We have just returned from 3 weeks in outback Queensland. We flew from Brisbane to Cairns where we stayed over night. The next morning at 6:00 am we were on Cairns Railway Station waiting to board 'The Savannahlander" train for a 4 day trip into the country.
The Savannahlander train consists of two units. They are 2000 class rail motors built in 1963. They have since been modified. New diesel engines have been installed and the bulkhead between the driver and the passengers has been removed so that passengers can take turns of sitting next to the driver for good views. The driver also gives a commentary. We had two drivers who were great fun as tour guides. The railway is privately run and there is only this one train using the track, which means they can stop wherever and whenever they wish. It was a quaint old train and TOH loved it.
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| The Savannahlander Train coming into Cairns Station at 6;00am |
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| Sitting behind the driver gives a good view of the Stoney Creek Bridge. |
View Sanannahlander tour in a larger map
Click on the - sign to zoom out so you can see where in Australia this railway is. Click on the markers to read the names of the places where we stopped.
The next 3 shots were taken from the train window.
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| Stoney Creek Falls |
The waterfall crashes down beside the train and falls underneath the bridge we were on. This railway was built by hand in the late 1800's.
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| Stoney Creek Falls |
The railway climbs up the Kuranda Range which is part of The Great Dividing Range.
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| Looking back down towards Cairns and the ocean. |
It climbs through rain forest and then comes to the top and the Atherton Tablelands.
We stopped at Barron Falls for photos. It is the dry season now and there isn't much water but in the wet season it is a raging torrent. It is also harnessed for power generation.
We pulled into the beautiful Kuranda Station. It wins prizes for the best gardens on a station.
They had a Pitcher Plant- Nepenthes, where the insects are attracted to the nectar inside the well and then fall in to be consumed by the plant.
this would've been a fabulous journey Diane; enjoyed seeing your photos. I would love to get to Cairns for birdwatching some day
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be a gap in the line near Dimbulah. What a great trip and I remember all the plants at Kuranda Station. They have been there a long time.
ReplyDeleteOH MY HEART... Those waterfalls are AWESOME... Wow!!!!!!! Hope you can go back to Barron Falls during the wet season sometime. WOW!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fabulous trip--and one that George and I would LOVE. Can't wait to see more of your photos.
Hugs,
Betsy
It's a fantastic part of the country!
ReplyDeleteWe didn't have much of a Wet, so the Barron Falls have been quite modest this season. You'll just have to make a return visit.
For once I know which part of Australia you have toured although I didn't have the time to go inland. The pictures of the train and the scenery so far look incredible. I hope you are going to give us a day to day account of your trip.
ReplyDeleteDiane, what a fun trip. The train ride and views are beautiful. I love the waterfalls. And the Pitcher plant is cool. Wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing your trip!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great railway and train station. Must have been a wonderful trip with great views.
ReplyDeleteWow Diane, looks like we are all in for a treat as you post this holiday. Great train trip.
ReplyDeletenow THAT sounds like an awesome train trip! a privately used track, one train, and tour guides!
ReplyDeletebe still my heart, i LOVE thatrain... i would love to take that train ride, especially since it is private . we have those pitcher plants at Selby Gardens and they are fascinating. what was on Mt Surprise?
ReplyDeleteI would love to take that train trip -- I'm not sure there is anything quite like it over here. Being able to stop by a waterfall is a wonderful bonus.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful views! Looks like a super fun way to travel.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very special tree, love the waterfall.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
Welcome back.
ReplyDeleteLovely up the Tabelands and Barron Falls though not much water so it's not that great without the flow.
Train looks neat.
Wow ! I have never used a train for "sightseeing" what a beautiful trip that must have been ! If I see your pictures ! and that's hopefully only the beginning ! I suppose that you have the same work now with sorting out your pictures as I had when I came back from my UK tour !
ReplyDeleteJust traveling on a train is fun as far as I'm concerned, but through that kind of amazing scenery...fabulous.
ReplyDeleteWhat another wonderful adventure! We really regretted that we didn't have time to see more of Australia. My husband has a long time friend (and wife) who lives just outside Melbourne. We were only there 2 days, but we met them for dinner and they invited us to come stay at their ranch (or come back another time), and stay as long as we want. I so wanted to do that, but don't know if that will ever be a possibility! But you never know. Your travels and photography make me really want to go back. I love your last photo of the insect trapping plant. How unusual and pretty, even if it is deadly.
ReplyDeleteWOW! This looks like a spectacular trip, Diane! I can't wait to see more of your photos and read more of your adventures!
ReplyDeleteThe Pitcher plants are both beautiful and creepy, aren't they? Beautiful shots Mum.
ReplyDeleteLove
Carol
I really do want to go on a train holiday...........I love trains.....
ReplyDeleteBarron Falls is generally fabulous at any time of year! I've only ever been to Kuranda on the Scenic Railway - also an excellent rail journey - but I'm jealous as hell about the Savannahlander!!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is a four day trip! I love the scenery and the idea of being able to sit back and relax while someone else does the driving... and what a magnificent way to travel. I've never traveled by train before, after seeing this post it's now on my list of things to do, the Bucket List.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of stunning scenery. I love the one behind the conductor, a real birds eye view.
Cheers.
This train looks like so much fun,and how great to be able to sit by the engineer. Lovely gardens at the station you photographed and love this pitcher plant. Looks pretty big
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to be reliving this trip with you.
ReplyDeleteThe last shot of the falls is one I'd love to see - in the wet season too. :)
When we recently visited our granddaughters we went to the nursery to buy garden plants and saw some pitcher plants. I didn't buy one but wish I had.
It's certainly the greenest and prettiest station I've ever seen. Aren't those pitcher plans something? I've seen them here in greenhouses in large gardens that people can tour. The variety of plant life on this earth never ceases to amaze.
ReplyDeleteThanks for including the map!
ReplyDelete