Hello,
I apologize for writing a very general post, but I'm sure many of you are able to give me highly helpful suggestions! Thanks for that in advance!
I study in Australia currently - for a few more weeks - and have 6 days a week to spare :-D
I bought a permanent train pass valid for any journeys within the Countrylink network. So I want to do many trips the next weeks. Could you please list any places that you find worth going within the Countrylink network? You find the coverage map on the following website:
http://www.countrylink.info/timetables/network_map</a><BR><BR>I visited Byron Bay, Broken Hill, Dubbo and the Blue Mountains already, am aware of Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra being worth going - but where else?
Thank you so very much!
I'd go for a couple of days to Newcastle too - a nice, relaxed and laid back city with quite alot of interest around the waterfront and beaches - walks etc. The art gallery is good.
Nambucca Heads is alovely town; nicer in my view than Coffs harbour, for example.
For somewhere different , Moree is quite interesting: the hot spa baths there are popular with middle aged Europeans, especially in winter.
Does it include Countrylink buses? Coonabarabran iis close to the wonderful Warrumbungles, but you would need to get a ride from Coona out there for walking in the NP. Warrumbungles Explorer can probably help there.
There's a listing here for an Aboriginal Cultural tour out of Coonabarabran: Could phone them and find out what they offer. Ukerbarley
Probably have a closer look at townships along the central coast ie between newcastle and sydney, isn't it?
I think its a shame to restrict yourself entirely to the train line destinations. You should seek out national parks and find a way to get to them for camping and hiking.
The Gold and Sunshine Coasts up around south-east Queensland are pretty popular, particularly Noosa on the Sunshine coast(but i dont know if a line goes out that far). There are a few national parks like Lamington as well around Gold Coast, on the borderof NSW.
I would suggest a few day in Newcastle and perhaps the Hunter Valley (wine district near Cessnock)
Like a previous poster said - I would also suggest the central coast (north of Sydney between Sydney and Newcastle) - particularly places like Terrigal, Acova and The Entrance (although may be dififcult only uising train services!)
I would second Canberra, particularly for the variety of things to see for a good price (free). Also a second for Newcastle, as the foreshore area (Honeysuckle) and the main beach are within easy walking from the train station. I would suggest instead of Honeysuckle however, wandering up through the mall and up Darby street for eating and wandering around.
If you don't mind wandering away from the Train stops, I am also a fan of Bellingen and Dorrigo, not far from Sawtell or Coffs Harbour. Great little spots to explore.
I would definitely recommend the Central Coast / Newcastle / Hunter Valley areas!
There are public buses from Gosford and Woy Woy stations (both on the Cityrail network - Newcastle line) to lots
of beautiful beach areas... Avoca, Killcare, Pretty Beach, The Entrance...
You should be able to get on a tour from Newcastle to the Hunter Valley wineries for a day... well worth
doing if you like wine tasting!!
Have fun!
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