Day 11: Leaving Brisbane for Cairns

Weather Update: Heavy rain from early morning until lunchtime, with sunny intervals in the afternoon and a high of 22°C.

Early Morning Start

I woke up early today at 6:15 am—not by choice, but I was wide awake. Brisbane greeted me with another day of rain, marking the third consecutive day of relentless downpours.

Domestic Chores and Preparation

Taking advantage of the rain, I caught up on some much-needed laundry—something I hadn’t done in years, thanks to my wonderful landlady Sally who always took care of it. Relearning the skills of laundry, drying, and cooking has been an adventure. At least I don’t have to worry about ironing; the tumble dryer took care of all the creases.

Passing the Time

With time to kill before my train departure, I updated my blog and map. I’m looking forward to sharing a virtual tour of The Spirit of Queensland train soon. Restless from waiting, I headed to a nearby pub, just a five-minute walk from the train station, to pass the time.

The Travel Mishap

I arrived early at the station, ready for my 25-hour journey. Realizing the scope of this trip, I compared it to a long-haul flight—ground views instead of skies. However, a last-minute check of my ticket revealed a mistake: my train wasn’t scheduled to leave today but on Monday. In a frantic effort, I tried to board today’s train but couldn’t. Fortunately, I secured a seat on the Saturday train instead.

Returning to the Hostel

Back to Bunk Brisbane, I miraculously secured a room despite the hostel being fully booked. My initial plan was to sleep in a chair if necessary, but luckily, I got a bed. Sometimes things do work out in the end!

Reflections

Travelling continues to surprise me with its unexpected twists and turns. For those of you following my journey, I hope these updates provide an authentic glimpse into the realities of travel.

Walking Today: 3.67Km

Overall 2 Flights: 2403.27 km, 4 Trains: 985km, 2 Buses: 217.75 km, 1 Car: 234 km,

Walking: 75.59km

Overall Total: 3964.06Km