. You can easily plan your trip with the full Spirit of Queensland timetable. 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. before arriving at your final destination of Cairns. for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { We were also thrilled to see that the Galley Car meals were served with Biopak biodegradable cutlery! I would like to say it was a wonderful experience. } Passengers were invited to take the blanket and cushion with them at the end of the journey. The. 5 Nights at 4-star Rydges Cairns Esplanade Resort with breakfast daily and welcome drink. }); Queensland Rail Limited ABN 71 132 181 090. No access to the Club Car is available from the RailBeds for wheelchair customers. In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. this.isValid = false; 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. this.onSelectCallback(input); And Im with you and definitely want to do it again someday. 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. The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. } else if(result.single_opt_in || !result.confirmation_html) { However, with daylight, it was more interesting to enjoy the constantly changing coastal Queensland landscape. For a change of scenery, the Club Car offered an opportunity to mingle with other passengers over conversation and drinks. var invalidFields = document.querySelectorAll('.invalid'), The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! var dropdown = dropdowns[i]; new Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation(); Hi Joan thats right there in the story complete with a picture! 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. A FREE travel quote! Perhaps Ill give it another chance. formSubmitting: function() { There are also savings from the cost of getting to and from airports, and baggage and seat selection fees associated with air travel. The overhead bin was large enough for my carry-on travel bag. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. The seven carriages in between include two RailBed sleeper cars with airline style seats that convert to lie-flat beds. Instead, you flew from Sydney to Brisbane for $22 and from there took the train to Cairns for $389? Hi Noel, they do indeed. 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. We do appreciate your honest feedback and thank you for taking the time to review our train. I travelled in the RailBed from Cairns to Brisbane and the whole experience was exceptional - I enjoyed every second of it. Most people seemed to have pyjamas for sleeping. this.isValid = false; In March 2019, my ticket cost AUD 389.25 / USD 268.54 / CAD 371.38, covered by 37,138 Scotia Rewards. updateSubmitButtonText: function(text) { All thoughts and opinions remain her own. It's easy to walk around or freshen up with a shower. if (this.isValid) { Theres a locomotive at each end. Your email address will never be shared. RailBeds - There are 2 accessible RailBeds, however, there is no provision to park a non-collapsible wheelchair. The pod-like RailBeds provided a considerable amount of privacy, similar to business class pods on an aircraft. , plus 15 handmade tunnels and 37 towering bridges and offers a truly unique rail adventure. formUrl: function(format) { 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. For anyone who loves train travel, Queensland Rails Spirit of Queensland is a fabulous choice. The customer service was fantastic - the staff very clearly enjoy doing a good job and the food that was served us was delicious. It was a welcome break from the frenetic pace of busy airports, enhanced security-screening measures, and cramped aircraft space. QLD trains, forget the hype NOTHING HAS CHANGED except the prices. There was an extra seat that folded down under the TV. Sorry to hear yours wasnt what you were hoping for. The bed and bedding were very comfortable. selected = true; }); 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. Features the only improvement seems to be more leg room and a bigger toilet/shower room. The other point is, although lights are dimmed or turned off at night, you still have people walking in and out of the carriage so you still bright light shining from each end of the compartment. For information on what forms of payment are accepted onboard when travelling with us, visit our The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. 0:00 / 11:40 Spirit of Queensland Railbed Cairns to Brisbane 14,230 views Dec 18, 2018 81 Dislike Share Save Heino's Transport Films 164 subscribers A film of my journey from Cairns to. No wonder people just fly, Is there power points for sleep apnea machines. if (dropdown.value) { 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. Its beautiful out there, and I feel lucky to be seeing this part of Queensland in a completely new way. Take your pick from the Great Barrier Reef. this.isValid = false; var dropdownEl = input.parentNode, The wait is over!! } else { Can't recommend the RailBed highly enough and would definitely do this sort of experience again. They drive the train and supply power to the carriages. if (selected) { https://youtu.be/FHcDorXrmWoMUST DO!! if (input.value.length === 1) _this.validate(); The route was dotted with coastal towns, each with its own character. A light sweater or pashmina will help combat fluctuations in air temperature. Do you need a Visa to enter? Disembark here to enjoy the crystal clear blue waters on the shores of the Noosa National Park. },

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. Looking for an airfare only? We are storytellers, photographers, and videographers traveling the world full-time in search of outdoor adventures, wildlife encounters, cultural experiences and ways to make a positive impact on the destinations and communities we visit. In this video I have covered every single aspect of this train, if you have any questions about Spirit of Queensland, I think you should be able to find out the answer after watching the whole video. this.removeTextFieldError(email); We pay respect to Elders past, present and future. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The RailBed ticket for the Spirit of Queensland train includes all-inclusive meals which are served directly to your seat. Premium economy-class passengers buy their meals from the Galley and some choose to eat in the Club Car so it can become congested at meal times. I have used the rail beds twice in about 5 years, Bris. We acknowledge their spiritual connection to the lands and waterways and ask their ancestors to watch over us as we tread lightly on Country. } Let us assist with your travel documents. BC Reg. Two of them, dinner and lunch, included a complimentary soft drink, juice, water, beer, or wine. Its still all fresh Queensland produce but its mostly been prepped on land before its finished on board. } else { 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 After folks settled in, a more social atmosphere prevailed, especially while watching staff make up the beds. new Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation(); Theres also a Galley / Club Car, and a carriage for luggage and crew. var email = document.getElementById('signup_email');

} else { document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() { 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. Need help planning your holiday? This feedback has been passed on to the relevant area for review.We understand your frustration RE luggage limits, however these have been implemented with the safety of our staff in mind, as well as being in line with the luggage limits of our interstate neighboring rail operators. } Not unlike first class in a plane but more spacious.

var _this = this; 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. } text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-choose-list'); return 'text_field'; this.validEmail = /.+@.+\..+/ Not only is Cairns a hub of vibrant city life full of great cafs, markets, art galleries, and nearby beaches, but its also a jumping off point to many other popular tourist destinations. Cars B and C are becoming old. Review our onboard menu options for your service by selecting a train below.. I imagine so, but presumably it will cost more and will require paying for each segment. Miles and points are my thing. While the cold option included a choice of cereal with greek yogurt, berry compote and a freshly baked pastry. 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 paddock to plate focus. I was a little wary of the 2-1 configuration and sharing sleeping space with 18 other passengers. inputs[j].onkeyup = function() { Get your FREE subscription today. Your email address will not be published. this.htmlEmbedDropdownValidation(field); Enjoy the trip! Good luck! 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 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, Not only is Cairns a hub of vibrant city life full of great cafs, markets, art galleries, and nearby beaches, but its also. The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! A fast moving slumber party. top.location.href = result.redirect; 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. thanks. var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll(".mimi_field.required"), }, Cairns is an excellent base and launching point for exploring Far North Queensland. 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. The main stops en route between Brisbane and Cairns are Maryborough (where you can get a connecting . 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. } else { We apologise that the comfort profile of the Railbed did not meet your expectations.With regards to noise I am sure you understand that things like train movement and occasional noise related to this are beyond our control. The next morning I wake up, look out the window and smile. _this = this; top.location.href = this.formUrl('html'); The new Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of long distance rail travel. this.submit.value = this.submit.getAttribute('data-submitting-text'); With the beds all made up, the lights dimmed and the curtains closed, the RailBeds feel like a fun slumber party. I may have grown up on a farm where kangaroos were commonplace but the sight puts a big smile on my face. 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. 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. } In-seat wine and dine service and entertainment aboard the Spirit of Queensland. However, the average speed is more like 80 kph.

for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { Spirit of Queensland Rail Service Townsville to Brisbane Sept 2015 Friendly and Welcoming Cabin Crew. 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. } onSelectCallback: function(input) { A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as The Ghan, it has two locomotives and just seven carriages. revalidateOnChange: function() { Spirit of Qld Rail Bed. . }, This trip was not! But, theres also the train thing. document.body.removeChild(script); selected = false;

}, While you cant feel the speed of a plane once youre up in the air, you can feel the speed of a train. } If you enjoy train travel, it might be for you. A direct flight back to Brisbane offers a quick return. While the Spirit of Queensland can and does do 160 kilometres per hour at times, she doesnt stick to that speed the whole way.

validate: function() { Hi Amanda are towels provided for economy seat passengers as well? The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. (Fully Paid For so why Try Putting someone else or reselling . We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the country we traverse. Hi Anna, towels are provided so you dont need to worry about that one.

if (this.validEmail.test(email.value)) { How much were you paid for this review? RailBed: A spacious and comfortable seat by day that converts to a lie-flat bed at night. In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. 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. By day the seat was hard and the footrest reached no further than behind my knees, which was not at all comfortable. for (var prop in source) { RailBed customers aboard Spirit of Queensland receive inclusive meals served directly to their seat. Even the 2nd Class Sleepers in Thai railways have curtains. Meals will be delivered directly to Railbed guests and the 24 hour Club Car is available for additional purchases. Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. I knew they were not a budget airline as they at least have decent caring staff. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. It worked just fine. return action + '?callback=' + this.callbackName + '&' + serialize(this.form); A Spirit of Adventure Menu is in your seat pocket when you get on board, and you are given options, including vegetarian for the three meals served during the trip. The ones in the amenities kit are cheap and flimsy. In fact, I used Scotiabanks Scotia Rewards to cover the cost of the Spirit of Queensland fare from Brisbane to Cairns. The Spirit of Queensland train journey is a 1681 kilometre route taking about 24-25 hours from Brisbane to Cairns. 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. I was just wondering if towels were provided for the showers or if it was byo? As I came back from the bathrooms feeling all comfy I noticed some people had the same idea as me while others planned to sleep in their clothes. Luckily, it is possible to get around Australia without flying, especially on the East Coast by taking the Spirit of Queensland train! I will definitely taking another trip in the future with qld rail thank you for a memorable trip away. Dear Aussieart,We thank you for providing feedback on your Spirit of Queensland journey with us recently.We are disappointed to hear that your experience was marred by one or more Queensland Rail Travel staff members. There are stops for passengers to board and disembark. Enjoy our online presentations from the comfort of your home. Our FREE AUSTRALIA Travel Guide is a great resource for planning a trip to Australia! The RailBed class is a top-notch travel experience at an affordable price. } do the single railbed seats at the front and back of the carriage have a window? 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. Did it represent good value? textFieldError: function(input) { field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); this.form = document.getElementById('ema_signup_form'); It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Disclaimer: Our trip on the Spirit of Queensland train was provided courtesy of Queensland Rail Travel, but as always all opinions expressed in this article are our own. } else { All services have aServery orCafonboardfor customers to purchasemeals and refreshments. Next. Thanks for thatbeen thinking of a train trip with my Asisstance Dog. Enjoy the trip! There are also plenty of fun activities around the park such as walking trails and the chance to spot some of Australias national animals, like koalas and kangaroos. disableForm: function() { The three meals were delivered on a trolley to each seat. (function(global) { More onboard experiencesOnboard MerchandiseMore about your train. Ask the airfare experts at GowayAir. if (type === 'text_field') { if((input.type === 'checkbox' || input.type === 'radio') && input.checked) { this.showConfirmationText(result.confirmation_html); Dear stevecau,It is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your experience on board the Spirit of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns recently.

dropdownValidation: function(field, input) { is definitely worth a stop along your Spirit of Queensland journey. We're looking forward to more trips with Queensland Rail. Cost: A$0 (2 Passengers) . } Pack shower shoes (e.g., thongs/flip flops), and comfortable sleepwear. The ride was quiet and smooth, and conversation was possible at a normal volume. var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll('.mimi_field'); Your trip your way! } Thanks for sharing. 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. Although the Railbeds are located in a dedicated section that is not a thoroughfare for other non-Railbed customers, as you can understand things such as train movement and occasional noise are not always within our control. Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation, the newest addition to the Queensland Rail Travel fleet has two dedicated RailBed Cars, a shared Club Car and three Premium Economy Seat Cars. }

htmlEmbedDropdownValidation: function(field) { My partner and I chose to do Brisbane to Cairns on the Spirit of Queensland. } Definitely will keep in mind for my next Australia trip (hopefully soon!). My experience started when the luggage gestapo screamed that my luggage was overweight. I did removed one article and my case now weighted 18kgs. var _this = this;

The one in front pulls while the one at the rear pushes. } else { } else { On the plus side the staff and meals were excellent. I had never thought about train travel in Australia, until reading In A Sunburned Country. Sleeping to the rocking and rolling of the train and soothing sounds of rail travel added to the enjoyment. Not to mention its also home to over 350 species of birds, possums, wallabies, sea turtles, dolphins, and the famous dingo! A speedier trip isnt the only change between the two, as while the Sunlander had private sleeping compartments, the Spirit of Queensland has two classes and both remind me of something youd usually see in the sky. The RailBed chair was very comfortable and the selection of films/tv/documentaries to watch or music to listed to was very good. this.callbackName = 'jsonp_callback_' + Math.round(100000 * Math.random()); } 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. Select a Region you are interested in travelling to. The couple behind me also suffered the same screaming about being overweight. Joanna, my parents left Townsville yesterday (arriving in Brisbane this morning) and were told, yes, at this time it would be necessary for them to wear their masks at all times while travelling as Townsville was in a 3 day lockdown last week. 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. }); _this = this; The train makes the 1681km journey five times per week. There was a decent-sized 18.5-inch screen on the back of the seat in front. } else { For breakfast, there was a choice of hot or cold option served at around 7 am. Before leaving home Id already decided I was going the PJs route and had packed my Singapore Airlines sleep suit. this.formSubmitting(); Which is why an eye mask and earplugs are a good thing to have in your bag so you can do that plane-like sleep (as hard as its getting to remember what thats like!). Your email address will not be published. With a high ticket price, many would wonder, is the journey on the train really worth it? For dinner, we once again had a choice of a 3-course meal. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to Packing Light Travel. 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 regret that you were not informed beforehand that you are able to store the luggage yourself if you prefer. I highly recommend it. The whole thing rattled and vibrated constantly, and lurched from side to side, so that sleep was virtually impossible. This nature lovers paradise is definitely worth a stop along your Spirit of Queensland journey. The main lights were turned off at 21:30, but each pod had individual reading lights. Cost: A$0 (2 Passengers) Not Available. _this.onFormSubmit(e); I was told that I had to repack it. Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. 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.

for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { var field = fields[i], type = this.fieldType(field); if (type === 'checkboxes' || type === 'radio_buttons') { this.checkboxAndRadioValidation(field); } else { this.textAndDropdownValidation(field, type); } } }, fieldType: function(field) { var type = field.querySelectorAll('.field_type'); if (type.length) { return type[0].getAttribute('data-field-type'); } else if (field.className.indexOf('checkgroup') >= 0) { As for what to wear to bed? The sun is preparing to come up over the mountain range, theres mist everywhere, and kangaroos are hopping beside the train. I took a Queensland Rail train form Brisbane to Maryborough and it was very affordable. On the Brisbane to Cairns route, the views were interesting and varied. } Premium Economy from $221, Railbed from $389. } else { for (var i = 0; i < elements.length; ++i) { Hope this helps. Tea and coffee were also provided. The Spirit of Queensland service operates from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 miles). . The Spirit of Queensland fleet will provide guests with a fast, value for money modern rail experience. if (input.id === 'signup_email') return;

In my opinion the Rail Beds are a dismal failure. Previous. if (document.addEventListener) { input.placeholder = input.getAttribute('data-required-field'); Details valid from 1st December 2021 and are subject to change. We had tickets from Roma St to Cairns. 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. A significant amount of development time was invested in the selection of the Railbed mattress type and materials. text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-default-text'); I have just returned from my first trip on the spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Cairns. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. The new Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of long distance rail travel.