LAST CARRIAGE CLUB

CONVENERS

Gary Condon
0424 741 035 garycondon@bigpond.com

Ron Smith
0425 290 264 pngron2312@gmail.com

Alan Williams
0437 765 117 alanrw@bigpond.com

The answer to the questions on the Members Only page are...

Everyone on board is married

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The Last Carriage Club is usually the first club activity undertaken by new and prospective members of Hawkesbury Probus. We want as many new members as possible to join in these excursions, as this is the easiest way of getting to know our members. After all, we are a large club and large clubs can sometimes be daunting for new arrivals.

The key to the popularity of this event, held on the second Thursday of every month, is the fact that it is a mystery tour. Members like the idea of turning up for a train, not knowing where they will be going until they receive an itinerary after they have boarded the train. This is (almost always) the 8.52 am train from Richmond Station, or any other station down the line. As the name implies we always use the last carriage, especially on the upper deck.

Where we go on these days is virtually anywhere in Sydney or its environs, as far as can be travelled in one day. Even more interestingly we have a new annual excursion which sees us going off on one day with our overnight bags and not returning until the next day. Necessary details are revealed but not the destination. The transport we use are the trains, trams, ferries and buses that are available to the public. Sometimes connections are not available where we arrange a chartered bus or boat. The travelling cost on the day trips is only the $2.50 Opal Card, unless there is a non-Opal Card expense. If that is the case, it is always advised in advance.

Lunch is a part of every day. This might be at a restaurant, club or even a picnic in a special spot. In most cases the lunch location will have been chosen and an arrangement made for the number of people expected. This is usually à la carte and there are always options available at club bistro prices. Sometimes we visit a location with so many possible lunch options we declare it to be “a free range” day, meaning break into small groups and pick around wherever you like. On other occasions it will be a set meal and the cost of this will be collected in advance.

Names for coming events are taken at a club meeting or by email or text to the conveners. Soon after that an acknowledgment email will be sent. Then in the week before the event a reminder email will be sent giving out any information which will be helpful, such as any walking or steps involved, or costs additional to the fare or lunch.

Occasionally, for variety, we will have a trip which involves a popular walk. In this way every trip will not necessarily suit every person. Some itineraries require a maximum number due to limitations in the transport or dining availability. This will always be indicated when names are being taken. When the number is exceeded a waiting list will be started.

The destinations we have had so far are:-

August 2015: Rivercat from Parramatta to Darling Harbour, Fish Markets and tram to Dulwich Hill
September 2015: Train and bus to Palm Beach, ferry to Ettalong and return by train from Woy Woy
October 2015: Train to Kiama and return
November 2015: Ferries from Parramatta to Manly with a return by ferry and train
December 2015: Train to Medlow Bath, visit Hydro Majestic and return by train and bus
January 2016: Train and ferry to Cockatoo Island and return by ferry and train
February 2016: Train to Loftus, visit Sydney Tram Museum, ride the trams and return by train
March 2016: Train to Milsons Point, ferry to Abbotsford, lunch at Sydney Rowing Club and return by ferry
April 2016: Train to Gordon, bus to Newport, lunch at Newport Arms Hotel and return by bus and train
May 2016: Train and ferry to Mosman, lunch at Mosman Rowers Club and return by ferry and train
June 2016: Train, ferry and tram to Belmore, lunch at Canterbury League Club and return by train
July 2016: Train and bus to Drummoyne, lunch at Drummoyne Sailing Club and return by bus and train
August 2016: Train and ferry to Watsons Bay, lunch at Doyles and return by ferry and train
September 2016: Train to Woy Woy, Brisbane Water cruise, lunch at Davistown RSL and return by train
October 2016: Train and bus to Bondi Beach, lunch at Bondi Icebergs Club and return by bus and train
November 2016: Train to Central, walk along 'The Goods Line', Yum-Cha lunch and return by train
December 2016: Train and ferry to Manly, ferry to Fort Denison and return by ferry and train
January 2017: Train to Cronulla, return ferry to Bundeena, lunch at Cronulla RSL and return by train
February 2017: Train to Newcastle and ferry to Stockton for lunch
March 2017: Train and ferry to Manly, bus to The Spit, lunch at Middle Harbour Yacht Club and return
April 2017: Train to Central, tram to Jubilee Park and lunch at The Harris Park Tramsheds
May 2017: Train and ferry to Abbotsford for a lunch at Sydney Rowing Club
June 2017: Train and tram to Darling Harbour for a tour of the Australian National Maritime Museum
July 2017: Train to Cabramatta for a stroll around the Vietnamese shops and dining areas
August 2017: Train and ferry to Watsons Bay, lunch at Doyles and return by ferry and train
September 2017: Train to Wollongong and buses to Wollongong Harbour for lunch
October 2017: Train to Hawkesbury River Station and ferries to and from Dangar Island
November 2017: Train to Circular Quay, ferry to Woolwich and lunch at the Woolwich Pier Hotel
December 2017: Train to Circular Quay, ferry to Manly. A day ay Manly Beach
January 2018: Train to Circular Quay and bus to La Perouse for a guided tour of Bare Island
February 2018: Train to Circular Quay, bus to Church Point and a ferry ride around Scotland Island
March 2018: Train to Circular Quay, tram to Jubilee Park and a short 2.4 km walk to the Fish Markets
April 2018: Train to Leura via Parramatta, lunch and shop in Leura with train and bus returMay 2018: Train and and ferry to Manly and bus return to the city with lunch at Neutral Bay
June 2018: Train to Cronulla and ferry to Bundeens for lunch at the Bundeena Club
July 2018: Train to Summer Hill for an Italian Banquet at Andiamo's Ristorante
August 2018: Train to Circular Quay, ferry to Parramatta, lunch and return by train
September 2018: Train to Circular Quay, bus to Paddington Reservoir Garden, lunch at Watsons Bay
October 2018: Cancelled due to stormy weather
November 2018: Train to Narragingy Nature Reserve at Doonside for a "Teddy Bears Picnic"
December 2018: Train to Woy Woy, Brisbane Water cruise, lunch at Davistown RSL and return by train
January 2019: Train to Kiama and return
February 2019: Train to Hawkesbury River with ferry to Dangar Island
March 2019: Train to Milsons Point, ferry to Balmain and return by ferry and train
April 2019: Train to Wynyard, bus to Collaroy and return
May 2019: Train to Circular Quay, ferry to Manly, bus to Harbord Diggers Club and return
June 2019: We rode Sydney's new Metro rail line from Rouse Hill to Chatswood and return
July 2019: We used bus, metro and train to Gosford to visit the Edogawa Commemorative Garden
August 2019: We went by train to Harris Park where we had an Indian Banquet
September 2019: After using the train to Central we took a bus to Clovelly for lunch at Clovelly Hotel
October 2019: It was a BBQ lunch at the Kokoda Memorial Track at Rhodes using the train both ways
November 2019: We took the train to Bowral including The Southern Highlander
December 2019: As the Clyde to Carlingford train line is closing we rode on it as a farewell
January 2020: We took the train to Circular Quay and rode the new tram service to Randwick
February 2020: Due to very inclement weather we went by train to City Tattersalls Club for lunch
March 2020: After catching the train to the city we used the B-Line bus to Avalon Beach for lunch
All tours in these months were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic
September 2020: After going by train to Circular Quay we took the tram to Kingsford Juniors Club
October 2020: Train to Circular Quay, ferry to Meadowbank, walk across the old rail bridge to Rhodes
November 2020: Train to Circular Quay, ferry to Mosman Bay and lunch at the Mosman Rowing Club
December 2020: Train to Cronulla and return with lunch at Cronulla RSL Club
January 2021: Cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions
February 2021: Train to Strathfield and Epping, metro to Rouse Hill and lunch at Griddle Restaurant
March 2021: Train to Circular Quay, ferry to Manly and bus to Neutral Bay. Lunch at The Oaks Hotel
April 2021: Train to Scarborough with lunch at the Scarborough Hotel on the Pacific Ocean clifftop
May 2021: Train to Circular Quay and return ferry to Abbotsford with lunch at Sydney Rowing Club
June 2021: Train to Strathfield and bus to Ryde return for a special lunch at Ryde Catering College
All tours in these months were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic
November 2021: Train to Wynyard, bus to and lunch at Barangaroo, and return home by ferry and train
December 2021: Train to Woy Woy. Lunch at Ettalong Diggers Club
January 2022: Train to Circular Quay, ferry to Manly. Lunch at the Ivanhoe Hotel, Manly
February 2022: This was our inaugural Multi-Day event. Using trains and coaches we toured the Bathurst Region. A personal report by member Kris Veldon can be read by clicking on this link
March 2022: Cancelled due to flooding in the Hawkesbury and the closure of the rail line
April 2022: Train to Circular Quay and return ferry to Abbotsford with lunch at Sydney Rowing Club
May 2022: We travelled by train to Gosford to the Edogawa Commemorative Garden
June 2022: This was a ferry excursion from Parramatta to Mosman with lunch at Mosman Rowing Club
August 2022: Train, bus, Metro and train to Waitara with lunch at Blue Gum Hotel Waitara.
September 2022: Three-day trip to Newcastle, Hunter River Cruise and then Morpeth Tour. A tour report written by Graham Wilcox can be read by clicking on this link
October 2022: Train and Light Rail to Circular Quay and return ferry to Woolwich, lunch at Woolwich Pier Hotel
November 2022: Train and Light Rail to Jubilee Park and lunch at Harold Park Tram Sheds
December 2022: Train and Ferry to Watsons Bay for lunch and return
February 2023: Train to Woy Woy. Lunch at Harbourview Hotel.
March 2023: Train, Light Rail and Ferry to Milsons Point, then bus to the Kirribilli Club for lunch. return home
by train from Milsons Point.
April 2023: Train to Wentworth Falls, lunch at the Grand View Hotel and return home by train
May 2023: Train and ferry to Manly, lunch at own choice and return by ferry and train. There are photos courtesy of Brian Bailey on the Club Photo Gallery.
June 2023: Train and bus to Paddington, walk around the Paddington Reservoir Garden and lunch at the Imperial Hotel.
July 2023: Train and ferry to Mosman Bay with lunch at the Mosman Rowers Club.
August 2023: Train via Central to Cronulla. Lunch at Cronulla RSL overlooking the beach, watching dolphins play. 6 photos are available on the Club Photo Gallery, thanks Judy.
September 2023: Train to Circular Quay, bus to Bondi Beach and return.
October 2023: Train to Parramatta, ferry to Abbotsford, lunch at Sydney Rowers Club, ferry to Circular Quay and home on the train
November 2023: Train to Belmore, lunch at Canterbury Leagues Club, return by train.
December 2023: Postponed due to extreme heat.
January 2024: Train to Circular Quay, Light Rail to Randwick for lunch, return by Light Rail to Central, home on the train.
February 2024: Train to Newtown, window shop along King St before lunch, then train home.
March 2024: Train to Woy Woy; Brisbane Waters cruise; lunch at Davistown RSL; return by ferry to Woy Woy; train home.
April 2024: Train to Rockdale, bus to Brighton-Le-Sands, lunch and return by bus and train.
May 2024: Train to Quakers Hill, bus to Rouse Hill, Metro to Chatswood for lunch, then train home.
June 2024: Train to Circular Quay, ferry to Woolwich, lunch at the Woolwich Hotel.
July 2024: Train to Central, bus then Light Rail to Pyrmont Bay, Ferry to Circular Quay. Bastille Day Celebrations on at Circular Quay so members wandered around and ate from the many stalls available.
August 2024: Train to Circular Quay, then ferry to Watsons Bay, return by ferry and train.
September 2024: Train to Quakers Hill, bus to Rouse Hill, then the new Metro through to Sydenham. Lunch at the General Gordon Hotel next to Sydenham station. Return by Metro to Central and Train home.
October 2024: Train to Circular Quay, ferry to Manly, Lunch at Manly, return home by ferry and train.
November 2024: Train to Circular Quay, Light Rail to Randwick, bus to Coogee for lung at The Legions Club. Return by bus, Light Rail and Train.
December 2024: Train to Circular Quay, Ferry to Olympic Park, walk / bus to Rhides, lunch at Bare Witness Cafe, return by train from Rhodes.
January 2025: Train to Parramatta, then train to Campbelltown (via Glenfield). Lunch at the Campbell. Return home by train (via Glenfield and Schofields). 7 Photos on the Photo Gallery page