if (!Mimi) var Mimi = {}; My partner and I chose to do Brisbane to Cairns on the Spirit of Queensland. Theres also a Galley / Club Car, and a carriage for luggage and crew. } else { } Each one can recline to thirty degrees. this.submitForm(); 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. Hi Anna, towels are provided so you dont need to worry about that one. Take your pick from the Great Barrier Reef. } else { Perhaps Ill give it another chance. For your listening pleasure, you might want to pack your own headphones. Cairns to Brisbane, Spirit of Queensland rail journey: Sleeping on a It arrives at 4:30 pm. While you cant feel the speed of a plane once youre up in the air, you can feel the speed of a train. The bed and bedding were very comfortable. window[this.callbackName] = function(response) { This three-day itinerary describe these suggestions and a host of other ideas. It worked just fine. } Surely for that amount of money something more comfortable must have been possible. }); #833-0; TICO Reg. this.isValid = false; We traveled from Brisbane to Cairns in RailBed seats and were impressed with the comfort and service level in RailBed Class. var _this = this;
RailBeds - There are 2 accessible RailBeds, however, there is no provision to park a non-collapsible wheelchair. The Spirit of Queensland service operates from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 miles). My wife and I have just returned from a trip Brisbane to Cairns and returned Proserpine to Brisbane. I enjoy train travel far more than flying but my overnight experiences were sadly not my favourites, even in a sleeper car, but this one looks pretty nice. Our toolkit is a great place to get started. Miles and points are my thing. textFieldError: function(input) { The Spirit of Queensland has a maximum speed of 160km/h and the entire trip takes 24 hours.. Railbeds - Spirit of Queensland. We are Oksana & Max, a Canadian couple with a passion for sustainable travel. A call button is available to contact the onboard staff for assistance The Spirit of Queensland is a modern tilt train that runs the length of the Queensland coast between Brisbane and Cairns. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); is definitely worth a stop along your Spirit of Queensland journey. This trip was not! Im glad you enjoyed your Spirit of Queensland adventure as much as I did. #1543989; CST #2016613-20. For information on the site, please see the About page. 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. return name.replace(/\s?mimi_invalid/, ''); } showConfirmationText: function(html) { Our Railbeds are an Australian first designed to provide our customers with a smooth and relaxing ride. Your email address will not be published. The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! However with unpredictable border restrictions and the train's popular demand, I had to reschedule this trip again and again! You feel connected to the rails, and as the train tilts, so do you. You also get an amenities pack which included all organic products. (this.form.querySelectorAll('fieldset')[0] || this.form).innerHTML = html; I travelled from Roma St to Ayr and return on the Spirit of Queensland 'Rail Bed'. this.textFieldError(email); document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() { I was a little wary of the 2-1 configuration and sharing sleeping space with 18 other passengers. Lie Flat With RailBed The first two passenger carriages on Spirit of Queensland are dedicated to RailBed. this.submit.disabled = true; The. The lack of privacy was unpleasant and with the exception of one shower room, the bathroom facilities were very cramped with wet floors. var invalidFields = document.querySelectorAll('.invalid'), }, 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. I will definitely taking another trip in the future with qld rail thank you for a memorable trip away. } }, QLD trains, forget the hype NOTHING HAS CHANGED except the prices.onFormSubmit: function(e) { this.revalidateOnChange(); With the beds all made up, the lights dimmed and the curtains closed, the RailBeds feel like a fun slumber party. 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. The journey to Kuranda passes by. A FREE travel quote! 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. I thought that it had been upgraded. 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. window.attachEvent('onload', function() { You can catch the Brisbane to Cairns train five times a week and have the option of booking RailBed or Premium Economy seats. A Spirit of Adventure Menu is in your seat pocket when you get on board, and you are given options, including vegetarian for the three meals served during the trip. }, }); It was a welcome break from the frenetic pace of busy airports, enhanced security-screening measures, and cramped aircraft space. There was a decent-sized 18.5-inch screen on the back of the seat in front. How much were you paid for this review? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to Packing Light Travel. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. But, theres also the train thing. More onboard experiencesOnboard MerchandiseMore about your train. this.submit.value = text; In our opinion, it is, especially if you take it as an opportunity to stop along the way and break up your journey. 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 (var prop in source) { this.updateFormAfterValidation(); revalidateOnChange: function() { In other words, you traded a three-dollar business class flight to spend 24-hours on a train?
for (var i = 0; i < dropdowns.length; ++i) { Instead, you flew from Sydney to Brisbane for $22 and from there took the train to Cairns for $389? if (type === 'text_field') { The bathroom was kept impeccably clean throughout the trip. 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. 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. this.form.className += ' mimi_submitting'; Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. Our FREE AUSTRALIA Travel Guide is a great resource for planning a trip to Australia! Guests will be able to select different options from the menu (a-la-carte) with orders taken prior to the meals times. 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. _this.onSubmitCallback(response); I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. if (_this.validEmail.test(input.value)) _this.validate(); if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) field.className += ' invalid'; It has everything you need, from beds, showers, galley car, all-inclusive dining option, in-seat entertainment and much more! The bathroom was spacious and worth the experience of showering to the rocking on the rails. if (typeof Widget === 'undefined' || !Widget.BasicDropdown) return; }, } else { The journey takes roughly 25 hours. if (name.indexOf('mimi_invalid') === -1) { 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. } 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. Another route through the Outback, this time going from Brisbane to Charleville, taking in the picturesque scenery of the. 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. Phone: 1800 872 467 is bookings for Queensland Rail Travel. Since 2015, we have been traveling full-time with a mission to inspire others to follow in our footsteps. We're looking forward to more trips with Queensland Rail. The seven carriages in between include two RailBed sleeper cars with airline style seats that convert to lie-flat beds. It's easy to walk around or freshen up with a shower. For the main, I chose oven-roasted pork loin accompanied by an apple infused jus, chat potatoes, carrots, and beans. I described the sleep time in terms of a ship. before arriving at your final destination of Cairns. Orders were taken in advance of the meal. First meal was around mid-day on Day One, quite a serviceable chicken noodle dish with a sticky-date pudding for dessert. Spirit of Queensland Overview | Goway Travel There are two RailBed carriages, with 19 in one car and 16 in the other to allow for wheelchairs. The Spirit of Queensland runs between Cairns and Brisbane five times a week. },
for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { The service included a welcome drink of ginger beer, lime, mint, and ice. Spirit of Qld Rail Bed. RailBed passengers also receive a lip balm, hand sanitser and hand cream from Queensland skincare brand, Bubbles Organic. } For information on what forms of payment are accepted onboard when travelling with us, visit our Railbed Car - Spirit of Queensland. Further north were cattle stations, wetlands, sugar cane fields, and mango and banana plantations. A staff member told me the beds cost $100,000 each. 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. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. For $389?. this.isValid = false; Disembark here to enjoy the crystal clear blue waters on the shores of the Noosa National Park. _this.onFormSubmit(e); 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. There are also savings from the cost of getting to and from airports, and baggage and seat selection fees associated with air travel. I was just wondering if towels were provided for the showers or if it was byo? Showers & Toilets - Showers and toilets are located at the end of all passenger carriages. , plus 15 handmade tunnels and 37 towering bridges and offers a truly unique rail adventure. Great train journey from Brisbane to Cairns. setFormClassName: function() { It was more expensive than flying but an attractive option, all things considered. The Spirit of Queensland train journey is a 1681 kilometre route taking about 24-25 hours from Brisbane to Cairns.function extend(destination, source) { So let me get this straight. var email = document.getElementById('signup_email');
if (selected) { 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. The Spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Cairns train isnt the only one departing from Queensland there are a number of other routes taking you to the far-flung corners of the state! }, Ride the historic railway to the hinterland or take a tour out to the Great Barrier Reef. to Townsville. document.body.appendChild(script); } Hi LoisOK,We are sorry to hear that you were less than impressed with your recent trip on board the Spirit of Queensland.The Railbeds are an Australian-first innovation and are a modern alternative to traditional rail travel. Railbed: - 2 x checked in items of luggage not exceeding 20kg and a maximum of 180 linear centimetres (sum of length, width and depth). 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. Two of them, dinner and lunch, included a complimentary soft drink, juice, water, beer, or wine. var dropdowns = field.querySelectorAll('.mimi_html_dropdown'); e.preventDefault(); I have used the rail beds twice in about 5 years, Bris. var instance = instances[i]; Heres a quick look at the other trains and their destinations. this.isValid = false; The overhead bin was large enough for my carry-on travel bag. selected = false; Rail bed being used prior to us using rail bed seat, used pillow evidence left of prior occupation. 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. 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. } For a change of scenery, the Club Car offered an opportunity to mingle with other passengers over conversation and drinks. Unlike the Sunlander where meals are all freshly prepared in the kitchen, here theyre more airline food style. For anyone who loves train travel, Queensland Rails Spirit of Queensland is a fabulous choice. 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. Let us assist with your travel documents. We had tickets from Roma St to Cairns. Premium economy-class passengers buy their meals from the Galley and some choose to eat in the Club Car so it can become congested at meal times. Youll have your own reading light, a power point for charging your phone or other electrical devices, overhead lockers, and in-seat entertainment. When: All year round. Planning your next trip? The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint.textValidation: function(input) { Cost: 390 dollars for a rail bed fare at time of publication. } Website: www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au. The USB ports are useless for charging so I plug mine into the power point beside the bed. Enjoy the trip! The Spirit of Queensland. You can also get connecting coach services to Quilpie and Cunnamulla. if (document.addEventListener) { Not only are the RailBed sets much more comfortable and spacious than seats in Premium Economy, but we found them to be more comfortable than First Class air travel. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The RailBed chair was very comfortable and the selection of films/tv/documentaries to watch or music to listed to was very good. textAndDropdownValidation: function(field, type) { The staff certainly have not changed. Cars B and C are becoming old. Unbelievable prices. We left from Cairns, around 8.30am, heading for Brisbane. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. The Spirit of Queensland service operates from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 miles). } The next morning I wake up, look out the window and smile. Your email address will not be published. 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. Spirit of Queensland Brisbane-Cairns / Railbed - Senior - Brisbane Australias impressive size and long distances between its destination make traveling by plane the most popular way to see Australia. With a high ticket price, many would wonder, is the journey on the train really worth it? inputs[j].onkeyup = function() { },
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. The ride was quiet and smooth, and conversation was possible at a normal volume. A speedier trip isnt the only change between the two, as while the Sunlander had private sleeping compartments, the Spirit of Queensland has two classes and both remind me of something youd usually see in the sky. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the country we traverse. For dinner, we once again had a choice of a 3-course meal. The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. 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. 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. Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. What attracted me to the Spirit of Queensland was the RailBed class. this.formSubmitting(); 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. Yes, especially when factoring in the costs of overnight accommodation, three meals, and long-distance ground transportation. We stopped for 5 days, enjoying some time in Airlie Beach, in the Whitsundays and on the Great Barrier Reef. this.htmlEmbedDropdownValidation(field); For example, can I get the train and get off at Pomona, then after a few days get back on and continue to Whitsundays, get off for a few days then continue to Cairns? 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. I would like to say it was a wonderful experience. The RailBed class is a top-notch travel experience at an affordable price. There are the non-RailBed carriages that might meet your needs. Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. var inputs = fields[i].getElementsByTagName('input'); 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("&")}; A video trip report of Railbed (first) class on QR Travel's new Spirit of Queensland tilting train. The ones in the amenities kit are cheap and flimsy. 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. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. Another route through the Outback, this time going from Brisbane to Charleville, taking in the picturesque scenery of the Great Dividing Range and the Darling Downs farmland along the way. It was a very bad crossing on a ship without stabilisers, with screaming banshees all night. } Need help in planning your perfect holiday? Required fields are marked *. Luckily, it is possible to get around Australia without flying, especially on the East Coast by taking the Spirit of Queensland train! At busy times, it was possible to buy a drink and take it back to the comfort of your seat. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. If I had known about the collection procedure at Townsville station, I would have done this. The one in front pulls while the one at the rear pushes. } } We experienced USB ports that didnt work, and ear-hone jacks that didnt work. Besides, when compared to air travel, its a more sustainable method of transportation. While the Spirit of Queensland can and does do 160 kilometres per hour at times, she doesnt stick to that speed the whole way. document.body.removeChild(script); input.className = 'required'; TERRIBLE Service bad attitude from Supervisor so no point complaining. What a cool way to slow travel and see more of a country. Tiny hessian bags full of travel comforts are waiting for you along with welcoming hosts. Hi Amanda are towels provided for economy seat passengers as well? 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 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. https://youtu.be/FHcDorXrmWoMUST DO!! 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!). } else { if (this.fieldType(fields[i]) === 'text_field') { Welcome to Packing Light Travel. The magazine for world travellers. 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. selected = true; The bed at night was SERIOUSLY uncomfortable.Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation = function() { My young friend shook her head in disbelief at the absurdity of my travel choices. Please ask the onboard staff or check today's selections board in the Servery/Caffor the fresh selection on your day of travel. Previous. 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. for (var j = 0; j < inputs.length; ++j) { There was a good selection of movies, tv shows, kids programmes or music channels available in the in-seat entertainment. 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). Discover Tropical North Queensland with Rail - My Cruises The overhead compartment contained a towel, blanket, and inflatable neck cushion. 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. 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.