Advice on trip to Australia

[Richard Scott]

I'm planning on heading for Australia next year but have absolutely no experience so any information anyone has would be gratefully received.
I have about 4 weeks and would like to stop of somewhere in Asia in the way out, if anyone knows of a country with a bit of interesting railway action for a novice to briefly sample?
I want to do at least one XPT in Australia and usual touristy things, then head to New Zealand and then back via USA.
Are there any worthwhile railways to cover in New Zealand? Also planning to maybe train it across USA before flying home, was hoping to get to Toronto but that may be too much?
Probably being far too ambitious in squeezing all that in? If anyone could give me some advice on best plan for about 4 weeks worth of travel would be grateful.
Thanks in advance.

 

[ac6000cw]

So basically a round-the-world trip

I can't advise on Australia or NZ as I've never been there (and the only countries in Asia I've visited are Singapore and Malaysia, and that was a long time ago).

As far as doing coast-to-coast in the US by rail, largely based on scenery, I'd go for Emeryville (Bay Area/San Francisco) - Chicago on the 'California Zephyr' (2438 miles) then either the Capitol Limited to Washington DC (764 miles) or the Lake Shore Limited to New York (959 miles) or Boston (1017 miles). Alternatively LA - Chicago on the 'Southwest Chief' (2265 miles) with the possibility of breaking the journey at Flagstaff for a side trip to the Grand Canyon.

Unless you wanted to turn it into almost an endurance test by going coast-to-coast as quickly as possible, if spending just a day each in say San Francisco, Chicago and DC/NYC/Boston you would need to allow a week to do it at least.

On my very first trip to the US, I did the 'endurance test' option of LA - Chicago - Washington DC non-stop, just changing trains in Chicago, all in coach (seat) class - but I was a lot younger then...

 

[ricohallo]

Alternatively if you want to sample some Canadian trains too you could look at taking the California Zephyr (or Southwest Chief) to Chicago, then the Wolverine to Detroit, crossing the tunnel into Canada by an hourly bus to Windsor and continue with VIA Rail to Toronto.

 

[30907]

Years ago my daughter went to NZ and Oz and incorporated The Canadian into her trip out, but didn't do any Asian stuff IIRC. Fairly sure she took longer, too.

 

[rg177]

If you want to jump on *a* train in Asia en route, Singapore would be a reasonable shout. Its more light rail, but an easy way to fulfill this.

 

[LesS]

For stopovers; Singapore and Hong King are probably best. I use Hong Kong and will be traveling to the UK in May.

NZ First.
The most scenic routes are: Christchurch to Greymouth; Picton to Christchurch; and Auckland to Wellington. See www.Kiwirail.co.nz

In Sydney you will find an "OPAL" card useful, available at the airport station. Similar to Oyster and valid on trains, buses, ferries, trams. Rail network extends up to 100 miles from Sydney. For XPT bookings see www.transport nsw.info. See this site also for all Sydney public transport.
The shortest journeys on XPT are to Broadmeadow/Maitland; Bathurst. or Goulburn. All can be achieved on a day trip.

In Melbourne go to www.ptv.vic.gov.au for all information. Again a Myki card will be useful and can be obtained at Southern Cross (Spencer St) Station.

In Brisbane got to www.queenslandrail.com.au for all information. A "Go" card would be useful.

Please come back to me with what specific information you may require.

 

[Tester]

In Sydney you will find an "OPAL" card useful, available at the airport station.

Sydney is now like London in that, unless you are entitled to a concession, contactless has the same functionality and works well. The capping is remarkable value.

For long distance travel in NSW (which includes trains to Melbourne and Brisbane) the Discovery Pass is also remarkable value - a 15 day pass costs
less than one return trip from Sydney to many destinations.

I have used both of these recently.

 

[Richard Scott]

Thanks all for information, that gives me a starting point and something to work with. I will probably be back with more questions!

 

[doc7austin]

One question:

Which train station provide access to nice beaches?
I travelled in Cairns and wasn't too thrilled about the beaches.
Surfers and Sydney on the other hand were fabulous.

What about station on the North Coast Line (Sydney-Casino-Brisbane)?
- Coffs Harbour
- Wauchope for Port Macquarie
- Broadmeadow for Newcastle

- Woombye for Sunshine Coast in Queensland ?

Any other places to recommend, which are reachable by passenger trains?

 

[Tester]

One question:

Which train station provide access to nice beaches?
I travelled in Cairns and wasn't too thrilled about the beaches.
Surfers and Sydney on the other hand were fabulous.

What about station on the North Coast Line (Sydney-Casino-Brisbane)?
- Coffs Harbour
- Wauchope for Port Macquarie
- Broadmeadow for Newcastle

- Woombye for Sunshine Coast in Queensland ?

Any other places to recommend, which are reachable by passenger trains?

Plenty of possibilities south of Sydney, starting with Cronulla, then various places from Stanwell Park down to Kiama.

Not beach related, but you can walk from Stanwell Park to Otford through the disused Otford Tunnel, which has quite a history.

 

[LesS]

One question:

Which train station provide access to nice beaches?
I travelled in Cairns and wasn't too thrilled about the beaches.
Surfers and Sydney on the other hand were fabulous.

What about station on the North Coast Line (Sydney-Casino-Brisbane)?
- Coffs Harbour
- Wauchope for Port Macquarie
- Broadmeadow for Newcastle

- Woombye for Sunshine Coast in Queensland ?

Any other places to recommend, which are reachable by passenger trains?

Queensland:
Anywhere north of Rockhampton is in the tropics; beaches can be mixed usually with little surf. Extra care is needed because of venomous stingers.

There are more than 2 dozen beaches in the Sydney area but only Cronulla has a railway station.

There are a dozen beaches in the Newcastle area. Several are near the tram stop downtown otherwise use the bus routes.

Coffs Harbour station is next to the beach and there are others in the area.

Port Macquarie has several very good beaches.

 

[doc7austin]

ok, thanks for the input;

 

[Train jaune]

Was on Lighthouse Beach, just south of Port Macquarie, a couple of weeks ago. Fantastic and almost deserted.

 

[sh24]

If you really want train action en route, a stopover in China or Japan is the way to go, with Vietnam, Thailand and Hong Kong 3rd, 4th and 5th. However if you have never travelled in Asia before, plunging boots first into China might be a culture shock! Japan is an epic experience and the Japanese airlines, while not the cheapest, are some of the most comfortable.

 

[FormerBritInMe]

One thing to consider about USA vs Canada is that Transport Canada is considering ruling that the current long distance train fleet mostly of equipment built in the 1950s may not be allowed to operate past 2035 and with no new equipment in the pipeline this might mean the end of long distance train travel in Canada, so this might be the time to sample the Canadian and Ocean while they are still running. OTOH Amtrak has already started the process for procurement of new LD equipment so those trains appear to be safe at the moment.

 

[Austriantrain]

If you really want train action en route, a stopover in China or Japan is the way to go, with Vietnam, Thailand and Hong Kong 3rd, 4th and 5th. However if you have never travelled in Asia before, plunging boots first into China might be a culture shock! Japan is an epic experience and the Japanese airlines, while not the cheapest, are some of the most comfortable.

Indonesia (well, Java) is interesting too, railway wise. However, Jakarta is not an ideal stopover on the way to Australia.

 

[Thames99]

Seat 61 is a good starting point for researching and planning international rail travel

The Man in Seat 61 | The train travel guide

How to travel by train in Europe & worldwide: Schedules, fares & how to buy tickets.

www.seat61.com

A good day out from Sydney is to take the train to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. It's quite a scenic route once you're out of the suburbs and the Three Sisters rock formation is just a short walk from the station.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

A good day out from Sydney is to take the train to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. It's quite a scenic route once you're out of the suburbs and the Three Sisters rock formation is just a short walk from the station.

Well, it's 2.5km (but there are buses).
You can do the trip by XPT one way (0719 Western XPT from Central) if you book to Lithgow and then work back to Katoomba on a local train.

Home | transportnsw.info

Transport and travel information to help you plan your public transport trip around NSW by metro, train, bus, ferry, light rail and coach. Trip Planner, travel alerts, tickets, Opal fares, concessions and timetables.

transportnsw.info

 

[kevin_roche]

If you visit Cairns there is an interesting day trip to Kuranda where the train snakes up the mountain so sharply you can watch the front of the train pass you from the back of the train or vice versa.

 

[Richard Scott]

If you really want train action en route, a stopover in China or Japan is the way to go, with Vietnam, Thailand and Hong Kong 3rd, 4th and 5th. However if you have never travelled in Asia before, plunging boots first into China might be a culture shock! Japan is an epic experience and the Japanese airlines, while not the cheapest, are some of the most comfortable.

Thanks for advice here, would like to do Japan but know I need more than a quick stopover!
Was hoping for a country with a bit if old fashioned diesel haulage that could be done within a day but may be there isn't anywhere like that? Thought maybe somewhere like Malaysia or similar? Vietnam might be a good shout here, though?

 

[sh24]

Thanks for advice here, would like to do Japan but know I need more than a quick stopover!
Was hoping for a country with a bit if old fashioned diesel haulage that could be done within a day but may be there isn't anywhere like that? Thought maybe somewhere like Malaysia or similar? Vietnam might be a good shout here, though?

Thailand will give you that, albeit it might be in a non-AC coach which can be warm. Could tie with a trip to the Bridge over the River Kwai. I think most if not everything from KL is now electric. Vietnam will offer something but is probs the least convenient of those 3 for a stopover.

 

[Richard Scott]

Thailand will give you that, albeit it might be in a non-AC coach which can be warm. Could tie with a trip to the Bridge over the River Kwai. I think most if not everything from KL is now electric. Vietnam will offer something but is probs the least convenient of those 3 for a stopover.

Ok, thanks for info. Will look into that.

 

[ricohallo]

Thanks for advice here, would like to do Japan but know I need more than a quick stopover!
Was hoping for a country with a bit if old fashioned diesel haulage that could be done within a day but may be there isn't anywhere like that? Thought maybe somewhere like Malaysia or similar? Vietnam might be a good shout here, though?

South Korea still has diesel hauled trains with EMD-designed locomotives. They can be found on some Mugunghwa trains (including some into Seoul) and all of the Saemaeul trains between Yongsan (Seoul) and Iksan seemed to be hauled by one of these (first photo), so those are a pretty safe bet. Also had an enjoyable ride on one on a Mugunghwa service from Gimcheon to Yeongju (second photo) and I'm pretty sure those are 100% EMD-style diesel locos as well but the timetable is a bit limited.

South Korea has a good high speed network as well with trains built using the TGV concept that was sold by Alstom to Hyundai, very odd seeing such long familiar-looking TGV trains in Asia. The Korail pass is pretty good value giving you unlimited rides for a number of days, although with a quite annoying limit of 2 seat reservations per day (you could still board trains without a reservation but it's a bit awkward as there's no way to tell which seats are reserved and trains are often busy or fully booked).

 

[Richard Scott]

South Korea still has diesel hauled trains with EMD-designed locomotives. They can be found on some Mugunghwa trains (including some into Seoul) and all of the Saemaeul trains between Yongsan (Seoul) and Iksan seemed to be hauled by one of these (first photo), so those are a pretty safe bet. Also had an enjoyable ride on one on a Mugunghwa service from Gimcheon to Yeongju (second photo) and I'm pretty sure those are 100% EMD-style diesel locos as well but the timetable is a bit limited.

South Korea has a good high speed network as well with trains built using the TGV concept that was sold by Alstom to Hyundai, very odd seeing such long familiar-looking TGV trains in Asia. The Korail pass is pretty good value giving you unlimited rides for a number of days, although with a quite annoying limit of 2 seat reservations per day (you could still board trains without a reservation but it's a bit awkward as there's no way to tell which seats are reserved and trains are often busy or fully booked).

Now I'm tempted with that one, thank you!!!

 

[ricohallo]

You're welcome, I believe there are plans to electrify the remaining bits of the network and get rid of diesel trains altogether so I'm not sure how long these will still survive. I think they'll still be there next year but it's something to keep an eye on. DMU operated commuter trains are pretty much extinct now over there, I've still been on one in Gwangju last year but that has now apparently gone too and perhaps excluding a tourist train or two that was probably the last remaining DMU operated service.

Edit: Wikipedia seems to confirm the DMUs were fully retired in December 2023.

 

[43094]

Malaysia has (exclusively) diesel loco hauled services between Johor Bahru & Gemas.

These are due to go over to new units by next year, once the complete line upgrade is finished.

Also the Woodlands - Johor Bahru Sentral (Singapore - Malaysia) shuttle is diesel hauled, top & tail. This takes 5 minutes in each direction.

It’s possible to do Woodlands - Johor Bahru - Kluang (about half way to Gemas) - Johor Bahru - Woodlands in about 9 hours from late lunchtime - it gives you about 75 minutes in Kluang, there’s a cafe on the station.

To do the full line to Gemas and back in a day means either staying in Johor Bahru the night before, or catching an early bus across to there, vice the train.

All the above trains must be pre-booked.

 

[Route115?]

I'd definately recommend Japan. Japan Rail passes have recently increased in prices but are still good value (c £275 for 7 days in 1st Class). You could buy a round the world ticket & stop off in Japan & The U.S. or Canada. The problem would be fitting everything into four weeks. Hong Kong would be an interesting stopover if you are short on time. I've not visited it since covid and China's crackdown but it should still be intesting for a few nights with the MTR, trams, Peak Tram, etc.

 

[Richard Scott]

Thanks, everyone, for all the replies. These have been extremely useful and lots of food for thought.

 

[raafif]

If your'e into Trams there's Bendigo & Ballarat in Victoria and Brisbane & Rockhampton in Qld, Aust. You probably won't get to Tasmania but there are a few tourist rail journeys down here (no regular passenger rail)- Don River Railway & West Coast Wilderness Railway have steamers. I conduct on the Launceston vintage Tram. Don't be fooled by how small Tassie looks - it takes 7 hours to drive from north to south on highways.

 

[Beebman]

If your'e into Trams there's Bendigo & Ballarat in Victoria and Brisbane & Rockhampton in Qld, Aust.

I went to Bendigo in 2022 and enjoyed a ride on ex-Melbourne 918, also ex-Geelong 15 was out and about on a charter. Note though that there's a hour break in service at lunchtime and the last round trip leaves Charing Cross (the nearest stop to Bendigo Station) at 3pm. I went there on a day trip from Melbourne, it took 1h45m each way on a comfortable VLocity DMU.

While I was in Melbourne I visited the Newport Railway Museum near North Williamstown station where there's an interesting collection of steam, electric and diesel locos (including 3 British-built steam locos, an EE L-class electric and a couple of F-class 08-type diesel shunters). I also went to the large Melbourne Tram Museum with some 20 cars on exhibit in the former Hawthorn Tram Depot in the eastern side of the city.