Kat

We are planning to take the train rather than fly to Brisbane from Sydney. What is the ride like? Should we travel during the day or night? <BR> <BR>Also, we are splitting our 12 days in AU between Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns (I know its crazy...). We believe Brisbane might be somewhere we would like to emmigrate to someday soon but we do want to make this trip our holiday. <BR> <BR>We are 30 years old, couple...no longer in the party mode but are adventureous. <BR> <BR>I would love to hear about your adventures, suggestions, etc. <BR>Thanks!

LizF

Whilst the first hour or so from Sydney is wonderful ( going over the Hawkesbury River area) the last 3 hours into Brisbane is the highlight of the trip. I have done it a few times and whichever you go its a nice trip. <BR>Brisbane should not take too much of your time. It is not very tourist orientated apart from Southbank ( an artificial beach area right in the city) the Treasury Casino the Arts centre and Lone Pine. That is not to say its not a nice place to live. The pace is slow, the cost of living is very reasonably and once you get to know your way around the city its an easy place to live - its a very easy going sub-tropical city. <BR>How about coming down to the Gold Coast Hinterland and seeing just what you have on Brisbane's doorstep - if you would like some information then email me and I can arrange something to be sent for you. <BR>Another alternative is to get the Murwillumbar( I am not even sure of the spelling) train from Sydney which has connecting busses at the station which will take you into the Gold Coast and from which you could rent a car and see this area before getting on one of the rail motors from the Gold Coast to Brisbane - this is a very nice trip this way and you do get to see a lot of other areas as well. The northern New South Wales/S.E, Queensland is some of the nicest parts of the country. <BR>However to answer one of your questions - I would certainly travel during the day by train!