Savannahlander Railway

We were planning to drive to Einasleigh but on our arrival at Forsayth we learned that we had timed it perfectly to travel by train, on The Savannahlander Railway. The Savannahlander travels between Cairns and Forsayth over two days, stopping mid journey at MT Surprise with the passengers transferring to The Undara Lava Tubes Resort for the night.  The following morning The Savannahlander departs MT Surprise and terminates at Forsayth, many of the passengers then transfer by coach to Cobbold Gorge Resort. The train stops overnight at Forsayth then departs for Einasleigh the following morning This is where we boarded.

The Savannahlander waiting for us to board at Forsayth Railway Station at 8:30 AM.

Will providing a running commentary of our travel through the country side and driving the train.

Typical of the terrain we travelled through on the way to Einasleigh.

An idea of the interior of the carriages.

A 'Ballast' truck toppled off the line and was deemed too difficult to recover.

MT Surprise

On our return from our touring North to Cooktown and West to Laura we camped once again at Rocky Creek Memorial Park. Here we met some of the same people that were here on our previous camp over. They too had travelled around and had returned to Rocky Creek. We stayed for a few days, waiting for the weather to improve, it didn't, so westwards we drove, stopping at MT Garnet for lunch and then continuing on to MT Surprise. We booked into "Planet Earth" Caravan Park for two nights and eventually stayed for four relaxing days of fantastic weather. There is nothing picturesque about MT Surprise and with a population of only about seventy-two, the highway passes a few non-descript buildings and that's basically it. The people of MT Surprise are casual and relaxed and with the mild winter climate most of the travellers are happy and relaxed too.

The "Savannahlander" Railway passes through MT Surprise and we missed it as it passed in both directions, but we did time it right for the Saturday Market. At the market we met several locals including two authors, they each having self published works that we bought and had a lengthy chat with them as well. We also got an introduction to the Policeman's Wife, Liz, she is also an Occupational Therapist and Masseur. Judy, who has been suffering a gradually worsening sore shoulder and upper back for the past few weeks, made a booking and received a relieving massage in the cells at the rear of the Police Station.

The entrance to the town of MT Surprise on The Gulf Development Road, otherwise known as "The Savannah Way".

Planet Earth Caravan Park host Russell, conducts his "Snake Show" whenever there is enough interest from the guests. We learned valuable information about the behaviour of snakes and how to deal with them in the wild.

The MT Surprise Railway Station, The Savannahlander stops here twice a week as it travels between Cairns and Forsayth and return.

An easy walk in an easterly direction from MT Surprise flows Elizabeth Creek.

The Railway Trestle Bridge over Elizabeth Creek.

MT Carbine

A long time conundrum was resolved for me on booking into MT Carbine Caravan Park. The Proprietor there, Robert Waterhouse, routinely invites new visitors to a round table discussion on his patio. During this informal gathering he relates interesting facts about the MT Carbine area and Northern Queensland in general. Now to the answer of my conundrum, Towns like, MT Carbine, MT Surprise, MT Garnet and MT Isa have names beginning with MT. Have you ever looked up a postcode for these towns or tried entering an address on a GPS? "MT" is not recognised, you need to enter 'Mount' to achieve a result. In actual fact the "MT" is short for Mining Town and not Mount as there are no mountains in the areas surrounding these towns. The "Shiny Pants" bureaucrats in the Capital Cities have inflicted upon us their incorrect interpretation of the town names and we will suffer for ever more. MT Isa has made some effort to remedy this situation, informally it is now known as "The Isa"

Somewhere along the road from Irvinebank to Herberton we came across this windmill in the centre of the road! We stayed in Herberton for two days and it rained non stop for the two days. It was also quite cold, we had the heater ON in the van for the entire stay. Happy to leave actually. Restocked with fuel and food at Mareeba and headed for Cooktown.

The 'bush camp' setting at MT Carbine Caravan Park.

Another view of the CP.

There are plenty of "Mine Relics" scattered about.

Very interesting strolling around the CP.

Unusual 'Paint Job' on this old steam engine from the past mining era. The piston in the previous photograph is from this engine.