Western Australia Photos are at:- https://photos.app.goo.gl/kmtWBRFpMkSMUsLb6
Adelaide photos are at:- https://photos.app.goo.gl/cA9Km7vkoQck4hBb6
Melbourne photos are at:- https://photos.app.goo.gl/UpzPVt5vuSehBoZ29
Katoomba photos are at:- https://photos.app.goo.gl/ENmVRnvhpt7bSYya8
Canberra photos are at:- https://photos.app.goo.gl/4zMPw7fx1QBCNjD39
Sydney photos are at:- https://photos.app.goo.gl/cSxnYbEduh7fPjex6
Monday Dec 4th
Getting more and more worried that Flixbus will not get me to Heathrow in time, or Hotels will cost a fortune or I will not get the right train pass etc. Putting off doing anything by playing on the computer!
Tuesday Dec 5th
So up on time, Out on time and immediately concerned about what I forgot. Pretty certain I shut the bathroom window, left doors open and electric heaters on frost guard. The bananas are going to be a mess when I get back and the milk will be cheese. A bag of stuff from the fridge.
Bus to Cardiff was good, McD didn't open until 6am and the app took forever, but I got breakfast and was ready for the Flixbus. We had to change in Newport and then it went into Bristol on the Portway and out om M32 by which time it was 35 mins late. 25 + late into Heathrow. Rush and check in 3 mins before it closed, then a long time in security as lady infront had lots of liquids. Scissors turned up, as did toothpaste.
57A does not have a window. 16hrs is a long time, Not easy to find the USB outlet, No radio programmes and the audio books lacked a description. Now up twice at 4am so jet lag should be interesting.
Wednesday Dec 6th
Perth failed to clearly signpost the train - Google led me to Terminal 1 and the central station. Nice train. Perth looks interesting, have settled into the Mercure Hotel. Time to have a wander.
Which I did and Perth done! An interesting mix of old buildings renovated and modern skyscrapers. Found Elizabeth Quay and the Swan River, Got to bed but was awake at 3.30am and able to take part in the Sully SC Committee Meeting via Zoom.
Thursday Dec 7th
Up and out. Breakfast at McD. Got to Station and discovered that the Chase Card wouldn't work, used contactless too often. Got Dayrider using other card and took the train to Freemantle.
Freemantle has nice old architecture too. Found the Shipwreck Museum and had an interesting morning discovering that the French and Dutch knew about Australia, from early 1600's Captain Cook was a sideshow much later. Then on to see the timeball dropped, not as spectacular as expected.
From here it was on to the Maritime Museum. 10 Dollar entry fee, which I managed to get paid on the Chase Card with pin code so that is now working. 40 years since Australia 2 won the Americas Cup and a big exhibition about it, plus the boat is in here. Quayside was also interesting. Through the town and got the inevitable fridge magnets.
Train up to East Perth and a look around the departure point. Considering a train ride for Friday but dismissed as Indian Pacific will probably cover same ground (and cost was £50). Down to Elizabeth Quay and Ferry ride to South Perth (included in Dayrider) Purchased dinner at Woolworths and back a hotel by 2000.
Friday Dec 8th
Up at 6am, sort of due to jet lag. Wrote up diary, etc and it was pretty soon past 8am. Subway do not do hot drinks so breakfast was only $12. Took the train to the end of the line at Mandurah. The bus station was at the rail station so I got on a bus to the coast. Having been told the Dayrider was valid on all Perth public transport.
The marina area was so reminiscent of Florida. Lots of boutique type shops and little sign of boatyards. Viewed the coast from the beach/breakwater, very low and plenty of wind. Treated myself to an ice cream. Caught the bus back to the station but decided to visit the centre. A very American Mall. Nearly, bought some headphones. Train back to Rockingham and a similar experience - bus to coast. This time no marina, but a beach with industry close by, and lots of shops and eateries. Back to the train.
Stayed on train all the way to Butler. Views back to Perth were nice but once past there very little to see. Another Mall at Butler. Back to Perth and decided to finish the local rail network by going to Midland.
As there was another branch of the electronics store and time was running out I decided I would have the headphones, so walked. Discovered that there had been a massive loco works at Midland which was being re-developed (bigger than Swindon). Shop assistant was not a lot of use but I found headphones and bought them (only 8hr supposed battery and the noise reduction kills the base - but at £25 will do for the train and plane, maybe). Back on train and we passed a train museum, but it doesn't open until 10am on Sunday. Sandwiches from Wollies and back around 06.20
Evening on the computer booked 3 nights in the Blue Mountains - unable to book train but it showed $9 from Campeltown to Katomba. Intnenet is being very flakey as is computer, it just went to everything reading right to left, a restart seems to have fixed that. Now to do the photos.
Saturday Dec 9th
Waking at 6am seems a good idea as the time flies past. Thought I was going to be trapped in the lift but it made it to 1st floor on emergency power and I walked out. McD breakfast, same size cup but this time full as I ordered Large. Wandered to Tourist information and enjoyed the sun, they eventually decided that they did not have a guide, so the plan to take the free orientation walking tour failed. Backup was a visit to the Heritage Aviation Museum. I was surprised at the price of the train ticket to Bull Creek, so have yet another Dayrider Ticket. Museum was interesting, lots of model aircraft as well as the big ones.
Missed the train (well, miscalculated the closing doors and bounced off them) Plan had been to walk the Swan River but I saw that Bull Creek was nearby and I wanted photos of Canning Bridge so decided to walk the Creek, using The Esplanade. Good fun, ideas for artwork, Terns pestering a dog an egret and bridge photos. Back and treated myself to a McRib and cone.
Great fun with the Internet. Got out at 8pm and down to Elizabeth Quay, good internet connection but could I find the time for the fireworks! lots of pretty pictures but no one put the timing. Found it after about 20 mins 9pm for 8 minutes. I was waiting on the bridge as security made a half hearted attempt to move everyone off. Got three nice videos but they need editing and I have no software.
Watch the video. Decided to put one of them on Facebook anyway and that took half the night. Restarted the phone and that took the number of apps needing updating to about 32. It is now 6am and it still has 12 to update and some won't (probably because they are UK specific. The same as I could not download the Australian McD app. Had I changed country google wouldn't let me change back for a year. Fun and not a lot of sleep, but the headphones are good when wired.
Sunday Dec 10th
So woke at 05.40, no point in going back to sleep. Checked out by 07.20. Google said it was a 30minwalk to East Perth, and it being a nice morning, and not due there till 8am I thought, Why Not? Got more train pictures including the Indian Pacific which was in the siding, it's as long as the Canadian. Buffet at the station was nice, but involved killing time. We were allowed to board at 9am. Nice plastic toilet bag with conditioner, must steal some more. Cabin does not have a toilet and the lounge car is pretty crowed. Not my scene at all. I did get some photos as we came out on the Midland Line. Enjoying the new headphones, wonder how long the batteries will last, or even if they are being used as I am using the cable rather than Bluetooth.
A Cruise lunch, put at a table at random with other guests rather than being able to pick and choose at a buffet.. Eventually decided what was making me uncomfortable and pulled the bed down. Headphones were a good buy. Have sent a lot of time trying to get a photo of the abandoned telegram poles to compare with Canada but have failed with the phone. Misread the timing for dinner. It is too early and I don't need it anyway. They have said they will bring me a sandwich around 7.30. We will see. No hot choc or snacks in the end of carriage kitchen and it's a long way to the bar. Alcohol is included but I am avoiding it.
Monday Dec 11th
Tis not true, there is Hot Chocolate in the carriage kitchen. However, I only discovered it because the bar was shut and I guess will not open until 8am, its too far to walk to find out - three carriages and numerous doors. Did it after shower. At 0550 I decided I might as well get up having been awake for an hour trying to catch the sunrise. Towel for the shower is pathetically small. My watch strap broke again last night and is now held together with a bit of whipping twine (funny thing is, I saw the spare one at home before I left and thought -"That's useful")
Breakfast was small. Lunchtime stop was an abandoned township, not that it looked abandoned. No lunch but some cakes which I sort of missed out on. At least there was a phone signal, so the clock on the smartphone got updated. Afternoon snooze and dinner with same couple from Switzerland, also joined by Peter from UK. He likes SE Asia so goes under the name of Pedo Pete. Vegetation is back and we have been told there is rain in Adelaide.
Tuesday Dec 12th -arrive Adelaide
Even getting up before 6am there was a queue for the shower. Not too bad really. Up to the Bar for breakfast. They don't do instant coffee and mini pastries meant I had to be somewhat restrained. Looks like we might arrive in Adelaide on time - i.e. disgustingly early. I have a feeling that the off train experiences may have been included in the ticket price. No photos of freight trains though other passengers refer to them. 07.10 and they have just announced that we will be an hour late getting into Adelaide, due to rain so eta is 8am.
There was WIFI at the terminal so I was able to check messages and the route to the hotel. Pretty humid and the rain had stopped, but the walk was nice. Hotel didn't look very nice from the outside but found out later that the room was good. Anyway, they took my bag and I was off into Adelaide.
Found the station and discovered there is a Dayrider ticket here but it is $12. City centre trams are free so I rode one up to Victoria Square and visited the Market. Resisted the temptation. Decided to go down to Port Adelaide and start on the Museums so got a Dayrider. Railway Museum first, lots of trains, most noticeable was the noise made by their little 1ft gauge train doing trips around the site, just like a real train going past. We also had a thunderstorm!
From here it was on to the Aviation Museum - they thought it was a long walk -15mins (they are reinstating an old rail line so bit of a diversion) Good display on rockets, and their own F15 and F111. From here to the waterfront and tourist centre. Downloaded the App but map didn't work. Aldi didn't do sandwiches, so a couple of cheeseburgers an the McD at the station before coming back to the Mile End Hotel via Outer Harbour which had a Royal Carribean Cruise ship alongside.
Wednesday Dec 13th
Sort of lay in bed, but I was out by about 10 to 9 and caught the train down to Port Adelaide. The ticket dispenser on board worked! Breakfast at McD and then on to the Maritime Museum. Decided that the schooner was too far away so came back to the station. Grabbed an ice cream cone from McD and I'm still trying to work out why it only cost 30c. Back in the city I went to the South Australia Museum, by the back door! Google showed it located on another street. Fell asleep listening to Aboriginal stories and got rousted by security. Found the Pacific Display in a building which reminded me of the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford.
On to the Mall - which is not a Mall, but a pedestrianised shopping street. Got supplies from Woolworths, which amuses me.r Was going to walk back to the hotel but got on the train with the idea that I would have tea and then go out for the evening. Having eaten it is nice here, but the room has not been made up so I guess a train ride is in order.
Took the train to Seaford, had to change to change trains on the way back as it was express past Mile End, no problem. Got a Green Bar at the hotel i.e. completed step target.
Thursday Dec 14th - to Melbourne
Made the mistake of using what I thought would be a shorter route to the station, it wasn't. Stuck the wrong side of the railway tracks. Got there in time, just. Not impressed with the carriage, no USB charging and old airline style table. Guy in the window seat, Dan was from Shri Lanca and OK. Train went out on the route I didn't use last night, through the hills which was quite pretty. Once through the hills it got boring.
On arrival the NSW guy directed me to the vline guy who booked the tickets for Friday and they did cost $10. Checked in at Best Western but have forgotten the pin no for Halifax - so it went on Chase. Gad a chat with Alex and booked accommodation in Canberra. Message from Tesco that I am at 95% of credit, and unable to move money into account.
Friday Dec 15th
That was a spectacular tour for $10. Train, bus for 200km and a 4 hr train journey back.
Saturday Dec 16th
Scheduled as a day of rest I was still up at 7.30am, and got photos done which meant that by the time I got out it was 10am. Booked NSW travel up to Christmas, still have to do Coffs Harbour. Thought I should be healthy Hungry Jack didn't work, so bought an apple before having breakfast at McD.
Wandered along the river and then took a tram up to Victoria Market - it's massive. Indulged in the purchase of some strawberries, cherries and bananas which had to be taken back to the hotel (2 trams). Siesta and reduce the volume of fruit time. Back out and ended up at Woolworths getting supplies for next couple of days. Later discovered that the 7-11 next to hotel did cheaper sandwiches. No bag so brought it back to hotel and then went out again. This time did the South Bank. Found out there is a light show at 9pm so will go watch that. Which I did, boy, was it crowded!
See the video.
Sunday Dec 17th - to Sydney
Up early again - direct to the station and got on the train, an old HST it would appear, no wifi, no power. Departure at 08.30. Sat next to a Builder from Samoa, whom I found difficult to understand but he moved to have a window seat pretty early in the trip. I saw a couple of kangaroos just outside Melbourne - so tick that off the to do list. Telegraph poles in a state of disrepair, the same as Churchill. The route really snaked through the countryside which gradually got to resemble the English countryside. Arrival 19.20, Followed advice and caught a commuter train one stop to Leumeah. Problem there was the American distances/layout. Not that it was very far to the Ibis Budget - and it is budget, but OK. At least the Halifax card worked contactlessly.
Monday Dec 18th - to Katoomba (Blue Mountains)
Continental breakfast in Australia is toast! No Croissant or pain au chocolate or nice pastries, well I guess this is budget. There was muesli and fruit juice but I decided that wasn't worth $10 - so plan is to brush teeth and catch the rain at 10.20 Check out being 10am. Looks like I left a pot of body lotion back at in Melbourne - how soon before something serious gets left behind?
Had breakfast at Hungry Jack's (only because McD had closed the sit in) They really need to sort out their order machines. Then on the train (or three) to Katoomba. Nice views. The Metropole was right outside the station and they had the room ready, which was nice. I was out by 2pm and wandered down to the Prince Harry Cliff Walk, kept thinking of Madeira. Purchased an Ice Cream at Echo point and continued to Laura Falls. Sulphur Crested Cockatoo came and provided a nice picture. Back for a rest and then out trying to get sunset photos from a lookout but google had it wrong and I totally failed to find the lookout.
Tuesday Dec 19th
Indulged in a cooked breakfast at the hotel, the only question is how much it cost, they said $15 when asked yesterday but it continues to be advertised at $19. We will see, and I will get fat!
Out at 08.30 in order to make Scenic World before the tourists. Felt the walk was pretty tiring. Got in at the concession rate - officially they like to skim the tourists - unofficially, the guys on the till don't care. Rode the cable car across, just me and the driver out but discovered tours arriving at the other side so a bit fuller on the way back. (not as full as when I left) Next the train to the bottom - billed as the steepest in the world - tis a cable pulled tramway. The boardwalk is interesting, less so all the dinasoar models scattered around. Kept wondering what it must have been like to explore - you can't see anything other than trees. Cablecar back to the top, an ice cream and cable car out of the place. Back onto the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. It's really difficult to get a photo that captures the vertical drop from the track, and the butterflies won't stay still either.
Back in the hotel and the air conditioning was nice. I investigated the zig-zag railway, but it only operates at weekends and there didn't seem any way to walk the track. Booked a return to Dubbo instead which will take all day. Went out again and bought supplies as I have two days on trains coming up and have retired to the air conditioning. Thunderstorms forecast but washing has now been done so I'm not going out again. 59mm overnight says the news.
Wednesday Dec 20th
And it certainly did thunder and rain. It was still raining in the morning and I was very happy with my decision to spend the day on the train to Dubbo. Mind you that was pretty frustrating. The GPS stopped working in the train. I saw the zig zag briefly on the way out, but then totally failed to get any photos of it on the way back. It was also frustrating failing to get any photos of the train tracks snaking through the countryside. All for 15 minutes in Dubbo. However, I wouldn't have gone anywhere in Katoomba as the town was shrouded in mist and rain, probably all day.
Thursday Dec 21st to Canberra
Breakfast, checked out and on the 09.15 train. Sydney Central by 11.20. Not a short commute, quite long for a suburban service. Canberra train at 12.01 was quite small, but I had a seat next to disabled slot so a lot of legroom. Kangaroo sitings, and a quite spectacular gorge but no photos. Arrived at 16.20 to a miserable little station. No wifi, no busses. Quite a dissapointment and worry - but started walking and got wifi at a shopping centre which confirmed hotel position, only it is a motel!
Out at 18.30. Half hour walk to the bridge, via parliament, at least another 15mins to town. Decided to stay this side of lake, I am going to have to look at busses. Failed with that but did manage to register for Channel 7's streaming service and watch an American Football game. Booked a lake cruise
Friday Dec 22nd
Woke at 6am and finished the football games. Got out at 9am and down to Lake. Time for a hot chocolate. The electric wooden boat turned up, skipper must have been 90 yrs old, an had the same attitude. Still it was a pleasant trip around the lake. Then it was a hike into town, not helped by a diversion. Had to visit both McD's as the first one failed to be doing ice cream. Then on to the Visitor Centre, and the story of Canberra, only I couldn't get the chronology or the detail together. Out of there at 2pm for the hike around the lake to the Federal Parliament. Made it by 3pm for my 3.30 tour. Interesting but security to get in was a pain!
Saturday Dec 23rd
Lay in bed almost to 9am and got out at 9.40 which meant a little sitting around in the shade waiting for the National Archive to open. Good photo display, which had me thinking about what had got me into photographing (Uncle Arthur?) and developing black and white film. Another hall on documents -touching on the race issue.
Target was the National Museum but passed the Old Parliament House, so called in there and got the tour. No Ice Cream but good cartoon exhibition and journalist area. Getting on for 2pm by the time I got to the Museum. Another place with no Ice Cream so cake and Hot Chocolate instead. Much more emphasis on First Nation here. Out about 4.30 decided to see if there was a shopping centre - got lost but found a McD and finally got an Ice Cream. Found the Canberra Centre and with no Woolworths near it was a case of stock up at Coles.
Clouds were turning a bit dark, which was worrying as it was a long walk. 9.95mls according to Samsung - back by 18.30. And I was right to be worried 20.00 and we have a downpour, well heavy shower.
Sunday Dec 24th to Sydney
Out at 0915 and up to the shopping centre with a McD. Lots of cafes there and lots of people having coffee. Then on to station, checked that train was scheduled and then took a wander around to the Railway Museum. Nice guy on reception, and bought a couple of wooden whistles which makes me think I must try making my own. Train was 4hrs (11.50 to 4pm). Nice views but failed to get good photos, particularly of kangaroos - even though I had a window seat on the side I wanted.
Sydney I got the T4 out to Wollie Creek and braved the rain to get to the hotel. Thunder, but I was on the edge, so not too wet.
Monday 25th Dec - Christmas Day
Out before 9am - don't know how. Train to Bondai Junction and it was pretty difficult to avoid the bus to the beach. Walked along the beach, not much to see, took a selfie which is getting a lot of responses on facebook. Decided to try the ferries and took the bus to Watsons Bay, for a ferry to Circular Quay. Breakfast at McD. Then ferry to Cockatoo Island. Had been intending to go right up to Parmetta but no ferries on Xmas Day. Island was interesting but ferries only once an hour. Too early to return, so took the train over the bridge intending to check out viewing points but saw you could walk across the bridge so I did that, back to Circular Quay. It being Christmas I treated myself to a further Ice Cream at McD in George St but this one was just as crowded, and I got short measure, well not as loaded as it could have been. However, I got to see some interesting buildings. Back to hotel and Christmas music and photos.
Tuesday 26h Dec
At least it was worth dragging the jacket around all day today. Australia has some pretty big raindrops, but it was only a shower. Train to Circular Quay, breakfast and then on the ferry to Manly. Quick look at their beach, it seemed a bit better than Bondi. Then a hike up onto the Heads. Lots of people also trekking. Thought I might get on the bus, but it was full. The road was closed to traffic. Found a rock to sit on, and when the time came to stand on. Interesting watching the race, nice lee bow pulled off but protest shouted, will be interesting to see how maxis decide such things. Back to ferry. Decided not to go up to Parrametta, so back in room by 5pm after a shop at Woolies.
Wed 27th - to Coffs Harbour
Checked out and took the train down to St James as I wanted to take phots of the station, also stopped at Museum and took photos, then returned to Central. Little wander, including McD and the Market, collecting souvenirs before returning to station. Got on train to find some little girl had spily a milkshake on the floor. Staff were not particularly helpful. Eventually it got cleaned up. Train ride was long with not particularly good views, and it got dark before arrival. Alex was waiting - we were 20mins late.
Thurs 28th
Panic and loss. Cancelled Hornby booking and then discovered that the CKS booking was in January not Dec. Just hoping I will get a refund. Have an alternative booked with cancellation until 2pm but it's write off the money time. No sleeper berths available for the return trip, so I am staying an extra night and tomorrow will be a 9hr train back to Sydney. Nice hike with the dog except I forgot my phone so ot didn't get recorded. Alex showed me the sights and took me for a drive on the beach. Seafood purchased for dinner = the proverbial shrimps on the barbie.
Friday 29th Dec - back to Sydney
Out around 6.30am and dog walked around the same 3 mile circuit as yesterday. Even with breakfast there was an hour and a half to kill and I began to get worried about New Zealand. Bus booking doesn't work and Queenstown has no accommodation. Time expired and it was down to the fish market for another pot of Seafood Salad and then on to the train. 9hrs and half an hour late. Hotel was a big disappointment. Not even a sink in the room and shared toilet and shower at the end of the corridor. There aren't even any hangers in the closet. There is a TV and internet so will have to live with it and hopefully get stuff washed on new years eve.
Saturday 30th Dec
Despite trying to continue internet search without luck I was out before 9am and walked to a McD and then the Parramatta Jetty. Boat was full, some people didn't get on. Sat next to a couple whose husband came from Merthyr Tydfil. Darling harbour was crowded. To be on a boat for new year eve would have cost around $1500. Powerhouse Museum was interesting, I think it is three museums in one. From there it was on to the Australian Museum lots of stuffed animals mainly birds. On for an ice cream and then back to the hotel around 6pm.
Sunday 31st Dec
Out of Rosehill before 10am and took the train into Town Hall Considered joining the "free" tour but it was 2.5hrs and they were after a "pay what you think it is worth" at the end, so McD was a greater draw. 1.5hrs vanished as I played on the phone. Out to Airport hotel and the room was just ready so they let me check in just after midday. Out at 3pm and down to Botanic Gardens which was already closed, as was Mc Point. Decided that the only option was to try the North shore so took the train across the bridge. The point there was already closed. Found a set of steps with a partial view of the bridge and sat down to wait, and waited and waited. 9hrs in total, but had the earphones in bag, so was able to listen to music and downloaded documentaries. 9pm fireworks were as good as midnight ones (I think).
Watch the Video . The train home was really efficient, and very crowded but queue management, was good. In by 01.30.
