I booked my holiday with Journey Beyond in possibly May 2024. It was going to be different, but no doubt an enjoyable experience.
On January 2 2025, i flew to Adelaide on QF 737 at 1235pm with only a small bag. This would have to almost be a first for my years of travel. The gold cabins are not large, so any large suitcases had to be checked in .on the train.
The holiday package i had allowed a nights free accommodation at the Sofitel Hotel in Adelaide .and free return airfares Sydney to Adelaide and Brisbane to Sydney. I had a lovely room at the Sofitel. There were 50 rooms of travellers at the Sofitel the train. I had a lovely dinner of supreme de poulet and crème brulee at Garcon Blue a t the Sofitel. Excellent service and food.
Friday morning, I had along with the other passengers an early breakfast. We had to be at Adelaide Parklands Terminal in Keswick at least by 8am to check in. Upon check in we were asked for which particular hotel in Brisbane that we were staying in .so that buses could be organise for transfer.
Entertainment drinks and food were provided at the Parklands Terminal. Soon we were to be welcomed on board.
Two NR diesels hauled the train .its average speed was about 85 kms per house. An online video i had previously watched on the train stated that there were 26 carriages, a train which is 640metres long. However I was in O,–so there 15 accommodation carriages to O, 2 Queen Adelaide Restaurants on the train, two kitchens on the train and two bars. And of course there was staff accommodation. at the rear of the train and a luggage compartment. There were about 150 passengers.
The train left just after 9am. Rebecca was in charge of my carriage, and she came to explain where everything was -ie shower, toilet, dining car. We were given our times for breakfast and dinner. The menus were different for each meal.
We were spoilt for food choices. We had a choice of 3 courses and there was aa different menu each day.
We could not travel to Stawell in order to visit the Grampians, as a result of recent bush fires . So instead we were directed to Murray Bridge where we joined a bus to visit a 1500 hectare safari park. Monarto is the largest open range safari experience outside of Africa and is home to more than 50 species of exotic animals
We saw lions, giraffes, rhinoceros, ostriches amongst other animals, from the safety of our bus with a guide explaining all the important information.
We then returned back to the train as it journeyed to the edge of Melbourne during the evening, arriving in Yass in the morning .During the night, as the train crossed railway crossings, i heard the toot toots.
The train did wobble as we were travelling on old rolling stock. Those passengers who had done The Ghan from Adelaide to, said that it was a smooth ride.
The train is so long, and as the platforms and passing loops are too short in Canberra, we disembarked at Yass Junction. We were going to Canberra for the day .I opted for the National Portrait Gallery. We all met at Old Parliament House for lunch in the Parliamentary Dining Room, Old Parliament House. Wonder what deals had been done here over a meal? In the afternoon i stayed at Old Parliament House, where i checked out an exhibition on political cartons.
The bus driver took us to a lookout over Canberra before we returned to the train. And of course, as the train is so long we were boarded in sections.
We were meant to travel to Coffs Harbour. However track work was taking place in Coffs, so we were diverted to Gulgong for a tour, and then on to Mudgee for lunch at Lowes Winery.
Gulgong is a wonderful little town. I had previously visited 4 years ago with Lillian We visited the Museum and stayed the night at the Ten Dollar Museum.
This time i wanted to see the Prince Edward Cinema, which was wonderful. Dame Nellie Melba had performed there , A relative of mine, on the Field side, had played for Dame Nellie The Ida Scott room was so named at the Melbourne Conservatorium .
I had a look at the wonderful photographic exhibition in Gulgong. Then we joined our coaches in Herbert St Gulgong, and went to Lowes Winery for a wonderful 3 course lunch. A former teaching colleague of mine from social Science Department, St George Girls High School, Helena Holt (Kelly) lives in Mudgee Helena came out to the winery for an hour catch up .I had seen her 4 years ago , so it was lovely to be to catch up again and to hear on all the news.
I ordered some wine for my Bexley pharmacist and for myself. It was to be delivered to the pharmacy. In Bexley, so i did not need to be troubled with it.
After lunch, we travelled by bus to Muswellbrook The train had to travel through a long tunnel and all staff and passengers had to be off the train. I was last in Muswellbrook in possibly mid-2022 doing a wonderful horse stud tour.
January 5 was my birthday. After dinner, lights were dimmed and an announcement was made that it was my birthday. The chef had made me a birthday cake with one candle on it. It. Everyone in the restaurant car sang happy birthday. A lovely surprise and i thank the chef.
We travelled on to Brisbane, arriving in Acacia, in outer Brisbane at possibly 630am. We had light refreshments before disembarking to our respective coaches.
I had organised an early check in at Ibis Styles and i was thankful for it. I enjoyed my stay here as it was centrally located, and had a wonderful buffet breakfast and the opportunity to have dinner.
I took the opportunity to visit Queen Street Mall, and to do some shopping- post Christmas sales. Tuesday, a former teaching colleague of mine, Tricia came to Brisbane from Tweed Heads. We had a lovely day visiting the stunning Egyptian Exhibition at Museum. We visited the Casino for early dinner. I had dinner with a fellow traveller from the train trip on Monday night .He was going north to Cairns. Some of the other passengers were also going north by train i was told that the Brisbane to Longreach was a great train trip to do – overnight, sleeper and great restaurant.
Wednesday i took a ferry ride down the Brisbane River. A transport fare of 50 cents was wonderful. After my trip down the river, i had lunch and visited the Art Gallery .for a few hours.
Thursday was departure day. Brisbane Airport is quite small, the return flight to Sydney QF 529, was delayed due to a storm, and bad weather. All flights were affected. Qantas had loaded some passengers on board the plane, the rest of us waited in the terminal until the storm passed and then we finally took off a long day.
On this flight to Sydney, were the Brisbane team in the national basketball league, they were so tall! The elderly lady sitting across the aisle commented to me that” all these tall men must play basketball. “I said to her “i believe so.” I asked one of the players “where they were playing “. He said “they were going to the Illawarra to play.”
Another great trip.
February 8 2025
Here are the link to the pictures:
Photos of Great Southern Train trip from Adelaide to Brisbane, Jan 3-6, 2025
