The regular one-way cost of a journey from Sydney to Forster for Seniors Card holders is $28.25. Taree will set a Seniors cardholder back $33.43.
But you can do the trip for just $5.00 from Sydney to anywhere north of Tea Gardens right through to Taree for just $5.00. This includes places like Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest, Bulahdelah, Forster and Tuncurry.
The trick here is to catch a regular Opal service from Central, change at Broadmeadow and board the Busways coach to your destination and pay just $2.50 to the driver (cash or credit card) for anywhere between Broadmeadow and Taree, including Forster/Tuncurry.
An example would be to catch the 06.15 (M-F) Opal service from Central to Newcastle Interchange. The train will arrive at Broadmeadow at 08:55. Change at Broadmeadow and board the Busways coach #150 to Taree. The coach will arrive at 09:43 and leave from the main entrance (east side) of Broadmeadow station (near the taxi stand). When you board the coach, show the driver your Seniors card and pay $2.50 using cash or credit or debit card. The bus has full EFTPOS facilities on board. Opal card ain’t accepted on the bus.
The Central Coast & Newcastle Line timetable can be downloaded here
The Busways timetable #150 from Broadmeadow to Taree can be downloaded here.
There is also an afternoon service, aboard the Opal service departing Central at 11:15 (M-F) arriving at Broadmeadow at 13:43 to connect with the Busways coach departing for Forster/Taree at 14:42.
If you download and study the timetables, you’ll see that there are services 7 days a week.
As usual, before leaving always check for timetable alterations, trackwork, and coach service alterations.
Happy travelling.