Another early start today, to be checked out and left the hotel by 7.30am for our transfer to Cairns Central Railway Station. Breakfast was a meal that we had on our own – the scrambled eggs that were there at 6.30am no doubt would still be there for the customers arriving at 8! Not many people eat this early on holiday out of choice.
It took around half an hour to get to the station – plenty of time for our 09.15am departure of the Sunlander Train from Cairns to Brisbane. We checked in main bags into the baggage car – having to unpack 3kg out of one of them, as they can “only lift a maximum of 20kg due to health and safety”. We had a bag of wet clothes from yesterday that hadn’t dried out from the white water rafting that didn’t help! They did give us an extra bag though – might come in handy at some point.
We are travelling Queenslander Class – and met out Maitre d’ Alistair on the platform, who directed us to our cabin. We have a two berth cabin, that is seating during the day, and converts to bunk beds at night. Wonder who will be getting the top bunk? It is a very long train, but only two carriages of Queenslander Class, some normal sleeper carriages, and some seated carriages. We have a washbasin concealed in the wall, two very slim wardrobes and room for the bags under the seat. There is a shower and toilet at the end of the carriage – no hairdryer though. Might have to rough it on here! But, we also have complimentary robes to take away with us and a bag of toiletries. Didn’t really need to bring anything with us at all.
We pull out of the station at 9.15am exactly – well we aren’t on British Rail are we! No sooner have we pulled out, then Alistair invites us to the Lounge car for our welcome drink. Looks like there is about fourteen of us altogether. We are served orange juice, and then invited to go to the dining car for morning scones and coffee. Can see I might be waddling off this train! The scones were straight from the oven – and served with jam and cream. Paul reckons the best scones he has ever tasted – I will have to get the recipe.
The Sunlander travels between Cairns and Brisbane and vice versa twice a week. You can get on or off at any of the stops inbetween – Townsville, Airlie Beach, Mackay, Yeppon, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg or Maryborough being the main ones, but loads of other little stops as well. The distance travelled is 1600 kilometres over 30 odd hours, so it isn’t a fast train. It is regarded as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world, being constantly voted in the top 25. It commenced in 1953 – the year of the Queen’s coronation, so quite apt that we should be taking it in 2012 just as she has commemorated her diamond jubilee. The Queenslander Class was added ten years ago, for customers that appreciate those “extra comforts” – like me. One of the hallmarks of this service is the fine dining, with food freshly prepared onboard. There is also commentary when we pass something significant. It is quite an old train, so none of the new fangled gizmos like wifi. They are, apparently, due for a new train in 2014 which will bring it up to date.
As we travel southwards from Cairns, we pass through sugar cane fields, banana tree fields, and seem to be travelling besides the main road –the A1 or Bruce Highway. The cars are overtaking us though! We pass peoples back gardens – it seems banana trees are in back gardens, like apple trees are in our back gardens. The mountains are always in the background, and surprisingly there is no sign of the coast at all.
Lunch is served at 1pm. We had a seafood platter – and wow, what a platter it was. If I had had my camera with me, I would have taken a picture. Eight of the biggest prawns I have ever seen, a whole bug (and for those, like me, that did not know what bugs were, it is a lobster type thing) crab, oysters, fresh fruit and salad. Rather a messy affair – but bowls of water on the table helped. And then apple and rhubard crumble and macadamia ice cream for pudding. I had to leave some!
The afternoon was spent leisurely travelling through the countryside. Paul chatted in the lounge car – I read my kindle now I have some decent books. We are the youngest in this section by some way. One couple have actually brought their car with them. You can drive it on, and then drive it off at the other end!
Dinner was at 7.00pm – and again was lovely. It isn’t the same as the Orient Express, but it still is really good. Whilst we were at dinner, the bunks were made up – and I was right. It was me up the ladder!
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