Bus. Great driver. Dropped me at the driveway to my friends property.
Told you it was a silly TR! FLEW back to CBR... but, being a Saturday neither of the small airlines (Link and Pelican Air) with direct flights were operating, so it was NTL to BNE (!) to CBR. on Virgin.. Could have been worse, could have been via MEL!
Travel is back to normal in 2 weeks. Off to the USA, on NZ... and thankfully in J. Thanks for putting up with this!