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​​​​​​​​From beautiful iconic beaches and the Great Barrier Reef or luscious rainforests and laidback cities along the coast, to the extraordinary sunburnt land of the Outback, there are so many places to explore across Queensland. Experience the colourful landscapes or coastal serenity, admire city views, meet the local characters and hear about the fascinating history and heritage of our great state.

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Home Travel Queensland’s top 7 rail journeys

Queensland’s top 7 rail journeys

With 4000km of regional track, Queensland Rail Travel can deliver you all the way to Cairns in the state’s north, Longreach, Charleville and Mount Isa in the west and even to tourism hotspots in the Far North and the Gulf Savannah. You can also take advantage of its RailBus connections to explore don’t-miss coastal havens such as Hervey Bay, Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays. With Queensland Rail Travel you can leave the car at home, and enjoy the unique luxury of time and space to sit back and enjoy the ever-changing landscapes. Here are our top picks.

SPIRIT OF QUEENSLAND

Brisbane–Cairns (1681km)

This train travels the coast of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1681km, in 25 hours and has two travel options – economy seats, which are great if you are stopping along the way, and the RailBed, a spacious seat during the day that folds out to a lie-flat bed at night, with all-inclusive in-seat dining. The train passes through canefields and rainforest and stops at some of the Queensland coast’s biggest regional cities, including Mackay, Rockhampton, Proserpine (the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands) and Townsville.

SPIRIT OF THE OUTBACK

Brisbane–Longreach (1325km)

Launched in 1993 by combining the Capricornian and Midlander train journeys, the Spirit of the Outback travels 1325km between Brisbane and Longreach in about 24 hours. The perfect introduction to outback Queensland, the Spirit takes its passengers deep into the engine rooms of the Queensland economy. It follows the coast to Rockhampton, then turns inland and passes through the heritage mining towns of Blackwater and Emerald, and the birthplace of the Australian Labor Party, Barcaldine, before arriving in Longreach, a town that has been saved from the clutches of a never-ending drought by its burgeoning tourist trade.

Townsville–Mount Isa (977km)

A historic trip from the major northern Queensland port city of Townsville to the mining centre of Mount Isa. Over a leisurely 21-hour journey, covering 977km, the Inlander offers the opportunity to experience the heritage and natural treasures of northern Queensland’s ruggedly beautiful inland.

From Townsville, the train travels through picturesque Charters Towers, across the Great Dividing Range and through the mining towns of Hughenden and Julia Creek, before delivering passengers into Queensland’s dry western reaches. Introduced in 1953, the Inlander was Queensland’s first air-conditioned train.

KURANDA SCENIC RAILWAY

Cairns to Kuranda (37km)

Imagine all that natural wonder so close that you can almost touch it, your senses alive with the heady organic fragrance and untamed sounds of the dense rainforest. That’s what it’s like aboard Kuranda Scenic Railway as you unwind your way through a tropical paradise framed by rugged mountains with waterfalls tumbling forever into deep ravines.

Rising from sea level to 328m, the journey to Kuranda passes spectacular waterfalls and into the stunning Barron Gorge. Meandering through picturesque scenery, you travel through 15 handmade tunnels and a​cross 37 towering bridges that stand as a monument to the pioneers of the north.

Being one with the rainforest as you undertake an unforgettable journey is what makes Kuranda Scenic Railway such a must-do experience.

Normanton to Croydon (151km)

​​​​​​​​​Take a journey through frontier country from Normanton to Croydon as you step aboard the iconic Gulflander. Also known as the ‘Tin Hare’, this legendary rail motor is one of the last great characters of the rail world.

Affectionately said to go from ‘nowhere to nowhere’, the Heritage Listed Normanton to Croydon line was never connected to the state rail network and remains the only line in Queensland still measured in miles. From wetlands and grasslands to arid Savannah territory, the Gulflander travels through countryside that most people will never see. This nostalgic rail journey is the perfect way to discover an area steeped in pioneering history and heritage. 

As a working tribute to the Gulf of Carpentaria’s early pioneers, the Gulflander is a once in a lifetime experience.​

Brisbane to Charleville (740km) ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Venture to the natural wonders of Queensland’s southwest outback onboard the Westlander. From Brisbane travel across the Great Dividing Range, through the rich farmlands of the Darling Downs to Charleville, this scenic journey travels through some of the state’s most picturesque outback regions. 

Depending on the travel sector a complimentary in-seat snack pack will be delivered to each seat at meal times. Light refreshments can be purchased from the Economy Lounge.

Experience this unforgettable journey into Queen​sland’s western frontier as you follow in the footsteps of the early pioneers on Westlander. Unwind, as you sit back relax and watch the striking scenery pass you by.

THE SAVANNAHLANDER

Cairns–Forsayth (425km)

The Savannahlander’s unique experience departs Cairns weekly, winding through the Wet Tropics area of the Kuranda range and out through the savannah to Forsayth and back, taking four days. The highly personalised tours, in a 1960s classic Silver Bullet rail-motor, offer passengers the opportunity to see remote Queensland at a sleepy 50km/h. Drivers provide running commentaries and there are options for short tours and visits to Cobbold Gorge, Undara Volcanic National Park, and overnight stops in country hotels. This is train travel at a relaxed pace.

Heritage Expeditions: Voyages of discovery with Tim Flannery

Exploring remote locations from an expedition ship is one thing, but actually helping to find and study new and relatively unknown species with Professor Tim Flannery is another experience entirely. Giving back and taking part in authentic citizen science projects is good for the heart, soul, and planet.

Across the Top: The living art and cultures of Northern Australia

To connect to culture in The Kimberley, Cape York, Arnhem Land and in Papua New Guinea, open your eyes, heart and mind on a journey with Coral Expeditions.

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2024 Calendars & Diaries - OUT NOW

Our much loved calendars and diaries are now available for 2024. Adorn your walls with beautiful artworks year round. Order today.

In stock now: Hansa Soft Toys and Puppets

From cuddly companions to realistic native Australian wildlife, the range also includes puppets that move and feel like real animals.

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• Journey planner

Use the Translink journey planner to find what public transport can take you from your starting point to your destination.

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Visit the Translink website to view all timetable and fare information on our South East Queensland services.

Visit the Translink​ website to view all South East Queensland train timetables. For services relating to the Travel network, please visit Queensland Rail Travel .

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​​​​Visit the Translink website to view timetables for special events.​

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Queensland Rail offer specially discounted tickets for primary and secondary school students travelling to and from school.

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It's so easy to travel with Queensland Rail as a group - and it's cost effective too! We offer special concessions for travelling groups of ten or more.​​

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Spirit of Queensland Timetable

Related links, stay connected, popular news, 10 of the best apartments on gold coast, unveiling brisbane’s hidden gems, explore cairns without breaking the bank, springbrook national park, spirit of queensland timetable information.

The new Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of long distance rail travel. Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation, the newest addition to the Queensland Rail Travel fleet has two dedicated RailBed Cars, a shared Club Car and three Premium Economy Seat Cars.

SPIRIT OF QUEENSLAND TIMETABLE

Brisbane to cairns, cairns to brisbane.

Click here for more information on the Cairns Skyrail .

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• Terms & Conditions

Queensland Explorer Pass

The Queensland Explorer Pass gives you unlimited travel on most Queensland Rail Travel Train services in Queensland. Queensland has the best trains in Australia and this pass is valid on the fast Tilt Trains between Brisbane and Rockhampton and the new Spirit of Queensland trains that run between Brisbane and Cairns.

Where can I use this rail pass?

This pass is valid for unlimited travel on Queensland Rail Travel Train services including the following rail services:

• Tilt Train (Brisbane–Rockhampton)
• The Spirit of Queensland  (Brisbane–Cairns)
• The Spirit of the Outback (Brisbane–Longreach via Rockhampton)
• The Inlander (Townsville–Mount Isa)
• The Westlander (Brisbane–Charleville)

This pass includes the following connecting coach services:

• Maryborough–Hervey Bay
• Proserpine–Airlie Beach
• Barcaldine–Winton
• Charleville–Quilpie
• Charleville–Cunnamulla

The Queensland Coastal Pass includes one journey on Brisbane’s City rail network to connect with a Queensland Rail Travel Train service. This includes travel as far south as the Gold Coast.

When is the Queensland Explorer Pass valid?

This pass is valid for one or two months travel in economy seating. This rail pass is good for unlimited rail travel for the entire validity of the pass (not a set number of travel days or a set itinerary like many other rail passes). Travel must commence within six months of the date of purchasing this pass. The one or two-month travel period begins on the date that the pass is first used.

Who can use this rail pass?

The Queensland Coastal Pass is only available to overseas visitors to Australia. People travelling with this rail pass must be able to prove that they are not an Australian resident (a passport or drivers licence issued outside Australia will usually be sufficient proof).

More details about the Queensland Explorer Pass

Click below for the latest prices for the Queensland Explorer Pass and details about ordering your rail pass online.

Other important details about this rail pass

After purchasing the Queensland Coastal Pass you will receive a voucher that you need to exchange for the actual travel pass at a ticket office exchange location in Australia prior to commencing your first journey. Your exchange voucher will be emailed to you but it is best to allow 3–5 business days for your order to be processed prior to emailing your voucher.

Seat reservations must be made prior to each leg of travel.

The Queensland Coastal Pass is valid for economy class travel on most rail services. However it does cover premium economy travel on the Spirit of Queensland for bookings made within seven days of travel. Seat bookings made outside this time will incur an upgrade charge.

Pass holders may upgrade to business seats on the Tilt Train (between Brisbane and Rockhampton), RailBeds on the Spirit of Queensland and available sleeping berths upon payment of an upgrade fee.

Travel on the fast Tilt Train is only available between Brisbane and Rockhampton (and intermediate stops).

This rail pass cannot be used on heritage railways and tourist services such as the Kuranda Railway.

The Queensland Coastal Pass is only valid for travel on services operated by Queensland Travel Train. It is not valid for travel on Great Southern Railway, NSW TrainLink, V/line or TransWA services.

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