By train
NSW Countrylink runs services from Sydney to Canberra twice a day. The trip takes just over 4 hours, which is slower than a bus or driving, but the train takes a very scenic route through the Southern Highlands and the Molongolo Gorge, compared to an unexciting freeway journey by road. The train arrives in Kingston on the south side of Canberra, which is a 40 minute walk from the closest of the attractions on the south side of Lake Burley Griffin. On some days it is possible to do a day trip by train from Sydney and get 5-6 hours to spend in Canberra. To get to Civic (the Canberra CBD) on the northern side of the lake, however, will require further transport, ACTION buses service the station to Civic every hour or so for $3. The economy train fare is $56 in peak season (the Christmas/New Year period and school holidays) and $40 in off-peak, discounts may be available depending on the day or for advance purchase. Countrylink also runs a once-daily train/bus between Melbourne and Canberra: the bus runs from the centre of Canberra to the small town of Cootamundra, where travellers switch to the train to Melbourne's Southern Cross Station; tickets cost $91 in off-peak and $107 in peak season.
Bicycles must be boxed and checked as luggage on CountryLink services and cost $12.10 per bicycle, and there is only room for three on any train.
If you an enthusiastic about train travel, are desperate to save money, and you are travelling from Sydney and wish to see Goulburn on the way; the Cityrail train to Goulburn costs $7.80, and the train from Goulburn to Canberra costs as little as $11.
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