return 'text_field'; Ask the airfare experts at GowayAir. input.className = 'required'; this.isValid = false; By day the seat was hard and the footrest reached no further than behind my knees, which was not at all comfortable. The RailBed ticket for the Spirit of Queensland train includes all-inclusive meals which are served directly to your seat. 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. I would have appreciated Wi-Fi to look up stuff on the fly such as How did the Glasshouse Mountains get their name? or When is sugar cane harvested? Also, a lounge would have been a more attractive spot to relax than the Galley / Club Car. Your email address will not be published. destination[prop] = source[prop]; The next morning I wake up, look out the window and smile. The Spirit of Queenslands RailBed experience was one of the most relaxing journeys Ive ever had. This new train has allowed us to reduce the total travel time between Brisbane in the south and Cairns in the north from 31 hours on The Sunlander, down to 24 hours on the Spirit of Queensland. I highly recommend it. text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-invalid-text'); formUrl: function(format) { Surely for that amount of money something more comfortable must have been possible. I hope you get to enjoy the train and sleep easily. Are people forced to wear masks on the train? }, } Thanks for thatbeen thinking of a train trip with my Asisstance Dog. 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. The customer service was fantastic - the staff very clearly enjoy doing a good job and the food that was served us was delicious. this.removeTextFieldError(email); 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. } this.dropdownValidation(field, input); } else { } _this.onSubmitCallback(response); 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. Enjoy the trip! input.placeholder = ''; if (instance.wrapperEl === dropdownEl) { Dear TDK1962,Many thanks for your kind review. If your travel plans involve Australia, you might be interested in these other posts: Very interesting. In-seat wine and dine service and entertainment aboard the Spirit of Queensland. if (format === 'json') action += '.json'; After all, there are lots of great stops and things to do between Brisbane and Cairns. The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! The seats in Premium Economy are pretty spacious and recline just enough for you to feel relaxed. Luckily, it is possible to get around Australia without flying, especially on the East Coast by taking the Spirit of Queensland train! this.submit.className = this.isValid ? The Spirit of Queensland service operates from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 miles). While the Spirit of Queensland can and does do 160 kilometres per hour at times, she doesnt stick to that speed the whole way. Please advise us if you require meals to be delivered to your seat at the time of booking and confirm these requirements with onboard staff when you join the service. var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll(".mimi_field.required"), do the single railbed seats at the front and back of the carriage have a window? 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. Review of Queensland Rail. Welcome to Packing Light Travel. Website: www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au. On the plus side the staff and meals were excellent. }, } }); Further north were cattle stations, wetlands, sugar cane fields, and mango and banana plantations. Even the 2nd Class Sleepers in Thai railways have curtains. delete window[this.callbackName]; Which is why an eye mask and earplugs are a good thing to have in your bag so you can do that plane-like sleep (as hard as its getting to remember what thats like!). 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. Check out the Queensland Rail site for options.

for (var i = 0; i < dropdowns.length; ++i) { Queensland Rail Limited ABN 71 132 181 090. Planning to get the train from Brisbane? } else { 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("&")};

Travelling between Brisbane and Cairns five times a week, the Spirit of Queensland redefines the modern rail travel experience with a comfortable and convenient way to access spectacular holiday destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays, Townsville and Cairns and everywhere in between. Spirit Of Queensland. I travelled from Roma St to Ayr and return on the Spirit of Queensland 'Rail Bed'. if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) { Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. In March 2019, my ticket cost AUD 389.25 / USD 268.54 / CAD 371.38, covered by 37,138 Scotia Rewards. 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). instances = Widget.BasicDropdown.instances, A light sweater or pashmina will help combat fluctuations in air temperature. 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. We are always striving to improve the customer experience and it is always fantastic to hear from people like yourself who thoroughly enjoy their trip with us. this.form.className += ' mimi_submitting'; } It was really good value considering it is overnight accommodation, travel and three hearty meals! Yes, some folks got and and off at different stops but most people seemed to travel the entire route on the RailBed. Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. Enjoy our online presentations from the comfort of your home. before arriving at your final destination of Cairns. Not much. Need help in planning your perfect holiday? Take your pick from the Great Barrier Reef. Great train journey from Brisbane to Cairns. "what do you think we are? However with unpredictable border restrictions and the train's popular demand, I had to reschedule this trip again and again! by Anne Betts | Nov 7, 2019 | Australia | 8 comments. Youll have your own reading light, a power point for charging your phone or other electrical devices, overhead lockers, and in-seat entertainment. There was an extra seat that folded down under the TV. The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. Meanwhile the RailBeds are reminiscent of business class seats on an airline. for (var j = 0; j < inputs.length; ++j) { Its also a good idea to pack your own entertainment. I knew they were not a budget airline as they at least have decent caring staff. } else { The three meals were delivered on a trolley to each seat. 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! onSubmitCallback: function(response) { new Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation(); top.location.href = this.formUrl('html'); showConfirmationText: function(html) { Tilt Train customers receive an in-seat Trolley Service throughout their journey. This three-day itinerary describe these suggestions and a host of other ideas. The whole thing rattled and vibrated constantly, and lurched from side to side, so that sleep was virtually impossible. What is the food like in the Railbed section? A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as The Ghan, it has two locomotives and just seven carriages. }, Cost: A$0 (2 Passengers) . if (this.isValid) { },

validate: function() { 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). if (type === 'text_field') { 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. At busy times, it was possible to buy a drink and take it back to the comfort of your seat. var dropdowns = field.querySelectorAll('.mimi_html_dropdown'); All services have aServery orCafonboardfor customers to purchasemeals and refreshments. Sign up for my weekly newsletter: travel tips, inspiration and a chuckle or two. Another is that its an opportunity to take in the scenery. input.className = 'required invalid'; this.htmlEmbedDropdownValidation(field); Our FREE AUSTRALIA Travel Guide is a great resource for planning a trip to Australia! Stroll along the Cairns Esplanade or visit the unique Daintree Rainforest. A video trip report of Railbed (first) class on QR Travel's new Spirit of Queensland tilting train. 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 Glad the story helped with your travel dreaming and planning . The lack of privacy was unpleasant and with the exception of one shower room, the bathroom facilities were very cramped with wet floors. if (input.value.length === 1) _this.validate(); (Fully Paid For so why Try Putting someone else or reselling . } 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. Book as early as possible to take advantage of saver fares and seat selection. 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. If youre travelling solo, reserve a seat in the single bed aisle at the time of booking. for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { var input = inputs[i]; if (input.name.indexOf('signup') >= 0) { Sleeping to the rocking and rolling of the train and soothing sounds of rail travel added to the enjoyment. } else { Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Showers & Toilets - Showers and toilets are located at the end of all passenger carriages. 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? In my opinion the Rail Beds are a dismal failure. } else { Lunch was a 2-course meal served at around midday. var email = document.getElementById('signup_email');

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. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future. running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns. }, 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. Review our onboard menu options for your service by selecting a train below.. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); this.isValid = false; No other words are needed. Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. Learn how your comment data is processed. thanks. _this.onFormSubmit(e); Spirit of Queensland - Brisbane << View all Brisbane City Centre tours & cruises. Planning your next trip? Hi Amanda, could you tell me what items are included in amenities bag on Spirit of Queensland please. Theres a locomotive at each end. field.className += ' invalid';

if (input.value) { }, var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll('.mimi_field'); 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. It arrives at 4:30 pm. for (var prop in source) { We're looking forward to more trips with Queensland Rail. 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. I would speculate that most travellers spend time in Cairns to explore the hinterland, the reef, and surrounding areas. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The USB ports are useless for charging so I plug mine into the power point beside the bed. There are stops for passengers to board and disembark. One of Australias best travel blogs, Adventures All Around has a sense of fun and a love for life, with a little luxury along the way. if (dropdown.value) { I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. Required fields are marked *. this.showConfirmationText(result.confirmation_html); Let us assist with your travel documents. The Spirit of Queensland is a Queensland Rail long distance passenger rail service. dropdown.onchange = (function(){ _this.validate(); }); So really the choice is up to you, and whatever you feel comfortable doing. You can easily plan your trip with the full Spirit of Queensland timetable. 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. The entertainment schedule changes regularly, but you can check it ahead of your trip via the Spirit of Queensland entertainment guide. Trip in August 2014 between Innisfail and Gladstone. 5 Nights at 4-star Rydges Cairns Esplanade Resort with breakfast daily and welcome drink. Unlike the Sunlander where meals are all freshly prepared in the kitchen, here theyre more airline food style. Your email address will never be shared. A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as. In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. this.form.attachEvent('onsubmit', function(e){ The drawstring bag included shampoo, conditioner, face mist, lip balm, body lotion, face cloth, eye mask, earplugs, and headphones. As for what to wear to bed? 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. Dear stevecau,It is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your experience on board the Spirit of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns recently. disableForm: function() { Reviewed 18 August 2017. var inputs = field.getElementsByTagName('input'), Most rows have three seats, with two on one side and another on the other side of the aisle, so if youre travelling solo as I was you may want to request the single bed aisle when you book rather than the double if youd prefer not to sleep next to a stranger. },

One of the biggest benefits of traveling by train was that it was easy to hop off and hop back on the train to split up the journey. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Your email address will not be published. The water was hot and the pressure was perfect. The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options. } Or possibly first class, depending on who youre flying with. By day, the RailBeds are spacious seats capable of reclining up to 35 degrees. Ride the historic railway to the hinterland or take a tour out to the Great Barrier Reef. if (result.has_redirect) { this.submit.className = 'disabled'; My wife and I have just returned from a trip Brisbane to Cairns and returned Proserpine to Brisbane. } else { The pod-like RailBeds provided a considerable amount of privacy, similar to business class pods on an aircraft. Your entertainment system might not work or the content could be uninspiring. var dropdown = dropdowns[i]; The Spirit of Queensland is a long distance passenger rail service running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns. In fact, I used Scotiabanks Scotia Rewards to cover the cost of the Spirit of Queensland fare from Brisbane to Cairns. this.form = document.getElementById('ema_signup_form'); this.emailValidation(); if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) field.className += ' invalid'; Orders were taken in advance of the meal. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. If I had known about the collection procedure at Townsville station, I would have done this. The service and the food was very delicious not a leftover to be seen at each meal. That was also the experience of the others in our tour party. In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. See queenslandrailtravel.com.au - Traveller An unanticipated problem. Im glad you enjoyed your Spirit of Queensland adventure as much as I did. Each passenger received an amenities kit of Queensland organic products. We had tickets from Roma St to Cairns. var input = this; this.submit.value = text; Premium Economy from $221, Railbed from $389. But, theres also the train thing. 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. It has everything you need, from beds, showers, galley car, all-inclusive dining option, in-seat entertainment and much more! 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. We were also thrilled to see that the Galley Car meals were served with Biopak biodegradable cutlery! . Never again!..

this.validate(); }, What attracted me to the Spirit of Queensland was the RailBed class. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to Packing Light Travel. if (this.isValid) { 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. 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. Other points programs fund other travels. I got a really good 8 hours sleep on the train - the rail bed was very comfortable and I felt like I had enough privacy as my head was shielded from the view of passers by. But Ive never travelled on a train like this anywhere else in the world. var invalidFields = document.querySelectorAll('.invalid'), Access Queensland Rail Travel on Instagram, Access Queensland Rail Travel on Facebook, Access Queensland Rail Travel on Trip Advisor. } else { 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. }, if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) field.className += ' invalid'; Queensland Rail Travel is committed to supporting Queenslanders by preventing the spread of COVID-19. updateSubmitButtonText: function(text) { },

removeTextFieldError: function(input) { We loved the experience, a few things could do with improvement such as the hot breakfast and it was a bit difficult to sleep in the railbed with the train movement and space station sounding like doors between carriages. return action + '?callback=' + this.callbackName + '&' + serialize(this.form); The route was dotted with coastal towns, each with its own character. Our Spirit of Queensland train is the newest edition to our fleet which combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of rail travel.

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