Let us assist with your travel documents. text; if (document.addEventListener) { Two of them, dinner and lunch, included a complimentary soft drink, juice, water, beer, or wine. if (invalidFields.length || invalidFields[0].className.indexOf('checkgroup') === -1) { While the Spirit of Queensland can and does do 160 kilometres per hour at times, she doesnt stick to that speed the whole way. Thanks for sharing Nicki. What a cool way to slow travel and see more of a country. 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. 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. this.submit = document.getElementById('webform_submit_button'); Cairns is an excellent base and launching point for exploring Far North Queensland. 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. var _this = this; 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. The bathroom was kept impeccably clean throughout the trip. RailBed: A spacious and comfortable seat by day that converts to a lie-flat bed at night. } else { Your email address will not be published. It was really good value considering it is overnight accommodation, travel and three hearty meals! 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. I must admit they were pushing it, their case was 200 grams over. You can catch the Brisbane to Cairns train five times a week and have the option of booking RailBed or Premium Economy seats. I took a Queensland Rail train form Brisbane to Maryborough and it was very affordable. There are windows throughout the carriage so youll be able to see that view. Your trip your way! We stopped for 5 days, enjoying some time in Airlie Beach, in the Whitsundays and on the Great Barrier Reef. I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. this.submit.value = this.submitButtonText(); 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. 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. }, A direct flight back to Brisbane offers a quick return. setFormClassName: function() { Review of Queensland Rail. A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as The Ghan, it has two locomotives and just seven carriages. Let us customize a dream holiday for you. 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. Here in Australia Ive gone north to south on the Ghan and east to west on the Indian Pacific, travelled out to Longreach on Queenslands Spirit of the Outback outback and was able to experience The Sunlander train before she became an Australian travel memory. Toilet seats have become loose and generally a good refurbishment program would work wonders. Surely for that amount of money something more comfortable must have been possible. Stay up to date with the latest travel info and destination deals! You could have flown business class on points, on a direct flight from Sydney to Cairns for $25 in taxes and fees. selected = false;
The final product was among a number of options put to testers and was selected as the most comfortable option. The Sirromet Vineyard Selection Shiraz came from Queenslands Granite Belt. With a high ticket price, many would wonder, is the journey on the train really worth it? Fraser Island is known for being a unique nature destination with miles of beach, 100 freshwater lakes and over 30 walking tracks. In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. 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. Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. Not as far as Im aware, but youre best to check with Queensland Rail about that one to be sure. 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 for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { var input = inputs[i]; if (input.name.indexOf('signup') >= 0) { this.updateSubmitButtonText(this.submit.getAttribute('data-thanks')); We are Oksana & Max, eco-conscious travelers on a mission to inspire responsible travel practices around the world. The ones in the amenities kit are cheap and flimsy. 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. 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? new Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation(); Guests will be able to select different options from the menu (a-la-carte) with orders taken prior to the meals times. A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as. A selection of Queensland wines and beverages is also available. "what do you think we are? We hope to see you on board again soon.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. My bag weighted 20.1kg, 100 grams over weight. 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. if (selected) { }, They drive the train and supply power to the carriages. Where: Brisbane to Cairns, Queensland, Australia. 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. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. if((input.type === 'checkbox' || input.type === 'radio') && input.checked) { The food served to the Rail Bed was typical Airline style, pre-cooked and reheated and the coffee was luke warmI did a 3 day train trip across Canada a few years ago and it was fabulous. Are people forced to wear masks on the train? }, Staff made them up, and returned the beds to seats, on demand. Thanks for thatbeen thinking of a train trip with my Asisstance Dog. We're looking forward to more trips with Queensland Rail.for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { 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() { this.updateFormAfterValidation(); 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. First meal was around mid-day on Day One, quite a serviceable chicken noodle dish with a sticky-date pudding for dessert. The RailBed class is a top-notch travel experience at an affordable price. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. input.placeholder = input.getAttribute('data-required-field'); The water was hot and the pressure was perfect. A call button is available to contact the onboard staff for assistance Cost: A$0 (2 Passengers) Not Available. } A heavy label was attached and I was then told that I could have taken it on board myself. If I had known about the collection procedure at Townsville station, I would have done this. For us, trains offer the best alternative to flying. The new Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of long distance rail travel. I am sure the passengers at the other end of the platform were all now awake. Not unlike first class in a plane but more spacious. - 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. Not much. The whole thing rattled and vibrated constantly, and lurched from side to side, so that sleep was virtually impossible. Ride the historic railway to the hinterland or take a tour out to the Great Barrier Reef.
this.validate(); This trip was not! Do you need a Visa to enter? window[this.callbackName] = function(response) {
textValidation: function(input) { } else { this.submit.className = this.isValid ? . 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.
function extend(destination, source) { } 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 (input.value) { 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. Oksana had the vegetarian noddle salad option. _this.onFormSubmit(e); A staff member told me the beds cost $100,000 each. 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. Required fields are marked *. If your travel plans involve Australia, you might be interested in these other posts: Very interesting. window.attachEvent('onload', function() { this.initialize();
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.form.attachEvent('onsubmit', function(e){var _this = this; With the beds all made up, the lights dimmed and the curtains closed, the RailBeds feel like a fun slumber party. }, if (this.isValid) { Also, Id steer clear of selecting seats near doors that open and close frequently. My wife and I have just returned from a trip Brisbane to Cairns and returned Proserpine to Brisbane. Its beautiful out there, and I feel lucky to be seeing this part of Queensland in a completely new way. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. if (name.indexOf('mimi_invalid') === -1) { 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 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.
fieldAndListValidation: function() { Website: www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au. Spirit of Queensland - Brisbane << View all Brisbane City Centre tours & cruises. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Spirit of Queensland. } 5 Nights at 4-star Rydges Cairns Esplanade Resort with breakfast daily and welcome drink. this.onSubmitSuccess(response.result); A 24-hour journey from Brisbane to Cairns on the Spirit of Queensland train will set you back by $370 per seat for a Premium Economy Seat and over $860 for a RailBed seat. My experience started when the luggage gestapo screamed that my luggage was overweight. Its still all fresh Queensland produce but its mostly been prepped on land before its finished on board. 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. 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. for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { isnt the only one departing from Queensland there are a number of other routes taking you to the far-flung corners of the state! After all, there are lots of great stops and things to do between Brisbane and Cairns. Access Queensland Rail Travel on Instagram, Access Queensland Rail Travel on Facebook, Access Queensland Rail Travel on Trip Advisor.
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) { } inputs[j].onkeyup = function() { We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the country we traverse. The lack of privacy was unpleasant and with the exception of one shower room, the bathroom facilities were very cramped with wet floors. No access to the Club Car is available from the RailBeds for wheelchair customers. I highly recommend it. Disembark here to enjoy the crystal clear blue waters on the shores of the Noosa National Park. }); The journey to Kuranda passes by. 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. } else { more. 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! var instance = instances[i]; There are stops for passengers to board and disembark. The new Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of long distance rail travel. Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. 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. We look forward to seeing you again onboard someday.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. } It has everything you need, from beds, showers, galley car, all-inclusive dining option, in-seat entertainment and much more! There's a locomotive at each end. 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). Any other drinks and snacks can be purchased from the club car, which is where premium economy passengers buy their meals. Another is that its an opportunity to take in the scenery. }, Im glad you enjoyed your Spirit of Queensland adventure as much as I did. 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. Your email address will not be published. As for what to wear to bed? 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. Thanks for sharing. } else { 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. 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. 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. 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. input.className = 'required invalid'; Youve shown me where wed be sitting/sleeping & it sounds wonderful , Oh that sounds like a lovely one to do together. 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. Its also a good idea to pack your own entertainment. if (this.fieldType(fields[i]) === 'text_field') { Other points programs fund other travels. return action + '?callback=' + this.callbackName + '&' + serialize(this.form); return text; Or possibly first class, depending on who youre flying with. this.form.className += ' mimi_submitting'; The magazine for world travellers. Youll have your own reading light, a power point for charging your phone or other electrical devices, overhead lockers, and in-seat entertainment. Spirit of Queensland .
htmlEmbedDropdownValidation: function(field) { There are also savings from the cost of getting to and from airports, and baggage and seat selection fees associated with air travel. Apparently, a lounge was part of the original design but with rising costs, the project needed to be scaled back and the lounge was scrapped. But, theres also the train thing. There are slightly different food options depending on your ticket type, but there is a good general selection of seasonal dishes, with gluten free, dairy free and veggie options. 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. The staff on the train were just fantastic very professional and they just couldnt do enough for the passengers. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. Did it represent good value? A Railbed, on the Spirit of Queensland, offers most of the benefits of a seat at the front of a plane with the bonus of scenic views, rather than clouds, through the large windows. By day the seat was hard and the footrest reached no further than behind my knees, which was not at all comfortable. if (input.value.length === 1) _this.validate(); 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. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Hi splumpf,Thank you so much for your wonderful review on our Spirit of Queensland train service. var elements = this.form.elements; onSubmitCallback: function(response) { 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. } else { RailBeds - There are 2 accessible RailBeds, however, there is no provision to park a non-collapsible wheelchair. The Spirit of Queensland is a long distance passenger rail service running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns. dropdown.onchange = (function(){ _this.validate(); }); field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); The Spirit of Queensland train journey is a 1681 kilometre route taking about 24-25 hours from Brisbane to Cairns. Previous. What attracted me to the Spirit of Queensland was the RailBed class. Theres also a Galley / Club Car, and a carriage for luggage and crew. } 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. The bathrooms were very big for a train and I didn't have to wait very long to use any of them, even with people showering in the morning. Not to mention its also home to over 350 species of birds, possums, wallabies, sea turtles, dolphins, and the famous dingo! We do appreciate your honest feedback and thank you for taking the time to review our train. 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. Delicious meals were served making this a stress free way to travel. This map takes a look at some of the hotels and Stayz home rental options nice and close to the station. Reviewed 18 August 2017. We acknowledge their spiritual connection to the lands and waterways and ask their ancestors to watch over us as we tread lightly on Country. The bed at night was SERIOUSLY uncomfortable. Full Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise and Pontoon Experience . } for (var prop in source) { 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. if (format === 'json') action += '.json'; A significant amount of development time was invested in the selection of the Railbed mattress type and materials. 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. The overhead bin was large enough for my carry-on travel bag. The Spirit of Queensland service operates from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 miles). 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. this.textValidation(input); There are the non-RailBed carriages that might meet your needs. Our brochures are loaded with great ideas. var dropdownEl = input.parentNode, All services have aServery orCafonboardfor customers to purchasemeals and refreshments. instances = Widget.BasicDropdown.instances, 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. and were really impressed by its quality. Review our onboard menu options for your service by selecting a train below.. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Cars B and C are becoming old. BC Reg. updateSubmitButtonText: function(text) { When travelling in Australia, I use British Airways Avios points to fly on Qantas, one of British Airways oneworld airline partners. var name = this.form.className; 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. There are little things like bends and track conditions to take into consideration, and of course slowing to come into towns and stopping to let passengers on and off. var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll('.mimi_field'); Next. The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options. top.location.href = result.redirect; Hope this helps. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. } else { 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. However, with daylight, it was more interesting to enjoy the constantly changing coastal Queensland landscape. } 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. var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll('.mimi_field.required');
} There are two RailBed carriages, with 19 in one car and 16 in the other to allow for wheelchairs. 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. 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. input.placeholder = ''; For anyone who loves train travel, Queensland Rails Spirit of Queensland is a fabulous choice. Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. if (result.has_redirect) { if (!Mimi.Signups) Mimi.Signups = {};