Cheapest way to Cairns

["peter berrett <pberrett@" <"remove-this-spambait>tbsa.com.au"@inferno.mpx.com.au>]

Hi all

I have a family obligation to pop up to Cairns in the near future
(probably January 1999 or February 1999) and I have been trying to work
out the cheapest way to get up there with some degree of comfort. I have
had a look at some rail passes etc but am interested to hear what would
be the cheapest way to get up there and back subject to the following
conditions.


1. First condition is that I shall be travelling Melbourne to Cairns and
then back to Melbourne by train only - no air as I don't like flying.
I'd also like to be able to stop off at places like Brisbane and Sydney
for a day or two.
 
2. Any night travel must be by sleeper, preferably first class but I'll
settle for an economy class sleeper. 

3. I am willing to become a member of the YHA if it results in a lower
overall fare (including YHA fees).

4. I shall be travelling with my wife.

5. If possible I might want to include a side trip to Mt Isa but this is
not mandatory.

So what is the most inexpensive way to organise the above? I might add
that my ife and I would be both Australian full fare paying passengers
ie we are not full-time students or on any form of benefits.

At first glance the cheapest combination would appear to be the
following;

1. Return sleeper Melb to Syd

2. Return econony tickets Syd to Murwillumbah (economy seats) and
bus/spark to Brisbane (day trip)

3. Queensland first class rail pass (thus also giving a side trip to Mt
Isa).

I had contemplated the Melbourne to Cairns East Coast railpass but this
appears to be economy only. I'd take it if there was some way to upgrade
to First class ie buy a first class east coast rail pass or pass a
premium on top for a sleeper.

I might add that my dad who lives in Cairns will shortly be coming to
Sydney for my graduation (I study at UNSW by correspondence part-time)
and he cannot fly due to a fear of enclosed spaces. I would like him to
travel in a degree of comfort by rail - what is the cheapest way to get
him to Sydney and back by sleeper from cairns?

At the same time I shall also skip up to Sydney along with my wife to
attend my graduation - any suggestion on ways to get a cheepa sleepa
there and back? (Hey - that sounds like a great marketing gimmick - the
cheepa sleepa!)

Thanking you for your help

cheers Peter