RAILWAY & TRAIN TOURS

THE SAVANNAHLANDER Cairns North, Queensland Australia www.savannahlander.com.au
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Overview

The train is operated under a community service contract awarded by the Queensland State Government as a means of providing opportunities to businesses and residents of the Etheridge Shire. As far as passengers are concerned, this is a four-day/three-night rail experience where there is opportunity to enjoy the diverse range of landscapes that exist between the tropical origin of Cairns, and the Gulf Savannah town of Forsayth.

The Savannahlander is a tourist railmotor that conveys visitors between the lush tropical city of Cairns and the remote Gulf Savannah town of Forsayth. It is a journey that includes overnight stops at the tiny settlements of Almaden, Forsayth and Mount Surprise. Varying levels of overnight accommodations are offered at each location. At each destination, passengers can participate in a range of optional tours at local attractions. There is also a range of line-side activities during the trip, as well as a commentary describing the local features seen from the train.

The commentary covers a diverse range of topics, including local flora and fauna, trackside points of interest, historical facts, and even some tall tales to maintain a relaxed and informal atmosphere during the journey. The drivers also offer advice and assistance to passengers needing help with issues such as baggage handling, mid tour changes and on going tour and activity options on completion of their current journey.

Meals
The Savannahlander railmotors have little scope to include food preparation facilities and this is largely left to line-side providers, thus providing a small economic benefit to remote area inhabitants. Menus are passed through the train so that lunches and morning or afternoon teas can be phoned ahead and pre-ordered. Meals are therefore prepared and waiting on arrival of the train. Train crews have also set up trackside “cafés” where the distance between settlements is too great and there is a resultant risk of the onset of starvation. These are located at Bullock Creek (between Almaden and Mt Surprise), and Savannahlander’s own named “Café Bloodwood”. At Bullock Creek morning tea is provided on Thursday and Saturday with biscuits (cookies), cakes, tea and coffee offered to the passengers at a unique railway siding complete with abandoned infrastructure. Lunch is provided at Café Bloodwood on Friday, with food picked up from a provider in Einasleigh. Other meal services are offered by providers at Mutchilba, Almaden, Mt Surprise, Einasleigh and Forsayth.

Tours
At the end of each day’s journey on the train, passengers have the option to undertake further tours at local attractions offered by local guides. These include the Chillagoe Caves, Cobbold Gorge and the Undara Lava Tubes. Tours are fully coordinated with the train so that passengers are met by transfer buses and taken to the sites, and returned to their accommodations or the train on completion. For those wishing to extend their rail experience, a coordinated journey including the Gulflander train is also offered.

Accommodations
Overnight accommodations are arranged as a complete package for passengers. This ranges from four-star resort style accommodations (where available) through to basic ‘pub’ rooms for those on a budget or want to experience outback hospitality.

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