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. But while domestic flights certainly dominate travelers preference list, it wont surprise many to hear that its not the most eco-conscious way. Even though the train gets up to speeds of 160km per hour, its innovative tilt design allows for a really smooth ride even around those sharp turns, youd barely know you were moving at all! At the start of 2015, it replaced the diesel-hauled train The Sunlander . A FREE travel quote! 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. (Fully Paid For so why Try Putting someone else or reselling . But Ive never travelled on a train like this anywhere else in the world. 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. document.body.appendChild(script); }, this.textFieldError(email); 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. However with unpredictable border restrictions and the train's popular demand, I had to reschedule this trip again and again! The whole thing rattled and vibrated constantly, and lurched from side to side, so that sleep was virtually impossible. setFormClassName: function() { Youll also get a free knee blanket! }

The RailBed ticket for the Spirit of Queensland train includes all-inclusive meals which are served directly to your seat. Next. Perhaps Ill give it another chance. Cons Cars B and C are becoming old. Shoes with a decent tread will keep you upright when moving throughout the train. Hi Noel, they do indeed. 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. this.showConfirmationText(result.confirmation_html); Spirit of Qld Rail Bed. Hi Amanda are towels provided for economy seat passengers as well? With the beds all made up, the lights dimmed and the curtains closed, the RailBeds feel like a fun slumber party. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); Dear TDK1962,Many thanks for your kind review. },

The train attains a top speed of 160 kph, usually achieved during the night. Hi splumpf,Thank you so much for your wonderful review on our Spirit of Queensland train service. Your entertainment system might not work or the content could be uninspiring. I would like to say it was a wonderful experience. return name; On the plus side the staff and meals were excellent. I imagine so, but presumably it will cost more and will require paying for each segment. field.className += ' invalid'; 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. Welcome to Packing Light Travel. But she does feel fast. Need help in planning your perfect holiday? and were really impressed by its quality. "what do you think we are? Cairns is an excellent base and launching point for exploring Far North Queensland. text; RailBed passengers also receive a lip balm, hand sanitser and hand cream from Queensland skincare brand, Bubbles Organic. } _this.onFormSubmit(e); On the Brisbane to Cairns route, the views were interesting and varied. Movies, music, and audiobooks were on demand. Other points programs fund other travels. With the beds made up, the lights dimmed, and the curtains closed, it felt like one large upmarket moving hostel dorm. Showers & Toilets - Showers and toilets are located at the end of all passenger carriages. this.emailValidation(); };

A significant amount of development time was invested in the selection of the Railbed mattress type and materials. textAndDropdownValidation: function(field, type) { Book as early as possible to take advantage of saver fares and seat selection. The one in front pulls while the one at the rear pushes. if (invalidFields.length || invalidFields[0].className.indexOf('checkgroup') === -1) { I have just returned from my first trip on the spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Cairns. Get your FREE subscription today. , or one of the many wildlife and nature experiences just outside of the city. The next morning I wake up, look out the window and smile. The three premium economy cars have adjustable leather lounger seats in a 2 2 configuration. You also get an amenities pack which included all organic products. var inputs = field.getElementsByTagName('input'); Premium Economy from $221, Railbed from $389. I was just wondering if towels were provided for the showers or if it was byo? } }, function serialize(form){if(!form||form.nodeName!=="FORM"){return }var i,j,q=[];for(i=form.elements.length-1;i>=0;i=i-1){if(form.elements[i].name===""){continue}switch(form.elements[i].nodeName){case"INPUT":switch(form.elements[i].type){case"text":case"hidden":case"password":case"button":case"reset":case"submit":q.push(form.elements[i].name+"="+encodeURIComponent(form.elements[i].value));break;case"checkbox":case"radio":if(form.elements[i].checked){q.push(form.elements[i].name+"="+encodeURIComponent(form.elements[i].value))}break;case"file":break}break;case"TEXTAREA":q.push(form.elements[i].name+"="+encodeURIComponent(form.elements[i].value));break;case"SELECT":switch(form.elements[i].type){case"select-one":q.push(form.elements[i].name+"="+encodeURIComponent(form.elements[i].value));break;case"select-multiple":for(j=form.elements[i].options.length-1;j>=0;j=j-1){if(form.elements[i].options[j].selected){q.push(form.elements[i].name+"="+encodeURIComponent(form.elements[i].options[j].value))}}break}break;case"BUTTON":switch(form.elements[i].type){case"reset":case"submit":case"button":q.push(form.elements[i].name+"="+encodeURIComponent(form.elements[i].value));break}break}}return q.join("&")};

if (input.value.length === 1) _this.validate(); Sorry to hear yours wasnt what you were hoping for. 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. 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. So let me get this straight. } The bed at night was SERIOUSLY uncomfortable. Hi Tom, Im glad youve experienced this one for yourself and that you love the staff on the trains. return name.replace(/\s?mimi_invalid/, ''); Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. For information on what forms of payment are accepted onboard when travelling with us, visit our You could have flown business class on points, on a direct flight from Sydney to Cairns for $25 in taxes and fees. Its also a good idea to pack your own entertainment. By day the seat was hard and the footrest reached no further than behind my knees, which was not at all comfortable. We stopped for 5 days, enjoying some time in Airlie Beach, in the Whitsundays and on the Great Barrier Reef. We are Oksana & Max, eco-conscious travelers on a mission to inspire responsible travel practices around the world. var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll('.mimi_field.required');

Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. e.preventDefault();

Take advantage of the coach connections at certain stops to explore parts of the Australian countryside that many tourists miss out on. this.isValid = false; I highly recommend it. } A selection of Queensland wines and beverages is also available. } We left from Cairns, around 8.30am, heading for Brisbane. for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { But it actually looks really fun and glamourous! Oh thats so lovely to hear, Linda. In March 2019, my ticket cost AUD 389.25 / USD 268.54 / CAD 371.38, covered by 37,138 Scotia Rewards. How much were you paid for this review? 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? Luckily, it is possible to get around Australia without flying, especially on the East Coast by taking the Spirit of Queensland train! }; . The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. } Pack shower shoes (e.g., thongs/flip flops), and comfortable sleepwear. this.form.className = this.setFormClassName(); Thanks for sharing. Its still all fresh Queensland produce but its mostly been prepped on land before its finished on board. I must admit they were pushing it, their case was 200 grams over. The bathroom was kept impeccably clean throughout the trip. 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. No wonder people just fly, Is there power points for sleep apnea machines. Learn how your comment data is processed. Collapsible wheelchairs can be stowed at the end of the carriage. isnt the only one departing from Queensland there are a number of other routes taking you to the far-flung corners of the state! 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. var email = document.getElementById('signup_email');

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. } else { document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() { this.isValid = false; Great train journey from Brisbane to Cairns. How do you return from Cairns when trip finishes I believe it finishes at night. for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { var input = inputs[i]; if (input.name.indexOf('signup') >= 0) { Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. While the Spirit of Queensland can and does do 160 kilometres per hour at times, she doesnt stick to that speed the whole way. Ask the airfare experts at GowayAir. 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. After leaving the urban sprawl of Brisbane, we passed by pineapple farms, rainforests, and the Glasshouse Mountains. var inputs = fields[i].getElementsByTagName('input'); Youve shown me where wed be sitting/sleeping & it sounds wonderful , Oh that sounds like a lovely one to do together. if (this.isValid) { 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. 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. This three-day itinerary describe these suggestions and a host of other ideas. 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 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. I suspect Queensland Rail assigns single bookings in this way but I wouldnt count on it. Unbelievable prices. if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) { 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. In-seat wine and dine service and entertainment aboard the Spirit of Queensland. For us, trains offer the best alternative to flying. The Spirit of Queensland. delete window[this.callbackName]; Railbed Car - Spirit of Queensland. this.revalidateOnChange(); At night, the staff recline the seats turning them into flat beds so you can enjoy a good night sleep and arrive at your destination well rested and refreshed. var action = this.form.action; Customer service is one of our highest priorities and the vast majority of our staff take great pride in their customer relationships. 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. If I had known about the collection procedure at Townsville station, I would have done this. Heres a quick look at the other trains and their destinations. Meals will be delivered directly to Railbed guests and the 24 hour Club Car is available for additional purchases. There are windows throughout the carriage so youll be able to see that view. RailBed customers aboard Spirit of Queensland receive inclusive meals served directly to their seat. Hi Anna, towels are provided so you dont need to worry about that one. this.textFieldError(input); } Hot breakfast in RailBed Class on the Spirit of Queensland train Lunch was a 2-course meal served at around midday. for (var prop in source) { Railbed: - 2 x checked in items of luggage not exceeding 20kg and a maximum of 180 linear centimetres (sum of length, width and depth). onSelectCallback: function(input) { },

for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { Any other drinks and snacks can be purchased from the club car, which is where premium economy passengers buy their meals. In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. this.submit.value = this.submit.getAttribute('data-submitting-text'); 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. I am sure the passengers at the other end of the platform were all now awake. BC Reg. 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. 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. The wait is over!! field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); The journey takes roughly 25 hours. Another is that its an opportunity to take in the scenery. this.form = document.getElementById('ema_signup_form'); 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. Check out the Queensland Rail site for options. Not as far as Im aware, but youre best to check with Queensland Rail about that one to be sure. The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! inputs[j].onkeyup = function() { var instance = instances[i]; _this.onFormSubmit(e); Besides, when compared to air travel, its a more sustainable method of transportation. revalidateOnChange: function() { #1543989; CST #2016613-20. formSubmitting: function() { } else { A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as The Ghan, it has two locomotives and just seven carriages. A video trip report of Railbed (first) class on QR Travel's new Spirit of Queensland tilting train. dropdown.onchange = (function(){ _this.validate(); }); The staff certainly have not changed. Cost: A$0 (2 Passengers) . Long-distance rail travel in Victoria: https://youtu.be/_OX0sTjdBaUQantas QF2 B787 Business Class Darwin to Sydney - a domestic international flight! 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. input.placeholder = input.getAttribute('data-required-field'); Review of Queensland Rail. And Im with you and definitely want to do it again someday. } else { Fully plated meals will be provided to RailBed customers offering hot or continental breakfast, 2 course lunch and 3 course dinner. this.form.addEventListener('submit', function(e){ } removeTextFieldError: function(input) { The bathroom was spacious and worth the experience of showering to the rocking on the rails. That was also the experience of the others in our tour party. Club Car - The licensed Club Car allowing guests to purchase light refreshments, confectionery and beverages throughout the journey. You can take the Spirit of Queensland train to Proserpine and then take a RailBus Connection to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the, . On 10 September 2021, I finally boarded this train once more and experienced Railbed Sleeper from Cairns to Brisbane. 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. top.location.href = this.formUrl('html'); this.dropdownValidation(field, input); Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 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. 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. This was one of the stops we made during our journey from Brisbane to Cairns by train. Hi Joan thats right there in the story complete with a picture! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Any other drinks and snacks can be purchased from the club car, which is where premium economy passengers buy their meals. I took a Queensland Rail train form Brisbane to Maryborough and it was very affordable. One hand on the grab bars at all times added to the challenge. Your email address will not be published. window.attachEvent('onload', function() { We do appreciate your honest feedback and thank you for taking the time to review our train. this.submit.value = text; },

for (var i = 0; i < elements.length; ++i) { 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. The main lights were turned off at 21:30, but each pod had individual reading lights. It was so much better than what we had ever gotten on a plane. Thanks for sharing Nicki.

this.validate(); this.isValid = false;

for (var i = 0; i < dropdowns.length; ++i) { window[this.callbackName] = function(response) { 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. 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. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. A staff member told me the beds cost $100,000 each. var elements = this.form.elements; 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. So really the choice is up to you, and whatever you feel comfortable doing. Spirit of Queensland Rail Service Townsville to Brisbane Sept 2015 Friendly and Welcoming Cabin Crew. Take your pick from the Great Barrier Reef. if (input.getAttribute('name') === 'signup[email]') { 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. 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. The menu brings a paddock to plate experience with meals prepared using the freshest Queensland produce. The overhead compartment contained a towel, blanket, and inflatable neck cushion. Hi Amanda, could you tell me what items are included in amenities bag on Spirit of Queensland please. } Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. 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. var inputs = field.getElementsByTagName('input'), The Spirit of Queensland is a long distance passenger rail service running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns. Cairns is an excellent base and launching point for exploring Far North Queensland. 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). Unlike the Sunlander where meals are all freshly prepared in the kitchen, here theyre more airline food style. 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. Disembark here to enjoy the crystal clear blue waters on the shores of the Noosa National Park. Water Fountains - Drinking fountains are located at the end of all passenger carriages. Instead, you flew from Sydney to Brisbane for $22 and from there took the train to Cairns for $389? When travelling in Australia, I use British Airways Avios points to fly on Qantas, one of British Airways oneworld airline partners. } Stay up to date with the latest travel info and destination deals! 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.

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