The Gulflander
The Gulflander
4.5
Full view
About
Climb aboard the legendary Gulflander for a rail journey unlike any other. Originally built to connect the once bustling river port of Normanton with the rich gold fields of Croydon, today the Gulflander is a tourism icon and working tribute to the early pioneers of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Normanton, Queensland, Australia
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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4.5
126 reviews
Excellent
81
Very good
35
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
1
LanceBombardier
Townsville, Australia110 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Couples
We've intended to at least see the Tin Hare for about twenty years and here we finally are getting aboard.
We learned, from the excellent commentary, that the railway had been built quickly and economically, using steel sleepers with the rails welded on. This meant we couldn't go very quickly, so we had plenty of time to listen to the commentary and to see everything.
The tea (and plunger coffee) break at Black Bull siding was fun and a chance to use our new free mugs.
Lunch at Croydon was excellent and topped off a lovely morning
We learned, from the excellent commentary, that the railway had been built quickly and economically, using steel sleepers with the rails welded on. This meant we couldn't go very quickly, so we had plenty of time to listen to the commentary and to see everything.
The tea (and plunger coffee) break at Black Bull siding was fun and a chance to use our new free mugs.
Lunch at Croydon was excellent and topped off a lovely morning
Written 17 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the review, glad you enjoyed your journey onboard. Such a special way to travel. Enjoy your mugs!
Written 6 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David Webby
Petersham, Australia415 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Solo
Traveled on the gulf lander as part of a tour fabulous old station nostalgia back to the old days of outback travel staff super friendly good commentary provided by the supervisor a Wonder experience on another Queensland train we went on 4this trips personal thanks to all the staff on the train @at normonton station
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the review, it sure is a special journey!
Written 2 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Elspeth H
27 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
What a wonderful, historic journey. I'm so glad I did this. Normanton station is charming and has a good little museum about the train line. Working out where to sit was a little haphazard but, as far as I could tell, everyone was happy with their seats and had a good view. The commentary was interesting and not over the top - it never intruded on the enjoyment of the journey. Really enjoyed the scenery and glad that there was time to stop and see it.
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to review. Glad you had a great time onboard!
Written 24 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lesley K
Sydney, Australia155 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Couples
Travelling on the 1950 Rail Motor from Normanton to Croydon was a unique and wonderful experience. Our Driver and 'Kiwi' in support role were informative, amusing and really know the Motor and the outback. A thoroughly enjoyable way to see, feel and hear about the wonderful landscape in far north west Qld.
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amazing to hear. So glad you had such a wonderful experience.
Written 24 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Schlepper1939
Brisbane Region, Australia883 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Friends
This ride has been on our “bucket list” for years but was well worth the wait. We travelled from Normanton to Croydon to fit in with our itinerary, however it is possible to go in the reverse direction, or both. Normanton to Croydon happens on Wednesday and Croydon to Normanton on Thursday, but not all year.
A fabulous way to see a remote area and learn of the history and geography of the area from knowledgeable train staff. We stopped for tea/coffee and nice muffins at Black Bull.
Not the smoothest of train rides I have experienced, but well worth the time and effort.
Highly recommended.
A fabulous way to see a remote area and learn of the history and geography of the area from knowledgeable train staff. We stopped for tea/coffee and nice muffins at Black Bull.
Not the smoothest of train rides I have experienced, but well worth the time and effort.
Highly recommended.
Written 17 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glad you had a great time onboard, thank you for taking the time to review.
Written 3 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jan J
Brisbane, Australia49 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Couples
We travelled from Normanton to Croydon on the Gulflander train as part of a trip combining Gulflander and Savannahlander trains across western North Queensland. It was an amazing trip incorporating Cobbold Gorge and Undara Lava Tubes and much more. There was never a dull moment and we went at a lively pace.
Written 11 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amazing! Thank you for your review, and glad you had a great time. Happy onwards travels!
Written 16 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CEC939
Sydney, Australia274 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Friends
Old and tired train,that said our experience was a good on mainly due to the guard Kiwi. Would advise you take a cushion or towel to sit on as seats are uncomfortable. Half day trip to Croydon was good
Written 11 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your honest review. Our beloved Gulflander is 73years young, however I will most certainly pass on your feedback. We are happy you enjoyed your journey regardless.
Written 11 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Robyn S
12 contributions
Nov. 2022
My wife and I went on the Gulflander in the first week of November 2022 and went from Normanton to Croydon in great weather. Glen was an excellent driver and guide explaining all the terrain whilst mobile and also identifying wildlife, water and flood levels in the wet and dry seasons. Glen always made us feel safe and ensured safety in and around the train. Anne was also a wealth of information at the station prior to boarding and provided a great morning tea. The staff were very professional and I would (will) recommend the Gulflander as a tourist destination to our friends.
Written 5 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the review! Glad you had a great time onboard and enjoyed the trip!
Written 6 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
OrderintheHouse
Brisbane2,810 contributions
Jun. 2022
In June and July 2022 my wife and I travelled with Great Value Holidays, a Queensland tour company and took a holiday package promoted as “The Awesome Foursome” to highlight that the tour included four rail journeys. The tour incorporated the Spirit of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns and return; the Gulflander from Normanton to Blackbull Siding; the Savannahlander from Forsayth to Mount Surprise and the Kuranda Gold Pass Scenic Railway from Kuranda to Cairns.
This review provides our impressions of the Gulflander rail trip we undertook on day 5 of the tour.
The Gulflander from Normanton to Croydon west of Cairns is a rail adventure totalling 151 kilometres that should be on everyone’s “bucket list” of “must do” things before departing this earthy scene. What makes it special is the uniquely designed red Rail Motor in use, dating back to the 1950s and very adaptable to the harshness of Queensland’s Gulf Country. The Rail Motor has been affectionately referred to as the “Tin Hare”.
The train sets out from Normanton Railway Station at Normanton, 680 kilometres west of Cairns and located in the bottom western corner of Cape York. The Station was built in 1889 and the station building is rectangular in plan with offices on either side of a central arched passage. The rooms at the Station today house the ticket office for the Gulflander, a very interesting Railway Museum with free entry, a kiosk serving light snacks and drinks and a very well stocked souvenir shop offering some very thoughtful souvenirs including shirts, mouse pads, ladies’ handbags and cups. There are some interesting railway exhibits located outside the Station – one being the restored Class B13 Steam engine used on the Normanton –Croydon line before the advent of the Rail Motor in the early 1900s.
The original Normanton to Croydon Railway began construction in 1888 and was proposed because of the copper mining industry in Cloncurry and the cattle industry. The line was completed in three stages – to Hayden (51 km) on 7 May 1889; to Blackbull (90km) on 15 December 1890 and Croydon (151km) on 20 July 1891. The Museum at the Normanton Railway Station sings the high praises of George Phillips an engineer and advocate of the Gulf Country, who supervised construction of this railway line. Phillips was responsible for steel sleepers being embedded into the ground making them less susceptible to movement, thus reducing damage during floods. Today the line is administered by Queensland Rail and the Gulflander operates purely as a tourist service. As a testament to the wise pioneering vision of engineer George Phillips, most of the steel sleepers that were in use over a century ago are still in use today.
My wife and I did the section of the Gulflander trip from Normanton to Blackbull Siding, where we alighted after a very enjoyable morning tea stop ( Billy Tea in a souvenir keepsake enamel mug). Our tour group then travelled to Croydon by bus with passengers not on our tour continuing their Gulflander experience. The 90 kilometre stretch from Normanton to Blackbull still gave us a very good insight into just how impressive this train trip is. We were sitting in the middle carriage (of three carriages) and our seats were the more comfortable. The train adventure is not a smooth journey and in fact the train actually rattles along reaching a top speed of 40 kilometres per hour and can be a bit bumpy in places. Walking through the carriages needs to be undertaken with care by holding on to the ends of seats very firmly due to the roughness of the ride at times. However, that is what makes the journey so special and different.
Throughout the journey Glen our driver offered a good commentary of the countryside as we rattled along – lots of different trees, waterways, savannah grasses and dry land with countless large termite nests dotted everywhere. The train line runs parallel along one side of the main road and at a point in the road it then crosses the road and runs parallel along the other side of the road. There was enough different countryside to see and enjoy from the generous viewing windows to retain maximum interest. There is an amazing diversity of outback countryside from Wetlands and Grasslands to arid Savannah country.
Blackbull Siding was a good spot for the Gulflander to stop for morning tea and it is tailor-made for that purpose with a well constructed covered area with loads of seating for everyone on the train to enjoy their cuppa and cake, as well as toilet facilities. There are a number of interesting weather proofed posters depicting the railway history of the area that are well worth reading. On one of these posters it states that Blackbull was identified as early as 1899 as a “place for Tea and Cake” during the journey from Croydon to Glencoe (22km out of Normanton) ) and thus it could be considered an early form of a “Railway Refreshment Room”
We thoroughly enjoyed our railway experience travelling in the “Tin Hare” seeing some of the most remote and inaccessible countryside within Queensland’s Gulf Country in grand style.
A special word of thanks should be directed to Queensland Rail for maintaining this iconic train service as a valuable Queensland tourist treasure, when they could so easily pull up the line like has happened in many other parts of Queensland. However, they haven’t and long may it stay that way.
This review provides our impressions of the Gulflander rail trip we undertook on day 5 of the tour.
The Gulflander from Normanton to Croydon west of Cairns is a rail adventure totalling 151 kilometres that should be on everyone’s “bucket list” of “must do” things before departing this earthy scene. What makes it special is the uniquely designed red Rail Motor in use, dating back to the 1950s and very adaptable to the harshness of Queensland’s Gulf Country. The Rail Motor has been affectionately referred to as the “Tin Hare”.
The train sets out from Normanton Railway Station at Normanton, 680 kilometres west of Cairns and located in the bottom western corner of Cape York. The Station was built in 1889 and the station building is rectangular in plan with offices on either side of a central arched passage. The rooms at the Station today house the ticket office for the Gulflander, a very interesting Railway Museum with free entry, a kiosk serving light snacks and drinks and a very well stocked souvenir shop offering some very thoughtful souvenirs including shirts, mouse pads, ladies’ handbags and cups. There are some interesting railway exhibits located outside the Station – one being the restored Class B13 Steam engine used on the Normanton –Croydon line before the advent of the Rail Motor in the early 1900s.
The original Normanton to Croydon Railway began construction in 1888 and was proposed because of the copper mining industry in Cloncurry and the cattle industry. The line was completed in three stages – to Hayden (51 km) on 7 May 1889; to Blackbull (90km) on 15 December 1890 and Croydon (151km) on 20 July 1891. The Museum at the Normanton Railway Station sings the high praises of George Phillips an engineer and advocate of the Gulf Country, who supervised construction of this railway line. Phillips was responsible for steel sleepers being embedded into the ground making them less susceptible to movement, thus reducing damage during floods. Today the line is administered by Queensland Rail and the Gulflander operates purely as a tourist service. As a testament to the wise pioneering vision of engineer George Phillips, most of the steel sleepers that were in use over a century ago are still in use today.
My wife and I did the section of the Gulflander trip from Normanton to Blackbull Siding, where we alighted after a very enjoyable morning tea stop ( Billy Tea in a souvenir keepsake enamel mug). Our tour group then travelled to Croydon by bus with passengers not on our tour continuing their Gulflander experience. The 90 kilometre stretch from Normanton to Blackbull still gave us a very good insight into just how impressive this train trip is. We were sitting in the middle carriage (of three carriages) and our seats were the more comfortable. The train adventure is not a smooth journey and in fact the train actually rattles along reaching a top speed of 40 kilometres per hour and can be a bit bumpy in places. Walking through the carriages needs to be undertaken with care by holding on to the ends of seats very firmly due to the roughness of the ride at times. However, that is what makes the journey so special and different.
Throughout the journey Glen our driver offered a good commentary of the countryside as we rattled along – lots of different trees, waterways, savannah grasses and dry land with countless large termite nests dotted everywhere. The train line runs parallel along one side of the main road and at a point in the road it then crosses the road and runs parallel along the other side of the road. There was enough different countryside to see and enjoy from the generous viewing windows to retain maximum interest. There is an amazing diversity of outback countryside from Wetlands and Grasslands to arid Savannah country.
Blackbull Siding was a good spot for the Gulflander to stop for morning tea and it is tailor-made for that purpose with a well constructed covered area with loads of seating for everyone on the train to enjoy their cuppa and cake, as well as toilet facilities. There are a number of interesting weather proofed posters depicting the railway history of the area that are well worth reading. On one of these posters it states that Blackbull was identified as early as 1899 as a “place for Tea and Cake” during the journey from Croydon to Glencoe (22km out of Normanton) ) and thus it could be considered an early form of a “Railway Refreshment Room”
We thoroughly enjoyed our railway experience travelling in the “Tin Hare” seeing some of the most remote and inaccessible countryside within Queensland’s Gulf Country in grand style.
A special word of thanks should be directed to Queensland Rail for maintaining this iconic train service as a valuable Queensland tourist treasure, when they could so easily pull up the line like has happened in many other parts of Queensland. However, they haven’t and long may it stay that way.
Written 31 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tanya
Brisbane Region, Australia9 contributions
Oct. 2022 • Solo
Visited the station and museum and met Anne whom was a wealth of information on the Gulflander and local knowledge. Definitely drop in to organise a trip on the historic Gulflander and walk through the museum which was complimentary. Grab yourself a coffee at the cafe/shop and enjoy the lovely breeze through the station entrance. Well worth a visit.
Written 6 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amazing to hear. Thankyou for the review. Such a beautiful journey.
Written 23 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Robyn S
12 contributions
About three days ago I wrote a review about the GulfLander Train Trip between Normanton and Croydon on 2 November 2022 and my wife and I had a memorable trip however when I ticked submit it only showed one tick which was unintentional. I wanted to tick 5 out of 5 for our experience as our trip was fantastic and would recommend to all my friends to share this experience and I hope I didn't offend anyone as the one star rating was not intentional.
Cheers
Paul and Robyn
8 November 2022
KatielouAustralia
Hobart, Australia1,734 contributions
Not sure if you realize that you can delete the unintended post. Easy to cut and paste your words and give the appropriate rating.
hope this helps.
Price list for all options please.
Lorraine L
Tarwin Lower, Australia3,009 contributions
We took the trip from Normanton to Critters camp, a two hour trip and we had pensioner rates which I think might have been half price and we paid around $25 return.
