For breakfast, there was a choice of hot or cold option served at around 7 am. Youll also get a free knee blanket! 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. Access Queensland Rail Travel on Instagram, Access Queensland Rail Travel on Facebook, Access Queensland Rail Travel on Trip Advisor. It worked just fine. The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! Besides, when compared to air travel, its a more sustainable method of transportation.
dropdownValidation: function(field, input) { 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. Spirit of Queensland Tilt Train Railbed - YouTube },
Hot breakfast consisted of a three cheese omelette served with pork chipolata, bacon and tomato wedge (there was also a vegetarian option available). Spirit of Queensland - 1700kms in a railbed seat onSubmitSuccess: function(result) { It was a welcome break from the frenetic pace of busy airports, enhanced security-screening measures, and cramped aircraft space. } The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. RailBed customers aboard Spirit of Queensland receive inclusive meals served directly to their seat. The train attains a top speed of 160 kph, usually achieved during the night. } else { 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. Cairns is an excellent base and launching point for exploring Far North Queensland. do the single railbed seats at the front and back of the carriage have a window? _this.onSubmitCallback(response); this.submit.value = this.submitButtonText(); The train makes the 1681km journey five times per week. Another route through the Outback, this time going from Brisbane to Charleville, taking in the picturesque scenery of the. this.revalidateOnChange(); The new Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of long distance rail travel. Sorry to hear yours wasnt what you were hoping for. Queensland Rail Limited ABN 71 132 181 090. Need help in planning your perfect holiday? formUrl: function(format) { }, My young friend shook her head in disbelief at the absurdity of my travel choices. In-seat wine and dine service and entertainment aboard the Spirit of Queensland. RailBed: A spacious and comfortable seat by day that converts to a lie-flat bed at night. Tilt Train customers receive an in-seat Trolley Service throughout their journey. Guaranteed. After leaving the urban sprawl of Brisbane, we passed by pineapple farms, rainforests, and the Glasshouse Mountains. Pros Great staff, own cabin, nice lounge with a bar, nice restaurant, great views, great showers, nice to meet other people and share experiences, easier than flying, excellent food and plenty of it. Before leaving home Id already decided I was going the PJs route and had packed my Singapore Airlines sleep suit. isnt the only one departing from Queensland there are a number of other routes taking you to the far-flung corners of the state! Showers & Toilets - Showers and toilets are located at the end of all passenger carriages. })(this); We spent many years living and traveling around Australia exploring the country in-depth! A video trip report of Railbed (first) class on QR Travel's new Spirit of Queensland tilting train. Surely for that amount of money something more comfortable must have been possible. 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. Im glad you enjoyed your Spirit of Queensland adventure as much as I did. There was a good selection of movies, tv shows, kids programmes or music channels available in the in-seat entertainment.checkboxAndRadioValidation: function(field) { } this.submit.disabled = true; 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. Not much. However with unpredictable border restrictions and the train's popular demand, I had to reschedule this trip again and again! 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. 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!). A significant amount of development time was invested in the selection of the Railbed mattress type and materials. elements[i].disabled = true; You feel connected to the rails, and as the train tilts, so do you. var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll('.mimi_field'); You can spend a few days just exploring Airlie Beach with its palm-fringed beaches, bars and restaurants before going island hopping or sailing around the 74 islands of the Whitsundays. Its also a good idea to pack your own entertainment. Railbed: - 2 x checked in items of luggage not exceeding 20kg and a maximum of 180 linear centimetres (sum of length, width and depth). That was also the experience of the others in our tour party. The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! Shoes with a decent tread will keep you upright when moving throughout the train. The menu brings a paddock to plate experience with meals prepared using the freshest Queensland produce. 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. disableForm: function() { Movies, music, and audiobooks were on demand. Spirit Of Queensland Has All The Bells & Whistles destination[prop] = source[prop]; While you cant feel the speed of a plane once youre up in the air, you can feel the speed of a train. } I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. }, 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. Take your pick from the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree National Park, or one of the many wildlife and nature experiences just outside of the city. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. The Spirit of Queensland runs between Cairns and Brisbane five times a week. Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. The final product was among a number of options put to testers and was selected as the most comfortable option. I hope you get to enjoy the train and sleep easily. , or one of the many wildlife and nature experiences just outside of the city. 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. 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? if (input.getAttribute('name') === 'signup[email]') { Hi splumpf,Thank you so much for your wonderful review on our Spirit of Queensland train service. A selection of hot cooked dishes, ranging from traditional roasts, pastas, beef, chicken, vegetarian and gluten free meals as well as fresh salads, sandwiches and wraps are available from our onboard kitchen. for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { fields[i].style['display'] = 'none'; var inputs = field.getElementsByTagName('input'), I described the sleep time in terms of a ship. this.isValid = false; I must admit they were pushing it, their case was 200 grams over. Great train journey from Brisbane to Cairns. So let me get this straight. More onboard experiencesOnboard MerchandiseMore about your train. With the beds made up, the lights dimmed, and the curtains closed, it felt like one large upmarket moving hostel dorm. Not to mention its also home to over 350 species of birds, possums, wallabies, sea turtles, dolphins, and the famous dingo! Spirit Of Queensland Timetable Information | QLD Travel var email = document.getElementById('signup_email');
dropdown.onchange = (function(){ _this.validate(); }); return action + '?callback=' + this.callbackName + '&' + serialize(this.form); Looking for an airfare only? For us, trains offer the best alternative to flying. 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. We do appreciate your honest feedback and thank you for taking the time to review our train. I highly recommend it. 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. We acknowledge their spiritual connection to the lands and waterways and ask their ancestors to watch over us as we tread lightly on Country. Check out the Queensland Rail site for options. 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.initialize(); The customer service was fantastic - the staff very clearly enjoy doing a good job and the food that was served us was delicious. 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. All thoughts and opinions remain her own. The journey takes roughly 25 hours. Contact Queensland Rail to find out how your travel plans can be accommodated. "what do you think we are? Spirit of Queensland - Queensland Rail Travel No other words are needed. In fact, I used Scotiabanks Scotia Rewards to cover the cost of the Spirit of Queensland fare from Brisbane to Cairns. Tea and coffee were also provided. if (result.has_redirect) { this.submit.value = text; 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. The other point is, although lights are dimmed or turned off at night, you still have people walking in and out of the carriage so you still bright light shining from each end of the compartment. #833-0; TICO Reg. 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. Enjoy the trip! text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-default-text'); var elements = this.form.elements; 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. He did ask if he could pay for the excess, in his case 200 grams. It's easy to walk around or freshen up with a shower. this.submit.className = 'disabled'; This nature lovers paradise is definitely worth a stop along your Spirit of Queensland journey. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. Theres a locomotive at each end. You could have flown business class on points, on a direct flight from Sydney to Cairns for $25 in taxes and fees. We're looking forward to more trips with Queensland Rail. Can you take the train from Brisbane to Cairns but get on and off overnight in various places en route? if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) field.className += ' invalid'; A direct flight back to Brisbane offers a quick return. 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. So really the choice is up to you, and whatever you feel comfortable doing. The service included a welcome drink of ginger beer, lime, mint, and ice. I travelled in the RailBed from Cairns to Brisbane and the whole experience was exceptional - I enjoyed every second of it. Although the Railbeds are located in a dedicated section that is not a thoroughfare for other non-Railbed customers, as you can understand things such as train movement and occasional noise are not always within our control. var dropdown = dropdowns[i]; The Club Car is licensed to sell alcohol from 10am - 12 midnight. The Spirit of Queensland fleet will provide guests with a fast, value for money modern rail experience. I knew they were not a budget airline as they at least have decent caring staff. } if (dropdown.value) { When: All year round. In my opinion the Rail Beds are a dismal failure. Phone: 1800 872 467 is bookings for Queensland Rail Travel. 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? Tiny hessian bags full of travel comforts are waiting for you along with welcoming hosts. Your email address will not be published. Cons _this.onFormSubmit(e); along the way. 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. Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. selected = true; TERRIBLE Service bad attitude from Supervisor so no point complaining. }; text; Thanks for thatbeen thinking of a train trip with my Asisstance Dog. #1543989; CST #2016613-20. I wasnt paid anything for the review, and clearly we had very different experiences. If I had known about the collection procedure at Townsville station, I would have done this. Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. The Staff on the Queenslander are EXCELLENT! document.body.appendChild(script); 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. The RailBed ticket for the Spirit of Queensland train includes all-inclusive meals which are served directly to your seat. The whole thing rattled and vibrated constantly, and lurched from side to side, so that sleep was virtually impossible. Your email address will never be shared. I travelled from Roma St to Ayr and return on the Spirit of Queensland 'Rail Bed'. Spirit of Queensland Brisbane-Cairns / Railbed - Senior - Brisbane 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. } this.form.addEventListener('submit', function(e){ 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. Since 2015, we have been traveling full-time with a mission to inspire others to follow in our footsteps. . Spirit Of Queensland. Sleeping to the rocking and rolling of the train and soothing sounds of rail travel added to the enjoyment. But while domestic flights certainly dominate travelers preference list, it wont surprise many to hear that its not the most eco-conscious way. The staff certainly have not changed. On the south-to-north service, the stop in Tully was long enough for passengers to stretch their legs on the platform. return text; The. We had tickets from Roma St to Cairns. e.preventDefault(); }, No wonder people just fly, Is there power points for sleep apnea machines. The food was better than what Ive encountered in economy-class cabins on international airlines. There are the non-RailBed carriages that might meet your needs. if (input.value.length === 1) _this.validate(); The Spirit of Queensland is a long distance passenger rail service running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns. I have a little service dog and want to know if he can travel with me, I Googled Queensland Rail service dog and the following site was at the top of the search results: https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Assistance-Animals.aspx. } else { Hot breakfast in RailBed Class on the Spirit of Queensland train Lunch was a 2-course meal served at around midday. this.emailValidation(); }); inputs[j].onchange = function(){ _this.validate() }; The main lights were turned off at 21:30, but each pod had individual reading lights. 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. 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. 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. I was told that I had to repack it. initialize: function() { }, 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. Hi Amanda are towels provided for economy seat passengers as well? Spirit of Queensland (Cairns) - All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor The Spirit of Queensland FAQs | Goway Travel }); Our FREE AUSTRALIA Travel Guide is a great resource for planning a trip to Australia! Aboard the Spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Cairns Train RailBed passengers also receive a lip balm, hand sanitser and hand cream from Queensland skincare brand, Bubbles Organic. 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. A 24-hour journey from Brisbane to Cairns on the Spirit of Queensland train will set you back by, that many tourists miss out on. , plus 15 handmade tunnels and 37 towering bridges and offers a truly unique rail adventure. What attracted me to the Spirit of Queensland was the RailBed class. I would speculate that most travellers spend time in Cairns to explore the hinterland, the reef, and surrounding areas. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. 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.