Not to mention its also home to over 350 species of birds, possums, wallabies, sea turtles, dolphins, and the famous dingo! var inputs = fields[i].getElementsByTagName('input'); 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 whole thing rattled and vibrated constantly, and lurched from side to side, so that sleep was virtually impossible. Hope this helps. A significant amount of development time was invested in the selection of the Railbed mattress type and materials. Copyright 2022 Adventures All Around |, London to Paris in Eurostar e320 business class style, Travel to Machu Picchu in style on Belmonds Hiram Bingham train, Read: 20 incredible Queensland holiday homes and Airbnbs, Read: Farm stay fun in Guyra, New Englands highest town. For information on the site, please see the About page. For your listening pleasure, you might want to pack your own headphones. Apparently the galley crew don`t understand how to heat food. this.removeTextFieldError(input); We look forward to welcoming you onboard a Queensland Rail Travel service again soon.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. formSubmitting: function() { Cars B and C are becoming old. However, with daylight, it was more interesting to enjoy the constantly changing coastal Queensland landscape. }, and were really impressed by its quality. this.updateSubmitButtonText(this.submit.getAttribute('data-thanks')); Your email address will not be published. field.className += ' invalid'; And Im with you and definitely want to do it again someday. this.form = document.getElementById('ema_signup_form'); } Movies, music, and audiobooks were on demand. Even though the train gets up to speeds of 160km per hour, its innovative tilt design allows for a really smooth ride even around those sharp turns, youd barely know you were moving at all! A heavy label was attached and I was then told that I could have taken it on board myself. Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. The lack of privacy was unpleasant and with the exception of one shower room, the bathroom facilities were very cramped with wet floors. 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. Another route through the Outback, this time going from Brisbane to Charleville, taking in the picturesque scenery of the. Other points programs fund other travels. The Spirit of Queensland is a modern tilt train that runs the length of the Queensland coast between Brisbane and Cairns. 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. It arrives at 4:30 pm. A call button is available to contact the onboard staff for assistance this.submit.value = text; document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() { } Surely for that amount of money something more comfortable must have been possible. } else if(result.single_opt_in || !result.confirmation_html) { I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. 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. } There are also plenty of fun activities around the park such as walking trails and the chance to spot some of Australias national animals, like koalas and kangaroos. Your email address will not be published. The three premium economy cars have adjustable leather lounger seats in a 2 2 configuration. } if (typeof Widget === 'undefined' || !Widget.BasicDropdown) return; The Spirit of Queensland fleet will provide guests with a fast, value for money modern rail experience. 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? Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. if (input.getAttribute('name') === 'signup[email]') { The Spirit of Queensland runs between Cairns and Brisbane five times a week. Required fields are marked *. Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. 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. The new Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of long distance rail travel. A FREE travel quote! In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. Here are just a few of them: 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. Yes, some folks got and and off at different stops but most people seemed to travel the entire route on the RailBed. The seven carriages in between include two RailBed sleeper cars with airline style seats that convert to lie-flat beds. The bed at night was SERIOUSLY uncomfortable. 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. Premium Economy from $221, Railbed from $389. The route was dotted with coastal towns, each with its own character. A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as The Ghan, it has two locomotives and just seven carriages. Great train journey from Brisbane to Cairns. } }, the only improvement seems to be more leg room and a bigger toilet/shower room. this.updateFormAfterValidation(); if (_this.validEmail.test(input.value)) _this.validate(); If you are thinking of going from Brisbane to Cairns, fly there! } else { This was one of the stops we made during our journey from Brisbane to Cairns by train. if((input.type === 'checkbox' || input.type === 'radio') && input.checked) { Select a Region you are interested in travelling to. The Service fell down at the Dinner Service ex Townsville, Good food spoilt by over heating. The pod-like RailBeds provided a considerable amount of privacy, similar to business class pods on an aircraft. Fully plated meals will be provided to RailBed customers offering hot or continental breakfast, 2 course lunch and 3 course dinner. RAILBED Spacious reclinable seat Seat converts to a lie-flat bed at night All-inclusive in-seat dining experience including two course meals with complimentary beverage Linen, pillow, towel and amenities pack provided On-demand entertainment Tray table, reading light, drink holder, footrest and 240-volt power point Categories. No other words are needed. 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. The USB ports are useless for charging so I plug mine into the power point beside the bed. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. top.location.href = this.formUrl('html'); Stay up to date with the latest travel info and destination deals! 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. submitForm: function() { The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed.

textValidation: function(input) { Our Railbeds are an Australian first designed to provide our customers with a smooth and relaxing ride. My wife and I have just returned from a trip Brisbane to Cairns and returned Proserpine to Brisbane. I did this trip recently and I loved it to bits, except for one thing and I'll get to that. },

In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. By day, the RailBeds are spacious seats capable of reclining up to 35 degrees. . 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 traveled from Brisbane to Cairns in RailBed seats and were impressed with the comfort and service level in RailBed Class. Tea and coffee were also provided. Fraser Island is known for being a unique nature destination with miles of beach, 100 freshwater lakes and over 30 walking tracks. I will definitely taking another trip in the future with qld rail thank you for a memorable trip away. The. Do you need a Visa to enter? The couple behind me also suffered the same screaming about being overweight. #1543989; CST #2016613-20. But Ive never travelled on a train like this anywhere else in the world. 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. var name = this.form.className; I even spotted the odd kangaroo and wallaby, and lots of cockatoos. 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. A complimentary wine, beer, or juice is served with lunch and dinner. The RailBed class is a top-notch travel experience at an affordable price. Dear Talknsmile,It is always great to hear about another happy customer onboard our trains.

checkboxAndRadioValidation: function(field) { Good luck! Well, one of my things. There's a locomotive at each end. 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. The entertainment schedule changes regularly, but you can check it ahead of your trip via the Spirit of Queensland entertainment guide. What a cool way to slow travel and see more of a country. However with unpredictable border restrictions and the train's popular demand, I had to reschedule this trip again and again! Orders were taken in advance of the meal. It was so much better than what we had ever gotten on a plane. By day the seat was hard and the footrest reached no further than behind my knees, which was not at all comfortable. The journey takes roughly 25 hours. this.submit.className = this.isValid ? (function(global) { Reviewed 18 August 2017. 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. for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { },

The Spirit of Queensland is a long distance passenger rail service running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns.

onFormSubmit: function(e) { Your email address will not be published. return name += ' mimi_invalid'; top.location.href = result.redirect; Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. A few downloaded Netflix movies and Spotify playlists, or favourite podcasts or books might come in handy. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I have used the rail beds twice in about 5 years, Bris. }, I imagine so, but presumably it will cost more and will require paying for each segment.

this.validate(); this.textValidation(input); Previous. text; I am sure the passengers at the other end of the platform were all now awake. Instead, you flew from Sydney to Brisbane for $22 and from there took the train to Cairns for $389? this.submit.className = 'disabled'; The overhead bin was large enough for my carry-on travel bag. this.textFieldError(input); They have been designed to provide a smooth and relaxing ride. Two of them, dinner and lunch, included a complimentary soft drink, juice, water, beer, or wine. return action + '?callback=' + this.callbackName + '&' + serialize(this.form); On the Brisbane to Cairns route, the views were interesting and varied. if (dropdown.value) { var action = this.form.action; After folks settled in, a more social atmosphere prevailed, especially while watching staff make up the beds. 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. Your entertainment system might not work or the content could be uninspiring. I wasnt paid anything for the review, and clearly we had very different experiences. 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. RailBeds - There are 2 accessible RailBeds, however, there is no provision to park a non-collapsible wheelchair. We regret that you were not informed beforehand that you are able to store the luggage yourself if you prefer. Not much. Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. }, 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. Cons Luckily, it is possible to get around Australia without flying, especially on the East Coast by taking the Spirit of Queensland train! Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. The ones in the amenities kit are cheap and flimsy. Website: www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au. Shoes with a decent tread will keep you upright when moving throughout the train. 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!). Surely for that amount of money something more comfortable must have been possible. return name.replace(/\s?mimi_invalid/, ''); 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. A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as The Ghan, it has two locomotives and just seven carriages. revalidateOnChange: function() { There was a good selection of movies, tv shows, kids programmes or music channels available in the in-seat entertainment. Hot breakfast consisted of a three cheese omelette served with pork chipolata, bacon and tomato wedge (there was also a vegetarian option available). } } else { 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.

extend(Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation.prototype, { this.htmlEmbedDropdownValidation(field); var script = document.createElement('script'); This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

dropdownValidation: function(field, input) { There are the non-RailBed carriages that might meet your needs. For $389?. inputs[j].onchange = function(){ _this.validate() }; text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-default-text'); Your email address will never be shared. My bag weighted 20.1kg, 100 grams over weight. 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. . Never again!.. We got to sample the delicious all-inclusive railbed menu and were really impressed by its quality. this.disableForm(); Staff made them up, and returned the beds to seats, on demand. 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, Not only is Cairns a hub of vibrant city life full of great cafs, markets, art galleries, and nearby beaches, but its also. for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { A Premium Economy ticket comes with one 20kg luggage item plus one carry on hand luggage item free of charge. The bathroom was kept impeccably clean throughout the trip. The service included a welcome drink of ginger beer, lime, mint, and ice. I travelled from Roma St to Ayr and return on the Spirit of Queensland 'Rail Bed'. 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. before arriving at your final destination of Cairns. this.initialize();

};

A video trip report of Railbed (first) class on QR Travel's new Spirit of Queensland tilting train. A Railbed, on the Spirit of Queensland, offers most of the benefits of a seat at the front of a plane with the bonus of scenic views, rather than clouds, through the large windows. Theres also a Galley / Club Car, and a carriage for luggage and crew. },

A selection of Queensland wines and beverages is also available. After all, there are lots of great stops and things to do between Brisbane and Cairns. } new Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation(); The bathroom was spacious and worth the experience of showering to the rocking on the rails. Its also a good idea to pack your own entertainment. 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's easy to walk around or freshen up with a shower. The journey to Kuranda passes by some of the most breathtaking scenery, plus 15 handmade tunnels and 37 towering bridges and offers a truly unique rail adventure. return 'checkboxes'; What is the food like in the Railbed section? if (this.isValid) { There are also savings from the cost of getting to and from airports, and baggage and seat selection fees associated with air travel. 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 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. Features You could have flown business class on points, on a direct flight from Sydney to Cairns for $25 in taxes and fees. 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. At night, theyre a comfortable bed with a thick mattress and beautiful bedding consisting of a sheet, two pillows, and a duvet. I did removed one article and my case now weighted 18kgs. var input = this; At the start of 2015, it replaced the diesel-hauled train The Sunlander . 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. if (type === 'text_field') { 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. this.submit.disabled = true; 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.attachEvent('onsubmit', function(e){ }, But she does feel fast. Take advantage of the coach connections at certain stops to explore parts of the Australian countryside that many tourists miss out on. 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? 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. 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. Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. Cost: A$0 (2 Passengers) . Cost: 390 dollars for a rail bed fare at time of publication. more. 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. Need help planning your holiday? this.isValid = true; var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll(".mimi_field.required"), this.submitForm(); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to Packing Light Travel. 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. "what do you think we are? It was so much better than what we had ever gotten on a plane. for (var i = 0; i < elements.length; ++i) { For anyone who loves train travel, Queensland Rails Spirit of Queensland is a fabulous choice. this.textFieldError(email);