You won’t want to miss a trip on the Gulflander to experience the Gulf Savannah’s tapestry of rugged landscapes and rich history.  The legendary Gulflander, a 1950s railmotor affectionately known as the “Tin Hare,” travels between Normanton and Croydon during the months of April to October each year (depending on the weather).

One of the best ways to get to Croydon is along the Savannah Way. Passing through Ngunbay (Kuranda), Mareeba, Atherton, Mt Surprise, Georgetown then Croydon, familiar faces often become part of your journey as you explore this stunning region. The trip out there is half the fun, setting the stage for your unforgettable rail adventure!

The Gulflander offers some captivating experiences like Gulflander Classic Experience, Critters Camp Excursion and Croydon Golden Sunset Tour. Each journey provides its own blend of history, scenery, and charm, offering varying options to suit the type of Savannah visitor!

Combine the Gulflander experience with a self-drive adventure! The self-drive and share option allows you and your travel companion to craft a journey that’s as flexible as it is memorable. Experience the full 5-hour adventure from Croydon to Normanton or vice-versa, along the heritage-listed railway line. Your driver and guide will entertain you along the way with unique insights about local history and points of interest as you travel through Country.

This stretch of the Savannah Way showcases the region’s distinctive beauty, with vast open plains and a beautiful display of native flora and fauna. Arriving in Blackbull, enjoy morning tea as you feel the echoes of the Gulflander’s storied past. It’s here that you and your travel companion can swap seats – a perfect opportunity to share the Gulflander journey through this remote, yet captivating landscape.

From Blackbull, the adventure continues to Normanton, a town brimming with character and history. Known for the famous Purple Pub and the life-sized replica of Krys, the largest saltwater crocodile ever caught, Normanton is a destination that’s as colourful as its stories. Built in 1889, and a true oasis among the salt plains of the Norman River, Normanton railway station is a heritage-listed treasure trove of history and architecture. As you disembark the Gulflander, take time to enjoy a self-guided walk around the station precinct and explore the museum, vintage locomotives, wagons, carriages, buildings and gardens. Along the walk you will find stories about the station and the trains which operated along the railway line.

For more details, visit The Gulflander.