I got a really good 8 hours sleep on the train - the rail bed was very comfortable and I felt like I had enough privacy as my head was shielded from the view of passers by. return 'text_field'; 50+ Reasons Why to Go Downunder with Goway, All main meals served directly to your seat, Personal entertainment featuring a large screen with on-demand movies, music and audio books, Seat features include reading light, footrest, drink holder, 240v power adapter and USB charging, Towel and personal amenity pack with Queensland organic and sustainable products, All bed linen provided (sheets, duvet & pillow), RailBed customers may check in two (2) items of luggage not exceeding 20kg each (44 pounds), plus one item of carry on hand luggage free of charge, Carry on luggage for under-seat or overhead compartments is maximum size of 23cm x 34cm x 48cm and a maximum weight of 20kg. Each one can recline to thirty degrees. Book as early as possible to take advantage of saver fares and seat selection. 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. Other points programs fund other travels. The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. Required fields are marked *. There are also savings from the cost of getting to and from airports, and baggage and seat selection fees associated with air travel. We are Oksana & Max, a Canadian couple with a passion for sustainable travel. }, Two of them, dinner and lunch, included a complimentary soft drink, juice, water, beer, or wine.
onFormSubmit: function(e) { A staff member told me the beds cost $100,000 each. Select a Region you are interested in travelling to. 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.htmlEmbedDropdownValidation(field); Let us assist with your travel documents. }); by Anne Betts | Nov 7, 2019 | Australia | 8 comments. } else { var inputs = field.getElementsByTagName('input'), By day the RailBeds are large seats that can recline 35 degrees and have a footrest that can be used as a seat if youre travelling with someone who wants to come and have a chat. It must have come from a very happy cow who smiled a lot because it was very tender. Staff made them up, and returned the beds to seats, on demand. Spirit of Queensland - Queensland Rail Travel more. if (response.success) { for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-default-text'); I knew they were not a budget airline as they at least have decent caring staff.
for (var i = 0; i < dropdowns.length; ++i) { Your email address will not be published. for (var i = 0; i < elements.length; ++i) { RailBeds - There are 2 accessible RailBeds, however, there is no provision to park a non-collapsible wheelchair. Unlike the Sunlander where meals are all freshly prepared in the kitchen, here theyre more airline food style. for (var j = 0; j < inputs.length; ++j) { updateSubmitButtonText: function(text) { document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to Packing Light Travel. }, Our FREE AUSTRALIA Travel Guide is a great resource for planning a trip to Australia! Showers & Toilets - Showers and toilets are located at the end of all passenger carriages. 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. Disclaimer: Our trip on the Spirit of Queensland train was provided courtesy of Queensland Rail Travel, but as always all opinions expressed in this article are our own. (this.form.querySelectorAll('fieldset')[0] || this.form).innerHTML = html; Thanks for thatbeen thinking of a train trip with my Asisstance Dog. A call button is available to contact the onboard staff for assistance 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 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. At busy times, it was possible to buy a drink and take it back to the comfort of your seat. I would speculate that most travellers spend time in Cairns to explore the hinterland, the reef, and surrounding areas. I have used the rail beds twice in about 5 years, Bris. The Spirit of Queensland is a long distance passenger rail service running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns. 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. The Staff on the Queenslander are EXCELLENT! A significant amount of development time was invested in the selection of the Railbed mattress type and materials. Spirit of Queensland | Aussie Trains | Australia - Aussie Trains I took a Queensland Rail train form Brisbane to Maryborough and it was very affordable. } 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? 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. 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. Stay up to date with the latest travel info and destination deals! if (input.value) { In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. The USB ports are useless for charging so I plug mine into the power point beside the bed. this.disableForm(); We had tickets from Roma St to Cairns. The train makes the 1681km journey five times per week. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. this.textValidation(input); Thats great that youve let them know so they can take care of you. Thanks, If you are in the Sleeping carriage can you still walk through to the Dining / Club carriage for coffee etc. }, Spirit of Queensland - Wikipedia It has everything you need, from beds, showers, galley car, all-inclusive dining option, in-seat entertainment and much more! Railbed Car - Spirit of Queensland. }, 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. } setFormClassName: function() { 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. Travelling between Brisbane and Cairns five times a week, the Spirit of Queensland redefines the modern rail travel experience with a comfortable and convenient way to access spectacular holiday destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays, Townsville and Cairns and everywhere in between. Spirit of Queensland Brisbane-Cairns / Railbed - Senior - Brisbane 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. Hot breakfast in RailBed Class on the Spirit of Queensland train Lunch was a 2-course meal served at around midday. } Copyright 2022 Adventures All Around | Website by Liveby5. But Ive never travelled on a train like this anywhere else in the world. },
for (var prop in source) { Get your FREE subscription today. 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. I had never thought about train travel in Australia, until reading In A Sunburned Country. do the single railbed seats at the front and back of the carriage have a window? You can take the Spirit of Queensland train to Proserpine and then take a RailBus Connection to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the, . The route was dotted with coastal towns, each with its own character. A video trip report of Railbed (first) class on QR Travel's new Spirit of Queensland tilting train. } document.body.appendChild(script); In other words, you traded a three-dollar business class flight to spend 24-hours on a train? Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. Premium Economy from $221, Railbed from $389. if (!Mimi.Signups) Mimi.Signups = {}; to Townsville. Any other drinks and snacks can be purchased from the club car, which is where premium economy passengers buy their meals. Your email address will not be published. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. }, The Spirit of Queensland is a modern tilt train that runs the length of the Queensland coast between Brisbane and Cairns. 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. if (input.id === 'signup_email') return; selected = false; elements[i].disabled = true; The new Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of long distance rail travel. var elements = this.form.elements; With the beds all made up, the lights dimmed and the curtains closed, the RailBeds feel like a fun slumber party. } Second was evening Day One, and given we were going through the heartland of Qld's beef country, I had the beef cheeks. 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 , or one of the many wildlife and nature experiences just outside of the city. Any other drinks and snacks can be purchased from the club car, which is where premium economy passengers buy their meals. This was one of the stops we made during our journey from Brisbane to Cairns by train. For information on the site, please see the About page. } The RailBed class is a top-notch travel experience at an affordable price. Take advantage of the coach connections at certain stops to explore parts of the Australian countryside that many tourists miss out on. Contact Queensland Rail to find out how your travel plans can be accommodated. return text; this.isValid = false; this.isValid = true; I described the sleep time in terms of a ship. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. 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. Good luck! text; }, Tasmania West Coast Wilderness Railway Strahan - Queenstown Complete Review: https://youtu.be/yPo_fWHSCWMTranswa Australind Perth to Bunbury: https://youtu.be/m6GLBrtwH4gTravelling on the Old Ghan Railway - Pichi Richi Afghan Express Port Augusta to Quorn return https://youtu.be/nuFYBlh9KWMThe Inlander Townsville to Mount Isa: https://youtu.be/l97k6Rk8mR8Fastest Train in Australia - Tilt Train Business Class Brisbane to Rockhampton: https://youtu.be/n3ZDMh1JLDMTranswa Prospector Train Perth to Kalgoorlie - The Fastest Service in Australia: https://youtu.be/FhFQfeUvKaIThe Westlander Train Toowoomba to Queensland: https://youtu.be/V39L8pP5dZgRiding on Locomotive 3801, a legend of steam: https://youtu.be/wvuymG4Er90The Overland train Red Premium class from Melbourne to Adelaide: https://youtu.be/QsGZZdbAlcQFirst Class Spirit of the Outback train from Brisbane to Longreach: https://youtu.be/Lb4snTmxreUPremium Economy Class Spirit of Queensland from Townsville to Cairns: https://youtu.be/ewj5HyNUxw0NSW XPT First class sleeper from Sydney to Melbourne: https://youtu.be/WrXUf0Q7pUMNSW XPT Economy class from Canberra to Melbourne via Yass: https://youtu.be/7j-K7NAxvNoCanberra to Melbourne by trains only, Xplorer + XPT: https://youtu.be/Ck-TWprVodIFirst Class V/Line N class from Melbourne to Wodonga: https://youtu.be/2jxurlLMEYoFirst Class NSW Xplorer train from Sydney to Canberra: https://youtu.be/QmABDqeX9ngTrainspotting at Wondabyne station: https://youtu.be/KJX2AIa4PIYJoin my channel membership to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLxsJJL11SLXwh4C8I3sWQ/joinFollow my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roryding.travels/New Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rorydingtravels#QueenslandRail #train #SpiritofQueensland Subscribe to our newsletter to follow our life on the road, learn more about sustainable travel practices, and be the first to learn about updates from the blog! Discover Tropical North Queensland with Rail - My Cruises Full Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise and Pontoon Experience . Sorry to hear yours wasnt what you were hoping for. You feel connected to the rails, and as the train tilts, so do you. There are windows throughout the carriage so youll be able to see that view. Spirit of Queensland | Railbed Information | Goway Travel Guaranteed. The Spirit of Queensland train is quite possibly the most comfortable and convenient way to hit up some of the most popular tourist spots along the Queensland coast. var _this = this; 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. field.className += ' invalid'; } That was also the experience of the others in our tour party. Spirit Of Queensland Has All The Bells & Whistles 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. input.placeholder = input.getAttribute('data-required-field'); if (document.addEventListener) { if (name.indexOf('mimi_invalid') === -1) { I have just returned from my first trip on the spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Cairns. 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.for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { This nature lovers paradise is definitely worth a stop along your Spirit of Queensland journey. All thoughts and opinions remain her own. this.submit.className = this.isValid ? Hi Joan thats right there in the story complete with a picture! Hi splumpf,Thank you so much for your wonderful review on our Spirit of Queensland train service. Pack shower shoes (e.g., thongs/flip flops), and comfortable sleepwear. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We apologise that the comfort profile of the Railbed did not meet your expectations.With regards to noise I am sure you understand that things like train movement and occasional noise related to this are beyond our control. },
If your travel plans involve Australia, you might be interested in these other posts: Very interesting.function extend(destination, source) { 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! I thought that it had been upgraded. 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. By day the seat was hard and the footrest reached no further than behind my knees, which was not at all comfortable. Spirit of Queensland - Swain Destinations While the cold option included a choice of cereal with greek yogurt, berry compote and a freshly baked pastry. 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. this.form.attachEvent('onsubmit', function(e){ The drawstring bag included shampoo, conditioner, face mist, lip balm, body lotion, face cloth, eye mask, earplugs, and headphones. var instance = instances[i]; if (instance.wrapperEl === dropdownEl) { The entertainment schedule changes regularly, but you can check it ahead of your trip via the Spirit of Queensland entertainment guide. }, Spirit of Queensland - Brisbane << View all Brisbane City Centre tours & cruises. Hi Anna, towels are provided so you dont need to worry about that one. I travelled from Roma St to Ayr and return on the Spirit of Queensland 'Rail Bed'. Cost: 390 dollars for a rail bed fare at time of publication. TERRIBLE Service bad attitude from Supervisor so no point complaining. 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. I was told that I had to repack it. The Spirit of Queensland fleet will provide guests with a fast, value for money modern rail experience. We're looking forward to more trips with Queensland Rail. But even then it felt like such an old-fashioned thing to do. revalidateOnChange: function() { For dessert, I had the tiramisu cake. There was an extra seat that folded down under the TV. My experience started when the luggage gestapo screamed that my luggage was overweight. if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) { 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? Here in Australia Ive gone north to south on the Ghan and east to west on the Indian Pacific, travelled out to Longreach on Queenslands Spirit of the Outback outback and was able to experience The Sunlander train before she became an Australian travel memory. Our toolkit is a great place to get started. _this.onFormSubmit(e); Menu Stay Updated: Onboard Dining and Menus 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.
emailValidation: function() { Shoes with a decent tread will keep you upright when moving throughout the train. instance.onSelect = function(){ _this.validate() }; Planning to get the train from Brisbane? The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. } Tilt Train customers receive an in-seat Trolley Service throughout their journey. if (dropdown.value) { On our recent trip to Australia, we discovered the beauty of traveling around the East Coast of Australia by train and its now an experience that we highly recommend to others. Each passenger received an amenities kit of Queensland organic products. }, The staff on the train were just fantastic very professional and they just couldnt do enough for the passengers. } var action = this.form.action; 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. if (input.getAttribute('name') === 'signup[email]') { 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. 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. } - Packing Light Travel, 25 Tips on earning Aeroplan miles - Packing Light Travel, Sydney at its best: A self-guided tour of The Rocks, the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and points in between - Packing Light Travel. 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. We got to sample the delicious all-inclusive railbed menu and were really impressed by its quality. We left from Cairns, around 8.30am, heading for Brisbane. this.revalidateOnChange(); 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). Hi Amanda, could you tell me what items are included in amenities bag on Spirit of Queensland please. 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. Also, Id steer clear of selecting seats near doors that open and close frequently. But it actually looks really fun and glamourous! At night, theyre a comfortable bed with a thick mattress and beautiful bedding consisting of a sheet, two pillows, and a duvet. e.preventDefault();
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. Youve shown me where wed be sitting/sleeping & it sounds wonderful , Oh that sounds like a lovely one to do together. if (document.addEventListener) { It was so much better than what we had ever gotten on a plane. For information on what forms of payment are accepted onboard when travelling with us, visit our Collapsible wheelchairs can be stowed at the end of the carriage. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. if (this.isValid) { The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. } The main lights were turned off at 21:30, but each pod had individual reading lights. Looking for an airfare only? Onboard Payment Options page. 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 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. If you enjoy train travel, it might be for you. There are two RailBed carriages, with 19 in one car and 16 in the other to allow for wheelchairs. I travelled in the RailBed from Cairns to Brisbane and the whole experience was exceptional - I enjoyed every second of it. The three meals were delivered on a trolley to each seat. Surely for that amount of money something more comfortable must have been possible. For $389?. (Fully Paid For so why Try Putting someone else or reselling . The next morning I wake up, look out the window and smile. Spirit of Queensland Railbed Cairns to Brisbane - YouTube This three-day itinerary describe these suggestions and a host of other ideas. One of the best things about travelling on the Spirit of Queensland train is the fact that it opens up so many more travel and sightseeing possibilities than flying ever could. But, theres also the train thing. One of the most popular train routes in Australia is the Brisbane to Cairns train aboard the Spirit of Queensland and it was this particular route that we experienced on our recent trip to Queensland. Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. This trip was not! The bathroom was kept impeccably clean throughout the trip. var name = this.form.className; Do you need a Visa to enter? 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. There are the non-RailBed carriages that might meet your needs. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options. this.submit.disabled = !this.isValid; On the Brisbane to Cairns route, the views were interesting and varied. 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. For breakfast, there was a choice of hot or cold option served at around 7 am. The ride was quiet and smooth, and conversation was possible at a normal volume. Aboard the Spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Cairns Train