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    Gulflander     The Savannahlander  
   
   

The Savannahlander  
  Cairns to Forsayth
2 days, 1 night
 
 
H eralded as one of Australia's last true frontier adventures, the Savannahlander takes it's passengers on a fascinating safari into the remote heart of Queensland's Gulf Savannah.

This 1960 rail motor departs from Cairns Station once a week and travels through a region of tropical North Queensland known as the Savannah country... making frequent stops for visitors to get a closer look at Bower Birds' nest or perhaps to feed the local rock wallabies. One stop never missed is a nice hot cup of billy tea with cakes and scones next to the railway line... smack-bang in the middle of nowhere!

The train journeys to Mt Surprise, a gem-fossicking town on the outskirts of the massive Undara Lava tubes; the world's largest and most accessible underground lava tube system. From here the rail journey continues on to Forsayth...enjoying the experience of seeing the local Hotel owner feeding approximately 400 black cockatoos on sunset each day.

Affectionately known as "the silver bullet", with a top speed of 50 km/h, the Savannahlander rattles through the brown grass and termite nests of the eastern Gulf country from Cairns to Forsayth... a real old fashioned rail experience that rocks and rolls for 35 hours and 423 km into the outback.

Other attractions on the region's visitor's "must do list" is the therapeutic Tullaroo Hot Springs plus one of the geographical wonders of the world - The Undara Lava Tubes. Go underground to find the massive tube caves that originated millions of years ago from a once active volcano.

To read what other travellers had to say about his trip on The Savannahlander, see
A Journey Back to the Past

  • Another famous railway which recently celebrated its centenary is the Kuranda Scenic Railway - a picture postcard image... which has defined the region for many years
  • Travelling between the pioneering towns of Normanton and Croydon the Gulflander, constructed between 1888 and 1891, is more like an adventure than a train ride.
Departures

Valid from March 2005 - 17 December 2005
Departs
Arrives
Cairns Wednesday 6:30am...
overnight at Almaden
Thursday 5:45pm, overnight at Forsayth
Forsayth - Friday 8:45am...
overnight at Mt Surprise
Cairns - Saturday 6:40pm

Schedules

Cairns to Forsayth
Forsayth to Cairns
Wednesday   Friday
Cairns dep 6:30am   Forsayth dep 8:45am
Kuranda* dep 8:05am   Mount Surprise arr 1:45pm
Almaden arr 1:00pm   Saturday dep 8:15am
Thursday dep 8:00am   Almaden arr 11:45am
Mount Surprise arr 11:30am     dep 12:10pm
  dep 12:15pm   Kuranda dep 5:02pm
Forsayth arr 5:45pm   Cairns arr 6:40pm
* only stops for pre booked passengers
Fares

Fares: are per person in Australian dollars
Valid: 1 April 2007 - 31 March 2008
Cairns - Forsayth or v.v. Adult Child
Single fare one way*
$190
$135
Return*
$320
* Fares do not include overnight hotel / pub accommodation at Almanden, Forsayth or Mt Surprise

 

 


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