Winelander to Stanthorpe 2012 #2
February 22, 2012 in Sunshine Express Rail Tours
Saturday 30th June 2012 to Sunday 1st July 2012
Here is a relaxing and unique way to spend a weekend – sitting back with a glass of wine, far from the dreaded RBT.
Our special train will depart from Roma Street station on Saturday, 30th June, 2012 at about 7.00am. The early start is necessary to enable you to have a reasonable time at Stanthorpe. From the large windows of your air-conditioned carriage you will watch the Western Suburbs of Brisbane pass by as we head out to Ipswich and on to Rosewood, the end of the suburban electrification. The countryside then becomes more rural as we proceed to Grandchester where the tortuous climb of the Little Liverpool Range begins.
The next town is Laidley which marks the start of the fertile blacksoil plains of the Lockyer Valley – one of Queensland's most productive small crop areas. Onward the train takes us through Forest Hill, Gatton, Grantham and Helidon before we once again start to climb. These are the foothills of the Great Dividing Range and after Murphy's Creek the climb begins in earnest.
Imagine the railway workers of 1866 with picks and shovels carving out the cuttings and tunnels to enable trains to reach the Darling Downs! As we approach the summit note the panorama that unfolds on the left of the train as we approach Toowoomba, the Garden City.
South of Toowoomba we encounter grain-growing areas. Lunch is served as we proceed through the small towns of Cambooya, Greenmount, Clifton and Nobby prior to reaching Warwick. Another range follows as we climb through seemingly unproductive country until we reach Dalveen. We are now in the "Granite Belt" region – famous for its apples, pears and stone fruit. Several small towns are encountered one of which is The Summit which is the highest point on the railway in Southern Queensland. It is not far now to Stanthorpe. During the trip we will be having wine tasting sessions in the club car (usually whites on Saturday and reds on Sunday).
On arrival at Stanthorpe you will be taken by coach to visit the wineries. You will see at least two different establishments before we are all taken to our motel to check in and freshen up. The buses will then transfer us to dinner at Claudia’s Thunderbolt Farm Country Restaurant. Out trusty coaches will then return us to our motels for a good night's sleep.
A late start will be made on Sunday morning with lunch again being served on the train. Our return to Brisbane is planned for late Sunday afternoon.
Train Information
Air-conditioned carriages from the "Sunlander" and "Westlander" trains will be used along with one of Queensland Rail's powerful diesel-electric locomotives.
Fares
| Individual Fare | |
|---|---|
| One Fare Only | $495.00 |
| Groups (15 people or more) – Per Person | $445.00 |
Conditions
Timetable
| Saturday | |
|---|---|
| ROMA STREET | 7:00am |
| STANTHORPE | 3:45pm |
| Sunday | |
|---|---|
| STANTHORPE | 10:00am |
| ROMA STREET | 6:00pm |
WALLANGARRA ALTERNATIVE: The train will be continuing on to Wallangarra, returning to Stanthorpe in the late afternoon. Please complete the separate section on the booking form if you would prefer this option. People choosing to do this will not visit any wineries but will have dinner on the train on the way back from Wallangarra.
Refreshments
Tea, coffee, light refreshments and a limited bar service will be available on board so sit back and be pampered in idyllic surroundings.
BROCHURE:
