The Spirit of Queensland is a Queensland Rail long distance passenger rail service. a budget airline" was the reply from one of the assistants as the other two just laughed. }, Cost: A$0 (2 Passengers) Not Available. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); Another route through the Outback, this time going from Brisbane to Charleville, taking in the picturesque scenery of the. this.onSelectCallback(input); For the safety of customers with reduced mobility, our Onboard team members can assist by delivering meals and refreshments to yourseat or sleeperby request on all Queensland Rail Travel services. We loved the experience, a few things could do with improvement such as the hot breakfast and it was a bit difficult to sleep in the railbed with the train movement and space station sounding like doors between carriages. The Staff on the Queenslander are EXCELLENT! running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns. The Spirit of Queensland is a modern tilt train that runs the length of the Queensland coast between Brisbane and Cairns. As for what to wear to bed? this.textValidation(input); The bed at night was SERIOUSLY uncomfortable. There was a decent-sized 18.5-inch screen on the back of the seat in front. I highly recommend it. },
this.submit.value = this.submitButtonText(); A complimentary wine, beer, or juice is served with lunch and dinner. var dropdownEl = input.parentNode, If your travel plans involve Australia, you might be interested in these other posts: Very interesting. But, theres also the train thing. Premium Economy from $221, Railbed from $389. this.form.addEventListener('submit', function(e){ I enjoy train travel far more than flying but my overnight experiences were sadly not my favourites, even in a sleeper car, but this one looks pretty nice.dropdownValidation: function(field, input) { While the cold option included a choice of cereal with greek yogurt, berry compote and a freshly baked pastry. RailBed passengers also receive a lip balm, hand sanitser and hand cream from Queensland skincare brand, Bubbles Organic. One of the biggest benefits of traveling by train was that it was easy to hop off and hop back on the train to split up the journey. this.submit.value = this.submit.getAttribute('data-submitting-text'); return name += ' mimi_invalid'; Movies, music, and audiobooks were on demand. this.form = document.getElementById('ema_signup_form'); I would speculate that most travellers spend time in Cairns to explore the hinterland, the reef, and surrounding areas. Any other drinks and snacks can be purchased from the club car, which is where premium economy passengers buy their meals. Collapsible wheelchairs can be stowed at the end of the carriage. There's a locomotive at each end. } else { Where: Brisbane to Cairns, Queensland, Australia. var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll(".mimi_field.required"), The bathroom was kept impeccably clean throughout the trip. The train attains a top speed of 160 kph, usually achieved during the night. } How much were you paid for this review? 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 (format === 'json') action += '.json'; The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. if (instance.wrapperEl === dropdownEl) { We do appreciate your honest feedback and thank you for taking the time to review our train. Lunch was a 2-course meal served at around midday. } Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. See queenslandrailtravel.com.au - Traveller An unanticipated problem. Onboard Payment Options page. },
Hi Anna, towels are provided so you dont need to worry about that one. Tiny hessian bags full of travel comforts are waiting for you along with welcoming hosts. . Never again!.. Tea and coffee were also provided. In-seat wine and dine service and entertainment aboard the Spirit of Queensland. In my opinion the Rail Beds are a dismal failure. Not much. What attracted me to the Spirit of Queensland was the RailBed class. by Anne Betts | Nov 7, 2019 | Australia | 8 comments. Trip in August 2014 between Innisfail and Gladstone. Tilt Train customers receive an in-seat Trolley Service throughout their journey. if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) { var script = document.createElement('script'); It must have come from a very happy cow who smiled a lot because it was very tender. submitButtonText: function() { Water Fountains - Drinking fountains are located at the end of all passenger carriages. }; Oh thats so lovely to hear, Linda. A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as The Ghan, it has two locomotives and just seven carriages. No wonder people just fly, Is there power points for sleep apnea machines. elements[i].disabled = true; I considered the cost of overnight accommodation when evaluating the fare. The overhead bin was large enough for my carry-on travel bag. } else { for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { The journey takes roughly 25 hours. #833-0; TICO Reg. At busy times, it was possible to buy a drink and take it back to the comfort of your seat. The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! Thank you for taking time to write a review of your trip on the Spirit of Queensland, we look forward to welcoming you onboard one of our services again soon.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. 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. for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { this.form.className = this.setFormClassName(); Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. Learn how your comment data is processed. } I was a little wary of the 2-1 configuration and sharing sleeping space with 18 other passengers. Plus, if you get off in Pomona (for example), theres no need to take the RailBed as its only 150 km or so north of Brisbane. In fact, I used Scotiabanks Scotia Rewards to cover the cost of the Spirit of Queensland fare from Brisbane to Cairns. A direct flight back to Brisbane offers a quick return. As a Stay22 affiliate if you book through this map I may receive a commission but dont worry its at no extra cost to you. Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. You can easily plan your trip with the full, Australia Travel Tips: 10 Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to Australia, What Does a Trip to Australia Cost? The RailBed class is a top-notch travel experience at an affordable price. Ive read a couple of articles recently about the resurgence in interest in overnight rail travel, especially in Europe with the expansion of the Austrian Railjet routes. I got a really good 8 hours sleep on the train - the rail bed was very comfortable and I felt like I had enough privacy as my head was shielded from the view of passers by. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Contact Queensland Rail to find out how your travel plans can be accommodated. 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. My experience started when the luggage gestapo screamed that my luggage was overweight. We hope to see you on board again soon.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. document.body.appendChild(script); window[this.callbackName] = function(response) { Full Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise and Pontoon Experience . Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. } else { var input = inputs[i];var _this = this; The Spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Cairns train isnt the only one departing from Queensland there are a number of other routes taking you to the far-flung corners of the state! The new Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of long distance rail travel.
checkboxAndRadioValidation: function(field) { It was really good value considering it is overnight accommodation, travel and three hearty meals! A FREE travel quote! This trip was not! The whole thing rattled and vibrated constantly, and lurched from side to side, so that sleep was virtually impossible. 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.onFormSubmit(e); } Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. Disembark here to enjoy the crystal clear blue waters on the shores of the, Hop off the Spirit of Queensland train and. disableForm: function() { var inputs = field.getElementsByTagName('input'), I suspect Queensland Rail assigns single bookings in this way but I wouldnt count on it. thanks. We had tickets from Roma St to Cairns. We found out that while the menu was different in the Gallery Car, where Economy customers ate on their journey, everything served on the Spirit of Queensland Train was fresh with a, We never got bored looking at the stunning scenery outside of our windows, but when it got dark, and we had to amuse ourselves before getting some shut-eye, the, Noosa is one of the most popular holiday destinations in all of Queensland and is home to the most visited National Park in the country. 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. } The shower may move a little bit more than youre used to, but its surprisingly good, and theres more space than you find on some other trains so your clothes dont have to get wet when you do. this.revalidateOnChange(); In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. The food was better than what Ive encountered in economy-class cabins on international airlines. My wife and I have just returned from a trip Brisbane to Cairns and returned Proserpine to Brisbane. 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 Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. Thats great that youve let them know so they can take care of you. if (!Mimi.Signups) Mimi.Signups = {};
This nature lovers paradise is definitely worth a stop along your Spirit of Queensland journey. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. if (type === 'text_field') { Features Book as early as possible to take advantage of saver fares and seat selection. They drive the train and supply power to the carriages. this.submit = document.getElementById('webform_submit_button'); this.submit.disabled = !this.isValid; var invalidFields = document.querySelectorAll('.invalid'), Review of Queensland Rail. With the beds made up, the lights dimmed, and the curtains closed, it felt like one large upmarket moving hostel dorm. The Tilt Train takes you from bustling Brisbane to some of Australia and Queenslands most popular destinations, including the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Capricorn Coast, Bundaberg, and Fraser Coast. this.showConfirmationText(result.confirmation_html); The. along the way. } else { }, The pod-like RailBeds provided a considerable amount of privacy, similar to business class pods on an aircraft. } else { }, Customer service is one of our highest priorities and the vast majority of our staff take great pride in their customer relationships. Take your pick from the Great Barrier Reef. }, Last year I travelled on the Spirit of Queensland (Diesel Tilt Train) Premium Economy Class from Townsville to Cairns, I thoroughly enjoyed my trip therefore I wanted to travel from Cairns all the way to Brisbane one day. } destination[prop] = source[prop]; 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. this.fieldAndListValidation(); Miles and points are my thing. For breakfast, there was a choice of hot or cold option served at around 7 am. this.textFieldError(input); The main lights were turned off at 21:30, but each pod had individual reading lights. So really the choice is up to you, and whatever you feel comfortable doing. if (selected) { Hi Amanda are towels provided for economy seat passengers as well? A staff member told me the beds cost $100,000 each. 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. for (var j = 0; j < inputs.length; ++j) { This traditional diesel train journeys through the diverse and ever-changing scenery between Brisbane and Longreach with coach connections to Winston, offering the perfect outback experience. } else {htmlEmbedDropdownValidation: function(field) { },
I even spotted the odd kangaroo and wallaby, and lots of cockatoos. } But even then it felt like such an old-fashioned thing to do. The Club Car provides food and refreshments for purchase as well a social environment to sit with other travelers.Kind Regards,Customer Service - Travel. Spirit of Queensland - Brisbane << View all Brisbane City Centre tours & cruises. For a change of scenery, the Club Car offered an opportunity to mingle with other passengers over conversation and drinks. If I had known about the collection procedure at Townsville station, I would have done this. I have used the rail beds twice in about 5 years, Bris. This plush seat offers ample recline for comfort along with a state-of-the-art touch screen personal entertainment system for on-demand movies, music and even audio books. However, with daylight, it was more interesting to enjoy the constantly changing coastal Queensland landscape. But while domestic flights certainly dominate travelers preference list, it wont surprise many to hear that its not the most eco-conscious way. QLD trains, forget the hype NOTHING HAS CHANGED except the prices. Sorry to hear yours wasnt what you were hoping for. Take your pick from the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree National Park, or one of the many wildlife and nature experiences just outside of the city. On the plus side the staff and meals were excellent. Also, Id steer clear of selecting seats near doors that open and close frequently. } else { } and were really impressed by its quality. Menu Stay Updated: Onboard Dining and Menus 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. }); Thanks, If you are in the Sleeping carriage can you still walk through to the Dining / Club carriage for coffee etc. 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. The fold-down seat had a pocket for reading material and assorted items. What was missing from the RailBed experience? Yes, some folks got and and off at different stops but most people seemed to travel the entire route on the RailBed. Toilet seats have become loose and generally a good refurbishment program would work wonders. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. Other points programs fund other travels. The Spirit of Queensland has a maximum speed of 160km/h and the entire trip takes 24 hours.. After folks settled in, a more social atmosphere prevailed, especially while watching staff make up the beds. I had seen a couple of tv shows about this new train, so I decided to travel from Cairns to Townsville in the so call premium economy. } else { Ride the historic railway to the hinterland or take a tour out to the Great Barrier Reef. Its quite exciting and Im grinning like a kid on a theme park ride as I pop my head under the curtains to see the shadows of trees whizzing past and the moon and the stars shining above. }, I would like to say it was a wonderful experience. Surely for that amount of money something more comfortable must have been possible. Categories. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); Passengers were invited to take the blanket and cushion with them at the end of the journey. Are people forced to wear masks on the train? } 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. for (var prop in source) { 2 Days / 1 Night aboard the Spirit of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns in a lie-flat RailBed with lunch and dinner. Details valid from 1st December 2021 and are subject to change. textAndDropdownValidation: function(field, type) { On the south-to-north service, the stop in Tully was long enough for passengers to stretch their legs on the platform. The train makes the 1681km journey five times per week. Subscribe to our newsletter to follow our life on the road, learn more about sustainable travel practices, and be the first to learn about updates from the blog! 5 Nights at 4-star Rydges Cairns Esplanade Resort with breakfast daily and welcome drink. For information on what forms of payment are accepted onboard when travelling with us, visit our There are windows throughout the carriage so youll be able to see that view. You feel connected to the rails, and as the train tilts, so do you. When: All year round. Your email address will not be published. } before arriving at your final destination of Cairns. Dear TDK1962,Many thanks for your kind review. You can catch the Brisbane to Cairns train five times a week and have the option of booking RailBed or Premium Economy seats. Dear Talknsmile,It is always great to hear about another happy customer onboard our trains. } 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. At the start of 2015, it replaced the diesel-hauled train The Sunlander . nice way to travel along the coast of Queensland, relax read a book enjoy a movie, have a coffee, eat a meal enjoy the view. this.disableForm();for (var i = 0; i < dropdowns.length; ++i) { We left from Cairns, around 8.30am, heading for Brisbane. The whole thing rattled and vibrated constantly, and lurched from side to side, so that sleep was virtually impossible. var dropdowns = field.querySelectorAll('.mimi_html_dropdown'); See queenslandrailtravel.com.au See also: The world's greatest train journeys See also: What it's really like on Australia's greatest train journey Tim Richards Apr 4 2019 Traveller for (var i = 0; i < instances.length; ++i) { Australias impressive size and long distances between its destination make traveling by plane the most popular way to see Australia. input.className = 'required'; if (input.id === 'signup_email') return;
This three-day itinerary describe these suggestions and a host of other ideas. RailBeds - There are 2 accessible RailBeds, however, there is no provision to park a non-collapsible wheelchair. The Spirit of Queensland runs between Cairns and Brisbane five times a week. I was told that I had to repack it. Each one can recline to thirty degrees. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); Luckily, it is possible to get around Australia without flying, especially on the East Coast by taking the Spirit of Queensland train! Enjoy our online presentations from the comfort of your home. The main stops en route between Brisbane and Cairns are Maryborough (where you can get a connecting . } After leaving the urban sprawl of Brisbane, we passed by pineapple farms, rainforests, and the Glasshouse Mountains. this.updateSubmitButtonText(this.submit.getAttribute('data-thanks')); if (response.success) { I imagine so, but presumably it will cost more and will require paying for each segment. Copyright 2022 Adventures All Around | Website by Liveby5. do the single railbed seats at the front and back of the carriage have a window? One hand on the grab bars at all times added to the challenge. Cost: 390 dollars for a rail bed fare at time of publication. this.submit.value = text; if (result.has_redirect) { In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. } Copyright 2022 Adventures All Around |, London to Paris in Eurostar e320 business class style, Travel to Machu Picchu in style on Belmonds Hiram Bingham train, Read: 20 incredible Queensland holiday homes and Airbnbs, Read: Farm stay fun in Guyra, New Englands highest town. We were also thrilled to see that the Galley Car meals were served with Biopak biodegradable cutlery! The Service fell down at the Dinner Service ex Townsville, Good food spoilt by over heating. Theres a locomotive at each end.function extend(destination, source) { But she does feel fast. if (typeof Widget === 'undefined' || !Widget.BasicDropdown) return; Take advantage of the coach connections at certain stops to explore parts of the Australian countryside that many tourists miss out on. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Your email address will not be published. } else { Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. The final product was among a number of options put to testers and was selected as the most comfortable option. Instead, you flew from Sydney to Brisbane for $22 and from there took the train to Cairns for $389? Its beautiful out there, and I feel lucky to be seeing this part of Queensland in a completely new way. It worked just fine. There are stops for passengers to board and disembark. I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. if (input.value) { this.submitForm(); I would have appreciated Wi-Fi to look up stuff on the fly such as How did the Glasshouse Mountains get their name? or When is sugar cane harvested? Also, a lounge would have been a more attractive spot to relax than the Galley / Club Car. if (input.getAttribute('name') === 'signup[email]') { removeTextFieldError: function(input) { this.isValid = false; A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as. }); 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. this.removeTextFieldError(input); Though with things changing all the time its always best to have a mask on you these days so you can do the right thing. We stopped for 5 days, enjoying some time in Airlie Beach, in the Whitsundays and on the Great Barrier Reef. We never got bored looking at the stunning scenery outside of our windows, but when it got dark, and we had to amuse ourselves before getting some shut-eye, the entertainment options on board the Spirit of Queensland were plentiful. A few downloaded Netflix movies and Spotify playlists, or favourite podcasts or books might come in handy. For dinner, we once again had a choice of a 3-course meal. Need help planning your holiday? this.formSubmitting(); Long-distance rail travel in Victoria: https://youtu.be/_OX0sTjdBaUQantas QF2 B787 Business Class Darwin to Sydney - a domestic international flight! It had been over fifteen years since I travelled from Brisbane to Cairns on this service. formUrl: function(format) { 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. this.isValid = true; }; return action + '?callback=' + this.callbackName + '&' + serialize(this.form); Two of them, dinner and lunch, included a complimentary soft drink, juice, water, beer, or wine.