this.textFieldError(email); I travelled from Roma St to Ayr and return on the Spirit of Queensland 'Rail Bed'. Join the mailing list for updates, and access to the Resource Library. } else { 'submit' : 'disabled'; 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. The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. . Never again!.. 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 onSubmitCallback: function(response) { Hi Joanna, Youll need to ask Queensland rail about that one in the lead up to your trip as the advice on this one could change. Dear stevecau,It is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your experience on board the Spirit of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns recently. thanks. 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. for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { var input = inputs[i]; if (input.name.indexOf('signup') >= 0) { Learn how your comment data is processed. Not only are the RailBed sets much more comfortable and spacious than seats in Premium Economy, but we found them to be more comfortable than First Class air travel. }); if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) field.className += ' invalid'; The RailBed class is a top-notch travel experience at an affordable price. But even then it felt like such an old-fashioned thing to do. It arrives at 4:30 pm. The final product was among a number of options put to testers and was selected as the most comfortable option. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. The Spirit of Queensland has a maximum speed of 160km/h and the entire trip takes 24 hours.. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. RailBeds - There are 2 accessible RailBeds, however, there is no provision to park a non-collapsible wheelchair. By day the seat was hard and the footrest reached no further than behind my knees, which was not at all comfortable. script.src = this.formUrl('json'); 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. 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. There was a good selection of movies, tv shows, kids programmes or music channels available in the in-seat entertainment. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. (Fully Paid For so why Try Putting someone else or reselling . I was just wondering if towels were provided for the showers or if it was byo? Lunch was a 2-course meal served at around midday. to Townsville. onSubmitSuccess: function(result) { document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Over the years Ive been lucky to have travelled on some pretty incredible trains around the world. 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. 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. The Service fell down at the Dinner Service ex Townsville, Good food spoilt by over heating. Please ask the onboard staff or check today's selections board in the Servery/Caffor the fresh selection on your day of travel. Well, one of my things. 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. But she does feel fast. The overhead compartment contained a towel, blanket, and inflatable neck cushion. It must have come from a very happy cow who smiled a lot because it was very tender. The staff on the train were just fantastic very professional and they just couldnt do enough for the passengers. Good luck! Previous. Ask the airfare experts at GowayAir. return text; Staff made them up, and returned the beds to seats, on demand. 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. Do you need a Visa to enter? 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. In other words, you traded a three-dollar business class flight to spend 24-hours on a train? There was a decent-sized 18.5-inch screen on the back of the seat in front. 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. No wonder people just fly, Is there power points for sleep apnea machines. }, Take your pick from the Great Barrier Reef. 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 couple behind me also suffered the same screaming about being overweight. 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. 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. The train makes the 1681km journey five times per week. 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. That was also the experience of the others in our tour party. this.submit.disabled = !this.isValid; Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. The Spirit of Queensland train is quite possibly, But the best thing is, that you can really take your time and make a few pit stops along the way, the. 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. We're looking forward to more trips with Queensland Rail. A video trip report of Railbed (first) class on QR Travel's new Spirit of Queensland tilting train. You can also get connecting coach services to Quilpie and Cunnamulla. Hi splumpf,Thank you so much for your wonderful review on our Spirit of Queensland train service. 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. var dropdownEl = input.parentNode, Customer service is one of our highest priorities and the vast majority of our staff take great pride in their customer relationships. 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. My experience started when the luggage gestapo screamed that my luggage was overweight. Another route through the Outback, this time going from Brisbane to Charleville, taking in the picturesque scenery of the Great Dividing Range and the Darling Downs farmland along the way. var email = document.getElementById('signup_email');

var script = document.createElement('script'); Need help planning your holiday? By day the RailBeds are large seats that can recline 35 degrees and have a footrest that can be used as a seat if youre travelling with someone who wants to come and have a chat. Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. I must admit they were pushing it, their case was 200 grams over. text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-choose-list'); The staff certainly have not changed. Where: Brisbane to Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. return action + '?callback=' + this.callbackName + '&' + serialize(this.form); First meal was around mid-day on Day One, quite a serviceable chicken noodle dish with a sticky-date pudding for dessert. Our FREE AUSTRALIA Travel Guide is a great resource for planning a trip to Australia! It had been over fifteen years since I travelled from Brisbane to Cairns on this service. Ive experienced the romance of rail on the Venice Simplon Orient Express and the Royal Scotsman, zipped through the Japanese countryside on a bullet train and crossed Canada on The Canadian. } else { var name = this.form.className; } else { Second was evening Day One, and given we were going through the heartland of Qld's beef country, I had the beef cheeks. A selection of Queensland wines and beverages is also available. RailBed: A spacious and comfortable seat by day that converts to a lie-flat bed at night. submitButtonText: function() { The route was dotted with coastal towns, each with its own character. }, }, My wife and I have just returned from a trip Brisbane to Cairns and returned Proserpine to Brisbane. disableForm: function() { Each one can recline to thirty degrees. Details valid from 1st December 2021 and are subject to change. },

Our brochures are loaded with great ideas. I was told that I had to repack it.

if (input.value) { top.location.href = this.formUrl('html'); } else { 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. For information on the site, please see the, Ride the historic railway to the hinterland, Sydney at its best: A self-guided tour of The Rocks, the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and points in between, Cycling around Uluru: the best way to experience Australias most recognizable natural landmark, https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Assistance-Animals.aspx, Whats the best use of Scotia Rewards? if (_this.validEmail.test(input.value)) _this.validate(); Apparently the galley crew don`t understand how to heat food. Perhaps Ill give it another chance. BC Reg. The Staff on the Queenslander are EXCELLENT! this.submit.value = this.submit.getAttribute('data-submitting-text'); }); 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. For anyone who loves train travel, Queensland Rails Spirit of Queensland is a fabulous choice. Besides, when compared to air travel, its a more sustainable method of transportation. 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. } Collapsible wheelchairs can be stowed at the end of the carriage. If youre travelling solo, reserve a seat in the single bed aisle at the time of booking. Please advise us if you require meals to be delivered to your seat at the time of booking and confirm these requirements with onboard staff when you join the service. Here are just a few of them: 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.

checkboxAndRadioValidation: function(field) { Ride the historic railway to the hinterland or take a tour out to the Great Barrier Reef. }, Take advantage of the coach connections at certain stops to explore parts of the Australian countryside that many tourists miss out on. Even the 2nd Class Sleepers in Thai railways have curtains. I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. } 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!). 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.

emailValidation: function() { for (var i = 0; i < instances.length; ++i) { Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. We stopped for 5 days, enjoying some time in Airlie Beach, in the Whitsundays and on the Great Barrier Reef. Hi Tom, Im glad youve experienced this one for yourself and that you love the staff on the trains. The journey to Kuranda passes by some of the most breathtaking scenery, plus 15 handmade tunnels and 37 towering bridges and offers a truly unique rail adventure. All services have aServery orCafonboardfor customers to purchasemeals and refreshments. Spirit Of Queensland. Not much. Enjoy 35 degrees of recline and a wide flat 18.5 inch screen with on-demand . You can also get connecting coach services to Quilpie and Cunnamulla. running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns. With a high ticket price, many would wonder, is the journey on the train really worth it? } If you enjoy train travel, it might be for you.

htmlEmbedDropdownValidation: function(field) { When it comes time to get ready for bed, the staff leaps into action, bringing out the hydraulics to flip the seat over to reveal a mattress. 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. The RailBed ticket for the Spirit of Queensland train includes all-inclusive meals which are served directly to your seat. text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-default-text'); The lack of privacy was unpleasant and with the exception of one shower room, the bathroom facilities were very cramped with wet floors. A complimentary wine, beer, or juice is served with lunch and dinner. }; I had never thought about train travel in Australia, until reading In A Sunburned Country. 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. So let me get this straight. 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). The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options. While the Sunlanders Queenslander class had a full dining car, the Spirit of Queenslands RailBeds continue that airline feel with a trolley service, so you can have dinner and a movie without moving from your seat. more. The RailBed chair was very comfortable and the selection of films/tv/documentaries to watch or music to listed to was very good. Tiny hessian bags full of travel comforts are waiting for you along with welcoming hosts. The train attains a top speed of 160 kph, usually achieved during the night. Unlike the Sunlander where meals are all freshly prepared in the kitchen, here theyre more airline food style. 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. this.isValid = false; } I took a Queensland Rail train form Brisbane to Maryborough and it was very affordable. var input = this; The ones in the amenities kit are cheap and flimsy. 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! Oh thats so lovely to hear, Linda. 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. var dropdowns = field.querySelectorAll('.mimi_html_dropdown'); along the way. this.submit.disabled = true; }, I have a little service dog and want to know if he can travel with me, I Googled Queensland Rail service dog and the following site was at the top of the search results: https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Assistance-Animals.aspx. } Hope this helps. You feel connected to the rails, and as the train tilts, so do you. }, Not to mention its also home to over 350 species of birds, possums, wallabies, sea turtles, dolphins, and the famous dingo! We were also thrilled to see that the Galley Car meals were served with Biopak biodegradable cutlery! Fully plated meals will be provided to RailBed customers offering hot or continental breakfast, 2 course lunch and 3 course dinner. 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. }); . Onboard Payment Options page. , or one of the many wildlife and nature experiences just outside of the city. Website: www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au. Railbed: - 2 x checked in items of luggage not exceeding 20kg and a maximum of 180 linear centimetres (sum of length, width and depth).

function extend(destination, source) { Select a Region you are interested in travelling to. In-seat wine and dine service and entertainment aboard the Spirit of Queensland. this.submit.className = 'disabled'; Railbed Car - Spirit of Queensland. The USB ports are useless for charging so I plug mine into the power point beside the bed. The menu brings a paddock to plate experience with meals prepared using the freshest Queensland produce. Youll also get a free knee blanket! The journey takes roughly 25 hours. Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, Croc Express to Australia Zoo from Brisbane. After all, there are lots of great stops and things to do between Brisbane and Cairns. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. I described the sleep time in terms of a ship. For dinner, we once again had a choice of a 3-course meal. Disembark here to enjoy the crystal clear blue waters on the shores of the, Hop off the Spirit of Queensland train and. Enjoy the trip! Yes, some folks got and and off at different stops but most people seemed to travel the entire route on the RailBed. 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. }, The new Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of long distance rail travel.

onFormSubmit: function(e) { The Spirit of Queensland runs between Cairns and Brisbane five times a week. I will definitely taking another trip in the future with qld rail thank you for a memorable trip away. if (result.has_redirect) { top.location.href = result.redirect; },

There are stops for passengers to board and disembark. The overhead bin was large enough for my carry-on travel bag. It was so much better than what we had ever gotten on a plane. But Ive never travelled on a train like this anywhere else in the world. this.submit.className = this.isValid ? input.placeholder = input.getAttribute('data-required-field'); But while domestic flights certainly dominate travelers preference list, it wont surprise many to hear that its not the most eco-conscious way. dropdown.onchange = (function(){ _this.validate(); }); Theres a locomotive at each end. 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. for (var j = 0; j < inputs.length; ++j) { this.isValid = false; You can catch the Brisbane to Cairns train five times a week and have the option of booking RailBed or Premium Economy seats.