Car Freight Company Wanted

Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 17:33

ThreadID: 56435 Views:5654 Replies:8 FollowUps:5

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Member - Alex K (NSW)

Hi All,

I am looking at alternatives to driving from Sydney to Cairns for a short trip at the end of July. Ideally I would have much longer however, I only have 2 weeks and would rather not drive hwy's for 6 out of my 16 days.

I have enquired with rail and car transportation services. I have been informed that there is no state rail service to transport cars from Sydney to Brisbane/Cairns. I have also been told by several freight companies that they can't freight a car that is loaded with our stuff (they have to be completely empty).

I would like to know if anyone has done or heard of such a service for what I'm after. There are 3 4WD's in total, so the saving in fuel alone plus getting 6 days extra of Cairns experience would be worth the freight costs.

Thanks in advance,
Alex

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Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 17:43

Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 17:43

Strange I see wagons on the back of the Sunlander with vehicles on them almost every day. Passing thru Caboolture station. Even has specially shrouded wagons.

AnswerID: 297396

Follow Up By: Saharaman (aka Geepeem) - Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 19:42

Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 19:42

I think you will find this service is for passengers on the train only.
You cannot freight your vehicle on a passenger service if you are not a passenger.
But QR does take vehicles on normal freight trains. I have seen new Telstra vehicles on them for example.
So I don't think this will help Alex's situation unless he can get the vehicle to Brisbane by rail.
Cheers

FollowupID: 563436

Follow Up By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 19:44

Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 19:44

We put our 4x4 on the Queenslander, departs from Brisbane on
the Sunday and arrives in Cairns on the Monday afternoon,
We booked a sleeper cabin, and had a fantastic trip, you can also
take the economy seats as well, great food, have a few drinks and relax, saves driving both ways.

Cheers
Daza

FollowupID: 563437

Follow Up By: Member - Alex K (NSW) - Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 07:21

Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 07:21

You guys are right. QR have got it sorted but NSW Rail doesn't. If I lived in Bris (or anywhere on the QLD coast) I'd be fine. Getting the cars from Syd to Bris seems to be the biggest problem. Thanks for you ideas.

FollowupID: 563497

Reply By: Member - Andrew L (WA) - Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 18:28

Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 18:28

I had similar issues trying to find a someone to freight our 4WD from Perth to Melbourne. I could not find anyone who would transport a vehicle thats is not empty (no good to me as I want to have all our camping /fishing gear). I have now resigned myself to the long drive.
Leachy

AnswerID: 297407

Reply By: sfletch - Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 18:32

Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 18:32

Sunlander is right i am sure.You can get a train from Bris to cairns but not Syd to Bris.

AnswerID: 297409

Reply By: Scott C (QLD) - Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 20:06

Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 20:06

Hi Alex

I shipped 3 fully loaded 4WD (including tinnies on roof) from Noosa to Cairns in 2005. They picked up the cars from Noosa and had them unloaded waiting for us at Cairns airport when we stepped off the plane. We spent 15 Day enjoying the good life then met the same guys back in Cairns, loaded the cars, and they dropped them back 2 days later at the door.
From memory it cost $500 per car.
I cant remember the company but there were based at Bribie Island, I will have a look at the office tomorrow and post if I can find it.
Hope this help,
Scott

AnswerID: 297429

Reply By: PradOz - Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 22:41

Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 22:41

not sure if this company can help in the direction you are going but worth trying.

Alans Unique Car Carriers

Alan 0418 226 696

02- 4385 8744

or email

alsuniquecarcarriers@bigpond.com

They helped me out bringing a caravan bumper bar from Vic to NSW. Anyway give it a go - good luck!!

AnswerID: 297477

Follow Up By: Member - Alex K (NSW) - Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 07:23

Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 07:23

Thanks, I'll give then a call.

FollowupID: 563498

Reply By: Member - Derek L (QLD) - Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 23:28

Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008 at 23:28

Alex

Go with a company like TNT or Toll that can offer a service from Sydney to Brisbane then Cairns. No dout it will get unloaded and loaded a few times on the way to make it to Carins. This means you are only dealing with 1 company. You drop it off in Sydney then you pick it up in Carins. Who cares how many trailers it went on to get there thats not your problem.

Good luck.
Derek

AnswerID: 297490

Follow Up By: Member - Alex K (NSW) - Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 07:25

Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 at 07:25

Hi Derek,

This was my ideal situation but have been told by Toll and some smaller mobs that they won't ship cars with anything more than the cig lighter and manual in them. Do you a way around this?

Alex

FollowupID: 563499