this.validate(); } else { I had never thought about train travel in Australia, until reading In A Sunburned Country. This route is slightly less traveled but is by no means less impressive as it crosses the rugged terrain of North Queensland, past Charters Towers, through the Great Dividing Range and into the heart of Queensland. if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) field.className += ' invalid'; Features The journey to Kuranda passes by. var dropdownEl = input.parentNode, }); }, } else { No wonder people just fly, Is there power points for sleep apnea machines. What attracted me to the Spirit of Queensland was the RailBed class. You can also get connecting coach services to Quilpie and Cunnamulla. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. QueenslandRailTravel, Customer Service - Travel at Tilt Train, responded to this review, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC, Recommended experiences in and around Brisbane. } I also wonder why I cant find the call button to contact a member of staff, and then realise this isnt a plane and there isnt one, except for wheelchair customers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can take the Spirit of Queensland train to Proserpine and then take a RailBus Connection to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. Features The Spirit of Queensland service operates from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 miles). The Ultimate Guide to Australia on a Budget, The Ultimate Sydney to Brisbane Drive Itinerary, Where to Stay in Brisbane: Guide to Neighbourhood and Best Hotels in Brisbane, The Best Things To Do in Port Douglas, Australia. Hi splumpf,Thank you so much for your wonderful review on our Spirit of Queensland train service. Planning your next trip? The bed at night was SERIOUSLY uncomfortable. Ive spent a lot of nights sleeping on trains and its true this one isnt like the ones Ive been on before with private cabins. One of the most popular train routes in Australia is the Brisbane to Cairns train aboard the Spirit of Queensland and it was this particular route that we experienced on our recent trip to Queensland. We traveled from Brisbane to Cairns in RailBed seats and were impressed with the comfort and service level in RailBed Class. this.submitForm(); Our Spirit of Queensland train is the newest edition to our fleet which combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of rail travel. The main lights were turned off at 21:30, but each pod had individual reading lights. this.form.addEventListener('submit', function(e){ Definitely will keep in mind for my next Australia trip (hopefully soon!). The service included a welcome drink of ginger beer, lime, mint, and ice. } var name = this.form.className; Travelling between Brisbane and Cairns five times a week, the Spirit of Queensland redefines the modern rail travel experience with a comfortable and convenient way to access spectacular holiday destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays, Townsville and Cairns and everywhere in between. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. RAILBED Spacious reclinable seat Seat converts to a lie-flat bed at night All-inclusive in-seat dining experience including two course meals with complimentary beverage Linen, pillow, towel and amenities pack provided On-demand entertainment Tray table, reading light, drink holder, footrest and 240-volt power point
extend(Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation.prototype, { Not to mention its also home to over 350 species of birds, possums, wallabies, sea turtles, dolphins, and the famous dingo! Yes, some folks got and and off at different stops but most people seemed to travel the entire route on the RailBed. See queenslandrailtravel.com.au - Traveller An unanticipated problem. _this = this; } However, the average speed is more like 80 kph. At night, theyre a comfortable bed with a thick mattress and beautiful bedding consisting of a sheet, two pillows, and a duvet. A selection of Queensland wines and beverages is also available. Join the mailing list for updates, and access to the Resource Library. You can catch the Brisbane to Cairns train, We traveled from Brisbane to Cairns in RailBed seats and were, The RailBed ticket for the Spirit of Queensland train includes, There are slightly different food options depending on your ticket type, but there is a good general selection of. text; I may have grown up on a farm where kangaroos were commonplace but the sight puts a big smile on my face. The RailBed ticket for the Spirit of Queensland train includes all-inclusive meals which are served directly to your seat. The bathroom was spacious and worth the experience of showering to the rocking on the rails. We got to sample the delicious all-inclusive railbed menu and were really impressed by its quality. A Premium Economy ticket comes with one 20kg luggage item plus one carry on hand luggage item free of charge. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. this.form = document.getElementById('ema_signup_form'); "what do you think we are? For anyone who loves train travel, Queensland Rails, The Spirit of Queensland service operates from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 miles). The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. Thanks for sharing. }, The service and the food was very delicious not a leftover to be seen at each meal. But it actually looks really fun and glamourous! It worked just fine. For the main, I chose oven-roasted pork loin accompanied by an apple infused jus, chat potatoes, carrots, and beans. The ride was quiet and smooth, and conversation was possible at a normal volume. For your listening pleasure, you might want to pack your own headphones. As for what to wear to bed? The premium economy carriages feature leather seats, entertainment systems with on demand movies, TV and music in the back of the seat in front of you and a 30 degree seat recline.
if (this.validEmail.test(email.value)) { var invalidFields = document.querySelectorAll('.invalid'), Railbed: - 2 x checked in items of luggage not exceeding 20kg and a maximum of 180 linear centimetres (sum of length, width and depth). I hope you get to enjoy the train and sleep easily. We look forward to seeing you again onboard someday.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. But she does feel fast. this.submit.className = 'disabled'; if (document.addEventListener) { selected = true; I highly recommend it. Whether you're travelling to see the natural wonders of the north or to catch the twinkling lights of the city in Brisbane, the Spirit of Queensland is an easy and sustainable way to travel between Brisbane and Cairns. It says there are a point for sleep apnea machine as I am travelling in September with mine so made the same enquiry and told them at time of booking. for (var i = 0; i < elements.length; ++i) { The Spirit of Queensland has a maximum speed of 160km/h and the entire trip takes 24 hours.. Hi Amanda are towels provided for economy seat passengers as well? But, theres also the train thing. Trip in August 2014 between Innisfail and Gladstone. } else { The whole thing rattled and vibrated constantly, and lurched from side to side, so that sleep was virtually impossible. Tea and coffee were also provided. Categories. The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. var input = this; },
Our brochures are loaded with great ideas. Sorry to hear yours wasnt what you were hoping for. this.submit = document.getElementById('webform_submit_button'); if (type === 'text_field') { For example, can I get the train and get off at Pomona, then after a few days get back on and continue to Whitsundays, get off for a few days then continue to Cairns? This three-day itinerary describe these suggestions and a host of other ideas. Oksana had the vegetarian noddle salad option. elements[i].disabled = true; Yes. For the three-course evening meal, the appetizer was a Caprese salad of Mozzarella pearls, tomatoes, and sweet basil seasoned with salt and olive oil. We took the Queensland Class train from Cairns to Brisbane to give us a chance to see Australia and give us a break from internal flights. this.textValidation(input); My bag weighted 20.1kg, 100 grams over weight. - Packing Light Travel, 25 Tips on earning Aeroplan miles - Packing Light Travel, Sydney at its best: A self-guided tour of The Rocks, the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and points in between - Packing Light Travel. Our Railbeds are an Australian first designed to provide our customers with a smooth and relaxing ride. We look forward to welcoming you onboard a Queensland Rail Travel service again soon.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. Can't recommend the RailBed highly enough and would definitely do this sort of experience again. Are people forced to wear masks on the train? Second was evening Day One, and given we were going through the heartland of Qld's beef country, I had the beef cheeks. After all, there are lots of great stops and things to do between Brisbane and Cairns. This website contains some affiliate links, so if you click on a link and book something I will get a little something to help pay those blogging bills, but dont worry, its no extra cost to you. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future. Meals will be delivered directly to Railbed guests and the 24 hour Club Car is available for additional purchases. this.htmlEmbedDropdownValidation(field); } } If there is one drawback with this type of sleeper it is lack of privacy. The new Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of long distance rail travel. It was so much better than what we had ever gotten on a plane. When travelling in Australia, I use British Airways Avios points to fly on Qantas, one of British Airways oneworld airline partners. The train attains a top speed of 160 kph, usually achieved during the night. On the plus side the staff and meals were excellent. Hop off the Spirit of Queensland train and hop on a ferry from Hervey Bay to Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world. Cost: A$0 (2 Passengers) Not Available. instances = Widget.BasicDropdown.instances, Hi Amanda, could you tell me what items are included in amenities bag on Spirit of Queensland please. RailBed: A spacious and comfortable seat by day that converts to a lie-flat bed at night. Trains are more sustainable and more comfortable and not only that but going at a slower pace allows you to see more of the Australian countryside without the crazy cost of multiple flights. You can also get connecting coach services to Quilpie and Cunnamulla. }, Staff were noisily rushing from one end of the carriage to the other all through the night, talking loudly and jangling keys, and bumping from side to side as the train lurched along.There is no dining car. There's a locomotive at each end. Each seat had a standard power point, USB port, and earphone socket. We're looking forward to more trips with Queensland Rail. Spirit of Queensland . for (var prop in source) { I took a Queensland Rail train form Brisbane to Maryborough and it was very affordable. if (format === 'json') action += '.json'; There are two RailBed carriages, with 19 in one car and 16 in the other to allow for wheelchairs. Australias impressive size and long distances between its destination make traveling by plane the most popular way to see Australia. The first of her kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the Spirit of Queensland was brought in to replace The Sunlander, cutting the Brisbane to Cairns route down from 31 hours to a 25 hour journey. } else { Disembark here to enjoy the crystal clear blue waters on the shores of the Noosa National Park. (this.form.querySelectorAll('fieldset')[0] || this.form).innerHTML = html; Your entertainment system might not work or the content could be uninspiring. } Spirit Of Queensland. Another is that its an opportunity to take in the scenery. Hi Anna, towels are provided so you dont need to worry about that one. more. Get your FREE subscription today. Railbed Car - Spirit of Queensland. However, with daylight, it was more interesting to enjoy the constantly changing coastal Queensland landscape. Hi Noel, they do indeed. textAndDropdownValidation: function(field, type) { The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. The lack of privacy was unpleasant and with the exception of one shower room, the bathroom facilities were very cramped with wet floors. , plus 15 handmade tunnels and 37 towering bridges and offers a truly unique rail adventure. A call button is available to contact the onboard staff for assistance It must have come from a very happy cow who smiled a lot because it was very tender. } There are stops for passengers to board and disembark. this.submit.disabled = true; Before leaving home Id already decided I was going the PJs route and had packed my Singapore Airlines sleep suit. Our toolkit is a great place to get started. this.removeTextFieldError(email); } else { })(this); We spent many years living and traveling around Australia exploring the country in-depth! this.submit.value = this.submitButtonText(); this.emailValidation(); My young friend shook her head in disbelief at the absurdity of my travel choices. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); Most rows have three seats, with two on one side and another on the other side of the aisle, so if youre travelling solo as I was you may want to request the single bed aisle when you book rather than the double if youd prefer not to sleep next to a stranger. If youre travelling solo, reserve a seat in the single bed aisle at the time of booking. } We had tickets from Roma St to Cairns. Hi LoisOK,We are sorry to hear that you were less than impressed with your recent trip on board the Spirit of Queensland.The Railbeds are an Australian-first innovation and are a modern alternative to traditional rail travel. I have used the rail beds twice in about 5 years, Bris. The Staff on the Queenslander are EXCELLENT! I would like to say it was a wonderful experience. With the beds made up, the lights dimmed, and the curtains closed, it felt like one large upmarket moving hostel dorm.htmlEmbedDropdownValidation: function(field) { While you cant feel the speed of a plane once youre up in the air, you can feel the speed of a train. _this.onSubmitCallback(response); It was really good value considering it is overnight accommodation, travel and three hearty meals! Queensland Rail Travel is committed to supporting Queenslanders by preventing the spread of COVID-19. Your trip your way! A 24-hour journey from Brisbane to Cairns on the Spirit of Queensland train will set you back by, that many tourists miss out on. You also get an amenities pack which included all organic products. destination[prop] = source[prop]; Speaking of sleeping, if you suffer from sleep apnea and travel with a machine, you should let Queensland Rail know that youll be bringing one onboard so they can take care of you. var instance = instances[i]; The Spirit of Queensland is a Queensland Rail long distance passenger rail service. The journey takes roughly 25 hours. It is operated by a diesel powered [3] Tilt Train that runs five times a week on the North Coast line between Brisbane and Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 mi). this.onSubmitSuccess(response.result); } The one in front pulls while the one at the rear pushes. Welcome to Packing Light Travel. delete window[this.callbackName]; However, when we helped them board yesterday the other guests in their carriage (B) who had boarded somewhere between Cairns and Townsville were not wearing masks. One of Australias best travel blogs, Adventures All Around has a sense of fun and a love for life, with a little luxury along the way. Further north were cattle stations, wetlands, sugar cane fields, and mango and banana plantations. this.isValid = false; RailBed customers aboard Spirit of Queensland receive inclusive meals served directly to their seat. } else { Youll have your own reading light, a power point for charging your phone or other electrical devices, overhead lockers, and in-seat entertainment. Cairns Spirit of Queensland Tilt Train Railbed - Australia's most modern overnight train Cairns to Brisbane RoryDing Travels 33.9K subscribers Join Subscribe 9.1K Share Save 673K views 1 year. What a cool way to slow travel and see more of a country. It has everything you need, from beds, showers, galley car, all-inclusive dining option, in-seat entertainment and much more! Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. The Club Car provides food and refreshments for purchase as well a social environment to sit with other travelers.Kind Regards,Customer Service - Travel. You feel connected to the rails, and as the train tilts, so do you. Good luck! Individual flights to destinations such as Hervey Bay, Airlie Beach and Cairns would easily add up costing just as much if not more than a rail ticket. I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. Heres a quick look at the other trains and their destinations. All seats come with a 240 volt AC power outlet so depending on your machine you should be just fine, but do let them know when you book your ticket. It provides two new travel options for customers: State-of-the-art personal entertainment systems featuring a large screen with on-demand movies, music and audiobooks. But its pretty much just like being in business class on a plane where people may still be walking past and the little bit of light from the galley gets seen through the curtain. Thanks, If you are in the Sleeping carriage can you still walk through to the Dining / Club carriage for coffee etc. You can spend a few days just exploring Airlie Beach with its palm-fringed beaches, bars and restaurants before going island hopping or sailing around the 74 islands of the Whitsundays. Tasmania West Coast Wilderness Railway Strahan - Queenstown Complete Review: https://youtu.be/yPo_fWHSCWMTranswa Australind Perth to Bunbury: https://youtu.be/m6GLBrtwH4gTravelling on the Old Ghan Railway - Pichi Richi Afghan Express Port Augusta to Quorn return https://youtu.be/nuFYBlh9KWMThe Inlander Townsville to Mount Isa: https://youtu.be/l97k6Rk8mR8Fastest Train in Australia - Tilt Train Business Class Brisbane to Rockhampton: https://youtu.be/n3ZDMh1JLDMTranswa Prospector Train Perth to Kalgoorlie - The Fastest Service in Australia: https://youtu.be/FhFQfeUvKaIThe Westlander Train Toowoomba to Queensland: https://youtu.be/V39L8pP5dZgRiding on Locomotive 3801, a legend of steam: https://youtu.be/wvuymG4Er90The Overland train Red Premium class from Melbourne to Adelaide: https://youtu.be/QsGZZdbAlcQFirst Class Spirit of the Outback train from Brisbane to Longreach: https://youtu.be/Lb4snTmxreUPremium Economy Class Spirit of Queensland from Townsville to Cairns: https://youtu.be/ewj5HyNUxw0NSW XPT First class sleeper from Sydney to Melbourne: https://youtu.be/WrXUf0Q7pUMNSW XPT Economy class from Canberra to Melbourne via Yass: https://youtu.be/7j-K7NAxvNoCanberra to Melbourne by trains only, Xplorer + XPT: https://youtu.be/Ck-TWprVodIFirst Class V/Line N class from Melbourne to Wodonga: https://youtu.be/2jxurlLMEYoFirst Class NSW Xplorer train from Sydney to Canberra: https://youtu.be/QmABDqeX9ngTrainspotting at Wondabyne station: https://youtu.be/KJX2AIa4PIYJoin my channel membership to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLxsJJL11SLXwh4C8I3sWQ/joinFollow my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roryding.travels/New Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rorydingtravels#QueenslandRail #train #SpiritofQueensland Surely for that amount of money something more comfortable must have been possible. A heavy label was attached and I was then told that I could have taken it on board myself. The Spirit of Queenslands RailBed experience was one of the most relaxing journeys Ive ever had. I did removed one article and my case now weighted 18kgs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. And Im with you and definitely want to do it again someday. this.submit.disabled = !this.isValid; Review our onboard menu options for your service by selecting a train below.. The menu brings a paddock to plate experience with meals prepared using the freshest Queensland produce. }, I thought that it had been upgraded. The Spirit of Queensland train is quite possibly the most comfortable and convenient way to hit up some of the most popular tourist spots along the Queensland coast. A selection of hot cooked dishes, ranging from traditional roasts, pastas, beef, chicken, vegetarian and gluten free meals as well as fresh salads, sandwiches and wraps are available from our onboard kitchen. } else if(result.single_opt_in || !result.confirmation_html) { Apparently the galley crew don`t understand how to heat food. 50+ Reasons Why to Go Downunder with Goway, All main meals served directly to your seat, Personal entertainment featuring a large screen with on-demand movies, music and audio books, Seat features include reading light, footrest, drink holder, 240v power adapter and USB charging, Towel and personal amenity pack with Queensland organic and sustainable products, All bed linen provided (sheets, duvet & pillow), RailBed customers may check in two (2) items of luggage not exceeding 20kg each (44 pounds), plus one item of carry on hand luggage free of charge, Carry on luggage for under-seat or overhead compartments is maximum size of 23cm x 34cm x 48cm and a maximum weight of 20kg. script.src = this.formUrl('json'); We got to sample both the spinach and feta quiche served with a fresh garden salad and the lemon chicken with rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables. The ones in the amenities kit are cheap and flimsy. Yes, especially when factoring in the costs of overnight accommodation, three meals, and long-distance ground transportation. I imagine so, but presumably it will cost more and will require paying for each segment. A perfect day trip from Cairns to Kuranda by historic train and rainforest cable car, For a perfect day in Outback Australia, visit Alice Springs Desert Park.
emailValidation: function() { We do thank you for your feedback regarding staff moving through the carriages noisily, this information has been passed on to our Onboard Services Team.The Spirit of Queensland does provide a Club Car with a limited number of tables and seating which all customers are welcome to use throughout their journey. Pros Great staff, own cabin, nice lounge with a bar, nice restaurant, great views, great showers, nice to meet other people and share experiences, easier than flying, excellent food and plenty of it. As my train / airline experience blurs a little I sometimes forget where I am, and think oh, a little turbulence as the train moves. Can you take the train from Brisbane to Cairns but get on and off overnight in various places en route? return 'text_field'; return name += ' mimi_invalid'; (Fully Paid For so why Try Putting someone else or reselling . The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as. } But the best thing is, that you can really take your time and make a few pit stops along the way, the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays, and Townsville before arriving at your final destination of Cairns. We traveled from Hervey Bay (bus link to Maryborough West) to Cairns in the rail bed car with seats that convert to a flat bed. Amanda Woods travelled on Spirit of Queensland and the Sunlander as a guest of Queensland Rail, and stayed as a guest of the Brisbane Hilton.