Toucan2

Has anyone taken the Sunlander from Brisbane to Cairns? Is the route a scenic one where it would be worth it to spend two days on a train?

Also, does anyone have experience with the Queensland Class on the same?

I just took a closer look at this option for travel as we have decided to take the train from Taree to Brisbane for that leg of our journey (we will be near Taree so don't want to drive back to Sydney to fly up to Brisbane). So I started to think maybe I wanted to check into the train from Brisbane to Cairns.

I always figure a travel day tends to be mostly wasted, but would have to decide if two travel days on a train, vs one travel day going to the Brisbane airport, flying up, etc etc, might be worth it in terms of scenery (Hm, did I spell that right? It doesn't look right!)

So, would love to hear thoughts and experiences!

wlzmatilida

Hi Toucan!

I've done the trip, in the Queenslander class in reverse, (from Marysborough to Brizzy) and it was delightful!

The food was delish, lots of interesting people on the train, comfy accommodations with a nice amenities packet, a fun club car for drinks, and fluffy bathrobes to boot!

I can't determine if it's worth it to you to spend 2 days on a train; it really depends on the rest of your plans and if you have the time to spare.

Hope this is helpful!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

margo_oz

It's seldom, if at all, scenic.

I found it boring as batshit! Certainly not worth spending 2 days.

But then, Melodie may know the Murrican persona better than I do!

Toucan2

Whether or not it was scenic was the deciding factor. Thank you for your very honest and delightful feedback Margo! I laughed out loud and have decided a flight it is then.

wlzmatilida

Margo,

you crack me up!

I wasn't on it for 2 days - that could be a deciding factor....

and I was with 9 other fun travel agents, and did I mention there was champagne involved?

Best,

Melodie

margo_oz

Melodie

It'd take an awful lot of champagne, and extra good travelling companions to make me do it again - and even then?????

This is a huge country - and we have discovered those things called airplanes!

I'm a travel tart - I enjoy travelling anywhere - and love trains - but, even so.....

wlzmatilida

Dearest Travel Tart / aka Margo

(I'm going to appropriate that term)!

Well, see, this is why I have to do the HARD WORK and check these things out for clients! (does my work ever END??)

Semi-seriously, this is what a "famil" (familiarzation trip) is all about. Agents go and experience the tour, or do a site inspection of the hotel, etc., to get an understanding of the experience.

Is it always an enjoyable experience for the agent? Hell no! I've sat through more tacky, touristy type shows & tours than I care to think about. But that's just MY taste.

Would some of these things be interesting to the average Australian? Again, Hell NO!

But my job is to look at them / experience them and file that information away so when I have clients sitting across from me I can determine what best suits THEM.

If I had clients who've never been to Australia, liked a leisurely pace, had time to spare and loved the "olden days" of train travel..well, Bob's Your Uncle - I'd know they were a good candidate for the Sunlander.

It's just all a matter of people's experiences and what they're interested in. We don't have alot of train trips in the US anymore, so this is somewhat of a "novelty" if you will.

That said, I DID enjoy it, maybe because it was just "different".

Besides the company of my fellow agents, we met 4 Grannies onboard and they were delightful. We promised to share our champers the next morning if they would join us for brunch in the club car in their fluffy robes and slippers provided by the Sunlander in Queensland Class.

And Bless 'Em, we all showed up in our robes (much to the disgust of some Poms we'd met the night before, which, of course, only hightened the entire experience for ME).

I don't often get on a train. Mind you, I'm not signing up for the Ghan anytime soon!

Warm regards,

Melodie

margo_oz

Melodie

Exactly my point. You're better placed to know what tourists from your part of the world expect.

I love trains, and train around Europe a bit. I understand the Amtrak system is not doing so well - which is a pity - as I was planning to give it a try in the next year or two.

In Oz,I've done the big trip (Sydney to Perth x 2), was thinking of the Ghan, and would love to try the Gulflander (Croydon to Normanton in N Queensland). I did Brisbane - Sydney recently and wouldn't do that again either.

But horses for courses (or engines, in this case!)

I'm currently staying in Kiama, on the south coast, below Sydney - and this is just a magnificent part of the world. Trendy and cutesy hasn't hit here yet (or not much)!

wlzmatilida

Hi Margo!

No, Amtrak isn't (and hasn't) been doing very well for quite some time. I honestly don't know how they're staying afloat, but then I don't claim to understand how many of the US airlines are in staying in business either, since most of them have been bleeding money and are in bankruptcy (only 4 US carriers made money last year and none of them are the "big boys&quot.

Train travel is so much a part of Europe and I also have "trained around" myself; while I do drive, I'd never ever drive into any major city and always take the train in/out of major cities in Europe.

I'd not heard of Kiama before, but your comment intrigued me enough to check out their website, and it looks absolutely stunning! I'll be in Sydney next month and wish I had the time to take a side trip there; but thanks for adding yet another place to visit to my already long list!

Regards,

Melodie