Australia - June 2009
In early June 2009 I arrived in Australia for my forth visit. Unlike previous trips, when I have gone to Melbourne, where a number of friends live, this time I landed in Brisbane and very quickly headed up to Townsville. Here I was expecting to be met by one of my friends from Melbourne (Peter) but unexpectedly a second one (Keith) also turned up!
The reason for heading to Townsville was to ride on the Queensland 150 train to Mount Isa. As part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Queensland becoming a separate state (it was previously part of New South Wales) Queensland Railways ran a series of steam hauled trains over almost all of the railways of the state. The trains were not really being run as enthusiast trips, rather they were run as community events. As a result the number of people traveling through from Townsville to Mt Isa was very small making for a very different atmosphere to normal steam hauled trips. A lot of locals did travel on sections of the trip as well.
BB18¼ 1089 at Julia Creek with the Q150 train. 04 June 2009
After the trip to Mt Isa Peter and I headed back to Townsville. We had been due to head to Hinchinbrook Island for a few days of relaxation away from everything. With less than two weeks to go before the trip I found out that the island's resort had been closed due to cyclone damage. So, having weighed up the alternatives, we ended up heading to Magnetic Island. Despite not seeming to be as away from everything as Hinchinbrook it actually worked out very well indeed.
Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island with the mainland across the water. 08 June 2009
Time seemed to pass very quickly. The two weeks was over almost as quickly as it started! However before heading home from Brisbane a trip was made to visit 'The Workshops' in Ipswich which is the state railway museum.
QR Garratt 1009 in the shops at Ipswich railway museum. 13 June 2009
For a few words and photos on the different sections of this trip follow the links below: