}, The premium economy carriages feature leather seats, entertainment systems with on demand movies, TV and music in the back of the seat in front of you and a 30 degree seat recline. Each passenger received an amenities kit of Queensland organic products. A selection of Queensland wines and beverages is also available. Review of Queensland Rail. Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. 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. this.isValid = false; Youll also get a free knee blanket! } the only improvement seems to be more leg room and a bigger toilet/shower room. } else { Join the mailing list for updates, and access to the Resource Library. Good luck! Hi Amanda are towels provided for economy seat passengers as well? Or possibly first class, depending on who youre flying with. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); Ask the airfare experts at GowayAir. Toilet seats have become loose and generally a good refurbishment program would work wonders. BC Reg. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. For anyone who loves train travel, Queensland Rails Spirit of Queensland is a fabulous choice. Not unlike first class in a plane but more spacious. A significant amount of development time was invested in the selection of the Railbed mattress type and materials. } } else { The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! A video trip report of Railbed (first) class on QR Travel's new Spirit of Queensland tilting train. thanks. Spirit of Qld Rail Bed. Amanda Woods travelled on Spirit of Queensland and the Sunlander as a guest of Queensland Rail, and stayed as a guest of the Brisbane Hilton. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the country we traverse. The Spirit of Queensland is a Queensland Rail long distance passenger rail service. I may have grown up on a farm where kangaroos were commonplace but the sight puts a big smile on my face. 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. That was also the experience of the others in our tour party. I suspect Queensland Rail assigns single bookings in this way but I wouldnt count on it. Need help planning your holiday? Passengers were invited to take the blanket and cushion with them at the end of the journey. } If your travel plans involve Australia, you might be interested in these other posts: Very interesting. for (var j = 0; j < inputs.length; ++j) { Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. var elements = this.form.elements; if (name.indexOf('mimi_invalid') === -1) { 'submit' : 'disabled'; Sign up for my weekly newsletter: travel tips, inspiration and a chuckle or two. I hope you get to enjoy the train and sleep easily. The main stops en route between Brisbane and Cairns are Maryborough (where you can get a connecting . By day the seat was hard and the footrest reached no further than behind my knees, which was not at all comfortable. QLD trains, forget the hype NOTHING HAS CHANGED except the prices. All seats come with a 240 volt AC power outlet so depending on your machine you should be just fine, but do let them know when you book your ticket. return name; Onboard Payment Options page. We hope to see you on board again soon.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. Next. 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. However, with daylight, it was more interesting to enjoy the constantly changing coastal Queensland landscape. elements[i].disabled = true; For us, trains offer the best alternative to flying. Can't recommend the RailBed highly enough and would definitely do this sort of experience again. The Spirit of Queensland train journey is a 1681 kilometre route taking about 24-25 hours from Brisbane to Cairns. more. Trains are more sustainable and more comfortable and not only that but going at a slower pace allows you to see more of the Australian countryside without the crazy cost of multiple flights. 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. 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. input.placeholder = input.getAttribute('data-required-field'); Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. Our toolkit is a great place to get started. if (document.addEventListener) { Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. }, return name.replace(/\s?mimi_invalid/, ''); With the beds made up, the lights dimmed, and the curtains closed, it felt like one large upmarket moving hostel dorm. document.body.appendChild(script); I have just returned from my first trip on the spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Cairns. 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. After folks settled in, a more social atmosphere prevailed, especially while watching staff make up the beds. this.form.addEventListener('submit', function(e){ We look forward to welcoming you onboard a Queensland Rail Travel service again soon.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. Definitely will keep in mind for my next Australia trip (hopefully soon!). Review our onboard menu options for your service by selecting a train below.. } 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. var email = document.getElementById('signup_email');

} else { Categories. Trip in August 2014 between Innisfail and Gladstone. On the plus side the staff and meals were excellent. text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-choose-list'); 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. As for what to wear to bed? var dropdown = dropdowns[i]; 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. Other points programs fund other travels. The Spirit of Queensland fleet will provide guests with a fast, value for money modern rail experience. As my train / airline experience blurs a little I sometimes forget where I am, and think oh, a little turbulence as the train moves. A staff member told me the beds cost $100,000 each. for (var prop in source) { Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. 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. if (!Mimi.Signups) Mimi.Signups = {};

if (input.value.length === 1) _this.validate(); script.src = this.formUrl('json'); It was so much better than what we had ever gotten on a plane. 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. For your listening pleasure, you might want to pack your own headphones. 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. What a cool way to slow travel and see more of a country. There are stops for passengers to board and disembark. Enjoy the trip! Dear Aussieart,We thank you for providing feedback on your Spirit of Queensland journey with us recently.We are disappointed to hear that your experience was marred by one or more Queensland Rail Travel staff members. if (this.fieldType(fields[i]) === 'text_field') { But, theres also the train thing. }, and were really impressed by its quality. Hi splumpf,Thank you so much for your wonderful review on our Spirit of Queensland train service. Any other drinks and snacks can be purchased from the club car, which is where premium economy passengers buy their meals. } }, All Railbeds face the direction of travel and can not be reversed. 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. 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. What attracted me to the Spirit of Queensland was the RailBed class. The Spirit of Queensland runs between Cairns and Brisbane five times a week. formUrl: function(format) { TERRIBLE Service bad attitude from Supervisor so no point complaining. formSubmitting: function() { document.body.removeChild(script); I wasnt paid anything for the review, and clearly we had very different experiences. fields[i].style['display'] = 'none'; this.form.className += ' mimi_submitting'; While you cant feel the speed of a plane once youre up in the air, you can feel the speed of a train. A complimentary wine, beer, or juice is served with lunch and dinner. Railbed Car - Spirit of Queensland. },

var dropdowns = field.querySelectorAll('.mimi_html_dropdown'); Youll have your own reading light, a power point for charging your phone or other electrical devices, overhead lockers, and in-seat entertainment. The Club Car is licensed to sell alcohol from 10am - 12 midnight. You also get an amenities pack which included all organic products. The bathroom was kept impeccably clean throughout the trip. The wait is over!! I was told that I had to repack it. if (input.getAttribute('name') === 'signup[email]') { The staff certainly have not changed. if (selected) { When: All year round. This was one of the stops we made during our journey from Brisbane to Cairns by train. After leaving the urban sprawl of Brisbane, we passed by pineapple farms, rainforests, and the Glasshouse Mountains. this.removeTextFieldError(email); The USB ports are useless for charging so I plug mine into the power point beside the bed. Pack shower shoes (e.g., thongs/flip flops), and comfortable sleepwear. Dear TDK1962,Many thanks for your kind review. The magazine for world travellers. A Premium Economy ticket comes with one 20kg luggage item plus one carry on hand luggage item free of charge. var input = inputs[i]; 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. this.callbackName = 'jsonp_callback_' + Math.round(100000 * Math.random()); The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! No access to the Club Car is available from the RailBeds for wheelchair customers. updateFormAfterValidation: function() { In-seat wine and dine service and entertainment aboard the Spirit of Queensland. 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. Our Railbeds are an Australian first designed to provide our customers with a smooth and relaxing ride. Its beautiful out there, and I feel lucky to be seeing this part of Queensland in a completely new way. 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. } textFieldError: function(input) { Heres a quick look at the other trains and their destinations. I knew they were not a budget airline as they at least have decent caring staff. if (input.id === 'signup_email') return;

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. Phone: 1800 872 467 is bookings for Queensland Rail Travel. }, _this.onSubmitCallback(response); The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. inputs[j].onkeyup = function() { Instead, you flew from Sydney to Brisbane for $22 and from there took the train to Cairns for $389? Features } 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. 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're looking forward to more trips with Queensland Rail. top.location.href = this.formUrl('html'); 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. 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. They have been designed to provide a smooth and relaxing ride. this.submit.disabled = true; var invalidFields = document.querySelectorAll('.invalid'), revalidateOnChange: function() { The seven carriages in between include two RailBed sleeper cars with airline style seats that convert to lie-flat beds. The staff on the train were just fantastic very professional and they just couldnt do enough for the passengers. },

for (var i = 0; i < dropdowns.length; ++i) { if (format === 'json') action += '.json'; this.updateSubmitButtonText(this.submit.getAttribute('data-thanks')); So let me get this straight. Not to mention its also home to over 350 species of birds, possums, wallabies, sea turtles, dolphins, and the famous dingo! See queenslandrailtravel.com.au See also: The world's greatest train journeys See also: What it's really like on Australia's greatest train journey Tim Richards Apr 4 2019 Traveller this.submit.value = this.submitButtonText(); Its quite exciting and Im grinning like a kid on a theme park ride as I pop my head under the curtains to see the shadows of trees whizzing past and the moon and the stars shining above. Youve shown me where wed be sitting/sleeping & it sounds wonderful , Oh that sounds like a lovely one to do together. Your trip your way! Planning your next trip? For information on what forms of payment are accepted onboard when travelling with us, visit our 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("&")};

Not as far as Im aware, but youre best to check with Queensland Rail about that one to be sure.

extend(Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation.prototype, { There was an extra seat that folded down under the TV. The RailBed chair was very comfortable and the selection of films/tv/documentaries to watch or music to listed to was very good. destination[prop] = source[prop]; What was missing from the RailBed experience? One of the advantages of train travel is that travelling between city centres is usually more convenient and less costly than getting to and from airports. 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. At the start of 2015, it replaced the diesel-hauled train The Sunlander . text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-default-text'); Ride the historic railway to the hinterland or take a tour out to the Great Barrier Reef. Planning to get the train from Brisbane? this.submit.value = text; Let us customize a dream holiday for you. This traditional diesel train journeys through the diverse and ever-changing scenery between Brisbane and Longreach with coach connections to Winston, offering the perfect outback experience. 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.

emailValidation: function() { We acknowledge their spiritual connection to the lands and waterways and ask their ancestors to watch over us as we tread lightly on Country. }, Are people forced to wear masks on the train? We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 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!). The ones in the amenities kit are cheap and flimsy. This map takes a look at some of the hotels and Stayz home rental options nice and close to the station. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. this.submit.value = this.submit.getAttribute('data-submitting-text'); A direct flight back to Brisbane offers a quick return. It had been over fifteen years since I travelled from Brisbane to Cairns on this service. Miles and points are my thing. It's easy to walk around or freshen up with a shower. Great train journey from Brisbane to Cairns. } The couple behind me also suffered the same screaming about being overweight. if (this.isValid) { this.textValidation(input); Unlike the Sunlander where meals are all freshly prepared in the kitchen, here theyre more airline food style. RailBed: A spacious and comfortable seat by day that converts to a lie-flat bed at night. this.removeTextFieldError(input); window[this.callbackName] = function(response) { A staff member told me the beds cost $100,000 each. Besides, when compared to air travel, its a more sustainable method of transportation. Long-distance rail travel in Victoria: https://youtu.be/_OX0sTjdBaUQantas QF2 B787 Business Class Darwin to Sydney - a domestic international flight! Your email address will not be published. Lunch was a 2-course meal served at around midday. The RailBed ticket for the Spirit of Queensland train includes all-inclusive meals which are served directly to your seat. Welcome to Packing Light Travel. to Townsville. Check out the Queensland Rail site for options. } else { Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. 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. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. 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. I was a little wary of the 2-1 configuration and sharing sleeping space with 18 other passengers. Disembark here to enjoy the crystal clear blue waters on the shores of the, Hop off the Spirit of Queensland train and. 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. }, 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. } 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 paddock to plate focus. Cars B and C are becoming old. Dear Talknsmile,It is always great to hear about another happy customer onboard our trains. },

The Spirit of Queensland service operates from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 miles). 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!