Day 5- Port Stephens Adventuring and Onwards to Melbourne

So day two on the train- with the first one having slept on the train- found myself very sleep deprived it’s always been like this on the sleeping compartments on a JBR service; as a work colleague said when sleeping in a single compartment it’s VERY tomb like, as where your head is located is near the window and the wall on the other side- so basically if you're claustrophobic too bad so sad lol.

Anyway the breakfast was as delicious as always- I ended up having the flapjacks  with Nutella chocolate covering it; yes it was as  decadent  as it sounds!

We soon arrive into Maitland station around 0910ish four our coach connection into Port Stephens which was round an hours drive way. We soon transferred onto 4 wheel drives for a touch of the sand dunes at Ana Bay.

The tour was very enlightening if not rushed- the driver night have mentioned a few times we were rushed for time and it seemed his priority was to get u to a location on the dunes where they had arranged for us to have canapés and champers- thankfully i declined the champers but had a delicious creamy soda!

Having said that we did manage to spend a bit of time off the four wheel drive, with a grand total of eight(!) minutes spent at a shanty town built on the sand!

Soon enough, we were on our way back to Ana Bay for our coach connection back to a local gold course for lunch; this wasn’t without drama because our coach promptly broke down within 3 minutes of departure! 

Thankfully it wasn’t a long wait until out rescue and we soon tucking into another three course lunch!

Day 4- The Adventure Begins- Brisbane to Coffs Harbour

Well the first day is always exciting as like any travel group (which this essentially is), it takes time to get used to the quirks of everything.

The day started well with check in for the Great Southern taking part at the historic Hanworth House; I arrived in my uber and within minutes my luggage was checked in as well as my cabin luggage (so no need to carry it with me thank the train jeebus!), and was offered beverage which thankfully was juice and offered some light refreshments consisting of mostly pastry’s and a lovely yogurt parfait!

Soon enough it was time to board coaches for our transfer to the Acacia Ridge Freight Terminal- for at 28 carriages long the train is simply too big for Roma St! Another interesting fact is that with a rough capacity for approx 223 guests plus staff, passenger wise we were running at 158- which you could tell over the coming days while at communal events such as lunch etc- it meant you could make friends and talk and have intimacy.

Anyway, first lunch was held on the train which like anything done by Journey Beyond was delicious and filling- the sign of things to come as you eat and drink your way across the country!

Soon enough it was time for our first off train experience- our first nights dinner at Coffs Harbour literally metres from the sea! God food was had and good company was had by everyone before we returned to out trusty seed for laissez les bons temps rouler!

Day 2 and 3- Brisbane and Surrounds Exploration

So day two and three for me was about exploring without any real purpose and i somehow also crippled my left ankle LOL.

I ended up just going to the Gold Coast- a quick trip by QR then either connect with the G:Link or a bus to the party central of south east Queensland.

You could tell that it had stormed lately as the waves were bitchin’ (see attached pictures), which i guess is a good thing.

Also seems since my last time there about 20 years ago nothing much has changed- minor things like a mini gold course being demolished and now the site of construction of a 90 story building!

Day 1- Melbourne to Brisbane via Plane

Well what can I say really?

The Virgin Australia lounge i have to admit was fairly meh- I mean sure the atmosphere was on point for virgin and it was nice to have a relax in a quiet-ish environment, but the food was just your average cold cuts with some soup- also i must caveat this all by saying if it like your booze, they have a good selection the bar as well as barrister coffee.

As for the plane trip itself- it really got lucky. For example i had already selected seat 1A (business naturally daaarling), but scored when by the time door 1L had closed, no one was in the seat next to me. The seats are very comfy so even if there was someone next to me it would have ben ok, but still the small things am i right guys?

The cabin manager- who also looks after the business class cabin of just 8 people!- was amazing. He tempted me to select the Christmas turkey and my god it was soo done right- for airplane food it was amazeballs! The guy was amazing- he kept trying to offer me more food and plenty to drink- frankly he made that flight. Virgin gave me a survey to do which I completed but i may just put in a manual compliment as well- thats how amazing he was!

More good luck even occurred; I was prepared to wait ages for my bag to come out of the hold, but lo and behold i was out of the terminal within 5 minutes, a train was another ten minutes away ad every with the rail replacement buses; i only had a wait of less then five minutes before it showed up- width the brilliant bus Marshall actually putting people’s luggage in the disabled area (thankfully no one needed it, otherwise I’m sure he wouldn’t have!).

Frankly it’s a good start to the trip people!