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Updated information JULY 2006 UPDATE BY THE AUTHORPART 4: CITY GUIDES Intercapital connections For those who wish to base their tour on the capital cities the following alphabetically-arranged list summarises the train services between them. This section then tells you how to use the local trains and gives suggestions on what to see. This should enable visitors to devise itineraries to taste. Notes A change of train is required at the places named ‘via’on each route. Where this requires an overnight stop, the place name is followed by ‘NS’. In all cases the first available connections are assumed. If longer breaks are desired, the separate portions should be looked at. For example, a journey between Brisbane and Adelaide can be split into Brisbane – Sydney, then Sydney – Adelaide or even Sydney – Melbourne and then Melbourne – Adelaide. Some connections to and from Brisbane and Canberra are quicker using Countrylink coaches for part of the journey. These are included in this table. Note that in summer time (October to March) times at Brisbane are an hour different and should be checked locally. Special notes Where a journey is stated as being via ‘Sydney or Strathfield*’ the connection time at Sydney is short, and it is better to change at Strathfield if the train is late. But if checked luggage is on board, the train conductor must be consulted before Strathfield. The 09.32 coach from Canberra may also be joined at Queenbeyan at 09.15 or Jolimont (Civic) at 10.05. It connects with the train at Yass junction (1 hr journey) or Cootamundra (3 hrs). Similarly, the return coach connection to Jolimont continues to Canberra station and Queenbeyan. Journeys to Canberra from Melbourne, Adelaide or Darwin involving a change at Goulburn have over 5 hours wait there from 4.13 a.m. Ticket or pass permitting, continuing on the train to change at Moss Vale, Campbelltown or even Strathfield (if the train is on time), can shorten the wait substantially. Table of quickest connections between the capital cities From Adelaide: To Brisbane - dep 10.00 Tuesday and Friday via Sydney, arr 06.30 two days later. - dep 07.25 Monday, Wednesday and Friday via Melbourne, Sydney or Strathfield* and Casino, then by coach arr 21.21 two days later. To Canberra - dep 07.25 Monday, Wednesday and Friday via Melbourne and Goulburn, arr 11.21 next day. - dep 10.00 Tuesday and Friday via Sydney, arr 22.31 (Wednesday) and 16.29 (Saturday). To Darwin - dep 17.15 Friday and Sunday arr 16.30 two days later. To Melbourne - dep 07.25 Monday, Wednesday and Friday, arr 18.40. - dep 10.00 Tuesday and Friday via Sydney, arr 07.35 two days later. To Perth - dep 18.40 Thursday and Sunday, arr 09.10 two days later. To Sydney - dep 07.25 Monday, Wednesday and Friday via Melbourne, arr 06.56 two days later. - dep 10.00 Tuesday and Friday, arr 10.15 next day. From Brisbane: To Adelaide - dep 07.30 Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday via Sydney (NS) and Melbourne (NS), arr 18.10 Tuesday, 19.15 Thursday and 18.10 Saturday. - dep 07.30 Tuesday and Friday via Sydney (NS), arr 15.05 two days later. - Option of 15.10 bus connection to Casino avoids Sydney nightstop. To Canberra - dep 07.30 daily via Sydney (NS), arr 11.21 next day (arr 16.29 on Sunday). - dep 15.10 daily via coach to Casino, then via Strathfield, arr 11.21 next day (arr 16.29 on Sunday). To Darwin - dep 07.30 Tuesday via Sydney (NS) and Adelaide (NS) arr 16.30 Sunday. - dep 07.30 Friday via Sydney (NS) and Adelaide, arr 16.30 Tuesday. - Option of 15.10 bus connection to Casino avoids Sydney nightstop. To Melbourne - dep 07.30 daily via Sydney (NS), arr 18.55 next day. - dep 15.10 daily via coach to Casino, then via Sydney, arr 18.55 next day. To Perth - dep 07.30 Tuesday and Friday via Sydney (NS), arr 09.10 three days later. - Option of 15.10 bus connection to Casino avoids Sydney nightstop. To Sydney - dep 07.30 daily, arr 21.51. - dep 15.10 daily via coach to Casino, arr 07.13 next day. From Canberra: To Adelaide - dep 06.37 on Wednesday and Saturday via Sydney, arr 15.05 next day. - dep17.05 on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday via Goulburn and Melbourne (NS), arr 18.10 Tuesday, 19.15 Thursday and 18.10 Saturday. - dep 09.32 Monday, Wednesday and Friday coach connection via Yass junction (or Cootamundra) and Melbourne (NS), arr Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday as above. To Brisbane - dep 06.37 daily except Sunday via Sydney, arr 06.30 next day. - dep 11.55 on Sunday via Strathfield, arr 06.30 next day. - dep 12.05 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday via Strathfield, arr 06.30 next day. - dep 17.05 on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday via Sydney (NS) and Casino, then by coach, arr 22.21 next day. To Darwin - dep 06.37 on Wednesday via Sydney and Adelaide (NS), arr 16.30 Sunday. - dep 06.37 on Saturday via Sydney and Adelaide, arr 16.30 Tuesday. To Melbourne - dep 09.32 daily coach connection via Yass (or Cootamundra), arr 18.55. - dep 12.05 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday via Goulburn, arr 07.35 next day. - dep 17.05 on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday via Goulburn, arr 07.35 next day. To Perth - dep 06.37 Wednesday and Saturday via Sydney, arr 09.10 three days later. To Sydney - dep 06.37 daily except Sunday, arr 10.55. - dep 11.55 Sunday, arr 16.24. - dep 12.05 Monday, Wednesday and Friday, arr 16.24. - dep 17.05 Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, arr 21.25. From Darwin: To Adelaide - dep 09.45 Monday, arr 09.30 Wednesday. - dep 10.00 Wednesday, arr 09.00 Friday. To Brisbane - dep 09.45 Monday via Adelaide (2 NS), Melbourne, Sydney or Strathfield* and Casino, then by coach, arr 22.21 Saturday. - dep 10.00 Wednesday via Adelaide and Sydney, arr 06.30 Sunday. To Canberra - dep 09.45 Monday via Adelaide (2 NS), Melbourne and Goulburn, arr 11.21 Saturday. - dep 10.00 Wednesday via Adelaide and Sydney, arr 16.29 Saturday. To Melbourne - dep 09.45 Monday via Adelaide (2 NS) arr 18.40 Friday. - dep 10.00 Wednesday via Adelaide and Sydney, arr 07.35 Sunday. - dep 10.00 Wednesday via Adelaide (3 NS), arr 18.40 Monday. To Perth - dep 09.45 Monday via Adelaide (NS), arr 09.10 Saturday. - dep 10.00 Wednesday via Pimba (see footnote), arr 09.10 Saturday. - dep 10.00 Wednesday via Adelaide (2 NS), arr 09.10 Tuesday (six days later). To Sydney - dep 10.00 Wednesday via Adelaide, arr 10.15 Saturday. From Melbourne: To Adelaide - dep 07.35 Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, arr 18.10 Tuesday and Saturday, and 19.15 Thursday. To Brisbane - dep 19.55 daily via Sydney and Casino, then by coach, arr 22.21 next day. - dep 19.55 daily via Sydney arr 06.30 two days later. To Canberra - dep 08.30 daily via Cootamundra or Yass Junction, then coach arr 17.22 (Canberra Jolimont) - dep 19.55 daily via Goulburn (see note below), arr 11.21 next day (arr 16.29 on Sunday). To Darwin - dep 07.35 Thursday and Saturday via Adelaide (NS), arr 16.30 Sunday and Tuesday. To Perth - dep 07.35 Tuesday via Adelaide (2 NS), arr 09.10 Saturday. - dep 19.55 Tuesday via Sydney, arr 09.10 Saturday. - dep 19.55 Friday via Sydney, arr 09.10 Tuesday. - dep 07.35 Saturday via Adelaide (NS), arr 09.10 Tuesday. To Sydney - dep 08.30 daily, arr 19.56 - dep 19.55 daily, arr 06.56 next day From Perth: To Adelaide - dep 11.55 Wednesday and Sunday, arr 07.20 Friday and Tuesday. To Brisbane - dep 11.55 Wednesday and Sunday via Sydney, arr 06.30 four days later To Canberra - dep 11.55 Wednesday via Sydney, arr 16.29 Saturday. - dep 11.55 Sunday via Sydney, arr 22.31 Wednesday. To Darwin - dep 11.55 Wednesday via Adelaide, arr 16.30 Sunday. To Melbourne - dep 11.55 Wednesday via Sydney, arr 07.35 Sunday. - dep 11.55 Sunday via Adelaide (NS), arr 18.40 Wednesday. - dep 11.55 Sunday via Sydney, arr 07.35 Thursday. To Sydney - dep 11.55 Wednesday and Sunday, arr 10.15 three days later From Sydney: To Adelaide - dep 07.45 Monday, Wednesday and Friday via Melbourne (NS), arr 18.10 Tuesday, 19.15 Thursday and 18.10 Saturday. - dep 14.55 Wednesday and Saturday, arr 15.05 next day To Brisbane - dep 07.15 daily via Casino, then by coach, arr 22.21. - dep 16.20 daily, arr 06.30 next day. To Canberra - dep 06.58 daily except Sunday, arr 11.21 - dep 12.10 Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, arr 16.29 - dep 18.15 Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, arr 22.31 To Darwin - dep 14.55 Saturday via Adelaide, arr 16.30 on Tuesday. - dep 14.55 Wednesday via Adelaide (NS), arr 16.30 Sunday. To Melbourne - dep 07.45 daily, arr 18.55. - dep 20.40 daily, arr 07.35 next day. To Perth - dep 14.55 Wednesday and Saturday, arr 09.10 three days later. Note re Darwin – Perth journey: The distance travelled, but not the time taken, can be shortened by changing at Port Augusta instead of Adelaide, but the times are unattractive. See table on page 000. To change at Pimba, advance approval must be obtained from Great Southern Rly. APRIL 2006 UPDATE BY THE AUTHOR Throughout the book The remodelled Spencer St station in Melbourne has been renamed Southern Cross. p24 V/line passenger website is now www.vlinepassenger.com.au p30/31 Rail passes There is a new so-called 'pass' available from QR called the Wanderer. At $224.40 this offers economy travel from Brisbane to Cairns or vice versa, with unlimited breaks of journey over six months. No backtracking is allowed but a return journey or an outback trip can be booked at half the normal fare. p39/40 The Ghan From April 2006 additional services operate. The full service is as follows: Adelaide dep 17.15 Friday and Sunday, Alice Springs arr 11.55 Saturday and Monday, dep 16.10, Darwin arr Sunday and Tuesday 16.30. Return dep Darwin Monday 09.45 and Wednesday 10.00, arr Alice Springs 08.00 Tuesday, dep 12.40 and arr 09.20 Thursday, dep 12.45. Arrive Adelaide 09.30 Wednesday and 09.00 Friday. Fares remain unchanged but subject to alteration without notice. p42/43 The Overland This service has been completely re-scheduled, offering daylight travel in both directions. Adelaide departures on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 07.25, arriving Melbourne 18.40, departing 07.35 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday arriving Adelaide 18.10 (19.15 on Thursday). Horsham is added as a conditional stop. These changed times affect connections with The Ghan, the Indian Pacific and the Melbourne-Sydney XPTs. p44/45 The Ozback Xplorer Based in Lithgow, NSW, as the State Mine Railway, this train is now marketed by the Railcruise Company. Scheduled itineraries are currently confined to New South Wales. The train is also available for charter. For current details of scheduled tours check the website www.ozbackexplorer.com or contact The Rail Cruise Company, P.O.Box 142, Gordon NSW 2072. For reservations and other enquiries, phone (+612) 9498 3124, Fax (0612) 9499 8929 or e-mail info@therailcruisecompany.com.au p45/46 Melbourne XPTs The Melbourne XPT services now leave Sydney at 07.45 and 20.40 daily. p46 Brisbane XPT Departure time from Sydney is now 16.30 and the journey time 14h 10m northbound, 14h 25m southbound. p46/47 Murwillumbah XPT The train is now officially known as the Casino XPT. Murwillumbah, Byron Bay and Lismore are served only by coach connection. p47 Grafton XPT Journey times are now 10h 25mm northbound and just under 10h southbound. p47/48 Xplorers The Armidale and Moree Xplorers each leave 10 minutes earlier on their return runs, but on four days of the week the latter is replaced by a bus between Moree and Werris Creek in each direction, with no change in timings. The Griffith Xplorer now departs Sydney at 06.58.The Canberra Xplorer days of running are unchanged but most times are altered by just a few minutes, Sydney departures being at 06.58, 12.10 and 18.15, and Canberra departures at 06.37, 12.05 (11.55 on Sundays) and 17.05. p49/50/51 Sunlander and QR Tilt Trains Following a derailment of the Cairns Tilt Train in 1994, there have been changes to the Tilt Train and other services on QR's North Coast Line. In summary, the Wednesday Cairns Tilt from Brisbane, returning from Cairns on a Friday has been replaced by an extension of the Tuesday Sunlander to Cairns (formerly Townsville), retuning on the Thursday. Tilt train schedules have also been slightly adjusted. Details follow: p49/50 The Sunlander The Sunlander departs Brisbane for Cairns at 08.55 on Tuesday and Sunday and at 12.55 on Thursday, with an additional service to Townsville at 08.55 on Saturday. Return times are at 08.35 from Cairns on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and from Townsville at 15.55 the same days plus Monday. First class fares including berth are $357.50 to Townsville, $398.20 to Cairns, economy seats $170.50 and $196.90 respectively, with berths $56.10 extra. Queenslander class is available only on the Thursday and Sunday departures from Brisbane, Saturday and Tuesday from Cairns at an inclusive Brisbane-Cairns fare of $724.90. p51 The Cairns Tilt Train This now runs only twice weekly, departing Brisbane at 18.25 Monday & Friday, returning from Cairns at 08.15 Wednesday & Sunday, arr 09.10 Thursday and Monday. Times at some intermediate stations have been altered. The fare is now $294.80 each way ('business class' only). p51 The Rockhampton Tilt Train Journey time is extended to 8 hours northbound and 8 hours southbound. Rockhampton departure time is 10 minutes later at 07.25. The additional service from Bundaberg leaves there half an hour earlier at 05.00. Brisbane-Rockhampton fares are now $147.40 business class, $97.90 economy. Because of necessary rolling-stock maintenance, locomotive-hauled services are being substituted in the first half of 2006 for all except the northbound Rockhampton Tilt onTuesdays and Thursdays and Bundaberg Tilt on Mondays and Wednesdays, the southbound Tilt from Bundaberg on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from Rockhampton on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Journey times on other days are 30 minutes longer. p51 The Spirit of the Outback The Saturday departure from Brisbane has been re-scheduled and now leaves over 5 hours earlier at 13.10 to reach Longreach at 12.53 on Sunday. Return times are unaltered. The fares are now $357.50 1st class, $170.50 economy or $226.60 with berth. Meal supplements of from $44 Barcaldine to Brisbane to $64.90 Brisbane to Longreach, with cheaper prices for children, can be included when booking. Motorail charges are unchanged. p52 The Inlander Departures are Sundays and Thursdays from Townsville at 12.30, Monday and Friday at 13.30 from Mt Isa Fares now $268.40 1st class, $115.50 economy seat or $171.60 with berth. p52 The Westlander Now leaves Brisbane five minutes earlier at 19.15, and from Platform 10. Fares Brisbane–Charleville or vv. $234.30 1st class, $94.60 economy or $171.60 with berth. p53 (grey box) There are currently no trains on the Yaraka branch or between Hughenden and Winton. p53 The Savannahlander Latest information is that the Austrail Flexipass is no longer honoured on this train. pp53-56 Victoria The new diesel units, named Velocity, are now serving some intercity routes and track improvements are proceeding, so that temporary alterations are being made from time to time. A number of changes to V/Line fares and conditions came into effect from 1 January 2006. All fares are increased (some are noted herein) and conditions are varied and subject to further review in 2007. The most significant changes include: – V/Line customers now have free access (subject to certain time limits) to metropolitan trains, trams and buses and regional bus services in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Moe, Morwell and Traralgon. – New V/Line tickets include a day return ticket, a monthly ticket and an off-peak single ticket. p54 The Northerner The Thomas Cook reference is now C9031. The train now runs twice daily with additional departures from Swan Hill at 07.20 Sunday, 13.29 Monday to Friday and 14.15 Saturday and from Melbourne at 08.10 Monday to Friday, 08.40 Saturday and 09.35 Sunday. The 1st class single fare is $76.80. p54 The Vinelander This service has not yet been restored. p54 The Goulburn Valley Limited Shepparton arrival time on return journey is 20.27. The Echuca service is expected to become daily, but date yet unannounced p45 The Gippslander The weekday return services from Bairnsdale are now at 06.15 and 12.45 and the additional Sale services at 13.29, returning at 16.40. The 1st class single fare is $60.50. p55 Twin City Limited The journey average time between Melbourne and Albury is 3 hours. p56 West Coaster The 1st class single fare is $60.50. Other fares proportionately increased. p57 Western Australia The Prospector covers the Perth-Kalgoorlie run normally in just over 6 hours and the morning departure from Perth is at 07.15 daily. The thrice-weekly Perth-Merredin and vv. service is also a Prospector. p61 Table 1 The changes to the Ghan service marginally improve connections between Perth and the Northern Territory and render this Table out of date. Perth to Darwin can now be accomplished in two days less than before with the extension of the Friday Ghan north from Alice Springs but in the other direction, although the best connection from Darwin (dep Monday 09.45) is day quicker, connections are a day longer from Alice Springs with the Port Augusta break involving at least one overnight stop. A quicker connection would still be possible at Tarcoola for travellers willing and able to wait on the station for around seven hours overnight. p63 Table 2: The basic triangle Changes are minor except between Melbourne and Adelaide. Times are altered as follows: Sydney dep for Melbourne 07.45 and 20.40 Melbourne dep for Adelaide Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 07.35, arriving Adelaide 18.10 same days except Thursday 19.15. Adelaide arrival time direct from Sydney is now 15.05. Adelaide dep 07.25 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for Melbourne arr 18.40 same days. Sydney arrivals from Melbourne three minutes later than shown on table. Effect of changes on Arail Itineraries There have been various minor changes in arrival and departure times at individual stations which do not affect the suggested itineraries in principle, but as with all travel plans, times should be checked before making firm bookings. There are however some major changes to timings and days of running of the Ghan, Overland, Sunlander and Cairns Tilt Train (see updates for pages 39, 40, 42, 43, 49-51) which significantly affect itineraries 1 to 5. The additional service on the Kuranda Scenic Railway referred to in note (b) of itineraries 1 and 3 to 5 operates daily. p66 Itinerary 1 The 09.55 departure from Brisbane is an error, which should read 08.55, except Thursday, when it is 12.55. It can now also be made on a Tuesday, with Cairns arrival on Wednesday. The alternatives listed in note (a) Flexiday 2 are reduced in that departure on the 11.00 Tilt Train means changing at Rockhampton (20 mins only), and the Cairns Tilt Train option is not available on a Wednesday. On Flexiday 5, the Tilt Train is not available on Friday but there is an additional Sunlander departure on Thursday. On flexiday 13, the Overland departs Adelaide on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 07.25 but it is NOT possible to transfer at Adelaide on Friday from the Indian Pacific arriving at 07.20 that day. Note (d) no longer applies. p67 Table of Flexipass options Footnotes (a), (b) and (d) become (a) 'also Saturday and Thursday', (b) 'also Sunday', (d) 'also Monday'. p68 Itinerary 2 Because of the changed timetable for the Overland service, the calendar days must be changed to follow this itinerary in only 15 consecutive days. Thus flexiday 1 becomes Wednesday, and this 3-day difference applies throughout, with the itinerary finishing at flexiday 12 also on a Wednesday. On Flexiday 6 (now Wednesday) Adelaide departure is 07.25 and on flexidays 8 and 9 the times are now Sydney dep 12.10, Canberra arr 116.29, dep 17.05 next day, arr Sydney 21.25. p69 Itinerary 3 Despite changed arrival and departure times of the Ghan and the Overland at Adelaide it is still possible to follow this itinerary this in 15 Flexidays but with less stopover time in Queensland to keep the total time within a calendar month. The following are the main changes this would involve: – Travel day 14: 3 night stopover in Adelaide, dep Monday 07.25 to Melbourne for 4-night stopover. – Travel day 18 becomes day 21, Friday, and similarly up to day 21 becoming day 24, Monday at Cairns, still with a 2-night stopover. – The Cairns-Kuranda trip becomes travel day 26, a Wednesday (which is Kuranda market day), followed by only one nightstop in Cairns. – Travel day 25 becomes day 27, Thursday, followed by a 2-night stopover in Brisbane to keep the final leg of the journey back to Sydney on travel day 30, a Sunday. – Note (e) no longer applies. The alternatives suggested in note (a) for the 08.55 Brisbane departure are changed as in amended note (a) for Itinerary 1. pp70-72 Itineraries 4 and 5 For these itineraries, times and days of running of the Overland are changed as set out above, as are those of the Ghan, Sunlander and Cairns Tilt Train. The following tables summarise these others. The alternatives suggested in note (a) for the 08.55 Brisbane departure for Cairns on Tuesday and Sunday are changed as in amended note (a) for Itinerary 1 above. Canberra-Sydney times are varied and should be checked with Countrylink and the Kuranda Tourist Train runs twice daily. New table: The Ghan Adelaide – Alice Springs – Darwin & vv. (C 9034) Adelaide dep Fri 17.15 Sun 17.15 Alice Springs arr Sat 11.55 Mon 11.55 Alice Springs dep Sat 16.10 Mon 16.10 Darwin arr Sun 16.30 Tues 16.30 Darwin dep Mon 09.45 Wed 10.00 Alice Springs arr Tues 09.00 Thur 09.20 Alice Springs dep Tues 12.40 Thur 12.45 Adelaide arr Wed 09.30 Fri 09.00 New table: Brisbane – Townsville – Cairns & vv. (C 9010) Tilt Train Mon & Fri, Brisbane dep 18.25, Townsville arr 12.55, Cairns arr 19.20 Wed & Sun, Cairns dep 08.15, Townsville arr 14.35, Brisbane arr 09.10 Sunlander Tue, Brisbane dep 08.55, Townsville arr 08.20, Cairns arr 16.00 Sat, Brisbane dep 08.55, Townsville arr 08.20 Mon, Townsville dep 15.55, Brisbane arr 15.25 Thu, Cairns dep 08.35, Townsville arr 15.55, Brisbane arr 15.25 Sunlander with Queenslander class Thu, Brisbane dep 12.55, Townsville arr 12.15, Cairns arr 1915 Sun, Brisbane dep 08.55, Townsville arr 08.20, Cairns arr 16.00 Tue & Sat, Cairns dep 08.35, Townsville arr 15.55, Brisbane arr 15.25 p78 Between Adelaide and Melbourne The Overland now offers daylight travel in both directions. Ararat is now once again served by V/line trains from Melbourne via Ballarat (C 9033). p80 In first paragraph, delete reference to connections to catch the Overland. p84 Outback from Rockhampton The westbound journey is not entirely in daylight, departures from Rockhampton now being at 04.15 on Thursday and 23.20 on Saturday (C9003). p84 Table 5 The table is altered as follows: Townsville to Ingham dep 08.45 Monday and Wednesday, 12.15 on Friday, arr 13.53, and 13.05 on Tuesday and Saturday. Ingham to Townsville 12.41 Sunday and Wednesday, 13.28 Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. p85 Between Townsville and Cairns A day trip to Ingham allowing two hours there is now possible only on Wednesday, not Friday. p85 Table 6 The Friday 08.15 departure from Cairns is replaced by Thursday departure at 08.35 with times as for Saturday. The Thursday 16.31 departure from Tully is withdrawn and replaced by a Wednesday departure at 12.32 with the same times as on Monday. The Friday departure from Tully is changed to 15.47 with consequent later times at intermediate stations and a Cairns arrival of 19.15. p116-119 Intercapital Connections This table is substantially affected by the changed Ghan and Overland times and days of running, so it is necessary for travellers to check schedules with railway offices for any inter-capital journeys which include travelling either way on the Melbourne – Adelaide line or which begin or end in Darwin. In particular, note that there is NOT a connection in Adelaide on Friday from the eastbound Indian Pacific to the Overland on a Perth-Melbourne journey. p141 Deadline departures from Melbourne The Overland is now a day train departing 07.35 for Adelaide on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. p151 Table 11 The Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday return times from Cooroy are at 13.22 (local train) arriving Brisbane 15.40. The Thursday times are now the same as Wesdnesday and the Cooroy departure times on Saturday and Sunday are one minute earlier! 151 Deadline Departures from Brisbane The 18.25 Tilt Train is now Monday and Friday only and the 18.25 Spirit of the Outback is Tuesday only: it now leaves 13.10 on Saturdays. The Westlander leaves from Platform 10 at 19.15. p156 Deadline departures from Adelaide The Ghan leaves for Darwin on Friday as well as Sunday at 17.15. p161 Table 12 This table is considerably changed with some earlier and some later timings. In particular, the extra morning departures from Northam (07.05, 07.40 and 08.05 on Sunday, Monday and Friday respectively) are cancelled, but there are later evening departures. Enquiry at Westrail offices is recommended. Cook's Timetable number is now C 9037. p161 Deadline departures from Perth The Prospector departure for Kalgoorlie on Monday is now at 15.15 and on Friday at 15.25. p246 The Wellshot Hotel at Ilfracombe is now open again. p263/4 Beaudesert Rail This service has ceased operation, with the rolling stock being sold off due to financial and political problems. p265 Brisbane/Cairns to Proserpine and Shute Harbour There are numerous alterations to this table due to the altered days of running and timing of the Cairns Tilt Train and the extension of one of the Sunlanders between Townsville and Cairns. Details may be obtained from QR Traveltrain offices or the QR website. p270 Yaraka branch and Hughenden-Winton There are no longer trains at present on these routes. p275 West Coast Wilderness Railway Lunch is no longer available at Rindeena – brief stop only, but lunch is included in the fare and served from the Galley Car when the train is stopped at Double Barrill. p277 Appendix A. Flexipass Deadlines The changed schedules of the Ghan, Overland, Sunlander and Cairns Tilt Train should not affect these deadlines substantially but travellers should check times well in advance of making bookings and it would be wise to allow one extra flexiday for the final journey back to base. p280 Bibliography – general Another worthwhile book is 'Down Under' by Bill Bryson, (Doubleday, 2000) |
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