Robert has led groups of like-minded enthusiasts on tours to places as diverse as South America, Pakistan and South Africa and more recently has been the celebrated tour leader on many Railway Adventure tours through Outback Queensland, Sri Lanka and India. Its romantic, relaxing and about as much fun as you can have!. 0000048154 00000 n
Now, thanks to the tireless work of the DownsSteam volunteers that heritage is being honoured. Downs Explorer operates steam train tours from Warwick to Wallangarra, Toowoomba, Goondiwindi and Inglewood at select times during the year - see the website for details. Keep an eye on your inbox for news and tour launches. Since then, she has worked in and around 18 other countries in the travel arena and had a lot of fun, free- travelling around the others. Liane manages all Marketing and Communications within the Railway Adventures team. There is a standard gauge connection to Sydney but this is just 100 or so miles long between the capital, Brisbane and the southern border. At the Railway Adventures office, she works in operations but has experience in customer service and sales, having previously worked for other businesses in travel. Since then, Railway Adventures has mounted more than 50 tours from Sweden to Sri Lanka, Tasmania to Transylvania, Britain to Burma and Venice to Vietnam, thrilling over 1,000 travellers. Cue delicious local food and wine, show rides and live music from some of the countrys top performers. While working predominantly in the aviation industry for over 25 years he has also worked in varying capacities in the rail industry, including as rail booking officer for the NSW Department of Tourism and as a relief station attendant based in Northern NSW. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Chris followed with interest his friend Scott McGregors Railway Adventures, and made an offer to put together a Swiss Rail tour for Scott little realising that it would lead to him to becoming a guide for the company something that he has enjoyed doing ever since. Loco 106 is also the last surviving loco to be built at the historic Toowoomba Foundry. Phil has spent most of his life in travel related work and pleasure. BOB DANIEL has been fascinated with trains all his life, his father having engineered the construction of many of the famous Australian trains during the 1950s and 60s, including the Southern Aurora and The Sunlander. 0000091371 00000 n
Prior to this he was invited to project manage the rebuilding and reopening of the ABT Railway in Tasmania. 0000004880 00000 n
We have put together a list of the most frequently asked questions from our users such as: What is the cheapest mode of transport?, What is the quickest option?, How much do tickets usually cost? There is widespread community transmission globally.Some travel restrictions are being lifted in Australia. There you find some of Australias most eccentric and appealing trains and together with a mail-plane flight over the Gulf and some interesting local coach and boat trips you have the essence of a quintessential Aussie outback adventure. SCOTT MCGREGOR has been involved in the media for over 30 years as an actor, presenter, writer and producer,but sharing his love of travel, and particularly railway travel, is where his passion now lies. Trains that take you there Journey west to the Great Dividing Range. Heritage Train Tour Leaders Q & As with Barbara and Duncan Wass, Forgotten Railways - Queensland Rails Cooktown to Laura Branch, NSW very own World Heritage site - Lake Mungo National Park, Railway Adventures Heritage Train Tour Leaders Q & As with Hayley Anderson, Railway Adventures Heritage Train Tour Leaders Q & As with Robert Kingsford-Smith, Railway Adventures Heritage Train Tour Leaders Q & As with Chris Harding, Travel in Style with Railway Adventures on the THE BLUE ZEPHYR A classic Australian Heritage Train. Tickets cost $26-$40 and the journey takes 3h 50m. Our Vietnam tour makes use of private carriages attached to regular trains to explore that great country in comfort and in South Africa we use a variety of trains including the luxurious Rovos Rail and the Royal Livingstone steam train to move from one incredible adventure to another. FARES: (including GST) Win a double pass to The Poison of Polygamy at La Boite Theatre, Win a luxury 4-night stay for 2 at Eden Health Retreat, valued at $6,300. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. In 2004 he established the Tweed Rail Society to lobby government to retain and improve services on the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line in northern NSW. He now works with Virgin and continues to explore the Australia and the world. Train traveller, well known TV personality and travel company owner, Scott McGregor, has travelled on some of the worlds most inspiringrailway toursand led the most exclusive group adventures to numerous exotic destinations over the years. Swap the hustle of the city for lush green hills, award-winning wineries, farm stays, glamping and roaring fireplaces in friendly country villages discoverall thisin Southern Queensland Country. FAX: Fax the booking form and credit card details to:- (07) 3252 1767. He has also lived in Canada and spent a few years in South Africa working for the railways there. After more than a decade leading tours he decided to establish Railway Adventures in 2012. Air accident: Tarago, New South Wales: 6: 1992 Jun 19: . Delicious meals, comfortable accommodation, a cast of interesting characters and plenty of intriguing stories complete this compact adventure along the route of an icon of Australias rail history. 0000061098 00000 n
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Nice to know - The trips appeal to passengers of all ages. Chris is a past president of the Australian Railway Historical Society, and often appears on radio and television as the societys media representative. ), and anywhere where you learn something you didnt know!. Is there a direct train between Brisbane and Toowoomba? A once in a lifetime and thoroughly enjoyable opportunity to ride a living, fiery steam engine working from the footplate beyond amazing!!". Without the on-going support of the of the following organizations Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway would not be able to operate. Required fields are marked *. Wooden carriages, A/C carriages and the tilt tains must use the standard level platforms. I have a background as a professional squash player and undertook an accountingand finance degree in the background. Heritage Train Tour Leaders Q & A with Steve Matchett, Heritage Train Tour Leaders Q & A with Graeme Hind, ICONS OF ENGLAND AND WALES - INNOVATION, INSPIRATION, AND INTRIGUE, A Classic South American Tour: Journey from Buenos Aires to Lima, ANZAC Day and North Borneo trip of remembrance at Sandakan Memorial, Heritage Train Tour Leaders Q & A with Bob Daniel. He has explored every State and Territory in Australia and especially enjoys spending time in regional and remote places. 0000023582 00000 n
Pride of Toowoomba A steam locomotive is a captivating and fascinating type of locomotive; it can be described as theatre, with the sounds and sights of hissings steam, movement of wheels and motion gear and the smell of steam oil and burnt coal. "The financial case for the Toowoomba to Gladstone rail are superior to that of Toowoomba to Brisbane." In the view of Mr Abbott and the GPC, an extension to Gladstone would be cheaper to construct than a line from Toowoomba into the dense heart of Brisbane and the value generated over time would exceed that of a Toowoomba to Brisbane link. Travel has been my life and shall continue to be. 2023 DownsSteam Tourist Railway and Museum. Combine this with some incredible steam train journeys, and what do you have? 0000090944 00000 n
The train runs, on average, 2 times per week from Brisbane to Toowoomba. The Spring Bluff Railway Station was built in the 1860s to allow trains a place to stop during the steep climb from Brisbane to Toowoomba. In the meantime please visit our. 0000037353 00000 n
State-wide rail connections leave from Roma Street Station's Transit Centre, which is only one train stop away from South Bank. 1 / 44 Let us show you our regions Stanthorpe Toowoomba Bunya Mountains Goondiwindi Chinchilla Dalby Warwick Kingaroy Gatton The best part about travel is trying to be like a local in a city and experience it from their eyes. 0000034629 00000 n
Cooney Avenue, just off Brisbane Road, is the Racecourse Train Station. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Your payment is verified online.Your payment status showing payment. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Upgrade tickets are available which include discounted entry to The Workshops Rail Museum. A selection of used model trains will be for sale . Proudly powered by, Commissioner Railmotors RM2004 & RM2032. It was named Spring Bluff after the spring water and the sandstone bluff in the area. The 'Downs Explorer' offers you a range of unique heritage rail experiences through some of the most picturesque countryside in Australia. Need to know - Bookings close on Oct 31 and may be made via: MAIL: Forward the attached booking form with a cheque, money order, or credit card details to:- Australian Railway Historical Society Qld Div. 0000056472 00000 n
SDSR volunteers have restored carriages, a rail car, manual rail carts and so much more and have a beautifully presented museum full of amazing memories. 0000090869 00000 n
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Some favorite places to travel? Services depart twice a week, and operate Tuesday and Thursday. He speaks Portuguese and a little German. Andrew Farriss / Footplate Friends Experience. Currently works are being undertaken to improve this stations facilities to include a Ticket office. 0000091446 00000 n
A tour that has something for both partners! 0000012294 00000 n
Over the years he has been involved in a number of rail heritage preservation groups. 0000056441 00000 n
The sleeper train,The Spirit of the Outback,theSavannahlanderand theGulflander(which has been running on the same timetable for more than 125 years!) By train you are completely immersed in culture and adventure, exploring the most scenic corners of the world in the comfort of a luxury train. Peter is a Tour Leader, a Rail Enthusiast, and a Tour Organiser speciali s ing in Railway Journeys in South America. Photographers and film makers are asked to contact (07) 3103 0871 to seek permission prior to using these facilities. Required fields are marked *. . This opened up considerable opportunities for him to travel on numerous rail operations abroad from Asia to Europe, the UK, North America, Canada and parts of South America. Greyhound Australia. All services run direct with no transfers required, and take on average 3h 50m. In 2012 Scott decided to combine three of his passions; travel, trains and presenting, and launched Railway Adventures. 0000056259 00000 n
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We look forward to welcoming you in the country soon. 0000010904 00000 n
Join a coach to travel up the range to the quirky village of Montville to browse the boutiques and galleries and enjoy lunch 400 metres above sea level. "Thank you to all the Mary Valley Rattler team for a truly fantastic footplate experience! Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Kevin spent two years living in Switzerland running his own travel company and has led cultural and adventure tours to over 60 countries since 2000. Initially in heritage railways when he was asked to join a volunteer working party at the Ffestiniog Railway in Wales. Win a small business promotional package worth $5,000 to advertise on Must Do Brisbane! There are more than 150 public parks and gardens in Toowoomba. He switched from Road Design to theatre via Queensland Uni. Eighty-four countries (and many varied careers) later, she still considers travel to be the most exciting and broadening of experiences. DownsSteam is a community based solely volunteer run organisation dedicated to the establishment of a tourist railway for the Darling Downs region. 0000091832 00000 n
After completing an Economics Degree Stephen initially worked within corporate and retail banking areas then moved into the employment, education and training sector where he worked for over 20 years in both metropolitan and regional areas of NSW, and federally in Canberra. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Barbara has been part of the Railway Adventures tour leader team since April 2021 and loves being part of a like-minded group that supports a well-planned and inspirational itinerary, creating lifelong memories with enthusiastic passengers. DownsSteam needs your help! A never-before-seen perspective on Australias amazing wilderness, Join UK author Alexander McCall Smith at Brisbane Powerhouse, Say goodbye to summer in style by sitting on a rooftop drinking rose, Elevate your fitness routine with a diverse range of free classes for all fitness levels, including Pilates, Zumba & Yoga Flow, A green party boat cruise, the annual St Patrick's Day parade and a fantastic Irish concert - three of the top ways to celebrate, From sunset opera by the river, 2-day cocktail expo, and stunning arts and food night market to a secret new laneway bar some top things to do, Get into the Irish spirit this St Patrick's Day weekend with a stunning dance performance that has wowed the world. The Workshops Rail Museum is a valued partner of Must Do Brisbane.com, A classical music concert for curious first-timers & devoted aficionados alike, Dont miss the Grammy Award-winning banjo virtuosos, Rewind to the 80s with Mixtape at Metro Arts, Take a nostalgic Friday night trip back to the 1980's. Daily schedule for the shuttle: Departs Toowoomba station: 9.00am - arrives Spring Bluff: 9.35am Returns Spring Bluff: 11.00am - arrives Toowoomba station: 11.35am Departs Toowoomba station: 1.00pm - arrives Spring Bluff: 1.35pm 0000002276 00000 n
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Brisbane Roma Street and arriving at Toowoomba. Make sure to copy Registration number after successful submission. Only electric trains and SX cars are allowed to use high level platforms. The colonial delights of Maryborough, home to the creator of Mary Poppins and just up the road the seaside town of Hervey Bay is the bookend to this varied adventure. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. The Port of Gladstone is publicly owned, paying an $80m dividend to the state government in 2019-20, plus $70m in taxes. Upgrade tickets are available which include discounted entry to The Workshops Rail Museum. Enjoy a mid-week staycation at BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park between Sunday to Thursday, and kids eat free with any paying adult! He flew internationally with QANTAS Airways for some 20 years. Corner of Fitzroy Street They have restored and re-built the locomotive sheds, workshops, water tower, repairs to the turntable, relaying of railway lines and erecting fencing. All in all, youll experience a grand round trip tailor made to showcase the rich characters stories and great train journeys of Queenslands great South East. He first became involved with tour leading almost a decade ago when he joined enthusiast tours in Portugal and was later asked to assist his predecessor with some of the larger groups. 0000026534 00000 n
He holds an Advanced Diploma (hons) Tourism Management. From 1 August 2022 almost all restrictions have been lifted for travel on our railway. Bell Shakespeare occupied his attention for 6 years to 1999, before he went with his new wife Barbara and taught English in Japan for a couple of years. itinerary Day 1. Being the hub of the fertile Darling Downs region has resulted in a city with extensive manufacturing, education, health, retail and professional services. 0000089706 00000 n
Upon arrival at the heritage listed Grandchester Station, travellers can disembark to watch the locomotive uncoupled from its train and ran around for its return trip, prior to returning to the Museum. (A $105; Conc $100; Child $60; Fam 2A+2C $280)C. Stay in Palmwoods, have lunch at one of the several eateries or hotel and explore the town centre. TELEPHONE: Ring (07) 3252 1759 with credit card details between 10.00am and 3.00pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays only. Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 9am to 3pm ~ Entry donation $5/adults. Choosing either a coastal route or an inland journey, patrons are looked after by the Rainbow Serpent who created the mountains and rivers according to aboriginal lore. Journey west to the Great Dividing Range. Downs Steam is in the process of restoring the only C16-106 QR Class locomotive left in existence. The schedules shown below are for the next available departures. An inland rail line linking Melbourne and Brisbane via Wagga Wagga, Parkes, Moree and Toowoomba has been commissioned by the Australian Government, with $300 million committed to finalise planning, engineering design and environmental assessments. In 2007 he became CEO of Puffing Billy Railway heading up seventy staff and over 1000 volunteers. 0000042834 00000 n
- Sunshine Express. From there its full steam ahead on the North Coast Line, leaving suburbia behind for some of south east Queenslands most beautiful scenery. 0000091757 00000 n
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Commuter train crashed into a stalled chartered steam train. 106 Pride of Toowoomba, a branchline diesel locomotive, railmotor, Stainless Steel Brisbane Suburban and Air-Conditioned Sunlander coaches. 0000089148 00000 n
Back home, they ran a Teahouse and Gallery for ten years before establishing a holiday accommodation management business the Blue Mountains. 0000060704 00000 n
He and his wife live on a property near Kandos where for 12 years they ran a B&B located in the old homestead house, established circa 1845. Welcome to the Sunshine Express Operating rail tours in Queensland since 1957 There are currently no upcoming Tours. Scott McGregors Railway Adventures tour is more than just a holiday, it is a unique way to experience the world. 1079 should work the tour assisted on Saturday by a diesel engine from Helidon to Toowoomba. Springtime Steam Spectacular to the Carnival of Flowers and Beyond 22 30 September 2021 BRISBANE WARWICK TOOWOOMBA DALBY MARYBOROUGH GYMPIE . ALAN COLTMAN is a retired English police officer, having served for 30 years, and considers this a perfect training ground for his current role as a professional tour leader. How far is it from Brisbane to Toowoomba? He regularly travels by rail on local trains throughout South East Asia and many other countries, discovering how the spread of rail routes has led to the development and enhancement of culture and life in rural communities and cities. Mike has a wide range of interests including history, arts and travel. Tour Leader: Mike Condon They travelled extensively there, and have been back a number of times, as well as taking trips to the US, UK, France and Italy, Cambodia and the Phillipines. Kevin also has a passion for football and has researched, designed and led over 20 football fan tours to five World Cups and other major tournaments over the last 18 years. Trains run twice a week between Brisbane and Toowoomba. 0000015597 00000 n
This site was chosen as the original train 'turntable' was still in place. While in South Africa he also turned to wildlife and landscape photography. 0000426255 00000 n
On 19th May 1933, six enthusiasts met in Sydney and formed the Great Railway Circle of Australia. 0000037278 00000 n
Register your interest and as soon as the tour is launched we will be in touch to make your booking. Come along and see the world of model railways where the grass is green and flowers bright and colourful. Fine food excursions to Warwick and Stanthorpe will give our guests the opportunity to sample the best our region has to offer. Hayley has experienced many aspects of the travel industry. He joined the Bank of NSW in 1966, where he progressed through the ranks, including service in London with the International Division. After being shut down for so long due to COVID they are finally able to start operating again. Visit us /museum-of-tropical-queensland Townsville Museum of Tropical Queensland 28 circa 1914. Thank you for your interest in this tour. Special thanks to Peter. 0000062956 00000 n
From there we turn North West and venture across the rich Darling Downs to Dalby soaking up the rural landscapes, historic homes and colonial histories. are all iconic trains that traverse various parts of the wild Outback, Savannah and tropical rainforest landscapes of the vast state of Queensland. The resulting photographs and articles have appeared in numerous Australian and overseas publications. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our. Access Queensland Rail Travel on Instagram, Access Queensland Rail Travel on Facebook, Access Queensland Rail Travel on Trip Advisor. Located on T.L. In the steam locomotive era, all the heavy goods trains from Brisbane had to have an engine at the rear to push them from Murphy's Creek to Toowoomba. 0000020539 00000 n
Not only does he get to expand his own horizons and indulge his love of train travel, he gets to use his extensive hosting experience and love of people to lead other like-minded travellers onescorted train toursaround the world. He also did a number of TV roles for the ABC, as well as some very small parts in a few movies. Having grown up in Florence, Italy and snagging a job with Italian Tourism early in her career, Lissa was hooked on travel from a young age. Other Divisions were subsequently formed in South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, Western Australia and ACT. The early locomotives were small and could only travel comfortably at about 25 km per hour but despite this the railways contributed greatly to the State's development and economy. Take a coach ride to the seaside resort of Mooloolaba for a cooling swim in the ocean or just have lunch and breathe in the salt sea air. C17 is a steam locomotive with eight driving wheels and a 17" cylinder, originally built between 1920 and 1953. Operating completely independently I work with small business owners and accountants organising the accounting side of the business. The first railway between Sydney and Brisbane via the scenic New England route has been closed for decades. All tours feature reserved seating. 0000008007 00000 n
Nice to know - The trips appeal to passengers of all ages. What a great job they are doing there all volunteers and NO Government assistance it is a great tourist attraction. After 30 years in the finance industry Chris turned his attention back to his passion, working with the heritage steam locomotive 3801, and later, managing the Railway Bookshop on Sydneys Central station. ROBERT KINGSFORD SMITH has had a passion for Railways since he was a child, and so began a quest to record on film the worlds disappearing steam locomotives. 120 99
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Hello World Travel / Anne, 2021. After 15 years with USyd, she ventured into the world of specialist small group tour operators, where she has found her niche. Take a leisurely stroll around our gardens. A steam locomotive is a captivating and fascinating type of locomotive; it can be described as theatre, with the sounds and sights of hissings steam, movement of wheels and motion gear and the smell of steam oil and burnt coal. Time spent abroad as a child ignited a curiosity for the world and an appreciation of the unique character of each destination. Reduced mobility access is available on specific carriages. Recommended Bus Take the bus from Brisbane to Toowoomba 1h 45m $21 - $50 Train Take the train from Brisbane Roma Street to Toowoomba 3h 50m A classical music concert for curious first-timers & devoted aficionados alike, Dont miss the Grammy Award-winning banjo virtuosos, Rewind to the 80s with Mixtape at Metro Arts, Take a nostalgic Friday night trip back to the 1980's. Barbara lives in the Blue Mountains and has a solid background in travel, tourism and hospitality. . Southern Queensland Country Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways that run through these regions. Apart from the obvious joy of seeing a country by train, travelling in a small group of like-minded travellers with a dedicated, experienced tour leader and knowledgeable, English-speaking local guides is what really sets Railway Adventures apart. Southern Queensland by Rail, Road and Special Steam Trains, The Mines and Lines of Newcastle and its Inner Suburbs with Ed Tonks OAM, Steam train journeys at Swanbank from Warwick to Wallangarra and on the Mary Valley, Museum visits to Workshops Rail, Cobb+Co, Olds Engineering and military museums, Explore heritage railway preservation collections at Ipswich, Warwick and Gympie, Special guided tour of the grand Jimbour historic homestead in Dalby, Private vintage carriage on the heritage train trip from Warwick to Wallangarra, Tilt train journey through the Sunshine Coast from Hervey Bay to Brisbane, Explore the national parks at Girraween and the Bunya Mountains, From the mountains, to the coast via rugged ranges, vast plains and lush hinterlands, Comfortable coach travel and luggage transport throughout. As a result one SX coach has been re-purposed as a permanent art installation. Winter might be coming, but theres nothing like the promise of sunshine and pretty blooms to get you through those cooler days. The road distance is 125.5 km. For the latest travel status, please check the official page for Australia. The service departs Brisbane at 19:15 in the evening, which arrives into Toowoomba at 23:05. Steam Adventure In Southern Queensland WITH SCOTT MCGREGOR, THE CRUISE EXPRESS TEAM AND FRIENDS 29 APRIL - 6 MAY 2021 BRISBANE TOOWOOMBA ARMIDALE GOONDIWINDI TENTERFIELD Southern Downs Steam Railway- photo by Ben Francis RAILWAY ADVENTURES AND CRUISE EXPRESS 2021 In Southern QueenslandSteam Adventure 0000037942 00000 n
On board passengers can move between the carriages, take in the sights from the petite balconies and relax with the gentle sway of the steam train. MIKE CONDON wasborn into a railway family with connections to Queensland Rail stretching back to the 1890s, and so was destined to share this passion of railways. Win a small business promotional package worth $5,000 to advertise on Must Do Brisbane! Graduating from NIDA in 1979, he appeared in a wide range of stage, film and TV roles, including the lead in the ABCs epic mini-series1915. He presented two series of his ownRailway Adventures for Channels 10 and 7 and a number of programs for The History Channel. A not-for-profit organisation, most of the restoration work has been completed by 'work for the dole' participants. Black-Palestinian Solidarity night: panel & community dinner. Have you considered expanding your trade and professional knowledge, facing new experiences and challenges whilst contributing your unique skills in a fun and friendly team environment, as we work towards our transition into rail tourism on the Darling Downs?