I have, after almost 25 hours on one train, arrived at yet another comfortable hotel, the Rydges Esplanade at Cairns. Here, I have two nights to relax and enjoy one full day before taking a flight to Darwin.
Most of this marathon journey was through lovely weather which deteriorated rapidly about two hours before a slightly late arrival. I may be mistaken, but I don’t recall ever being on the same train for over 24 hours. One is perhaps sceptical when the gauge of the railway is 3 ft 6 inches, rather than the much more familiar standard gauge wider by 14.5 inches. And I remained unconvinced about the Rail Bed idea when I took my seat C11. Such rolling stock is fitted out much like the Business Class area of a plane, i.e. big cavernous seats which morph into a decent flatbed when required. A substantial screen in the back of the seat in front offers a most acceptable choice of movies and TV programmes; I watched two films, The Informant, and a tear jerker, Me before You. Outside of the train, the scenery was far too lovely to miss in preference to watching entertainment. My ticket included a full meal service, again not too far removed from what one might find in Business Class on ‘planes. Once again, hills, some quite spectacular, mountains, fields, forests, even ‘jungle’ provided a never ending and lovely backdrop to this endless train ride. Not for one moment was I bored. I just wish I was some kind of naturalist so that I could have better appreciated what I was looking at. Sadly, the wildlife wasn’t coming out to play. I think I saw a couple of kangaroos and also an emu looking bird which has a different name and is dangerous if approached. We passed mile upon mile of sugar cane fields, connected by a vast network of very narrow gauge railway which crossed the main line on several occasions, at right-angles, and much of which remains in use. I know next to nothing of this fascinating infrastructure; a Leeds built steam locomotive resides in a lovely museum at Proserpine which I visited last year.
This part of Australia has endured a recent cyclone and resultant flooding which affected the punctuality of The Spirit of Queensland throughout the journey; however, arrival at Cairns was no more than eight minutes down.
My hotel room has a balcony overlooking the mountains. It’s not late, but I shall prepare for tomorrow’s full day trip to Kuranda which I learn is also part of Queensland Rail. I need to be ready by 8am. The Hotel will try to ascertain when, exactly the coach will call; this could be as late as 9.15am.
Everything seems to be “on track”. I stack of laundry has been handed in at reception, as instructed tonight.
I now think my stomach upset has subsided, having enjoyed the meals provided on the Spirit of Queensland.
That journey is among one of the very best rail trips I have ever taken, bringing back to mind some historic journeys I took as a twenty year old in 1969 in North America. Amazingly, the Durango to Silverton Line still operates in private hands, 50 years since I made a return trip between both towns.
Here are some pictures taken today, the last two of which illustrate eventual arrival at Cairns. Thanks for reading, David.
David's Cruise 