We just returned from a few days in Kalgoorlie travelling there and back by the Prospector train, free annual travel for Centrelink card holders.
This train is a real treat, comforable reclining chairs, tons of leg room and overhead storage, aircon, in house music and movies (including Red Dog) with headsets supplied, and 240V plug in points for laptops etc. A licensed buffet car (kiosk) also for drinks of all kinds and food etc. Disabled toilet on board too. See this link;
This is a very pleasant 7 hour trip from one end to the other, including some stops to drop off or pick up passengers along the way at some country towns. At Merriden, the train swaps over crews.
At Kalgoorlie we hired a Thrifty Kia Cerato to do some touring around to such places as the mining museum, open pit, etc, etc. Unfortunately we did not have time to do the"brothel tour" and my other half would not let me out on my own after dark to investigate on my own (for my own safety of course.....). RAC/NRMA etc discount for members of those organisations at Thrifty.
We stayed at the Gt Western Holiday Inn (discount for seniors) and our room was very pleasant and comfortable, serviced daily, contintental breakfast included. Meals in room or in the restaurant for those who want them.
The weather was beautiful, not too hot, not to cold, but on the last day (we had returned to our accomodation and finished touring) we had heavy afternoon showers, but being inside didn't affect us. The CMCA has their National Rally starting at Centenary Park on Saturday and already there were heaps of motorhhomes in town and parked outside the Park in the free camping area which is on gravel. Looked like they were not going to be allowed to park on the oval (park) until the start date. Must have been pretty muddy there in the free camping area on the day it rained.
All in all a very pleasant and enjoyable trip.
-- Edited by Vic on Saturday 8th of October 2011 12:37:22 PM
pauline said
12:10 PM Oct 8, 2011
Sounds great Vic, am very jealous.
Vic said
12:36 PM Oct 8, 2011
Ummmm.......in WA we get a free return (or two single trips one way) per annum Pauline on our Centrelink Card for travel. This can be on bus or train to any destination in WA serviced by our public bus/rail system. This is the first time we have ever used it although we could have done so before.
By the time you add the cost of accomodation and car hire though it is not what I would call cheap compared to taking an RV of some sort, but still enjoyable and not having to drive to and from the destination was nice, also the accomodation.
Beth54 said
12:59 PM Oct 8, 2011
I've done similar in Qld Vic. The Brisbane to Cairns trip by rail. I was lucky that I didn't have to do the hire car thing or accomodation, as friends picked me up and I stayed with them.
I always paid the bit extra to have a sleeper as it's about 30+ hours. I'm not sure how much it costs now, as I haven't done it for a few years, but it was pretty cheap. I chose the triple share..same gender.. with the bathroom at the end of the carriage. You can also get a twin share, which, I think has an ensuite. Costs more again, of course.
The last time I went, I took the Tilt Train which sounds a bit like your Prospector Train. It was comfy, and a little quicker, but I prefered having an actual bed. But when I was ready to return, my booking was cancelled because the railway lines were flooded. So had to fly home.
I enjoyed the sleeper journey the first couple of times..a novelty..but much rather drive these days.
milo said
01:55 PM Oct 8, 2011
which is the one you can take your car acrross to perth? i wouldnt mind doing that one day, just me and talk my little mazda 2 have a couple weeks in perth, i have relies over there, and then take my time across the nullabour.. and just stay in caravan parks or the odd motel if needed.. i might think about that for next year..
Vic said
02:21 PM Oct 8, 2011
That would be the Indian Pacific Milo, see this link, I reckon your Dad would enjoy that too! See this link;
Yes Beth, I would rather drive too, and I hate plane travel, too many hassles, cancellations etc........
-- Edited by Vic on Saturday 8th of October 2011 02:26:20 PM
Beth54 said
02:22 PM Oct 8, 2011
I have rellies in Perth too. Love to get there some day.
Gerty Dancer said
05:29 PM Oct 8, 2011
I think you get the freebie train tickets in all states, but only for travel in your own state. Bit of a problem with Canberra! NSW came to our rescue though.
Good idea Vic, will have a look at nice destinations on NSW railway lines now.
Vic said
06:54 PM Oct 8, 2011
It's a great State Beth, but like anywhere in Oz try to pick the right time of the year (not that this always works, lol) for whatever part your going to stay in.
Worth a change now and then Gerty, I did the Perth/Sydney train trip many times in my Army days, but then they discovered it was cheaper to fly you over and didn't take as long, so now they do that for anyone going home on leave or on postings etc.
The train trip Perth to Bunbury a couple of years ago was good too, I had forgotten about that, we met up with Delta18's there and had a nice day out etc.
Last year we also went on Gulflander when we went to Normaton/Karumba and absolutely loved it.
I forgot to mention earlier that when in Kalgoorlie we visited the Royal Flying Doctor base at the airport, was very interesting and well worth a visit (includes the planes in the hangar etc), but the Broken Hill one we did last year was much better.
-- Edited by Vic on Saturday 8th of October 2011 06:57:52 PM
Beth54 said
08:11 PM Oct 8, 2011
I'm going on the Mary Valley Rattler, out of Gympie Q, on Wednesday week. My girlfriend from the Tablelands is coming to visit, so I'm taking her up to my sister's at Cooloola Cove. I've been hearing about it for years, but never been. Should be fun.
Sounds good Beth, love the name of the train! My cousin live in Lower Wonga (Gympie).
Years ago there was a lot of talk about a predatory female whom these days would be called a "cougar" who loved young men, she was called "Grandma from Gympie".
pauline said
09:32 PM Oct 8, 2011
Beth you are always going somewhere doing something, great to see, keep up the good work.
Cheers
villatranquilla said
11:29 PM Oct 8, 2011
Hi Vic - glad you enjoyed the trip . We love train travel but it is expensive without some type of discount.
Vic said
11:44 PM Oct 8, 2011
Hi Jenny and Barry,
Your time will come (hope all is well with you both) when you reach the "golden" age and retire. Just hang in there !!
Beth54 said
01:37 PM Oct 9, 2011
pauline wrote:
Beth you are always going somewhere doing something, great to see, keep up the good work.
Cheers
Thanks Pauline, I try. I'm really itching to take the caravan out, but still waiting for a couple of jobs to be done. Patience is a virtue, they say.
And Vic, that's funny. maybe I should take over the job!
-- Edited by Beth54 on Sunday 9th of October 2011 01:38:34 PM
pauline said
01:39 PM Oct 9, 2011
So they say but I think patience is bl-----dy hard.
Vic said
02:20 PM Oct 9, 2011
Beth54 wrote:
And Vic, that's funny. maybe I should take over the job!
That was one of the stories told around happy hour when I was in the Army in PNG.
We had a lot of Queenslanders with us including from around that area, and they would talk about how "Granny" would try to pick them up at a pub in Gympie (probably succeeded to after they had a few drinks and she looked more beautiful and younger, lol !)
I did meet a similar "cougar" once they called the "Black Widow", not to sure why, but that was in Liverpool in Sydney.......so being a "cougar" is not a modern thing !!
Beth54 said
02:24 PM Oct 9, 2011
There's a real 'black widow' doing time somewhere, not sure if USA or here. You might have had a lucky escape!
Vic said
02:54 PM Oct 9, 2011
Beth54 wrote:
There's a real 'black widow' doing time somewhere, not sure if USA or here. You might have had a lucky escape!
I was thinking about it and I think the reason she was called the Black Widow was because she was a widow and wore black all the time. She had a daughter too that used to join her in her escapades........Don't think she was interested in murder though, far from it! lol
colsa said
05:39 PM Oct 9, 2011
Hi Vic, thanks for that info on the train trip, i have one question does the arm rest in the middle go up? Cheers Colsa.
Vic said
06:37 PM Oct 9, 2011
No Colsa, they are fixed, however the twin seats swivel to face in the opposite direction if travellers (eg; family of 4) want to face each other.
As the trip is a day trip (7 hours) there is no real need for sleepers. The seats recline and have head rests, also plenty of leg room so very comfortable for nodding off. I noticed some people had their own pillows, but you don't really need them.
The also have special areas for anchoring wheel chairs for anyone in them, and a disabled toilet. The Prospector only does the Perth/Kalgoorlie return run, the Indian Pacific that goes from Perth to the East Coast has sleepers etc.
I found the Prospector to be more comfortable than any aircraft I've flown in and heaps more leg room, the trip seems to go by in no time. When they aren't showing movies the ceiling mounted TV screens show the forward trip of the train, they must have camera's mounted on front of the train, so you can see what is going on at the front as well as through the side windows.
milo said
03:36 PM Oct 15, 2011
how long is the trip on the Indian Pacific that goes from Perth to the East Coast ?
Vic said
03:51 PM Oct 15, 2011
All the information is on that link I gave you earlier Milo, see;
We just returned from a few days in Kalgoorlie travelling there and back by the Prospector train, free annual travel for Centrelink card holders.
This train is a real treat, comforable reclining chairs, tons of leg room and overhead storage, aircon, in house music and movies (including Red Dog) with headsets supplied, and 240V plug in points for laptops etc. A licensed buffet car (kiosk) also for drinks of all kinds and food etc. Disabled toilet on board too. See this link;
http://www.transwa.wa.gov.au/Services/Prospector/tabid/39/language/en-AU/Default.aspx
This is a very pleasant 7 hour trip from one end to the other, including some stops to drop off or pick up passengers along the way at some country towns. At Merriden, the train swaps over crews.
At Kalgoorlie we hired a Thrifty Kia Cerato to do some touring around to such places as the mining museum, open pit, etc, etc. Unfortunately we did not have time to do the"brothel tour" and my other half would not let me out on my own after dark to investigate on my own (for my own safety of course.....). RAC/NRMA etc discount for members of those organisations at Thrifty.
We stayed at the Gt Western Holiday Inn (discount for seniors) and our room was very pleasant and comfortable, serviced daily, contintental breakfast included. Meals in room or in the restaurant for those who want them.
The weather was beautiful, not too hot, not to cold, but on the last day (we had returned to our accomodation and finished touring) we had heavy afternoon showers, but being inside didn't affect us. The CMCA has their National Rally starting at Centenary Park on Saturday and already there were heaps of motorhhomes in town and parked outside the Park in the free camping area which is on gravel. Looked like they were not going to be allowed to park on the oval (park) until the start date. Must have been pretty muddy there in the free camping area on the day it rained.
All in all a very pleasant and enjoyable trip.
-- Edited by Vic on Saturday 8th of October 2011 12:37:22 PM
By the time you add the cost of accomodation and car hire though it is not what I would call cheap compared to taking an RV of some sort, but still enjoyable and not having to drive to and from the destination was nice, also the accomodation.
I've done similar in Qld Vic. The Brisbane to Cairns trip by rail. I was lucky that I didn't have to do the hire car thing or accomodation, as friends picked me up and I stayed with them.
I always paid the bit extra to have a sleeper as it's about 30+ hours. I'm not sure how much it costs now, as I haven't done it for a few years, but it was pretty cheap. I chose the triple share..same gender.. with the bathroom at the end of the carriage. You can also get a twin share, which, I think has an ensuite. Costs more again, of course.
The last time I went, I took the Tilt Train which sounds a bit like your Prospector Train. It was comfy, and a little quicker, but I prefered having an actual bed. But when I was ready to return, my booking was cancelled because the railway lines were flooded. So had to fly home.
I enjoyed the sleeper journey the first couple of times..a novelty..but much rather drive these days.
and just stay in caravan parks or the odd motel if needed.. i might think about that for next year..
That would be the Indian Pacific Milo, see this link, I reckon your Dad would enjoy that too! See this link;
http://www.greatsouthernrail.com.au/site/indian_pacific.jsp
Yes Beth, I would rather drive too, and I hate plane travel, too many hassles, cancellations etc........
-- Edited by Vic on Saturday 8th of October 2011 02:26:20 PM
I have rellies in Perth too. Love to get there some day.
Good idea Vic, will have a look at nice destinations on NSW railway lines now.
It's a great State Beth, but like anywhere in Oz try to pick the right time of the year (not that this always works, lol) for whatever part your going to stay in.
Worth a change now and then Gerty, I did the Perth/Sydney train trip many times in my Army days, but then they discovered it was cheaper to fly you over and didn't take as long, so now they do that for anyone going home on leave or on postings etc.
The train trip Perth to Bunbury a couple of years ago was good too, I had forgotten about that, we met up with Delta18's there and had a nice day out etc.
Last year we also went on Gulflander when we went to Normaton/Karumba and absolutely loved it.
I forgot to mention earlier that when in Kalgoorlie we visited the Royal Flying Doctor base at the airport, was very interesting and well worth a visit (includes the planes in the hangar etc), but the Broken Hill one we did last year was much better.
-- Edited by Vic on Saturday 8th of October 2011 06:57:52 PM
I'm going on the Mary Valley Rattler, out of Gympie Q, on Wednesday week. My girlfriend from the Tablelands is coming to visit, so I'm taking her up to my sister's at Cooloola Cove. I've been hearing about it for years, but never been. Should be fun.
www.valleyrattler.com
Sounds good Beth, love the name of the train! My cousin live in Lower Wonga (Gympie).
Years ago there was a lot of talk about a predatory female whom these days would be called a "cougar" who loved young men, she was called "Grandma from Gympie".
Cheers
Your time will come (hope all is well with you both) when you reach the "golden" age and retire. Just hang in there !!
And Vic, that's funny. maybe I should take over the job!
-- Edited by Beth54 on Sunday 9th of October 2011 01:38:34 PM
That was one of the stories told around happy hour when I was in the Army in PNG.
We had a lot of Queenslanders with us including from around that area, and they would talk about how "Granny" would try to pick them up at a pub in Gympie (probably succeeded to after they had a few drinks and she looked more beautiful and younger, lol !)
I did meet a similar "cougar" once they called the "Black Widow", not to sure why, but that was in Liverpool in Sydney.......so being a "cougar" is not a modern thing !!
There's a real 'black widow' doing time somewhere, not sure if USA or here. You might have had a lucky escape!
I was thinking about it and I think the reason she was called the Black Widow was because she was a widow and wore black all the time. She had a daughter too that used to join her in her escapades........Don't think she was interested in murder though, far from it! lol
Hi Vic, thanks for that info on the train trip, i have one question does the arm rest in the middle go up? Cheers Colsa.
No Colsa, they are fixed, however the twin seats swivel to face in the opposite direction if travellers (eg; family of 4) want to face each other.
As the trip is a day trip (7 hours) there is no real need for sleepers. The seats recline and have head rests, also plenty of leg room so very comfortable for nodding off. I noticed some people had their own pillows, but you don't really need them.
The also have special areas for anchoring wheel chairs for anyone in them, and a disabled toilet. The Prospector only does the Perth/Kalgoorlie return run, the Indian Pacific that goes from Perth to the East Coast has sleepers etc.
I found the Prospector to be more comfortable than any aircraft I've flown in and heaps more leg room, the trip seems to go by in no time. When they aren't showing movies the ceiling mounted TV screens show the forward trip of the train, they must have camera's mounted on front of the train, so you can see what is going on at the front as well as through the side windows.
All the information is on that link I gave you earlier Milo, see;
http://www.greatsouthernrail.com.au/site/indian_pacific.jsp
Scroll down to the bottom of that link for how long etc.
-- Edited by Vic on Saturday 15th of October 2011 03:51:49 PM