Hi Perth rotor heads,

Our trip has been postponed until the first of February.
A very good friend of ours is a lady pilot with
American Airlines and she is coming along.
I have my on line visa ready to go :)

We will be landing in Melbourne, staying for a day or so
and then taking the two day the train trip to Perth.

I would like to visit some rotary shops in Melbourne
if anybody has some suggestions along those lines.
Is Guru racing still in biz?

I am planning to get checked out in a C 172, if
possible, in Perth as I still have my Aussie pilots license.
Perhaps you Western Australia guys can suggest a day trip
in the C172 to an interesting place in Western Australia.

Paul Lamar

Paul,
The Indian Pacific Train to Perth calls at Adelaide on its way from
Sydney
to Perth  (not Melbourne). You should check this out. Recently did the
trip
SY to Perth, great, and would do it again. Our next trip is Adelaide to
Darwin by The Ghan.

Colin Smith

We could get off the plane in Sydney.

Paul Lamar

-----------------------------------------

Colin,

What is it about this web site I do not understand?
http://www.discoverwest.com.au/indian-pacific.html

Paul Lamar

Paul,

On the web site go to the section Ind/Pac via Melbourne... 10 day special
"Discover" package. Mention is made of 1 night in an Adelaide hotel. In
the
note at the bottom mention is made of travel to Adelaide by "Overlander".
The trip M to A appears to be overnight (small print) and I don't
understand
the need for 1 night in Adelaide.

The actual Ind/Pac train does not go to Melbourne. You journey from
Melbourne by "Overlander" train to Adelaide where you transfer to the
Ind/Pac, which arrives in Adelaide from Sydney at 1505 either Sunday or
Thursday, and departs 1840 same day. (It leaves Syd Saturday or Wednesday
at
1455 and arrives Perth Tuesday or Saturday at 0910)

Will check with a travel agent tomorrow and advise.

Colin Smith

OK Colin,
Thanks

Paul Lamar

Paul,
There is a 9 day trip from Melbourne to Perth which is "Overlander" from M
to Adelaide and the Ind/Pac from A to P. Leave M at 0735 on Saturday for
connection in A on Sunday.

There is also a 10 day (or longer, your choice, extra nights $39) trip from
M to P starting on the "Overlander" with 1 night (or more) in Adelaide
before joining the Ind/Pac in Adelaide on Sunday as before. This must leave
Melbourne on Friday (for 1 night stay) to make the connection on Sunday.

I am so far unable to find a connection to the Thursday (Adelaide) Ind/Pac.

Do you want to stop in Adelaide, at all, one night?(or more)

Do you want to leave at 0735 from central Melbourne Saturday, Friday,
whenever?

Colin Smith


There may be two web sites. One for tourist (us) and one for locals.
Here is the one I am looking at.
http://www.discoverwest.com.au/indian-pacific.html

I thought it was three days.
Sat at 7:35 AM to Tues... 3 days... 75 hours times 50 MPH average is 3750 miles.
About right.


Paul Lamar

Paul,
The trains are run by Great Southern Railways (www.gsr.com.au). If you check
this site you will get all train info and time tables, and will be able to
make a booking. Remember that the trip from Melbourne to Adelaide is by
"Overlander" and the trip from Adelaide to Perth is by "Indian Pacific"

The Discover West is a tour booking company, and as such promotes package
holidays with stays in various cities and holiday destinations which may
include train journeys. They are a difficult company to deal with as they
keep trying to promote packages.

If you only want the train, I suggest that you go direct to GSR. Note that
the timetables shown on the "Overland" site are for April 09, and a direct
enquiry would be necessary to confirm the times for Feb.09 when you wish to
travel. As shown you would need a quick change of trains in Adelaide.

Colin Smith

Thanks Colin
We are looking at those packages for our return flight to Melbourne.


Paul Lamar