All Aboard
There is something quite romantic about rail travel. Perhaps it is the nostalgia of travel without time restraints, the thrill of sitting back and watching the world slip by unhindered, or the prospect of meeting new friends and enjoying shared experiences while you explore hidden places. We have one of Australia’s best rail journeys right here on our doorstep, showcasing some of these gems and the “Outback” that we are so famous for.
The Savannahlander and Gulflander are icons to rail enthusiasts and present a wonderful holiday opportunity for all. Visiting the outback towns of Forsayth, Mount Surprise, Chillagoe, Normanton and Croydon where the true Aussie Spirit is alive and well, and stopping in at the wonderful Cobbold Gorge, Undarra Lava Tubes, Chillagoe Caves and historic hotels such as the Einasleigh Hotel. These are the places poets of old waxed lyrical, and drovers sang about.
Tours range from a quick overnight jaunt from Cairns to Mount Surprise, to longer, 5 night packages traveling on both trains. The Savannahlander travels from Cairns via Kuranda up through the Wet Tropics along the famed Kuranda Railway to Savannah country. While the Gulflander picks up the route to the Gulf country towns of Normanton and Croydon. Along each route, rest stops offer the chance to get out and stretch your legs in places that aren’t accessible by car, so you get to feel like you are the first people to really visit and experience the beauty of the area.
At each overnight stop, you can expect to be regaled by your hosts, and be treated more like family than a tourist, enjoying your choice of accommodations, meals, tours and transfers along the way. Each hotel provides ensuite rooms or cabins, and in many places you can choose between a few accommodation options to suit your budget. It really is the perfect way to experience the outback in the utmost comfort. Morning teas and lunches on riverbanks under the swaying gums and Jarrah, and dinner in historic local hotels, alive with character.
Highlights include visiting and staying at the cavernous Undarra Lava Tubes, the longest in the country and steeped in mystery and natural history. They are truly wonderous. On to Cobbold Gorge, which seems to appear out of nowhere. Take a helicopter flight over the system to truly appreciate it’s beauty, and don’t forget to bring your camera to catch the “Golden Hour” as you cruise down the gorge on silent electric boats, spotting crocs along the way. Chillagoe-Mungana Caves offer a very different experience, with stalactites and stalagmites ranging in size from minute to gigantic, and calcite and limestone formations that are simply beautiful.
The towns themselves are steeped in history with many having been founded as goldfields back in the day. Cattle and exploration feature highly as well with Normanton being close to Burke and Wills Last camp. Consequently, there are historic and quirky hotels a plenty, with authentic buildings and plenty of charm to discover.
Both the Gulflander and Savannahlander trains, known locally as the “silver bullets”, are classics of the 1960’s and were lovingly restored to provide comfortable and spacious interiors while the décor is decidedly rustic in nature. This leisurely style of travel gives you plenty of time to enjoy the views as well as time to mingle with other guests. There is no food supplied onboard the trains, instead they stop and patronise the local suppliers, providing a great boost to the local economies of the smaller towns, and allowing guests to sample local produce and specialties. There are no sleeping carriages on the trains, instead clients will stay at local hotels so that they can fully immerse themselves in the outback experience. A totally relaxing and enjoyable way to travel!