Queensland Outback Railway Adventure #2
Townsville – Inlander – Gulflander – Savannahlander – CairnsFrom the coast to the outback, Far North Queensland boasts three great rail experiences: the Inlander, the Gulflander and the Savannahlander trains. Linking Townsville and Mount Isa, Normanton and Croydon, Forsayth and Cairns, these train journeys are a wonderful way to discover a fascinating part of Australia and experience some of our unique rail heritage.
First, enjoy modern air-conditioned comfort on the Inlander, as you travel from palm-fringed Townsville on the Coral Sea to the rugged outback beauty of Mt Isa. Then take a journey back in time on the Gulflander, one of the world's last great characters of rail travel, from remote Normanton to far flung Croydon through the tough and inhospitable Gulf Country. After exploring Cobbold Gorge and the Undara Lava Tubes, enjoy a leisurely two-day journey on the ‘Silver Bullet’ across the savannah, through the lush Atherton Tablelands and over the famous Kuranda Range to finish in Cairns.
Queensland Outback Railway Adventure map
ITINERARY
Sat 18 Aug 2012 / Arrive Townsville
Arrival in Townsville and check in to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your Tour Leader and fellow travellers. (D)
Sun 19 Aug / Inlander
After a leisurely breakfast, depart the hotel for a short tour of Townsville en route to the railway station. See the Breakwater Marina, drive along the Strand and up to Castle Hill for magnificent views across to Magnetic Island.
12.40 pm: Depart from Townsville on the Inlander. Settle back in air-conditioned comfort and watch the constantly changing scenery as the train travels through Charters Towers, across the Great Dividing Range and through the mining towns of Hughenden and Julia Creek. The dining car serves hearty meals while the bar and lounge are perfect for a relaxing drink with fellow adventurers (not included in tour cost, own expense). Overnight on board (twin-share sleeping compartments, limited single compartments available). (BD)
Mon 20 Aug / Mount Isa
9.35 am: Arrival in Mount Isa. Disembark and join a local guide for a tour of ‘The Isa’ which came into existence because of the vast deposits of lead, silver, copper and zinc found in the area. During the day visit the Hard Times Mine where you will go deep into mining country and experience a day in the life of the famous Mount Isa miners. Real miners guide visitors through 1.2 kilometres of tunnels, the history of Mount Isa mining, and the unique experiences in the mine. In addition, see, hear and feel the heritage of Mount Isa come to life in the interactive multimedia Isa Experience Gallery. Finish with a visit to the Riversleigh Fossil Centre. Dinner and overnight at your hotel. (BD)
Tue 21 Aug / Mount Isa – Normanton
Morning flight to Normanton. Established on the Norman River in 1867, Normanton started life as a port for the Gulf of Carpentaria's cattle industry and grew in importance with the discovery of gold at Croydon in 1885. There are a number of interesting buildings in the town, including the distinctive 'Purple Pub', the 'Albion Hotel' where Captain Percy Tresize drew a series of humorous paintings on the bar room walls, the Bank of New South Wales (1896) and the Normanton Railway Station.
This afternoon take a trip on the RM60, a railmotor as unique as the Gulflander which you will travel on tomorrow. Built at the Ipswich Railway Workshops in 1931, this 45-horsepower Associated Equipment Company (AEC) railmotor was in service on the Normanton-Croydon railway 1960-1964. Dinner and overnight at Normanton. (BD)
Wed 22 Aug / Normanton / Cobbold Gorge
8.30 am: Depart Normanton on the Gulflander on its weekly run to Croydon. During the 5-hour journey, the Gulflander will stop for an impromptu morning tea supplied by the locals and for photo opportunities at Norman River Bridge. On the way experience the amazing outback diversity from wetlands and grasslands to arid Savannah country.
After arrival in Croydon at 1.30 pm, opportunity to enjoy a ‘pub lunch’ at the Croydon Club Hotel (not included in tour cost, own expense) before an afternoon drive to Robin Hood Station, a vast outback cattle property which also contains a geological wonderland, Cobbold Gorge. Dinner and overnight at Cobbold Village Cabins. (BD)
Thu 23 Aug / Cobbold Gorge
Morning tour of Cobbold Gorge. Visit the grave of pioneer John Corbett, learn about the geological history and enjoy a boat cruise along the extremely narrow gorge, which is no more than two metres wide in places, with spectacular 30-metre cliffs on either side.
In the afternoon, on a tour of Robin Hood Station, gain an insight into the cattle grazing industry as you see first hand some of the implications of management today and the future on such a large property. The tour overviews the day to day issues such as water infrastructure, herd performance, nutrition, ecology and at times cattle being mustered through the yards. (BLD)
Fri 24 Aug / Forsayth – Undara
Early morning transfer to Forsayth to board the Savannahlander, departing at 8.30 am for today’s journey to Mt Surprise. Arrive at 2.15 pm and disembark for an afternoon visit to the Undara Lava Tubes which were formed some 190,000 years ago.
Continue to the Undara Experience for dinner and overnight in wonderfully restored railway carriages dating back to the turn of the last century. (BD)
Sat 25 Aug / Undara – Cairns
Reboard the Savannahlander at Mount Surprise at 8.15 am for a full day’s journey to Cairns. During the day stop at Bullock Creek for morning tea, Almaden for lunch, and Dimbulah for afternoon tea (meals not included in tour cost, own expense). After a stop at historic Kuranda Station, the journey culminates in a late afternoon descent of the Kuranda Range into Cairns, arriving at 6.40 pm. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (BD)
Sun 26 Aug / Cairns
Full day at leisure. The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns abounds with day trips to the Reef, to the Daintree, and not least on the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (tours are optional and not included in tour price). (B)
Mon 27 Aug / Cairns
Your Queensland Outback Railway Adventure culminates with a day tour to Ravenshoe on the picturesque Atherton Tablelands. Enjoy a 2-hour return trip to Tumoulin, the highest railway station in Queensland, on a fully restored train pulled by a 1925 D17 ‘Capella’ steam locomotive. Return to Cairns for a farewell dinner. (BD)
Tue 28 Aug / Depart Cairns
Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast today. (B)
| THE INLANDER Twice a week (Suns, Weds) the Inlander sets out from the tropical coastal city of Townsville on a 977 km inland journey to the zinc, lead and silver mining capital of Mount Isa. An overnight journey of 20 hours, in modern air-conditioned comfort, the Inlander travels through Charters Towers, across the Great Dividing Range and through the mining towns of Hughenden and Julia Creek before arriving into the heart of the Queensland Outback. Your accommodation on board is in comfortable sleeping compartments which offer either a single bed (single travellers) or twin bunk-style compartments (i.e. one upper and one lower berth). Sleeping berths convert to a sofa for day use. Linen is provided and showers and toilets are located at the end of all sleeping cars. The Inlander features a Buffet Car with a range of meals and light refreshments including hot and cold takeaway snacks, drinks and confectionery, along with a limited liquor service for consumption in the Buffet Car.  The Inlander |
| THE GULFLANDER Fondly referred to as the old ‘Tin Hare’ or ‘The Rattler’, the Gulflander operates once a week in each direction, between Normanton and Croydon, from ‘Nowhere to Nowhere’ through the tough and inhospitable Gulf Country. The history of the Gulflander dates back to the 1880s when plans were drawn up to link Normanton, the beef capital of the North, with Cloncurry, to serve the cattle industry. But the route was changed when gold was discovered at Croydon in 1885. Construction of this railway began in 1888 with the line being completed in 1891. Steam locomotives hauled the trains until 1922 when the first rail motor was introduced. The Normanton – Croydon line was constructed under the supervision of George Phillips, an engineer and advocate of the Gulf Country. He designed and patented the steel sleepers used on the line which are hollow based and packed with mud, avoiding the need for ballast material in the track. This low cost railway was also designed to be submersible, allowing flood waters and debris to flow over the line, leaving it intact when the water subsides. Today, over one hundred years after its construction, most of the sleepers on the 152 km line are still in place.  The Gulflander |
| THE SAVANNAHLANDER Affectionately known as ‘The Silver Bullet’, the Savannahlander was state-of-the-art when it was brought into service by Queensland Rail in the mid-1960s. Now it reflects the pace and grace of a by-gone era, travelling at a sedate pace, with stops at suitable locations for the driver to point out interesting landscape features to the passengers. For the locals of the Queensland outback, The Savannahlander is still a vital communications link. The Savannahlander’s rolling stock comprises three 2000 class railmotor units. These 'PD' (Passenger / Driving) cars have classic 1960s era streamlined front ends and were built for Queensland Railway in 1963. Currently operating 42 weeks of the year, the Savannahlander leaves Cairns on Wednesdays for the four-day return trip to Forsayth. Our tour will join the Savannahlander in Forsayth for the two-day trip back to Cairns.  Savannahlander at Emu Creek |
