Would you sit on a train for 28 hours each week?
I’ve asked a bunch of people about their daily commutes in central Sydney, and I’ve gathered that for most, it’s about an hour’s journey to university by train. That totals two hours per day, and assuming a 5-day week, the average uni-goer would clock up 10 hours of being stuck in a crowded Sydney train on a weekly basis.
Well firstly, I wouldn’t even use the word ‘stuck’. That seems a bit harsh to describe my experience which I actually found to be quite fun. And different, too.
Unlike everyone else making their regular commutes on city trains during peak hour, I was cruising along the countryside on a train that took me from Brisbane to Sydney, 14 hours one-way.
Unlike everyone else making their regular commutes on city trains during peak hour, I was cruising along the countryside on a train that took me from Brisbane to Sydney, 14 hours one-way.
Why did I do it? It’s a long story but basically, I was living between two states within the one week so that I could play sport in my home state of Queensland but also attend uni in the state just next door. That’s simply how things unavoidably played out this year but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Some might call me crazy for doing it but like I said, it was fun, interesting, and worked out to be cheaper than flights if you were a frequent traveller like me. Buy the Discovery Pass!
Some might call me crazy for doing it but like I said, it was fun, interesting, and worked out to be cheaper than flights if you were a frequent traveller like me. Buy the Discovery Pass!
In this article, I’m going to take you along for a scenic tour of the 14hr Brisbane-Sydney journey on the most patient train in Chuggington: the New South Wales XPT.
To get an idea of how far you’ll be travelling with me, it’s 900km which is just over the full length of the New Zealand South Islands! Sit back and enjoy…
To get an idea of how far you’ll be travelling with me, it’s 900km which is just over the full length of the New Zealand South Islands! Sit back and enjoy…
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| By the end of the tour, you'll arrive here in Sydney! This is the train you'll be travelling on! |
First things first. Try to make it onto the train on time! It leaves 5:55am from Roma St. Station (Brisbane). If NSW is in daylight savings, it will leave 4:55am.
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| Goodbye Brisbane!! |
Welcome aboard! Below is what the inside of the train looks like. Find your seat if you’re in Premium or Economy Class.
However, if you’re booked in for the Daysitter Cabins/Sleepers…
…this is what they look like! Walking through this dimly lit isle past a multitude of cosy cabins makes me feel like I’m boarding the Hogwarts Express every time! I’ve only ever booked a cabin twice, but whenever I did, I couldn’t help but imagine an assembly of wizards dipping in and out of the cabins with wands in hand!
If you’re staying for the night, there are beds for you to rest in after a long day of travelling. They even give you a snack pack at the start of your trip and a complimentary breakfast of toast and tea/coffee in the morning, which is nice.
A little bit more luxurious than the Hogwarts Express?
I never knew it was possible to shower on a moving train. I wonder where all the water goes? Anyway, here’s the shower. Exclusive to travellers in the Daysitter Cabin/Sleeper.
Good night from the top bunk!
Hanging out in the cabins is rare for me though. For both the south and northward journeys, you’ll typically find me relaxing in the Premium seats, which I enjoy just as much.
Being able to study or read as the train meanders its way through an endless expanse of rolling hills, is quite enrapturing for the senses. Although I must add that it was very sad knowing that we were passing through a severely drought-stricken land this year.
How about an uninterrupted 14hr long reading session? I love this book, ‘Hollow City’, by Ransom Riggs.
Alternatively, you could try and make some sense out of chemistry (or some wizard’s alchemy???).
I must say that I look forward to these trips because, with no wi-fi and being bound to one seat the entire day, it’s hard to get distracted. If you set your mind to it, a lot of work can be done in 15 hours (although I’ll admit to sleeping for most of it)! The beautiful, ever-changing scenery just outside also helps with the mental stimulation, I think.
The first stop is Kyogle at 7:53am, and then Casino at 8:20am (yes, I recorded all the times, and no, I do not have a life). Guess what? We’re in New South Wales!
Here’s the train from the platform of Casino station. Less charming than the Hogwarts Express but at least it still takes me to Hogwarts. I’m serious! The University of Sydney looks like Hogwarts(???)! Check it out...
An almost-replica of Hogwart’s Great Hall.
Every detail – the floating lights, the tall and imposing brick walls, the portraits of past professors, and even the lady’s cape in the back row – all orchestrate beautifully to create the enchanting composition that is the Great Hall.
And can you believe, this venue at the University of Sydney is even named the ‘Great Hall’ as well!
Just look at all those wizards!
I’m not sure why there are bikes when everyone’s got a flying broomstick around here.
So, I guess all the pieces fit nicely together: I’m going to Hogwarts via the Hogwarts Express!
BACK TO THE TOUR!
After Casino is:
Grafton at 9:39am
Coffs Harbour at 11:05am
Sawtell at 11:14am
Urunga at 11:31am
Nambucca Heads at 11:45am
Macksville at 11:58am
Lunch will be ready around this time if you ordered a hot lunch. I usually bring my own or my mum very kindly prepares it, but I’ve tried the XPT’s meals before and it’s tasty. There’s also a buffet car for you to purchase snacks, drinks, and even alcohol anytime during your trip (except there’s no alcohol served after 11pm if you’re going on the night trip!).
Lunch is served! A dollop of mashed potato swimming inside a sea of beef stew with an intruding side of vegetables. Bon Appetit!
(It was actually really nice though!)
Next stops:
Kempsey at 12:43pm
Wauchope at 1:21pm
Kendall at 1:48pm
Taree at 2:32pm
Wingham at 2:53pm
Dungog at 4:42pm
Then:
Broadmeadow at 5:51pm
Fassifern at 6:09pm around about when dinner is served.
Wyong at 6:41pm
Gosford at 7:01pm
The train doesn’t stop here, but it made for a nice picture.
Next is:
Hornsby at 7:38pm
Strathfield at 7:55pm
And the final stop…
…Central Station at 8:12pm! Tired? I bet the ol’ locomotive is feeling pretty exhausted too as it heaves its trainload of weary travellers safely into Sydney 14 hours later.
I can’t wait to do the trip all over again at the end of the week, this time from Sydney to Brisbane!
I’d usually be off to Hogwarts university early the next morning, so it’s basically to bed from here!
Thank you so much for joining me on this tour! I hope you’ve come to realise that such a train really does exist and it’s called the Hogwarts Express NSW Trainlink XPT!!
Good news! The tour doesn’t have to end here! Check out more exciting photos and stories from this lovely blogger:
If you liked her articles, please click this button on her blog to show your love!
Considering jumping between these two cities? Why don’t you take the more scenic route and book yourself a ticket? Here are some handy links to get you started…
Prices for the Discovery Pass which gives you unlimited travel – I highly recommend Premium class for a more pleasing travelling experience.
Times and map of the route
Love, Young and Unheroic
All photos by: Young and Unheroic
All photos by: Young and Unheroic
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