The Fifty Cent Train Ride to Landsborough
Landsborough here we come. With a state election this year, our government announced a program of having public transport at only 50c around Brisbane and some other regions. It means that we can catch a train or a bus within a wide range of areas, for this measly amount. It was expected that it would help the then government to get back into power at the state elections but it didn’t. With the new government, we are still enjoying this discount, which may end at the end of January, 2025, unless the new government extends it.
I must say it has been useful for many, though not without some challenges. Where I normally catch a train, it is difficult to get a parking spot – I have to drive to a station, park, and then catch the train, but with so many people giving car transport away due to the very low cost of public transport, it has seen an increase in cars at the bus or train stations. I have to drive a longer distance to find a park.
Landsborough station – across from the pub.
Over the last three months I have just done my normal trips, that is until this week when I had to go out west to Ipswich. I usually drive, but on this occasion I was meeting near the centre of the city so it was a lot cheaper than driving the 70 kms each way. It worked wonderfully, though drama on the return trip (broken down train and more) dulled it a little.
A few days later I went with three friends to Landsborough (known as Mellem Creek in early history) around 85 kms away – and all for 50 cents each way! And it was a glorious trip.
In the town of Landsborough
The Journey
The four of us talked a lot, but I managed to keep my eyes on the scenery as the train travelled through territory that I was quite familiar with, as I had lived in the region a few years ago.
The area was and still is famous for its fruit growing – a big strawberry growing area, pineapples, bananas and now more unfamiliar fruits. However, it is not the very rural area of the past and the population is increasing with housing projects, making it almost suburban. Around 100 years ago it was a big area for tobacco – and I have good memories of driving past the tobacco farms, which of course are no more.
Landsborough and History
I had driven through Landsborough on many occasions, on my way to Montville, Maleny and other towns high on the mountains overlooking the Sunshine Coast, but apart from visiting the Museum, I had not stopped in the town before.
In the Vinnies Op Shop
In front of the old E S and A Bank building
Do you remember the E S and A Bank? It was started way back in 1852, as the English, Scottish and Australian Bank, and in 1970 it merged with the ANZ Bank. Some of the old bank buildings remain dotted around Australia.
I was impressed. It is such a pretty little town. We had coffee, then visited a wonderful plant shop, then the Vinnies Op Shop, and then crossed the road to the Museum (which was lovely – certainly updated since my last visit) before heading back to the Landsborough Hotel for lunch. When all was done we headed across the road/park to the train station for the trip back home.
A must see special boat in the Museum
We had a wonderful day, and enjoyed learning more about this lovely little town. Next time though that we take such a trip we might try and pick a cooler day – fortunately the trains are air conditioned these days.
The Cart with Red Wheels in the wonderful Museum
I may just go there again for there is more to see than we managed to do.
