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 What
will
you find
along the way? |
| About
the train |
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he early explorers may have failed in their
attempt to find a vast inland sea. But they succeeded
in opening the interior up to farming on a grand scale.
Towns were established in the middle of nowhere. And
the
railway helped them to |
prosper... Today these towns represent a link with the
past. In each district there is so much to discover. From
the Aboriginal
rock art galleries hidden in magnificent sandstone gorges
to the songs and poetry of the bush pioneers, a rich legacy
remains.
This is the land of Aboriginal myths and Australian folklore.
It is the place where the bush ranges, swaggies, drovers,
shearers and pioneers created the legends which remain part
of our history... passenger trains now take you to these
towns, exploring the past and present provides the opportunity
for you to enjoy unique Queensland holidays.
 The
spirit of those who came before us lives on in Western
Queensland,
where the welcome is genuine and friendly, and myths and
realities merge. Themed to the country through which
is passes... the
Spirit of the Outback reflects the colours, moods
and history of Central Western Queensland, following a long
tradition of passenger train travel to the west.... Mail
trains ran to Longreach after the completion of the line
in 1892,
with
air-conditioned
passenger trains beginning services to the west in 1953.
Standards of luxury have improved over the years. The passenger
train you board today has been designed around your needs.
You
can
have a hot shower before retiring to your sleeping quarters.
And through the day you can marvel at some of the State's
harshest landscapes as you enjoy train travel in in
air-conditioned comfort.
Your Queensland holiday on The Spirit of the Outback
starts from Queensland's capital city, Brisbane, and follows
the
eastern
seaboard
north to Rockhampton
in Central Queensland. Heading inland, your train travels
through the coalfields and gem fields of the Central Highlands
and
climbs the spectacular Drummond Range before reaching your
destination in the outback.
Looking out your window, it's easy to see why Australia is called
the driest continent on earth. There is water in this part of
the world. But you have to know where to look. The creeks and
rivers are few and far between. And they only flow at certain
times of the year. The best place to look for water is underground
- a long way under the ground where millions of litres of fresh
water fill enormous artesian lakes. Unfortunately these vast
reserves of water weren't discovered until many years after
the outback had been settled.
You can image how dry it must have been for the first explorers.
Fortunately conditions are more civilised board the Spirit
of the Outback. You can relax with a drink in the Stockman's
Bar. And a couple of carriages down you can get a snack and
a drink in Captain Starlight's Lounge. |
