This Seniors Card trip can be done for $7.50 M-F and on a Sunday. It’s a long trip, a total of 19 hours from start to finish.
The Saturday before you leave Broken Hill, call NSW TrainLink on 13 22 32 and book a ticket using your Seniors card on the 03.45 bus/train service from Broken Hill to Bathurst via Wilcannia and Dubbo. The fare will cost you $2.50. The full Broken Hill to Sydney timetable
While on the phone also book Bathurst to Lithgow on the NSW TrainLink coach that leaves Bathurst bound for Lithgow at 17:50.
This trip is divided into four sections. Bus from Broken Hill to Dubbo, train from Dubbo to Bathurst, bus from Bathurst to Lithgow and finally a train from Lithgow to Sydney. That brings the whole fare to a total of only $7.50.
Broken Hill to Dubbo
The bus departs Broken Hill at 03.45 and makes a refreshment stop at Cobar for 30 minutes and then proceeds on to Dubbo where it arrives at 13:25. The bus terminates at the Dubbo Railway Station where you’ll alight for the train. There is an air-conditioned railway refreshment room at Dubbo Station.
Dubbo to Bathurst
The train departs Dubbo at 14.15 and arrives into Bathurst at 17.05. There is a buffet car on the train for refreshments.
Bathurst to Lithgow
The Victoria Hotel opposite Bathurst Railway Station
Once you arrive into Bathurst you’ve got 60 minutes before the coach departs for Lithgow at 18:15 if you’re traveling M-F 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 Bathurst to Lithgow timetable.
The coach service is shown on page 22, so just scroll down the PDF (service # 568).
You’ll be able to get a drink at the Victoria Hotel opposite the station, but that’s about it. They also offer accommodation and meals.
Lithgow to Sydney
The coach from Bathurst arrives at Lithgow Railway station at 18:50.
The Opal train service leaves Lithgow at 19.48 and arrives at Sydney Central at 22.41. Here’s the Lithgow to Sydney timetable.
You’ll have close to an hour in Lithgow. Here’s a map of the eateries in Lithgow with their opening and closing times. You’ll see from the map that there’s not a lot open in Lithgow on a Sunday night. So, good luck.
If you're out for an adventure, you've come to the right place. This inexpensive version of a train trip to Tweed Heads takes a few hours longer than just boarding a north coast or Brisbane bound XPT. Plus, it's fun, inexpensive and a lot to see along the way. The trip is broken into four segments of train/bus/train/bus.
If you're starting from Sydney, catch the express Newcastle train, Opal service, that leaves Central at 11:15. (M to F). Here's the full timetable for Sydney to Newcastle line.
Broadmeadow to Taree
Alight at Broadmeadow at 13:41 and walk under the subway to the main station entrance on the east side of the station, Platform 1. Here you'll find a taxi rank and a coach stop. The good thing here is that the area and the entrance to the station are all new, as of August 2018. The coach you're looking for is the Taree bound coach which is operated by Busways and departs the coach stop at 14.24. The service is the Newcastle to Taree via Forster service - number 150. The service runs daily. Here's the full timetable for the Newcastle - Taree via Forster service
Broadmeadow is the most popular pickup stop on the service. So you should find other people waiting at the bus stop who you can ask to reassure yourself you're in the right place. Nearby on the station, there's a small kiosk with drinks, cigarettes, ice-creams and papers. There's a toilet on the station near the waiting room on platform 1. Near here you'll also find the station attendants. Here's a map of the Broadmeadow station area showing the coach stop
To board the bus you'll need your Seniors card and $2.50 in cash or EFTPOS for the fare all the way to Taree.
It's important to note that you can only get the $2.50 fare on the bus. If you try to call NSW TrainLink or book online you'll be charged half fare. Yep, it happened to me. First time I paid half fare and my error was picked up by the TrainLink travel agent at Taree who refunded my fare and told me to pay cash when boarding the bus. It just goes to show that NSW TrainLink is somewhat like the British Navy - tough but fair.
Also, be warned that this service can be very busy on school holidays. There's a way around this. Catch an earlier train up from Sydney and go through to Newcastle Interchange and catch the coach from the coach/bus stop near Newcastle interchange. You'll get a seat if you're lucky the one upfront near the driver for a perfect view ahead.
Once leaving Broadmeadow it's a 5 hour run through to Taree. You'll pass along the shore of the Myall Lakes, the beaches along the coast from Pacific Palms to Forster Keys and into Forster and Tuncurry. The final stop is Taree Railway station where you'll arrive at 18.20.
Taree to Casino
There are various places to eat in Taree town but nothing near the station which is about 1km from the centre of Taree. If you want to eat in Taree, ask the bus driver to let you off near town. There are numerous pubs, cafes, restaurants, fast food and clubs open. But keep an eye on the time. Leave town at least 20 minutes before the train departure to walk up to the station. If you have a bag and ask the driver nicely he'll deposit it at the luggage check-in at the station for you. Once you arrive in Taree you've got until 20:08 when the train departs for Casino.
You'll be greeted by a delightfully clean, air-conditioned waiting room and toilets at Taree Station. The station master is on duty and you can also buy a ticket and check your bags in. Although tickets are available at Taree, I advise you to buy them online or over the phone especially if it's school holidays or close to. The ticket from Taree to Tweed Heads will cost $2.50 with your Seniors card. You can purchase your ticket, called a Country Senior Excursion (CSE) up to 7 days before the day of departure. Here is the full timetable for the XPT train/bus service to Tweed Heads. The train is the Sydney to Brisbane XPT service and departs Central at 14:14. This is a daily service.
Book online or call 13 22 32 to book over the phone. Have a credit or debit card ready, Visa, MC, Amex or Diners Club accepted, and your Seniors card. You can also elect to pay in the buffet car when you board the train. On board, only Visa, MC and cash are accepted. So if you don't have a debt or card you can pay by cash on the train. You can also pay for your ticket at the post office.
Casino to Tweed Heads and Byron Bay
You'll arrive at Casino at the unlikely hour of 02:19. There are an air-conditioned waiting room and toilets at the station. The coach to Tweed Heads, Byron Bay and all stops in between departs Casino station at 02:35 and arrives at Tweed Head at 05.48. The coach arrives at the main bus stop in the middle of Tweed Heads. If you're heading further along the Gold Coast or up to Brisbane, the local Surfside Buslines depart on a regular interval through to Southport or Varsity Lakes Station for the train to Brisbane.
What about places like Bangalow and Ballina?
Don't worry, they're also covered under the CPE at just $2.50 ticket from Taree. Just check the timetable and let the agent know when you're making your booking.
The regular service by train from Sydney to Canberra is by the NSW TrainLink Explorer service. The standard full price one way fare for adults is $52.00. The one way fare for Seniors card holders is $26.00.
I’ve used this service on numerous occasions and have found the comfort and service aboard the train to be very good. Even the hot meals served from the buffet have been imaginative and prepared with some love. Furthermore, the meals are less than $10.00. A glass of wine is $7.50. Light beer is $6.50.
But there is a cheaper way for Seniors Card holders. Here’s how; Sydney to Canberra for just $5.
Before leaving home call NSW TrainLink on 13 22 32 and make a booking using your Seniors card on the Goulburn to Canberra service that departs Goulburn at 20.29 (M-F). Your Goulburn to Canberra ticket will cost $2.50. Click here for the full NSW TrainLink Sydney to Canberra timetable
There’s a NSW TrainLink booking office at Central station, but don’t think you can walk in there and buy a ticket from Goulburn to Canberra for $2.50 – you can’t. You’ll be told that these tickets can only be bought online or over the phone. They’ll then offer you the half price tickets. Even a “know it all” like me got caught here. When I was offered the half price fare, I declined. I then went out of the office and called 13 22 32 on my mobile phone and made the booking on the same train for $2.50. Lesson learned.
Since this is an Opal service, just tap on as usual and take a seat on the train. Sit back for a ride through the beautiful Southern Highlands. Find yourself a seat on the left side of the train to avoid the afternoon sun.
The service arrives in Goulburn at 19:13.
Goulburn to Canberra
The Canberra train departs Goulburn at 20:29. Since you’ve arrived at 19:13, this gives you an hour and sixteen minutes to duck uptown for a bite to eat. There are numerous takeaways and restaurants along the main drag, a couple of minutes walk from the station. Our favourite is the Paragon Cafe. It’s a Goulburn institution with half price pizza on Tuesday nights and half price schnitzels on Wednesday night. Keep an eye on the time, as it’s 5-minute walk back to the station for the 20:29 departure.
Arrival in Canberra is at 22.03. Last time I arrived on this train there were plenty of taxis on the station rank. Since Murphy’s Law says there won’t be any when you arrive, you can call (02) 6280 0077 or visit their website ACT Cabs.
This trip offers the best value I can find in Seniors travel hacks. The distance to Broken Hill from Sydney is approximately 1150 kilometres. Now where can you find a deal like that for $5?
There are cons involved, firstly, this trip mostly by train can only be made on a Monday. Yes, there is another way of doing it but that is mostly by bus and can be done Monday to Sunday. I’ll get to that in another article. The other con is that the departure time from Central station is 04:22 on a Monday morning.
The trip is in three sections – train, bus, train. You’ll depart Central Station at 04:22 and arrive in Broken Hill at 19:10.
Since you’ll be departing on a Monday, call NSWTrainLink on the Friday before and make a booking on the Bathurst to Broken Hill service, leaving Bathurst at 09:47. The fare will be $2.50 with your Seniors card I.D. number. You’ll also need to call Lithgow Buslines on (02) 6352 3888 and advise them that you be arriving from Sydney on the train that arrives at Lithgow at 07:10 and wish to catch the Bathurst bus leaving Lithgow at 07.12 to Bathurst. This is so they can inform the driver that you’re coming and he’ll wait for you if you’re slow getting up the station stairs. The bus mainly caters for school kids. Don’t worry, they’re kind country folk at Lithgow Buslines and will be at your beck and call to help when you call them. Here’s the timetable https://www.buslinesgroup.com.au/images/pdf/lithgow/timetables/636_Lithgow_web_tt.pdf
Sydney to Lithgow
As mentioned above you’ll depart Central station on the 04.22 Opal card service to Lithgow . You’ll arrive at Lithgow 07.10, alight the train and walk up the stairs and tap out with your Opal card. Turn to your left and head out to the bus stop opposite the Post Office on Main street. Here’s the Central to Lithgow Opal Service timetable
The Lithgow Buslines bus
Lithgow to Bathurst
At the bus stop, board the Lithgow to Bathurst coach, route #636, run by Lithgow Buslines.
Don’t forget to tell the coach driver that you’re going to the Bathurst Railway Station as the bus only stops by the station on request.
Just in case you miss the Lithgow Buslines bus, there’s a NSW Trainlink coach that leaves on the north side of Lithgow station at 07:25 for Bathurst. Here’s the timetable.
Bathurst to Broken Hill
The Hub on Kettle Street Bathurst
You’ll arrive at Bathurst station at approximately 08:40. Since the train departs to Broken Hill at 09:47, you have a little over an hour to enjoy a nice breakfast. If you check out the map of the area around Bathurst Railway Station you’ll see a cafe called The Hub just a few minutes’ walk towards town. You’ll have enough time for breakfast and be back for the 09:47 departure to Broken Hill.
Once aboard the train you’ll have access to the buffet where you can buy the usual Aussie fare, including beer and wine. A hot lunch is also available. But the coffee isn’t as good as at The Hub as they don’t have an espresso coffee machine on the train. 🙁
To come back to Sydney, the train leaves Broken Hill the next day (Tuesday). May I suggest you spend a few days in this beautiful and historic town and come back on the bus/train/bus/train service from “the Hill” to Sydney. The service runs to Sydney via Wilcannia, Nyngan, Dubbo and Bathurst.
Total time for the trip Central to Broken Hill is 14 hrs. and 47 mins.
This seniors trip starts from Central to Bomaderry Rail, using the regular Opal service ($2.50) to Kiama with a change at Kiama for a diesel train to take you down to Bomaderry Rail. At Bomaderry Rail there will be a Premier Motor Service coach waiting at the station to take to you as far as Eden on the South Coast. The connections work 7 days a week.
Sydney to Bomaderry Rail
The Opal rail service to Bomaderry Rail starts at Bondi Junction, departing there to Kiama at 09.13, Monday to Sunday. The service stops all stations to Redfern before it starts on its express run through the suburbs and on to the South Coast (Illawarra). Departure from Central is at 09.27.
After a scenic run down the Illawarra, the train will then arrive at Kiama at 11.39. Here you’ll change for a two-car diesel train, for Bomaderry. Yes, there’s a cafe near the station, but be quick as the Bomaderry train departs on time at 12.00. You’ll only have 20 minutes between arrival and departure.
Don’t forget to tap off with your Opal card when you get to Bomaderry. Here you’ll meet the Premier Motor Service Coach to take you to Eden. The coach departs Bomaderry Rail at 12.50. The timetable for the full Sydney to Eden service.
You’ll need to call Premier Motor Services to make a booking. Call 13 34 10. Their website is at Premier Motor Services.
To get the Seniors card $2.50 special, you’ll need to call Premier Motor Services. Have your Seniors card and a credit card ready or pay cash with the driver. But you’ll need to call them as you can’t get the $2.50 fare using their bookings page on their website. May I also suggest you pay when you make your booking over the phone. The poor driver on this service can often be pushed to his limits when the bus is busy, especially with baggage. So you’ll really be doing him a favour if you’ve paid for your ticket beforehand.
There’s a cafe and cake shop across the road from the station at Bomaderry Rail.
Arrival at Eden is at 19.00. There is a major rest stop for food and drink near the waterfront at Batemans Bay. And yes, there’s a toilet on the bus.
