Borderline

We're driving to Brisbane for Christmas. This involves a state border crossing. Which, in the time of covid, requires an online permit and production of various documents as proof of place of residence and vaccination status. We've chosen to take the long way around to avoid the lengthy delays we'd inevitably encounter on the direct route through the Gold Coast. Today at Wallangarra, on the New England Highway, we were stopped for only 30 seconds or so for police checks.

In the 'old days', rail travel between Brisbane and Sydney also involved border delays. NSW built its railways at 'standard gauge' of 4 foot 8 1/2 inches. Queensland railways were 'narrow gauge', 3 foot 6 inches.  In the 1880s a line was built connecting the NSW and Queensland rail systems and providing a link between Brisbane and Sydney. But this involved a change of train at Wallangarra, on the state border, because of the change of gauge. The photo shows the train station at Wallangarra where passengers transferred. Queensland trains operated from the platform on the left, with the rounded roof, traditional in Queensland. NSW trains operated on the right hand platform, with the traditional NSW flat roofline. Wikipedia has lots of details. Sadly, the last passenger train through Wallangarra ran in early 1972.

The Railway Refreshment Room closed in 1973. It has since reopened to serve coffee and meals to locals and travellers. When we visited today it was set up for a Christmas function (extra).

Wallangarra train station is very close to the crest of the Great Dividing Range. The sign gives the height above sea level of 2882 feet.

We're staying at a farm-stay BnB outside Stanthorpe, Queensland.  Internet connection is a bit wobbly. I won't have much opportunity to comment on blips until we get to Brisbane, later in the week.