Author Archive: Kerry Whitfield

FAQ Train travel – Brisbane to Melbourne

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1. Who provides the rail service between Melbourne – Sydney – Brisbane?

The rail service is provided by Transport NSW.  Their site provides timetables, fares, and bookings online.

2. Can I catch a train from Melbourne through to Brisbane without having to change trains in Sydney?

No, unfortunately. Such a service has been contemplated for the last 100 years or more. Maybe one day it will happen. For the time being, you need to catch a CountryLink train to Sydney. Then change for another CountryLink train to Brisbane.

3. Can I take a battery-powered short wave/FM radio on the train?

Good question. Yes, you certainly can. Unlike airplanes, trains don’t have sensitive navigation equipment that radios can interfere with. Also, suggest you take some earphones. The reception in many places is not very good.

4. Can I take my mobile phone and use it on board?

Yes, you can. You can have radios, mobile phones, CD players, etc on and work from the time you board the train right to the end of your journey. The good thing is that you don’t have to turn them off every time the train arrives and leaves a station.

5. Is there an ATM machine on board the train?.

No there isn’t, but Visa and Mastercard, credit, and debt cards are accepted onboard. Take some cash with you if you prefer to use cash.

6. Is there a Movie screen and TV onboard.

Not on the trains between Sydney and Melbourne. This helps to keep the old fashioned romantic feel of rail travel. You’ll be able to experience travel just like your baby boomer parents did. Back in those days before the internet, mobile phones, etc, people actually sat around on trains and talked to one another – amazing!

7.With no TV or movies, I’d expect CountryLink to provide some magazines like the airlines do. Am I right?

Country Link does have its own in house magazine like the airlines do. Apart from that, you might be lucky to find an old copy of Time magazine that some other passenger has left behind. It has always been a tradition in rail travel to buy yourself a magazine at the station before departure.

8. I’ve just recently immigrated to Australia. Can I get a vegetarian meal like I do on the airplanes?

Yes. You’ll need to inform CountryLink 48 hours before departure.

9. What sort of food does the snack bar sell?

Good Aussie tucker. Pies, scones, Cherry Ripes, cups ‘a’ tea, etc. They also provide cooked lunches and dinners.

10. Can I get an alcoholic beverage onboard?

Yes, you can. Beer and wine are available. The beer may be watered down to stop you from getting drunk. Only light beer is sold on certain trains.

11. Do trains have sleeping accommodation?

Yes

12. Is there a shower on board.

Yes. For sleeping class passengers only.

13. Is there anywhere on the train I can smoke.

Certainly not. Smoking is banned on all trains in Australia.

14. Does the train make a stop occasionally so that I can get out, stretch my legs and have a smoke?

Yes. But to keep to the timetable, stops are short-lived. You’ll know when a smoking stop is approaching as half the carriage will jump out of their seats and head for the door.

15. Can I get a through train from Sydney to Cairns.

No. You need to change trains in Brisbane and catch another train, run by a different company in a different state.

The Brisbane to Cairns trains are run by TravelTrain which is a part of QR

16. Why doesn’t Australia have one company and one gauge to cover the whole country like Amtrak. Wouldn’t that be simpler?

That’s a good idea.

Around Australia by public transport

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Yes! It’s possible to travel around Australia by public transport. There are numerous ways to do the trip by using trains and coach services and numerous routes you can take.

Sydney – Darwin – Broome

We’ll start the trip by heading north from Sydney up to Darwin and over to Broome in W.A. using Greyhound coaches. Greyhound offers travel passes starting from $329 for a 15-day pass to $1,699 for a 365-day pass. Full details of these passes are at Whimit Travel Passes

You can also do part of the journey by train, from Sydney to Mt. Isa, then Greyhound coach the rest of the way thru to Broome.

May I suggest starting the journey by taking the XPT (train) from Sydney to Brisbane. Here’s the link to the NSWTrainlink Brisbane to Sydney timetable. I’d suggest getting a sleeper.

From Brisbane join the Spirit of Queensland train to Townsville. Here’s more info and timetables

From Townsville, you’ll head west to Mt. Isa. You can do this on the train called the Inlander. More information on the Inlander can be found here.

Once you’ve arrived in Mt. Isa it’s Greyhound coaches through to Alice Springs, Darwin and Broome.

Broome, Western Australia.

Broome to Perth

From Broome, there’s a coach service to Perth provided by Integrity Coachlines. Full details and fares are available at their website.

Perth – Adelaide

The only train service from Perth to Adelaide is the Indian Pacific. There are NO coach services unfortunealey. The one way fare from Perth to Adelaide starts at $1,279. Check their website at https://journeybeyondrail.com.au/journeys/indian-pacific/perth-to-adelaide/

Adelaide to Melbourne

There’s the Overland train from Adelaide to Melbourne. Full details here.

There’s also a coach service from Adelaide to Melbourne provided by VLine

Melbourne to Sydney

The Melbourne to Sydney XPT (train) runs 7 days a week. Further info from the TransportNSW website

Bon Voyage!

Seniors Card Travel: Tweed Heads/Byron Bay to Sydney for $5.

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With recent changes made to the North Coast line southern limit of the Country Pensioner Excursion (CPE) boundary, it is now possible to travel from as far north as Tweed Heads right through to Dungog for just $2.50.

Once you’ve reached Dungog, you’re in the Opal area and can tap on and travel through to Sydney or anywhere in the Opal area for just another $2.50 using your Seniors Opal card (the yellow one) This brings the total cost of a journey from Tweed Heads, or anywhere in between to Sydney to just $5.

If you study the timetable below you’ll see that the best service to use is the service that departs Tweed Heads at 05:15. and arrives at Dungog at 16:38. Change at Dungog and you’ll have a 23-minute wait to connect with the 17:01 (Opal) service to Newcastle. Change again at Newcastle for the (Opal) service to Sydney.

The timetable below is for the Monday to Friday services. Please click on the timetable links for weekend and public holiday services.

Depart Tweed Heads05:1515:13North Coast Timetable
Arrive Casino 08:09 (X)18:39 (X)
Depart Casino08:2019:30
Depart Grafton05:1509:5320:58
Arrive Dungog 12:06 (X)16:38 (X)03:25 (X)Hunter Line Timetable
Depart Dungog15:2617:0106:48
Arrive Newcastle
Interchange		16:52 (X)18:30 (X) 08:07 (X)
Depart Newcastle
Interchange		17:2418:3408:24Sydney - Newcastle Timetable
Arrive Sydney
Central

(X) Change trains		19:5921:2910:59

A week before departure, don’t forget to book your ticket to Dungog with NSWTrainLink. You can do this online.

Or call NSWTrainlink on 13 22 32. Before calling make sure you have your Seniors card and a credit or debt card ready to pay. The amount will come to $2.50. If you’re quoted a higher amount, assure the representative that you are after the Country Pensioner Excursion (CPE) fare.

Happy travelling.

Seniors Card Travel: Sydney to Tweed Heads/Byron Bay for $5.

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When the Country Pensioner Excursion (CPE) fare ($2.50) was first introduced, the area covered on the North Coast of NSW extended from Tweed Heads to as far south as Gloucester, which is just north of Dungog. The Opal card area extends as far north from Sydney as Dungog. This meant that you could travel as far north as Dungog for $2.50 on your Opal card but you would have to somehow get to Gloucester to take advantage of the $2.50 CPE tickets. There was a way around this as explained in Seniors Card Travel: Sydney to Tweed Heads for $7.50.

But recently everything changed when NSWTrainLink extended the CPE ticket area south from Gloucester to Dungog. This now allows a Seniors Cardholder to travel from Sydney (or anywhere in the Opal card area) to Dungog for $2.50, then change trains at Dungog and travel as far as Tweed Heads for just another $2.50. It may be just a very small change but it now allows a Seniors Cardholder to travel anywhere on the North Coast of NSW for just $5.00. Thank you Gladys!

Below are the timetables for three services that run Monday to Friday that’ll get you as far as Tweed Heads for just $5.00. A link is included to the timetables if you plan to travel on a weekend or public holiday. Before leaving don’t forget to to book your ticket for the section north of Dungog on the XPT with NSWTrainlink on their bookings page. Or give them a call on 13 22 32. Just make sure the fare you’re charged is just $2.50. Have your credit or debt card and Seniors card ready before you call.

Depart Central (Opal) (M-F)05:1510:1512:15Sydney – Newcastle Timetable
Arrive Newcastle
Interchange		07:50 (X)12:51 (X)14:51 (X)
Depart Newcastle
Interchange (Opal)		08:2913:2915:25Hunter Line Timetable
Arrive Dungog09:50 (X)14:49 (X)16:45 (X)
Depart Dungog
(NSWTrainLink XPT)
10:4315:1518:11North Coast Timetable
Arrive Tweed Heads21:28Terminates
at Grafton
22:15		05:48

(X) Change Trains

About Dungog

If you catch the early or the late train you’ll have around an hour to wander up and have a quick look around the main street of Dungog. After a 5 to 10 minute walk from the station you’ll find a coffee and cake shop for a quick cuppa. If you have luggage, you can book it onto the train at the station. More info about Dungog station.

Tweed Heads/Byron Bay to Sydney

Here’s how to get back to Sydney for $5. Tweed Heads/Byron Bay to Sydney for $5.

North Coast Accommodation Suggestion Links

Byron Bay | Coffs Harbour | Yamba | Sawtell | Lennox Head | Ballina | Nambucca Heads

Entrance to the Nambucca river, Nambucca Heads, NSW, Australia
View of the river entrance at Nambucca Heads, NSW.

Catherine Hill Bay wharf

Sydney to Catherine Hill Bay by train and bus

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The history of Catherine Hill Bay revolves around coal, shipping and engineering. For anyone with even the slightest interest in the history of New South Wales, a visit to Catherine Hill Bay is a must.

I could start a ten-page rave about the history of Catherine Hill Bay and why the old jetty should be saved, but I leave that to Wikipedia on Catherine Hill Bay – I’ll just stay with what I came here for – how to get there by public transport.

If you possess a Seniors Card the return trip is just the regular day Opal fare of just $2.50. If you’re on an Opal (full fare) adult cardholder the fare is a few more dollars.

Unfortunately, there is no bus service to Catherine Hill Bay on Sundays or public holidays, and a limited service on Saturdays.

The trip starts out from Sydney Central aboard the regular (M-F) Opal service from Central to Newcastle Interchange, departing Central at 05:45.

Alight at Wyong where the train arrives at 07:34. When you tap off with your Opal card and exit the station you’re at the bus stop – right out front of the station.

The bus to catch from here is bus number 80 to the Lake Haven Shopping Centre, Lake Haven.  The timetable for Wyong station to Lake Haven

On arrival at the Lake Haven Shopping Centre change here for bus number 99 with the destination, Swansea. The timetable for Lake Haven to Charlestown and Swansea

After a 30-minute bus ride, you’ll arrive at Catherine Hill Bay. The first bus stop in Catherine Hill Bay is out the front of what is known by the locals as the “Catho Pub” or The Wallarah Hotel. Alight here.

The pub serves meals 7 days a week. It’s the closest and most convenient establishment to have lunch if you’re traveling by public transport. So if you’re looking forward to lunch, I’d suggest you alight here and check out their menu. After that, it’s an easy walk down the hill to the beach past all the old workers’ cottages.

On arrival at the beach, you’ll see the famous Catherine Hill Bay Wharf to your right. You’ll also almost certainly find the lifeguards of the Catherine Hill Bay Surf Club on duty.  The beach is beautiful, so if it’s summer, pack a swimsuit for a dip.

At the front of the Surf Club, there’s a large board with the history of Catherine Hill Bay. There is a road behind the club that once lead to the jetty. But now the jetty is blocked off from the public. You can now only walk as far as the barrier.

The barricade to the Catherine Hill Bay jetty

The entrance to the Catherine Hill Bay jetty is now blocked to the public.

Once you’ve visited the beach, walk back up to the pub for lunch. For your departure from Catherine Hill Bay, you can use the same bus stop out front of the pub to catch bus 99 departing at 13:28, north, through to Charlestown Square where you’ll arrive at 14:11. Be careful not to miss the bus as if you view the timetable you’ll see there are only a few services a day.

A miners’ cottage in Catherine Hill Bay. This cottage (named Catho Cottage) is available for rent for holiday accommodation. Click on the image for more details.

Charlestown Square is the largest shopping mall in the Newcastle area so there are numerous buses heading through to the Newcastle Interchange where you find trains departing back to Sydney every half hour.

Enjoy the round trip to the historic location. Be sure to check all your departure times from the timetables in case of any changes before setting out.

 

Photo by Lachlan Dempsey on Unsplash

Seniors Card Travel: Taree/Forster to Sydney for $5

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The regular Seniors Card holders fare from Taree to Sydney Central is $33.43 aboard the XPT. You can reduce this fare down to just $5.00 by catching the Busways coach #151 from Taree to Broadmeadow ($2.50). Then from Broadmeadow catch an Opal service to the city for another $2.50.

The Busways coach departs from Taree station and heads down over the bridge across the Manning River and down to Broadmeadow via Foster/Tuncurry, Bulahdelah, Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest. If you’re travelling from any of the destinations along the route the fare is still just $2.50 all the way through to Broadmeadow

Reservations to board the coach are not necessary, just show your Seniors card or Pensioner card when you board and pay the driver the $2.50 fare. Visa, Mastercard and EFTPOS are also accepted.

There are two services a day (M-F) departing Taree for Broadmeadow. The morning service departs Taree at 09:11, Forster coach stop at 9:46 and arrives at Broadmeadow station at 13:06.

The afternoon service departs Taree at 14:31 (M-F), Forster at 15:06 and arrives at Broadmeadow station at 17:56

There’s a half-hourly Opal train service from Broadmeadow to Central, so you shouldn’t have long to wait.

There are services on the weekends and public holidays – even Christmas day! If you’re travelling on a weekend or public holiday, please check the timetables below for the coach and train services as departure times vary at these times.

The full timetable for Busways coach service #151 from Taree to Broadmeadow via Forster can be downloaded from here.

The full timetable for the Broadmeadow to Central opal services can be downloaded from here.

Don’t forget to check for trackwork or any timetable changes NSWTransport and Busways before you leave.

Enjoy your adventure.

Image by andy ballard from Pixabay

Seniors Card Travel: Sydney to Forster and Taree for $5

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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.

Visit Bellingen by train/bus

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Bellingen is one of those delightful little towns on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales which lies in the too hard basket for many people who love to travel using public transport. It’s a little off the beaten track.

Here’s how to get there using the train and a local bus – just like the locals do. First of all, try to pick a time to visit which coincides with a market weekend.  The town comes alive on market day, the main street fills with people and the cafe scene is alive and colourful. The market is a delight, a showcase of local handicrafts and produce.

The market is held on the third Saturday of each month. Here’s a link to the Bellingen Markets website

If you’re travelling from Sydney book a seat on the XPT that departs Sydney at 07:08 to the town of Urunga. Here’s the train timetable for the NSW North Coast line. Here’s the NSWTrainlink booking form to book online. You can also call NSWTrainlink on 13 22 32 to make a booking.

So that you can meet the bus number 358 Urunga to Bellingen bus at Urunga, you’ll need to travel on a weekday. There is a very limited bus service on the weekend and no services on Sunday. The service is run by Busways. You can download their timetable for the Macksville to Bellingen service here.

If you catch the 07:08 from Sydney you’ll arrive at Urunga at 15:32. The bus to Bellingen leaves from the street at the front of the station at 15:46. There is no official bus stop, you just hail the bus when you see it coming. If the train is late and you miss the 15:46 bus service there is another bus service to Bellingen leaving Urunga at 18:02.

There’s Urunga railway station in the background. Wait here under the tree for Busways #358 service to Bellingen

From Urunga station, it’s only a few minutes walk into Urunga town. In town, the bus leaves from the bus stop with a shelter in front of the Urunga Public School, in Bowra St. Here’s a map of Urunga.

Street scene in Urunga N.S.W.

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Seniors Travel: Sydney to the NSW North West, including Tamworth, Armidale, Glen Innes and Moree for $7.50

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Your Seniors Opal card will take you from Sydney to Scone for $2.50. Past Scone the regular Seniors half fare from Sydney to Moree is $64.56, Tamworth is $53.86. Here’s how to get to any of the locations served by TransportNSW in the NSW Northwest for just $7.50.

This trip works M-F and starts with an early departure aboard the 05:15 Opal service from Central to Hamilton where you’ll arrive Hamilton station at 07:46. You can download the PDF file, Central Coast & Newcastle line here

From Hamilton board the 08:16 train to Muswellbrook. You’ll arrive at Muswellbrook at 09:50. You can download the Hunter Line timetable here

On your arrival at Muswellbrook, leave the station and cross the road to the coach stop and catch the Osborn’s Transport coach service # 415 which departs the coach stop at 10:50. You got an hour to between the arrival of the train and departure of the coach. There is a cafe and bakery about 5 minutes walk from the station.

It’s a 35 minute run through to Scone where you can alight the coach at the Scone NAB Corner. With your Seniors card, the fare will cost $2.50. Neither credit or debit cards, nor Opal cards are accepted. This is a cash-only service. There are ATM machines within a 5-minute walk from Muswellbrook station.

The video below shows boarding the train at Hamilton. Highlights of the trip through to Muswellbrook. Catching Osborn’s Transport coach from Muswellbrook station and arrival in Scone.

You’ll arrive in Scone at 11:25. The next leg of your journey to your desired destination in the NSW North West is by train. You have plenty of time for lunch in one of the cafes or hotels that serve meals in Scone as the train departs from Scone station at 13:37. The timetable for all the NSW North West services can be found at https://transportnsw.info/regional-north-west-line

You’ll need to make a booking for this train before you leave home. The cost of the fare for Seniors cardholders is $2.50. You can travel as far north as Tenterfield and West as far as Burren Junction. See the map at https://transportnsw.info/document/1447/regional-trains-coaches-network-map.pdf

This train is popular, so I’d try to make your booking 7 days before departure. You can book online at https://transportnsw.info/regional-bookings/

Or call on 13 22 32, just remember to have your Seniors card and your credit or debt card ready to pay.

Seniors Card Travel: Melbourne to Sydney for $9.60

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This is a M-F morning departure from Melbourne (Southern Cross) aboard the 7.05 am service to Albury. Reservations are required. The cost of the ticket will be $4.60.  You can call V/Line on 1800 800 007 or book online at:
https://www.vline.com.au/Plan-trip-buy-tickets

Just remember to have your credit or debit card and your Seniors or Pensioner cards ready. The timetable is at:  https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/1706/albury-melbourne-via-seymour

You’ll arrive at Albury at 11.00 am. Here you’ll have a 49-minute wait in Albury before boarding the 11:49 am Melbourne to Sydney XPT. The ticket you’ll need is a Country Pensioner Excursion (CPE) ticket from Albury to Goulburn. The cost of this ticket is $2.50. You’ll need to purchase the ticket either online at https://transportnsw.info/regional-bookings/ or call on 13 22 32. Avoid trying to buy this ticket at the booking center at Albury station. You may only be able to purchase it online.

The timetable for Albury to Goulburn leg of the trip is at: https://transportnsw.info/regional-southern-line

All going well, you should arrive in Goulburn at 17:14. Here you’ll have a two hour and forty minute wait as the Opal service train to Sydney does not depart until 19:54. It’s not that bad as there are plenty of eateries uptown to enjoy a leisurely dinner. Once you arrive back at Goulburn station for the 19:54 departure to Sydney, don’t forget to tap on using your Seniors Opal card. The trip to Sydney will cost you $2.50.

The timetable for the Goulburn to Sydney leg is available at: https://transportnsw.info/documents/timetables/93-SHL-Southern-Highlands-Line-20220604.pdf

If you live in Victoria and don’t yet have your Seniors Opal card you need to apply online or over the phone, BEFORE you leave home. Full details at https://www.cardhacks.com.au/2018/10/09/seniors-travel-visiting-sydney-dont-leave-home-without-your-senior-pensioner-opal-card/

Happy traveling.