Regional Destinations - like we ain’t heading OS

[JohnM]

Well, Partner JohnM and I are off on Friday-Tuesday to Lake Ballard to view the sculptures (Antony Gormley’s “Inside Australia” - Lake Ballard), with Friday night at my son's sandalwood harvesting operation about 70 km SW of the art location, then on to Kalgoorlie for two nights before looping back via Wave Rock (Experience Wave Rock and Hippos Yawn) at Hyden (Hyden Street Scape Art) and the Tin Horse Highway (Tin Horse Highway) to Kulin for the night before the run home.



No Eastern Staters allowed.

(PS @VPS: we may one day let you in... )

 

[VPS]

Well, Partner JohnM and I are off on Friday-Tuesday to Lake Ballard to view the sculptures (Antony Gormley’s “Inside Australia” - Lake Ballard), with Friday night at my son's sandalwood harvesting operation about 70 km SW of the art location, then on to Kalgoorlie for two nights before looping back via Wave Rock (Experience Wave Rock and Hippos Yawn) at Hyden (Hyden Street Scape Art) and the Tin Horse Highway (Tin Horse Highway) to Kulin for the night before the run home.

View attachment 221776

No Eastern Staters allowed.

(PS @VPS: we may one day let you in... )

Oh stop it - I think I'm almost resigned to not being able to come so looking at Coober Pedy and Flinders now (but if they change their mind then I'll do both)

 

[StevoQFtraveller]

Supposed to be in Verona for my 60th in a couple of months time. That aint going to happen! So will have to look closer to home. I'm in WA, and so am obviously locked into our cosy prison. I've seen most corners of our great state, but am wondering about Cocos Island....anyone can recommend it? I see that there are still flights going there - with VA, so that may not last long, pending their future business strategy. So I wouldn't want to be booking yet, to be on the safe side.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Update on our trip to Ballarat last week to stay at CRAIGS ROYAL HOTEL - this hotel experience was just SUPERB - just a beautiful historic hotel - we booked 2 nt accom / meal package - meals were actually excellent and an excellent affordable wine list. There is a bott wine to value $50 in each accom / meal package and they are more than accommodating in allowing that $50 value to be a credit against any wine on wine list - I thoroughly recommend these packages.

Dinner MENU


Breakfast MENU - Croque Madame SUPERB

 

[JohnM]

Supposed to be in Verona for my 60th in a couple of months time. That aint going to happen! So will have to look closer to home. I'm in WA, and so am obviously locked into our cosy prison. I've seen most corners of our great state, but am wondering about Cocos Island....anyone can recommend it? I see that there are still flights going there - with VA, so that may not last long, pending their future business strategy. So I wouldn't want to be booking yet, to be on the safe side.

A friend of mine - keen surfer - goes there a lot. Loves it.

 

[jb747]

Currently, in NSW to have a look at a couple of silos. But, it would appear that NSW have decided that all Victorians are no longer welcome, so I guess that trip will be curtailed.

Be interesting to see how they handle (if at all) the fact that Wodonga and Albury have an integrated medical system. For example, there is no cancer treatment in Wodonga, it’s all in NSW. Presumably they’ve decided that any such illness is no longer allowed.

 

[Tamerton]

We’re off to Hervey Bay at the end of the month to check out the whales and some nice warm weather, it’s been about 10 degrees all of last week here (Orange). Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

[EestiTiger]

Brisbane based and last Tuesday I caught the first Westlander train service since it started back up. BNE - Charleville 17hrs only a few passengers on the train. It was heaps of fun. There was a sale on so the ticket only cost $50. I was meant to be on a train to Butumi this week which sort of inspired me to check out the QLD Rail Network.
Charleville was also great. I popped out one night to the Cosmos centre and thoroughly enjoyed it. The passion of the resident astronomer really enhanced the experience.
I stayed in this awesome old school pub that was ENORMOUS with a great upstairs veranda off the rooms. I was actually working so it was a great spot to work and to watch the sunset each day.
On the Friday I flew home via Roma on QF for my first Covid-era flight.
I am almost embarrassed to say I have lived in BNE for 20 years and this was the first time I had been West of Warwick. Beautiful country and recommend it to all.

 

[Mattg]

Brisbane based and last Tuesday I caught the first Westlander train service since it started back up. BNE - Charleville 17hrs only a few passengers on the train. It was heaps of fun. There was a sale on so the ticket only cost $50. I was meant to be on a train to Butumi this week which sort of inspired me to check out the QLD Rail Network.

Interesting - I didn't even know this train existed!

Sounds fun... what was the seat & service like on board the train? It looks like it runs overnight - did you manage to get much sleep?

 

[EestiTiger]

Interesting - I didn't even know this train existed!

Sounds fun... what was the seat & service like on board the train? It looks like it runs overnight - did you manage to get much sleep?

Yeah I was the same! Here I was looking forward to these train trips in Europe and then with COVID, travel restrictions etc - I thought I would take a look at what I could find out of BNE.

Clicked around in here - Queensland Rail Travel Home

The Westlander that I went on has had its services cut over the years so it doesn't have a sleeper. The seats were large and with social distancing I don't think you would have someone next to you in any case. The seats recline, there was a shower in the front of each of the two passenger cars and a basic dining car. It was basic but it was a nice area. I was happy in the morning to just sit and watch the countryside go past.

Service was excellent - there were more staff than passengers on the first hop up to Toowoomba. I didn't research too much and was surprised to get food. It isn't much (sandwich, fruit, cake, juice and cereal for breakfast) but it was fine. Bar options were limited but they had beer and wine so again - I was fine.

I had a train spotter, if that is the right word, on the train and he filled me in on everything! The train to Longreach sounds great. Multiple cars with restaurants, bars and if you go 1st class you get a private cabin with a seat and a bed. I am planning a trip to Longreach later this year and I am thinking one leg might be via train now. He also recommended some 2 for 1 deals they have at the end of the year. Only problem is it is pretty hot by then.

From what I understand the Westlander train is rarely busy. That is just what I was told though.

As for sleep - I managed to get a solid 5 hours uninterrupted from Toowoomba to Roma. I don't think the train stopped once in that period. If it did - I didn't wake up.

 

[Mattg]

Thanks for that @EestiTiger!

The trip sounds really good, and I'm considering doing it. I'm just a bit hesitant about the idea of travelling overnight in a reclining seat - something I avoid doing on planes. Were you able to lie down across a few seats overnight to sleep? Or did the seat recline far enough that you could sleep OK?

 

[EestiTiger]

Thanks for that @EestiTiger!

The trip sounds really good, and I'm considering doing it. I'm just a bit hesitant about the idea of travelling overnight in a reclining seat - something I avoid doing on planes. Were you able to lie down across a few seats overnight to sleep? Or did the seat recline far enough that you could sleep OK?

The seats are quite wide but you are not going to be able to lie across them as there aren't enough of them. I'll dig out a picture.

The seats reclined enough for me to snuggle into the wall. It wasn't exactly too comfortable but after years of conditioning - I can sleep nearly anywhere. If you took bedding it would be a lot better but I travel very light and didn't want to drag a pillow around at the end. Maybe consider the train to Longreach or Cairns that have sleepers?

 

[BCons]

If you happen to be near Condobolin, NSW they have an interesting outdoor art exhibition called “Utes in the Paddock”. It’s basically a bunch of old utes decorated in different ways by local artists.

I was there earlier this week and took a few photos...

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looks like a rip of Cadillac Ranch, an installation outside Amarillo Tx, consisting of a dozen 60’s Caddies with tail fins, all planted nose first in a line at the same angle. It’s been trashed since originally set up in 70’s but here you go : Cadillac Ranch

 

[BCons]

Meanwhile here in Tas today : new restrictions for anyone from Vic - you’ll be sent back unless you’re essential/on compassionate grounds. That’s a really good idea actually - we shud make it permanent for all arrivals on a permanent basis - if you want to come down here then prove you’re worth it haha.

Absent any chance of travelling interstate (Hamilton Isl cancld, VA travel bank credited), we instead look at touring the state. Pumphouse Point at Lake St Cllair was first, lovely place, staff and food, gorgeous outlook over the lake. Gather it’s now booked out past Aug and all with Tas residents..

Next, end July, a lap of the island - Queenstown that fantastic open air mining museum, then a few days on the N coast and finally Bicheno before back to Hobart. It a beautiful place..

 

[JohnM]

looks like a rip of Cadillac Ranch, an installation outside Amarillo Tx, consisting of a dozen 60’s Caddies with tail fins, all planted nose first in a line at the same angle. It’s been trashed since originally set up in 70’s but here you go : Cadillac Ranch

And here you go, too:

 

[SuePa]

we may one day let you in

I have my fingers crossed you'll be reopened by October! I have plans for a visit to the south west.

 

[VPS]

Next destination will be Penola to cruise the Coonawarra strip by bike - but that will need to wait til border and cellar doors open up.

22yrs since we have visited Coonawarra - again advice on Accom in Penola reqd. Any intel on Merlot Verdelho? Any better in town?

I know it's going to be a while before you can get to SA and to Penola but here they are comparing Paris to Penola. I've been to both and I don't think Penola really does outshine Paris

Good Country: Paris or Penola? – The Adelaide Review

www.adelaidereview.com.au

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I cannot tell you how much I want to get back to both Penola and Paris - in fact right now in MEL I would settle on a sojourn to a neighbouring post code!

 

[BjJames]

Yeah I was the same! Here I was looking forward to these train trips in Europe and then with COVID, travel restrictions etc - I thought I would take a look at what I could find out of BNE.

Clicked around in here - Queensland Rail Travel Home

The Westlander that I went on has had its services cut over the years so it doesn't have a sleeper. The seats were large and with social distancing I don't think you would have someone next to you in any case. The seats recline, there was a shower in the front of each of the two passenger cars and a basic dining car. It was basic but it was a nice area. I was happy in the morning to just sit and watch the countryside go past.

Service was excellent - there were more staff than passengers on the first hop up to Toowoomba. I didn't research too much and was surprised to get food. It isn't much (sandwich, fruit, cake, juice and cereal for breakfast) but it was fine. Bar options were limited but they had beer and wine so again - I was fine.

I had a train spotter, if that is the right word, on the train and he filled me in on everything! The train to Longreach sounds great. Multiple cars with restaurants, bars and if you go 1st class you get a private cabin with a seat and a bed. I am planning a trip to Longreach later this year and I am thinking one leg might be via train now. He also recommended some 2 for 1 deals they have at the end of the year. Only problem is it is pretty hot by then.

From what I understand the Westlander train is rarely busy. That is just what I was told though.

As for sleep - I managed to get a solid 5 hours uninterrupted from Toowoomba to Roma. I don't think the train stopped once in that period. If it did - I didn't wake up.

Post automatically merged: Aug 10, 2020

Interested to read .... I travelled in a sleeping compartment (for one person) on the "Westlander" from Charleville to Brisbane in 1962. yes: nineteen sixty-two !

 

[Melburnian1]

Post automatically merged: Aug 10, 2020

Interested to read .... I travelled in a sleeping compartment (for one person) on the "Westlander" from Charleville to Brisbane in 1962. yes: nineteen sixty-two !

More recently, within the last 15 years, I too went on 'The Westlander' in a sleeper. Regrettably they're now only on 'Spirit of the Outback' to Longreach twice a week, while the Cairns 'Tilt Train' has second-best 'rail beds': business class airline seats arranged two plus one that are inferior to a railway sleeping berth.

I do not recommend the economy seats on the Cairns 'Tilt Train': poorly designed. 'The Inlander' to Mt Isa only has sitting cars.

Mattg, each to their own but (especially if one has two seats), sleeping on a train is far easier than in whY on an aircraft. You may feel tired at say 1000 next morning but after an hour of briefly closing one's eyes, you should be fine. Depending on the carriage design, especially if it's got a ledge, having a coat to provide somewhere to lay one's head is helpful. I never take pillows of any sort as they just take up room in a backpack, but a coat has multiple uses (admittedly not on a 40 degree outback Qld day).