Best value is sometimes only available before leaving home

Press, 22 September 1987, Page 34

Best value is sometimes only available before leaving home

Australian railways offer many travel opportunities for overseas visitors, but some are only available before leaving home. For anyone contemplating extensive travel, significant savings can be made by purchasing an Austrailpass which can only be obtained outside of Australia.

Mr Greg Donovan, who runs the Australian Rail booking section at the Christchurch railway station, says more people should be purchasing the Austrailpass Instead of paying ordinary fares.

An Austrailpass can be purchased for periods from 21 to 90 days and they are available for first class or budget travel.

Mr Donovan says that the pass covers seating

accommodation on all trains. Should the traveller want meals or sleeping accommodation, an extra fee has to be paid.

There is also another important point to remember. Reserved seats are necessary on many long-distance and interstate services. Bookings can usually be made before starting the journey, but in the peak seasoh it is best to pre-book once an itinerary has been planned. Bookings for Australian rail journeys can be made at airline booking offices, travel agents, or directly to the Australian Rail section at Christchurch railway station.

Mr Donovan says there has been a growth rate of about 140 per cent in Australian rail bookings during the last

two years. “This is quite incredible because Australian railway journeys have had very little advertising in New Zealand,” he says. “Many people have phoned me when they have returned from their trip to say how fantastic their train journeys were.” Mr Donovan is able to advise travellers the best way to purchase their rail travel. “We can work out if it is best to buy an Austrailpass or pay ordinary fares,” he says.

“There are also advantages in paying for shorter journeys, such as between Sydney and Melbourne, in advance. People can take advantage of the advance purchase CAPER fares

which offer discounts of up to 30 per cent” The Australian “Two City Sensation” flights are especially suitable for New Zealanders wanting to sample intercity rail travel. For example, one could fly to Melbourne, take a daylight or overnight journey to Sydney, and return to Christchurch from there.

Mr Donovan says most Australian rail services are popular with New Zealanders, especially the longer trips such as the Indian Pacific, which offer high-class meals and overnight accommodation.

The various Queensland rail tours are also very popular, but they are usually booked up well in advance. The famous Daylight

Rail Tour takes six days to travel between Brisbane and Cairns. Numerous stops for sightseeing are made along the way and passengers are accommodated in motels overnight

The daylight tour started out by using a railcar, but it soon became so popular that a special train of air-condi-tioned carriages was set aside for the tour. “The Australian railways are very good to deal with and bookings are confirmed within 24 hours,” Mr Donovan says.

“It is easy to get excited about Australian rail journeys. They are reliable and affordable, and very suitable for New Zealand travellers.”