All Railbeds face the direction of travel and can not be reversed. We hope to see you on board again soon.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. 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 service and the food was very delicious not a leftover to be seen at each meal. Hot breakfast consisted of a three cheese omelette served with pork chipolata, bacon and tomato wedge (there was also a vegetarian option available). } this.textFieldError(input); Fully plated meals will be provided to RailBed customers offering hot or continental breakfast, 2 course lunch and 3 course dinner. The Spirit of Queensland is a modern tilt train that runs the length of the Queensland coast between Brisbane and Cairns. RailBeds - There are 2 accessible RailBeds, however, there is no provision to park a non-collapsible wheelchair. Collapsible wheelchairs can be stowed at the end of the carriage. One hand on the grab bars at all times added to the challenge. this.emailValidation(); Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. I travelled from Roma St to Ayr and return on the Spirit of Queensland 'Rail Bed'. 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 has everything you need, from beds, showers, galley car, all-inclusive dining option, in-seat entertainment and much more! Full Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise and Pontoon Experience . While the Spirit of Queensland can and does do 160 kilometres per hour at times, she doesnt stick to that speed the whole way. }, }); The train attains a top speed of 160 kph, usually achieved during the night. Dear TDK1962,Many thanks for your kind review. formUrl: function(format) { 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. 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. Planning to get the train from Brisbane? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. _this.onSubmitCallback(response); Review of Queensland Rail. if (typeof Widget === 'undefined' || !Widget.BasicDropdown) return; document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to Packing Light Travel. Staff were noisily rushing from one end of the carriage to the other all through the night, talking loudly and jangling keys, and bumping from side to side as the train lurched along. field.className += ' invalid'; Spirit of Queensland - Brisbane << View all Brisbane City Centre tours & cruises. } Need help planning your holiday? . if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) { this.onSubmitSuccess(response.result); A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as The Ghan, it has two locomotives and just seven carriages. } else { 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. This was one of the stops we made during our journey from Brisbane to Cairns by train. , plus 15 handmade tunnels and 37 towering bridges and offers a truly unique rail adventure. I did removed one article and my case now weighted 18kgs. Rail bed being used prior to us using rail bed seat, used pillow evidence left of prior occupation. The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. I wasnt paid anything for the review, and clearly we had very different experiences. } else { The Club Car is licensed to sell alcohol from 10am - 12 midnight. That was also the experience of the others in our tour party. selected = true; if (instance.wrapperEl === dropdownEl) { this.onSelectCallback(input); No other words are needed. Join the mailing list for updates, and access to the Resource Library. But even then it felt like such an old-fashioned thing to do. But it actually looks really fun and glamourous! 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. 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. var input = this; The journey to Kuranda passes by. and were really impressed by its quality. 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. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. Not unlike first class in a plane but more spacious. There was a good selection of movies, tv shows, kids programmes or music channels available in the in-seat entertainment. }); My experience started when the luggage gestapo screamed that my luggage was overweight. There was an extra seat that folded down under the TV. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If youre travelling solo, reserve a seat in the single bed aisle at the time of booking. The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. this.removeTextFieldError(input); 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. The seats in Premium Economy are pretty spacious and recline just enough for you to feel relaxed. 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. Tiny hessian bags full of travel comforts are waiting for you along with welcoming hosts. Your email address will not be published. While the cold option included a choice of cereal with greek yogurt, berry compote and a freshly baked pastry. Hi Tom, Im glad youve experienced this one for yourself and that you love the staff on the trains. If you enjoy train travel, it might be for you. this.submit.value = text; If your travel plans involve Australia, you might be interested in these other posts: Very interesting. Each passenger received an amenities kit of Queensland organic products. Thanks, If you are in the Sleeping carriage can you still walk through to the Dining / Club carriage for coffee etc. 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. document.body.appendChild(script); 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. You also get an amenities pack which included all organic products. For anyone who loves train travel, Queensland Rails Spirit of Queensland is a fabulous choice. I travelled in the RailBed from Cairns to Brisbane and the whole experience was exceptional - I enjoyed every second of it. Queensland Rail Travel is committed to supporting Queenslanders by preventing the spread of COVID-19. Other points programs fund other travels.
emailValidation: function() { if (dropdown.value) { }); 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. } else { We acknowledge their spiritual connection to the lands and waterways and ask their ancestors to watch over us as we tread lightly on Country. In other words, you traded a three-dollar business class flight to spend 24-hours on a train? If there is one drawback with this type of sleeper it is lack of privacy. I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. The Ultimate Guide to Australia on a Budget, The Ultimate Sydney to Brisbane Drive Itinerary, Where to Stay in Brisbane: Guide to Neighbourhood and Best Hotels in Brisbane, The Best Things To Do in Port Douglas, Australia. The bathroom was kept impeccably clean throughout the trip. 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. onSubmitCallback: function(response) { 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. 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. Guaranteed. this.isValid = true; 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. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. It was so much better than what we had ever gotten on a plane. if (result.has_redirect) { elements[i].disabled = true; } After folks settled in, a more social atmosphere prevailed, especially while watching staff make up the beds. I would speculate that most travellers spend time in Cairns to explore the hinterland, the reef, and surrounding areas. 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. text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-choose-list'); Our FREE AUSTRALIA Travel Guide is a great resource for planning a trip to Australia! On the plus side the staff and meals were excellent. Club Car - The licensed Club Car allowing guests to purchase light refreshments, confectionery and beverages throughout the journey. Thats great that youve let them know so they can take care of you. This map takes a look at some of the hotels and Stayz home rental options nice and close to the station. You can catch the Brisbane to Cairns train five times a week and have the option of booking RailBed or Premium Economy seats. On our recent trip to Australia, we discovered the beauty of traveling around the East Coast of Australia by train and its now an experience that we highly recommend to others. Cost: 390 dollars for a rail bed fare at time of publication. 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. 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. });
checkboxAndRadioValidation: function(field) { Stroll along the Cairns Esplanade or visit the unique Daintree Rainforest. 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 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. Hi Anna, towels are provided so you dont need to worry about that one. this.callbackName = 'jsonp_callback_' + Math.round(100000 * Math.random()); The USB ports are useless for charging so I plug mine into the power point beside the bed. 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. }
There are the non-RailBed carriages that might meet your needs. }, Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. 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. if (document.addEventListener) { Book as early as possible to take advantage of saver fares and seat selection. 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. 'submit' : 'disabled'; The Spirit of Queensland runs between Cairns and Brisbane five times a week. There are stops for passengers to board and disembark. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); 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. Staff made them up, and returned the beds to seats, on demand. 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. In-seat wine and dine service and entertainment aboard the Spirit of Queensland. }, this.validEmail = /.+@.+\..+/ #1543989; CST #2016613-20. var dropdownEl = input.parentNode, } Fraser Island is known for being a unique nature destination with miles of beach, 100 freshwater lakes and over 30 walking tracks. } else { . Never again!.. if (this.fieldType(fields[i]) === 'text_field') { https://youtu.be/FHcDorXrmWoMUST DO!!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) { Need help in planning your perfect holiday? It was really good value considering it is overnight accommodation, travel and three hearty meals! - 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. My wife and I have just returned from a trip Brisbane to Cairns and returned Proserpine to Brisbane. I thought that it had been upgraded. }); 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? So really the choice is up to you, and whatever you feel comfortable doing. Features Check out the Queensland Rail site for options. Where: Brisbane to Cairns, Queensland, Australia. } else { } else { _this.onFormSubmit(e); The Spirit of Queensland is a long distance passenger rail service running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns. Thanks for sharing. Another route through the Outback, this time going from Brisbane to Charleville, taking in the picturesque scenery of the. My partner and I chose to do Brisbane to Cairns on the Spirit of Queensland. Looking for an airfare only? Before leaving home Id already decided I was going the PJs route and had packed my Singapore Airlines sleep suit. 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. . var inputs = fields[i].getElementsByTagName('input'); We traveled from Brisbane to Cairns in RailBed seats and were impressed with the comfort and service level in RailBed Class. 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? The lack of privacy was unpleasant and with the exception of one shower room, the bathroom facilities were very cramped with wet floors. }, input.placeholder = input.getAttribute('data-required-field'); } else {
this.validate(); Lie Flat With RailBed The first two passenger carriages on Spirit of Queensland are dedicated to RailBed. It arrives at 4:30 pm. Though with things changing all the time its always best to have a mask on you these days so you can do the right thing. It was a very bad crossing on a ship without stabilisers, with screaming banshees all night. Customer service is one of our highest priorities and the vast majority of our staff take great pride in their customer relationships. } Take advantage of the coach connections at certain stops to explore parts of the Australian countryside that many tourists miss out on. At night, theyre a comfortable bed with a thick mattress and beautiful bedding consisting of a sheet, two pillows, and a duvet. There are also savings from the cost of getting to and from airports, and baggage and seat selection fees associated with air travel.
Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation = function() {
fieldAndListValidation: function() { 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. I was told that I had to repack it. return 'checkboxes'; The Spirit of Queensland service operates from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 miles). But Ive never travelled on a train like this anywhere else in the world. 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. 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! },
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. Your email address will never be shared. The ride was quiet and smooth, and conversation was possible at a normal volume. top.location.href = this.formUrl('html'); 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. Surely for that amount of money something more comfortable must have been possible. Dear stevecau,It is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your experience on board the Spirit of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns recently. Our toolkit is a great place to get started.if (this.validEmail.test(email.value)) { A significant amount of development time was invested in the selection of the Railbed mattress type and materials. Tilt Train customers receive an in-seat Trolley Service throughout their journey. There's a locomotive at each end. This nature lovers paradise is definitely worth a stop along your Spirit of Queensland journey. removeTextFieldError: function(input) { I considered the cost of overnight accommodation when evaluating the fare. You can also get connecting coach services to Quilpie and Cunnamulla. A heavy label was attached and I was then told that I could have taken it on board myself. this.submit.className = this.isValid ? The new Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of long distance rail travel. 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. For dessert, I had the tiramisu cake. By day, the RailBeds are spacious seats capable of reclining up to 35 degrees. this.submit.disabled = !this.isValid; },
} } Dear Talknsmile,It is always great to hear about another happy customer onboard our trains. But, theres also the train thing. } 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. Trip in August 2014 between Innisfail and Gladstone. thanks. Hi Noel, they do indeed. Pack shower shoes (e.g., thongs/flip flops), and comfortable sleepwear. At the start of 2015, it replaced the diesel-hauled train The Sunlander . return name.replace(/\s?mimi_invalid/, ''); field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); My bag weighted 20.1kg, 100 grams over weight. The Spirit of Queensland has a maximum speed of 160km/h and the entire trip takes 24 hours.. This three-day itinerary describe these suggestions and a host of other ideas. Apparently the galley crew don`t understand how to heat food. I suspect Queensland Rail assigns single bookings in this way but I wouldnt count on it. We're looking forward to more trips with Queensland Rail. }, They have been designed to provide a smooth and relaxing ride. Stay up to date with the latest travel info and destination deals! var dropdowns = field.querySelectorAll('.mimi_html_dropdown'); for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { var input = inputs[i]; if (input.name.indexOf('signup') >= 0) { After all, there are lots of great stops and things to do between Brisbane and Cairns. } He did ask if he could pay for the excess, in his case 200 grams. var email = document.getElementById('signup_email'); The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. The final product was among a number of options put to testers and was selected as the most comfortable option. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. script.src = this.formUrl('json'); Select a Region you are interested in travelling to. 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. var _this = this; The one in front pulls while the one at the rear pushes. 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. if (selected) { The bed and bedding were very comfortable. Two of them, dinner and lunch, included a complimentary soft drink, juice, water, beer, or wine. if (this.isValid) { Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. Disembark here to enjoy the crystal clear blue waters on the shores of the Noosa National Park. 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.