Need help AU Railroad site

I'm still working way ahead at planning my trip, and I'm working now on my budget.

I found a site that list all the Rail lines and buses, but I can't figure it out at all.

I'm trying to figure out how to take the train to hunter valley or train bus combination from Sydney.

Is there an easy to understand site?

http://www.railmaps.com.au/hunter.htm

This might help.

You catch the country trains from Central Station in Sydney and you can get a direct train to Maitland. I love train travel, you see a lot of the countryside with this type of travel. I am sure there are coaches that will pick you up from Maitland station for a winery tour.

Here is just one of them....

http://www.vineyardtours.com.au/

The Hunter Valley is very pretty, enjoy your trip.

Might I point out that you could save a lot of learning curve by seeking out an Aussie Specialist TA? Just be sure you find someone who really knows Australia (they do take test and are required to journey downunder from time to time)

I would not bother with train or Bus to the Hunter as once there you will still need to get around. It is very spread out and you might as well use Boutique Tours direct from you Sydney Hotel.

Agreed- you definitely need transport in the Hunter Valley - it is a large area. Most people either take a tour of the area - or stay in the area with a car.

Barry

Confusingly the Sydney Rail operator runs the very efficient train services between Sydney - Central Coast - Newcastle & Hunter Valley. The timetable link is here :

http://www.cityrail.info/timetables/#landingPoint

The line you want is Central Coast/Newcastle and or Hunter Valley.

Your best move would be to use the train to travel Sydney to Hunter Valley and vice versa; BUT hire a rental car to get around up there .

Agreed- you definitely need transport in the Hunter Valley - it is a large area. Most people either take a tour of the area - or stay in the area with a car.

 

Barry

But don't drink and drive :D

Might I point out that you could save a lot of learning curve by seeking out an Aussie Specialist TA? Just be sure you find someone who really knows Australia (they do take test and are required to journey downunder from time to time)

 

I would not bother with train or Bus to the Hunter as once there you will still need to get around. It is very spread out and you might as well use Boutique Tours direct from you Sydney Hotel.

Really? I would never in a million years recommend someone use a TA instead of planning their own holiday, not in Aus anyway. In the US you guys seem to have more useful ones than we do here; I've never had one find a better deal for me than I could find myself, and certainly never actually go beyond just booking exactly what I specifically request (ie, no ability to actually suggest anything that could make the trip more enjoyable, better hotel, better mode of transport, extra sightseeing tour etc). All they seem good at is adding their commission to everything. At least by doing one's own research you are liable to stumble upon things that catch your interest, and likely work out alternatives that may come in handy if for some reason your well laid plans do go awry.

Particularly true since Cruise Arizona has asked very intelligent and sensible questions and is clearly managing to map out her trip pretty darn well so far.

. All they seem good at is adding their commission to everything. At least by doing one's own research you are liable to stumble upon things that catch your interest, and likely work out alternatives that may come in handy if for some reason your well laid plans do go awry. .

At least in the US a TA does not add commission. A good, emphasize good, TA can help to streamline the process by knowing what is and isn't really possible as well as the possible that is just silly for most folks (let's do the Priscilla drive to Alice) An order taker won't do. I just think she could benefit from sitting down with someone who knows the lay of the land, the available hotel and motel properties (what you get fro what you pay) and can help. That the agent gets commission from the booking is no big matter as long as it doesn't cost more. (or more than it is worth)