Author Archive: Kerry Whitfield

Seniors Card Travel: Sydney to Melbourne for $9.60

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This post was updated by the editor on 25/05/2023

The regular, half-priced concession, Seniors fare, single ticket, aboard the Sydney to Melbourne (Southern Cross) XPT is $65.13.

For Senior cardholders who don’t mind leaving Sydney earlier and arriving in Melbourne a few hours later, the fare drops to just $9.60.

This trip operates Monday to Friday only.

The journey starts aboard the 06:11 Opal train service from Central to Macarthur. You can find the timetable for this service at:
https://transportnsw.info/routes/details/sydney-trains/t8/020T8

Alight the train at Campbelltown (one stop before Macarthur) and board the coach bound for Goulburn. The timetable for the coach service can be found at:
https://transportnsw.info/document/4211/goulburn-to-sydney-timetable.pdf

The Campbelltown to Goulburn coach is a regular Opal service, so just tap on when you get on and tap off when you alight at Goulburn.

You’ll arrive at Goulburn railway station at 09:00 with an hour and thirteen minutes to grab a quick cuppa before boarding the Melbourne bound XPT which departs Goulburn at 10:13. Alight at Albury where the train arrives at 15:10 The timetable for this service is at:
https://transportnsw.info/regional-southern-line

You’ll need to book the Goulburn to Albury leg of the journey either online at https://transportnsw.info/regional-bookings/ or call NSW trainLink on 13 22 32. The ticket you need is a Country Pensioner Excursion (CPE) ticket. The cost will be $2.50. Have your Seniors card or Pensioner card and a credit or debit card ready to pay.

The last leg of the journey is aboard a Victorian V/Line service which departs Albury at 17:20. You’re going to have a couple of hours to enjoy the sights of Albury. The main drag is just a block and a half from the station – a 5 minutes walk.

You’ll need to book the Albury to Melbourne (Southern Cross) leg of the trip, either by calling VLine on 1800 800 007 or booking online at:
https://www.vline.com.au/Plan-trip-buy-tickets

The fare for Seniors (Concession) cardholders from Albury to Melbourne (Southern Cross) is $4.60. You’ll arrive in Melbourne (Southern Cross) at 21:45. The timetable is at:

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/1706/albury-melbourne-via-seymour/

Enjoy Melbourne and the pleasures of slow travel.

Here’s the complete timetable.

Sydney – MelbourneDayTimeModeFare TypeFare
Depart SydneyM-F06:11TrainOpal card$2.50
Arrive CampbelltownM-F07:10
Depart CampbelltownM-F07:20CoachOpal card
Arrive GoulburnM-F09:00
Depart GoulburnM-F10:13XPT TrainSeniors card$2.50
Arrive AlburyM-F15:10
Depart AlburyM-F17:25V/Line TrainSeniors card$4.60
Arrive MelbourneM-F22:05

Sculpture by the Sea 2018: Getting there and back using train, buses and ferry

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The coastal walk from Bondi Beach south along the coast to Tamarama, not only is a popular fun scenic walk by itself but add a sculpture exhibition along the way and you have yourself a Sydney “must do” not just once, but every year. As each year it gets better. I’ve done it since it started and wouldn’t miss it each year, it’s such a fantastic event. Add lunch in a Bondi Beach restaurant at the end of the walk, then a bus/ferry ride back to the city and you’ve got yourself a perfect day away from the office – if you live in an office, that is.

Unless you’re driving, the normal way to the event is to catch the train to Bondi Junction and then change for a bus to Bondi Beach. Back in 2017, everyone had the same idea to get to Bondi Beach causing a massive queue waiting for the bus at Bondi Junction. Fortunately, in 2018 extra buses were rostered throughout the event, which solved the problem.

This year (2018) we also caught the train to Bondi Junction and changed there for bus number 381 to Tamarama. Here’s the timetable for the Bondi Junction to Tamarama bus service.

We picked midweek, a Wednesday for our visit. Overnight a fresh southerly had blown up. The morning was grey and Sydneys temperature for the day was forecast to be a little cooler than Hobarts. Plus a 90% chance of rain. Ah, we’ll be the only ones there, we thought. We’ll have the whole walk to ourselves, so we thought…

On arrival at Bondi Junction we boarded the 10am bus to Tamarama. It was full. Everyone (including us) got off at Tamarama Beach about 20 steps from the first exhibit. We weren’t the only ones there!  School kids made a big impact on the numbers. Enjoy the video below. It’s a quick look at the walk starting from Tamarama through to Bondi Beach and finishes up with lunch at the Bondi Trattoria. Lunch included a nice bottle of wine provided by Citibank. All you need is an EPTPOS debt or credit account with Citibank and use it to pay your bill and the wine is FREE! There are numerous restaurants all over Australia that are a part of the Citibank Dining program.

After leaving the “Tratt” we put our trusty Citibank Visa card away and pulled out the trusty Opal card and caught bus number 380 to Watsons Bay. The bus stop is just a few minutes walk down from the restaurant on Campbell Parade. The video below shows the bus stop and the trip through to Watsons Bay and ferry to Circular Quay

Here’s the Bondi Beach to Watsons Bay bus timetable.  But don’t be too concerned as the buses run regularly weekends and weekdays. On arrival at Watsons Bay we caught the ferry back to Circular Quay. Here’s the timetable from Watson Bay to Circular Quay ferry service (Opal).

 

Bundanoon railway station by night

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How disappointing, when you pass by a country railway station, one you’ve known as a child, only to find the old weatherboard building has been demolished and in its place, a modern glass and steel shelter. Gone are the ticket office, the waiting room, and even the toilets. Some stations even had a signal box, you could stand there while you waited for your train and watch the signalman pull the levers back and forth. Those days have gone. Now signalmen and signalwomen sit in front of computer screens, in air-conditioned offices in the city, and control the whole rail system from a keyboard. They call it CTC or Centralised Traffic Control.

At Bundanoon on the NSW, Southern Highlands, the station master, station assistant, and signalman have long gone. But the beautiful old weatherboard station is still there. So is the signal box, which is a part of the station. Just near the station, the goods shed still stands. The station still has a waiting room, toilets, and a picture gallery of yesteryear.

A local told me that the people of Bundanoon fought hard to save their station from demolition. Not only did they save it, but the station has also been beautifully restored back to its original splendor. At night it’s a sight to see. My guess is that a lighting designer was called in to work alongside the electricians. The station is the centerpiece of the town.

Recently we were on our way to Queanbeyan for the National Morris Minor Rally, to celebrate the 70th year since the first Morrie rolled off the production line. We caught the 16:01 Opal service train (M-F) from Central to Bundanoon, arriving there at 18:29 for dinner in the local Chinese restaurant. After dinner, we explored the station, then continued our journey to Queanbeyan aboard the Sydney to Canberra service that departed at 20:17.

Bundanoon Chinese Restaurant

If you plan to catch the train and stay overnight in Bundanoon the closest accommodation to the railway station is the Bundanoon Hotel. There’s also a selection of Airbnbs and BnBs. All accommodation is popular, as Bundanoon lies about halfway between two major cities – Sydney and Canberra. So book early.

Image by Hannah Chen from Pixabay

City to Bondi Beach by ferry and bus

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The usual way to travel from the city to Bondi Beach is a train to Bondi Junction, then bus to Bondi Beach.

Here’s a fun way of getting to Bondi I discovered when I visited Bondi Beach for the annual Sculpture by the Sea. There were so many people trying to board the buses for Bondi Beach from the Bondi Junction Bus/Train Interchange for Bondi Beach, the queue was a mile long. We found a bus heading out to towards North Bondi, jumped on that and walked back to the sculptures. Problem solved.

The best way to get to Bondi Beach is to take the Circular Quay to Watsons Bay ferry. The ferry trip takes 23 minutes across the harbour. Here’s the timetable: https://transportnsw.info/routes/details/sydney-ferries/f9/090f9

On arrival at Watsons Bay, walk up past the Watsons Bay Hotel to the Military Rd Terminus (bus stop), which is a two minutes’ walk. From here take bus number 380 to Bondi Beach, the trip takes about 21 minutes. Here’s the complete timetable for the 380 bus route. The service runs around every 20 minutes, even on the weekends.

As a comparison, the train from Town Hall station to Bondi Junction takes 10 minutes and the bus from Bondi Junction to Bondi Beach takes 12 minutes. So, overall the ferry/bus option only takes another 22 minutes and is certainly a LOT more scenic.

Amazon.com.au Best Sellers | Lonely Planet Sydney | The Sydney Ferry Book

Seniors Travel: Visiting Sydney? Don’t leave home without your GOLD Senior/Pensioner Opal Card

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Don’t confuse the Concession Opal Card and the Seniors/Pensioner Opal Card – there’s a big difference.

If you’re leaving for Sydney soon, don’t think you can arrive there and pick up a Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal Card from a ticket office when you get there – you can’t. You can show your Seniors Card and buy a Concession Opal Card which will give you a 50% discount on all your train, bus, ferry and light rail trips. But the card you really need is the Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card .

With the Gold Senior/Pensioner card, you’re entitled to the $2.50 travel anywhere in the Sydney Opal network deal. Go back and forth to Manly all day on the ferry, or take a train to Katoomba AND a ferry ride to Parramatta, it all caps out at just $2.50 for the whole day. Like your shopping, you can travel around Sydney until you drop! All for just $2.50. (excluding the shopping)

To get a Gold Senior/Pensioner Card you’ll need to prove you’re eligible. Once you’ve convinced them you’re eligible, they’ll send you your card in the mail.

NSW and ACT seniors

The place to start is the Opal site card order page. Or, give TransportNSW a call on 13 67 25 (13 OPAL)

If you call, just be certain to have your NSW or ACT Seniors, NSW War Widow/er card or your Pensioner Concession card ready.

Interstate seniors

You’ll need to apply 2-3 weeks before your departure to Sydney as the card will be posted to your address.

Only Pensioner Concession card holders can apply online or over the phone. Go to the Opal site card order page. Or, give TransportNSW a call on 13 67 25 (13 OPAL)

If you hold an Australian State or Territory Government issued Seniors card, you need to fill out this application form Interstate Seniors application form (pdf 270KB)
and post or email it back. They’ll then send you your card in the mail.

More at the Opal site card order page.

Suggestion on how to top up your Opal card

Do yourself a favour and link your Opal card to your credit, debit or EFTPOS card. When the card gets low on funds Opal will automatically top up your card with $10 from your account.

Don’t get caught like the people in the image below, standing in line at an OPAL top-up machine waiting to top up their cards. I’ve seen these machines with long lines of people – especially in peak hour at places like Town Hall and Wynyard stations. And when you need to top up, the line will most certainly be a kilometre long. Your time in Sydney is too precious to waste standing in line.

 

Save time and skip the line

If this is your one and only trip to Sydney, don’t worry, as, after a certain amount of time, any unused money will be refunded back to your credit or debit card. The whole system works very efficiently. I have my Opal card to automatically recharge $10.00

More Opal top up info at Opal Card top up.

Explore Sydney: Day Trip to Ettalong via Manly, Palm Beach and Woy Woy

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This trip takes you to Manly from Circular Quay, then bus to Palm Beach. From Palm Beach it’s a ferry across to Ettalong, then bus to Woy Woy and train back to Sydney.

Apart from the ferry from Palm Beach to Ettalong the rest of the trip can be done using your Opal card. The fare from Palm Beach to Ettalong aboard the FantaSea ferry is $5.90 for seniors and concession card holders and $11.80 for the rest of us. These fares are one way. Here’s the link to the fare page

Circular Quay to Manly

This trip can be done almost any time of the day. The only limiting factor is the last ferry leaves Palm Beach for Ettalong at 5:00pm and 6:15pm DLST.

May I suggest departing Circular Quay on the 10:00 am service from Circular Quay to Manly. Here’s the full Manly ferry timetable.

Manly to Palm Beach

Once you arrive at Manly the buses to Palm Beach depart from near Gordon Park just a two-minute walk from the Manly Wharf. Here’s a map.

The bus you’ll need to catch is bus number 199, Manly to Palm Beach. The service runs every 15 minutes (M-F). Here’s the full timetable.

Palm Beach to Ettalong

Alight from the bus at the Palm Beach Wharf, 1151-1153 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach. There are restaurants opposite the wharf and also a fish and chip shop if you’re feeling peckish. Here’s a map of the local area.

Fantasea Palm Beach Ferries has an office just across the road from the bus stop where you can buy your ferry tickets. Here’s the timetable for the Palm Beach to Ettalong ferry service.

Here’s a video that starts at the bus stop nearest the Palm Beach wharf, includes the trip over, a quick look around Ettalong, bus to Woy Woy and train back to Sydney.

Ettalong to Woy Woy

There is a half hourly service from Ettalong to Woy Woy (M-F) during the day. Here’s the timetable for the Ettalong to Gosford via Woy Woy bus service.

Woy Woy to Sydney

There’s a half hourly service from Woy Woy to Central.

Finally, before departure from your home or hotel, call and check with Fantasea that the ferries are running.

Have a fun day!

Seniors Card Travel: Broken Hill to Sydney for $7.50

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This trip is the return of the Monday service from Sydney to Broken Hill. The train stays in Broken Hill for the night and then heads back to Sydney the next morning (every Tuesday).

The trip from Broken Hill to Sydney for $7.50 is broken down into three section train/bus/train. The trip can be done Monday to Friday.

Before your depart call NSW TrainLink on 13 22 32 and book an economy seat on the following Tuesday departure of the 07:45 service from Broken Hill to Bathurst. With your Seniors card the fare will cost you $2.50. While still on the phone, book a seat on the NSW TrainLink Coach Service (service # 568)  from Bathurst at 18:15  to Lithgow.

Broken Hill to Bathurst

The train you’ve booked on leaves Broken Hill at 07:45, Tuesdays and arrives at Bathurst at 18.02. That’s a little over ten hours on the train. Don’t worry there’s plenty to eat and drink from the buffet car and lots of toilets. 🙂  Here’s the Broken Hill to Sydney timetable

Bathurst to Lithgow

Once you arrive into Bathurst (M-F) you’ve got 60 minutes before the coach departs for Lithgow at 18:15 from the Bathurst Railway Station. If you’re traveling on a Sunday the coach departs from the Bathurst Railway Station at  17:50.  Here’s the full timetable for Western NSW  The coach service is shown on page 22, so just scroll down the PDF (service # 568).

Lithgow to Central

Once you arrive at Lithgow 19:15 you’re back in Opal territory, so get out your trusty Opal Gold Card and tap on at Lithgow Station. The next Opal service to Central departs Lithgow at 19:30 and arrives Central at 22:21. Here’s a link to the Blue Mountains Line (Lithgow to Central) timetable.

It’s a long trip, a little over 18 hours, but it’s a memorial adventure. Enjoy.

Sydney Ferry leaving Manly

Seniors Travel: Tweed Heads to Sydney for $7.50

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Due to a recent change in the timetable, this trip for $7.50 is now not possible. Unfortunately, you’ll now need to pay the regular fare – Yikes! That’s not much fun!

We’re working on finding a way back to the $7.50 fare, so check back here from time to time and hopefully, we’ll have found a way around the change.

Happy travels.

Sydney ferry

Seniors Card Travel: Canberra to Sydney for $5

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This travel hack involves leaving Canberra by train, changing for a bus at Bundanoon to Moss Vale. Then take a diesel train to Campbelltown and finally changing at Campbelltown for a train to the city. Sounds like fun? The trip takes an extra hour compared with staying on the Canberra to Sydney train and traveling through to Sydney.

Before you leave Canberra call NSW TrainLink on 13 22 32 and book your seat on the 12:00 from Canberra to Bundanoon. Quoting your Seniors card number to the agent the fare should be $2.50. You can pay by credit or debt card. Or if you only deal in cash you can pay on the train in the buffet car. You’ll be given a reservation number and you can have your ticket emailed to you. Here’s the Canberra to Sydney timetable

Canberra to Bundanoon

The train departs Canberra at 12:00 and arrives at Bundanoon at 14:05. Alight here and find the bus stop near the station.

Bundanoon to Moss Vale

The bus to Moss Vale departs at 14:24, so don’t go wandering around town. You’re in Opal country now, so just tap on when you board the bus. You’ll arrive at Moss Vale at 14.44. The bus terminates here at the station. Here’s the full timetable for Opal services Goulburn to Sydney

Moss Vale to Campbelltown

The train departs Moss Vale at 15:06 and arrives into Campbelltown at 16:26.

Campbelltown to the City.

The train to the city leaves Campbelltown at 16:32 and arrives Central at 17:31

Have fun!

Wooloomooloo

Seniors Card Travel: Eden to Sydney for $5

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This trip is in three sections, coach/train/train. From Eden, the trip takes 10 hours to Central station. The trip can be done any day of the week. Before your departure date, call Premier Coach Service on 13 34 10 and make a booking to Bomaderry Rail. Make sure that they know you have a Seniors card and make certain the amount you pay is just $2.50. The agent will ask you for your Seniors card number. You can pay on the coach, but give the poor coach driver a break, he has enough to do driving the bus and dealing with passengers, let alone scratching around for change. So pay for your ticket using your credit or debit card when you make the booking.

Eden (or any town in between) to Bomaderry

The Premier coach service leaves Eden at 06:05 Monday to Sunday. Here’s the full Eden to Bomadery timetable

Arrival at Bomaderry Rail is at 12:20. You have nearly an hour before the train departs, there is a cake shop, cafe and fast food outlet across the road from the station. Here’s a link to Bomaderry Rail on Google maps

Bomaderry Rail to Kiama

Lunch at the Bomaderry Hotel

You’re now in Opal country so don’t forget to tap on using your Seniors Opal card. The train departs Bomaderry Rail for Kiama at 13:16. (M to F) Here’s the full timetable Bomaderry Rail to Sydney

If you’re doing this trip on the weekend or a public holiday the train departs Bomaderry Rail at 12:29. That’s only 9 minutes between the arrival of the bus and the train departure. If you do miss the train, there is another Sydney bound train at 14:29. Take a walk down to the Shoalhaven River or settle in somewhere for a long lunch if you miss the 12:29.

Kiama to Sydney

If it’s a weekday you’ll arrive in Kiama at 13.43 and change trains to the Bondi Junction bound train which departs at 13:55. You only have 12 minutes here in Kiama, so there’s no time for scenic tours or cappuccinos.

Arrival at Central is at 16:04. From Central the train proceeds to Bondi Junction.