for (var i = 0; i < dropdowns.length; ++i) { 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. Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. The seven carriages in between include two RailBed sleeper cars with airline style seats that convert to lie-flat beds. Dear TDK1962,Many thanks for your kind review. }, Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. 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. 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 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. showConfirmationText: function(html) { I wasnt paid anything for the review, and clearly we had very different experiences. } A perfect day trip from Cairns to Kuranda by historic train and rainforest cable car, For a perfect day in Outback Australia, visit Alice Springs Desert Park. Cost: 390 dollars for a rail bed fare at time of publication. this.submit.value = text; If I had known about the collection procedure at Townsville station, I would have done this. In-seat wine and dine service and entertainment aboard the Spirit of Queensland. I thought that it had been upgraded. 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. 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? return 'text_field'; 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. The bathroom was kept impeccably clean throughout the trip. A Premium Economy ticket comes with one 20kg luggage item plus one carry on hand luggage item free of charge.
extend(Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation.prototype, { this.submitForm(); 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. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. Disembark here to enjoy the crystal clear blue waters on the shores of the Noosa National Park. After all, there are lots of great stops and things to do between Brisbane and Cairns. } if (document.addEventListener) { 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. By night they are converted into the sort of flat bed that Id be very happy to find on a plane, measuring 1.9m x 0.51m. 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. By day the seat was hard and the footrest reached no further than behind my knees, which was not at all comfortable. } else { QLD trains, forget the hype NOTHING HAS CHANGED except the prices. var input = this; Not as far as Im aware, but youre best to check with Queensland Rail about that one to be sure. 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. The Spirit of Queensland. } else { In our opinion, it is, especially if you take it as an opportunity to stop along the way and break up your journey. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. } return text;
validate: function() { We experienced USB ports that didnt work, and ear-hone jacks that didnt work. 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? document.body.appendChild(script); The water was hot and the pressure was perfect. 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. } There are stops for passengers to board and disembark. 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. }, Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, Croc Express to Australia Zoo from Brisbane. Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. } Let us customize a dream holiday for you. } else { 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. We are Oksana & Max, eco-conscious travelers on a mission to inspire responsible travel practices around the world. Yes. 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. Hop off the Spirit of Queensland train and hop on a ferry from Hervey Bay to Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world. this.textFieldError(input); 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. I may have grown up on a farm where kangaroos were commonplace but the sight puts a big smile on my face. Staff made them up, and returned the beds to seats, on demand. Full Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise and Pontoon Experience . Previous. Let's jump onboard!0:00 Cairns1:49 Spirit of Queensland3:16 Luggage check-in4:10 Carriage layout9:05 Cairns, Morning tea, Gordonvale12:27 Railbed seat part 113:28 Babinda, Innisfail15:05 Railbed seat part 218:10 Lounge Car, Tully, Cardwell21:31 Lunch23:12 Ingham, Townsville25:12 Pizza of the day25:59 Giru, Ayr, Home Hill27:55 Bowen, Proserpine29:27 Dinner, Mackay32:44 Seat --- Bed35:16 Rocky!36:35 Shower38:30 Gympie North, Nambour40:24 Breakfast, Caboolture42:30 SummaryThis video was filmed on 10 and 11 September 2021Train type: Spirit of Queensland (Diesel Tilt Train)From Cairns to Brisbane Roma StreetTravel time: 24h45mDistance: 1681kmSeat: B/11Class: Railbed SleeperCost: $389$120 on Egypt's most Luxurious Night Train from Cairo to Aswan - Deluxe Sleeper Cabin: https://youtu.be/jCI7eZKYnCQFirst High-Speed Railway in Turkey - TCDD YHT Istanbul to Ankara Business Class Siemens Velaro train: https://youtu.be/c6Sxy5ZX3A8Night Train Across Turkey - $50 Private Sleeping Cabin from Ankara to Izmir in TCDD TVS2000 railcar: https://youtu.be/SwNhyngYBsc10 days, 7100km train journey across Australia, Cairns to Perth by Rail: https://youtu.be/C1BmtiI9dS8The INDIAN PACIFIC 2022: Adelaide to Perth in GOLD TWIN - luxury sleeper train across Australia: https://youtu.be/CIUnEnBQPHQChristmas on the Great Southern Train - Australia's newest luxury rail journey Adelaide to Brisbane: https://youtu.be/WwJLTROA7Z0The GHAN Platinum Class Adelaide to Darwin - 3,000km luxurious train journey across Australia: https://youtu.be/llxr70sFWB4SPIRIT OF TASMANIA ferry inaugural sailing from Devonport to Geelong - 23 Oct 2022: https://youtu.be/as3gxC8WH8kTravelling on every type of V/Line train in ONE DAY! if (input.getAttribute('name') === 'signup[email]') { dropdown.onchange = (function(){ _this.validate(); }); } The whole thing rattled and vibrated constantly, and lurched from side to side, so that sleep was virtually impossible. For information on what forms of payment are accepted onboard when travelling with us, visit our document.body.removeChild(script); } 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. _this = this; onSubmitCallback: function(response) { for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { Required fields are marked *. At the start of 2015, it replaced the diesel-hauled train The Sunlander . The seats in Premium Economy are pretty spacious and recline just enough for you to feel relaxed. if (_this.validEmail.test(input.value)) _this.validate(); The main stops en route between Brisbane and Cairns are Maryborough (where you can get a connecting . The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm 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. },
For us, trains offer the best alternative to flying. Sorry to hear yours wasnt what you were hoping for. Two of them, dinner and lunch, included a complimentary soft drink, juice, water, beer, or wine. var action = this.form.action; more. } A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as The Ghan, it has two locomotives and just seven carriages. The final product was among a number of options put to testers and was selected as the most comfortable option. _this.onFormSubmit(e); 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. In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. The Spirit of Queensland service operates from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 miles). The one in front pulls while the one at the rear pushes. The main lights were turned off at 21:30, but each pod had individual reading lights. Other points programs fund other travels. Take advantage of the coach connections at certain stops to explore parts of the Australian countryside that many tourists miss out on. } },if (input.value) { I had never thought about train travel in Australia, until reading In A Sunburned Country. If there is one drawback with this type of sleeper it is lack of privacy. Railbeds - Spirit of Queensland. disableForm: function() { 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. Hi Tom, Im glad youve experienced this one for yourself and that you love the staff on the trains. Definitely will keep in mind for my next Australia trip (hopefully soon!). There was a good selection of movies, tv shows, kids programmes or music channels available in the in-seat entertainment. A significant amount of development time was invested in the selection of the Railbed mattress type and materials. Guaranteed. } } Another route through the Outback, this time going from Brisbane to Charleville, taking in the picturesque scenery of the. Do you need a Visa to enter? My experience started when the luggage gestapo screamed that my luggage was overweight. The RailBed chair was very comfortable and the selection of films/tv/documentaries to watch or music to listed to was very good. The menu brings a paddock to plate experience with meals prepared using the freshest Queensland produce. this.initialize();
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. Features In fact, I used Scotiabanks Scotia Rewards to cover the cost of the Spirit of Queensland fare from Brisbane to Cairns. . The sun is preparing to come up over the mountain range, theres mist everywhere, and kangaroos are hopping beside the train. Our FREE AUSTRALIA Travel Guide is a great resource for planning a trip to Australia! Before leaving home Id already decided I was going the PJs route and had packed my Singapore Airlines sleep suit. Spirit of Queensland . Theres a locomotive at each end. 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.htmlEmbedDropdownValidation: function(field) { Did it represent good value? var invalidFields = document.querySelectorAll('.invalid'), delete window[this.callbackName]; 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.onSelectCallback(input); A selection of Queensland wines and beverages is also available. The Sirromet Vineyard Selection Shiraz came from Queenslands Granite Belt.
for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { If your travel plans involve Australia, you might be interested in these other posts: Very interesting. Fraser Island is known for being a unique nature destination with miles of beach, 100 freshwater lakes and over 30 walking tracks. While the Spirit of Queensland can and does do 160 kilometres per hour at times, she doesnt stick to that speed the whole way. On the south-to-north service, the stop in Tully was long enough for passengers to stretch their legs on the platform. When: All year round. Cost: A$0 (2 Passengers) . I will definitely taking another trip in the future with qld rail thank you for a memorable trip away. }, Please turn on JavaScript and try again. For your listening pleasure, you might want to pack your own headphones. He did ask if he could pay for the excess, in his case 200 grams. How much were you paid for this review?
var _this = this; by Anne Betts | Nov 7, 2019 | Australia | 8 comments. if (type === 'text_field') { The Staff on the Queenslander are EXCELLENT! Thats great that youve let them know so they can take care of you.
if (!Mimi) var Mimi = {}; The entertainment schedule changes regularly, but you can check it ahead of your trip via the Spirit of Queensland entertainment guide. to Townsville. 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. Your email address will not be published. What was missing from the RailBed experience? Good luck! The. }); Not to mention its also home to over 350 species of birds, possums, wallabies, sea turtles, dolphins, and the famous dingo! It was a welcome break from the frenetic pace of busy airports, enhanced security-screening measures, and cramped aircraft space. } else { Your email address will not be published. I imagine so, but presumably it will cost more and will require paying for each segment. A video trip report of Railbed (first) class on QR Travel's new Spirit of Queensland tilting train. text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-invalid-text'); 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. #1543989; CST #2016613-20. The journey takes roughly 25 hours. Collapsible wheelchairs can be stowed at the end of the carriage. destination[prop] = source[prop]; Second was evening Day One, and given we were going through the heartland of Qld's beef country, I had the beef cheeks. Website: www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au. I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. } }
}, The route was dotted with coastal towns, each with its own character. The staff certainly have not changed. The service and the food was very delicious not a leftover to be seen at each meal. if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) { Rail bed being used prior to us using rail bed seat, used pillow evidence left of prior occupation. }, The Spirit of Queensland service operates from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 miles). You can catch the Brisbane to Cairns train five times a week and have the option of booking RailBed or Premium Economy seats. 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. var _this = this; } The magazine for world travellers. The Spirit of Queenslands RailBed experience was one of the most relaxing journeys Ive ever had. } else { For breakfast, there was a choice of hot or cold option served at around 7 am. The Spirit of Queensland train journey is a 1681 kilometre route taking about 24-25 hours from Brisbane to Cairns. I knew they were not a budget airline as they at least have decent caring staff. 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. Let us assist with your travel documents. Perhaps Ill give it another chance. 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. }, 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. }, Guests will be able to select different options from the menu (a-la-carte) with orders taken prior to the meals times. They then make the bed for you, providing all of the bedding as well as a towel for those who fancy a refreshing shower at high speed. We're looking forward to more trips with Queensland Rail. this.callbackName = 'jsonp_callback_' + Math.round(100000 * Math.random()); var instance = instances[i]; All thoughts and opinions remain her own. Club Car - The licensed Club Car allowing guests to purchase light refreshments, confectionery and beverages throughout the journey. Toilet seats have become loose and generally a good refurbishment program would work wonders. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); On 10 September 2021, I finally boarded this train once more and experienced Railbed Sleeper from Cairns to Brisbane. 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. My wife and I have just returned from a trip Brisbane to Cairns and returned Proserpine to Brisbane. initialize: function() { this.form.className = this.setFormClassName(); The Spirit of Queensland runs between Cairns and Brisbane five times a week. A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as. updateFormAfterValidation: function() { var inputs = field.getElementsByTagName('input'); textFieldError: function(input) { 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. Heres a quick look at the other trains and their destinations. The fold-down seat had a pocket for reading material and assorted items. }, The Club Car is licensed to sell alcohol from 10am - 12 midnight. Railbed Car - Spirit of Queensland. this.emailValidation(); Oh thats so lovely to hear, Linda. this.isValid = false; We had tickets from Roma St to Cairns. Stay up to date with the latest travel info and destination deals! Thanks for thatbeen thinking of a train trip with my Asisstance Dog. And Im with you and definitely want to do it again someday. if (instance.wrapperEl === dropdownEl) { },this.validate(); Take your pick from the Great Barrier Reef. var dropdownEl = input.parentNode, 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. is definitely worth a stop along your Spirit of Queensland journey. If you are thinking of going from Brisbane to Cairns, fly there! The Spirit of Queensland is a Queensland Rail long distance passenger rail service. Surely for that amount of money something more comfortable must have been possible. 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. Hi Anna, towels are provided so you dont need to worry about that one. Spirit Of Queensland. 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. I described the sleep time in terms of a ship. } Can't recommend the RailBed highly enough and would definitely do this sort of experience again. The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { var input = inputs[i]; if (input.name.indexOf('signup') >= 0) { 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. return 'checkboxes'; } For anyone who loves train travel, Queensland Rails, The Spirit of Queensland service operates from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 miles). Copyright 2022 Adventures All Around | Website by Liveby5. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. the only improvement seems to be more leg room and a bigger toilet/shower room. Great train journey from Brisbane to Cairns. We traveled from Brisbane to Cairns in RailBed seats and were impressed with the comfort and service level in RailBed Class. this.textFieldError(email); The train makes the 1681km journey five times per week. If youre travelling solo, reserve a seat in the single bed aisle at the time of booking. this.isValid = false; 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. It was a very bad crossing on a ship without stabilisers, with screaming banshees all night. Unbelievable prices. We do appreciate your honest feedback and thank you for taking the time to review our train. Passengers were invited to take the blanket and cushion with them at the end of the journey.
dropdownValidation: function(field, input) { But she does feel fast. };
Fully plated meals will be provided to RailBed customers offering hot or continental breakfast, 2 course lunch and 3 course dinner. Our Railbeds are an Australian first designed to provide our customers with a smooth and relaxing ride. Hot breakfast in RailBed Class on the Spirit of Queensland train Lunch was a 2-course meal served at around midday. 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. if (this.isValid || !invalidFields) { Cairns is an excellent base and launching point for exploring Far North Queensland. Hi Lee, I remember being able to use my iPad and other electrical devices, but youre best to call Queensland Rail and ask to find out for sure in case anything has changed, or in case it isnt set up the right way for you. I hope you get to enjoy the train and sleep easily. We look forward to seeing you again onboard someday.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. } The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. Yes, some folks got and and off at different stops but most people seemed to travel the entire route on the RailBed. A FREE travel quote! This was one of the stops we made during our journey from Brisbane to Cairns by train. When travelling in Australia, I use British Airways Avios points to fly on Qantas, one of British Airways oneworld airline partners. top.location.href = result.redirect; I have just returned from my first trip on the spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Cairns. } else if(result.single_opt_in || !result.confirmation_html) { While you cant feel the speed of a plane once youre up in the air, you can feel the speed of a train. Youll also get a free knee blanket! var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll(".mimi_field.required"), 50+ Reasons Why to Go Downunder with Goway, All main meals served directly to your seat, Personal entertainment featuring a large screen with on-demand movies, music and audio books, Seat features include reading light, footrest, drink holder, 240v power adapter and USB charging, Towel and personal amenity pack with Queensland organic and sustainable products, All bed linen provided (sheets, duvet & pillow), RailBed customers may check in two (2) items of luggage not exceeding 20kg each (44 pounds), plus one item of carry on hand luggage free of charge, Carry on luggage for under-seat or overhead compartments is maximum size of 23cm x 34cm x 48cm and a maximum weight of 20kg.King Tides Oregon Coast 2022, Articles S