There are two RailBed carriages, with 19 in one car and 16 in the other to allow for wheelchairs. textFieldError: function(input) {
checkboxAndRadioValidation: function(field) { Phone: 1800 872 467 is bookings for Queensland 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. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); The Spirit of Queensland FAQs | Goway Travel },
return 'checkboxes'; }, Spirit Of Queensland Timetables And Bookings | QLD Travel Oh thats so lovely to hear, Linda. There are stops for passengers to board and disembark. Showers & Toilets - Showers and toilets are located at the end of all passenger carriages. 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. }, } Railbed Travel on the Spirit of Queensland Tilt Train new Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation(); var input = this; 2 Days / 1 Night aboard the Spirit of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns in a lie-flat RailBed with lunch and dinner. On the plus side the staff and meals were excellent. } else { 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. } The fold-down seat had a pocket for reading material and assorted items. After folks settled in, a more social atmosphere prevailed, especially while watching staff make up the beds. A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as. The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. } else { Copyright 2022 Adventures All Around | Website by Liveby5. The bathroom was spacious and worth the experience of showering to the rocking on the rails. It had been over fifteen years since I travelled from Brisbane to Cairns on this service. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); The one in front pulls while the one at the rear pushes. . Fully plated meals will be provided to RailBed customers offering hot or continental breakfast, 2 course lunch and 3 course dinner. 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. After all, there are lots of great stops and things to do between Brisbane and Cairns. Thats great that youve let them know so they can take care of you. } else { Onboard Payment Options page. A complimentary wine, beer, or juice is served with lunch and dinner. But, theres also the train thing. You can also get connecting coach services to Quilpie and Cunnamulla. var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll('.mimi_field.required'); Need help in planning your perfect holiday? Your email address will not be published. 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. before arriving at your final destination of Cairns. for (var prop in source) { I would like to say it was a wonderful experience. The Spirit of Queensland service operates from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 miles). Take your pick from the Great Barrier Reef. It is operated by a diesel powered [3] Tilt Train that runs five times a week on the North Coast line between Brisbane and Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 mi). If you are thinking of going from Brisbane to Cairns, fly there!htmlEmbedDropdownValidation: function(field) { Cars B and C are becoming old. 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. Staff were noisily rushing from one end of the carriage to the other all through the night, talking loudly and jangling keys, and bumping from side to side as the train lurched along. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. } else { Collapsible wheelchairs can be stowed at the end of the carriage. 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? I suspect Queensland Rail assigns single bookings in this way but I wouldnt count on it. I travelled from Roma St to Ayr and return on the Spirit of Queensland 'Rail Bed'. The Spirit of Queensland is a modern tilt train that runs the length of the Queensland coast between Brisbane and Cairns. Your email address will not be published. instances = Widget.BasicDropdown.instances, }, There was an extra seat that folded down under the TV. this.isValid = false; submitForm: function() { It took longer to get from Cairns to Townsville than it did fifteen years ago. initialize: function() { showConfirmationText: function(html) { Next. One hand on the grab bars at all times added to the challenge. }, Long-distance rail travel in Victoria: https://youtu.be/_OX0sTjdBaUQantas QF2 B787 Business Class Darwin to Sydney - a domestic international flight! Hot breakfast consisted of a three cheese omelette served with pork chipolata, bacon and tomato wedge (there was also a vegetarian option available). Good luck! Hop off the Spirit of Queensland train and hop on a ferry from Hervey Bay to Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world. Spirit of Queensland - Queensland Rail Travel Hi Amanda, could you tell me what items are included in amenities bag on Spirit of Queensland please. While you cant feel the speed of a plane once youre up in the air, you can feel the speed of a train. 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. We're looking forward to more trips with Queensland Rail. Sorry to hear yours wasnt what you were hoping for. Cairns to Brisbane, Spirit of Queensland rail journey: Sleeping on a Club Car - The licensed Club Car allowing guests to purchase light refreshments, confectionery and beverages throughout the journey. 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. Do you need a Visa to enter? for (var i = 0; i < elements.length; ++i) { Dear TDK1962,Many thanks for your kind review. For information on what forms of payment are accepted onboard when travelling with us, visit our The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! } if (dropdown.value) { Ive experienced the romance of rail on the Venice Simplon Orient Express and the Royal Scotsman, zipped through the Japanese countryside on a bullet train and crossed Canada on The Canadian. It was so much better than what we had ever gotten on a plane. this.updateSubmitButtonText(this.submit.getAttribute('data-thanks')); There's a locomotive at each end. if (response.success) { Where: Brisbane to Cairns, Queensland, Australia. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. Cost: 390 dollars for a rail bed fare at time of publication. Your email address will not be published. Spirit of Queensland Train's RailBeds Review - Adventures All Around Please ask the onboard staff or check today's selections board in the Servery/Caffor the fresh selection on your day of travel. } } else { updateFormAfterValidation: function() { Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. Spirit of Queensland - Brisbane << View all Brisbane City Centre tours & cruises. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 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. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Well, one of my things. }); if (input.id === 'signup_email') return;
The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. What is the food like in the Railbed section? if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) field.className += ' invalid'; Queensland Rail Travel is committed to supporting Queenslanders by preventing the spread of COVID-19. The Spirit of Queensland is a long distance passenger rail service running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns. The magazine for world travellers. 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. Join the mailing list for updates, and access to the Resource Library. }, }, You could have flown business class on points, on a direct flight from Sydney to Cairns for $25 in taxes and fees. On the Brisbane to Cairns route, the views were interesting and varied. Stroll along the Cairns Esplanade or visit the unique Daintree Rainforest. I hope you get to enjoy the train and sleep easily. 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. 5 Nights at 4-star Rydges Cairns Esplanade Resort with breakfast daily and welcome drink. Did it represent good value? It was really good value considering it is overnight accommodation, travel and three hearty meals! I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. Since 2015, we have been traveling full-time with a mission to inspire others to follow in our footsteps. 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. 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. this.isValid = false; var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll(".mimi_field.required"), if (this.fieldType(fields[i]) === 'text_field') { All thoughts and opinions remain her own. The Spirit of Queensland train journey is a 1681 kilometre route taking about 24-25 hours from Brisbane to Cairns. There was a decent-sized 18.5-inch screen on the back of the seat in front. I was told that I had to repack it. 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. } this.form.className += ' mimi_submitting'; this.textValidation(input); this.submit = document.getElementById('webform_submit_button'); We hope to see you on board again soon.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. Youll have your own reading light, a power point for charging your phone or other electrical devices, overhead lockers, and in-seat entertainment. var email = document.getElementById('signup_email'); What attracted me to the Spirit of Queensland was the RailBed class. #1543989; CST #2016613-20. All seats come with a 240 volt AC power outlet so depending on your machine you should be just fine, but do let them know when you book your ticket. The customer service was fantastic - the staff very clearly enjoy doing a good job and the food that was served us was delicious. The Spirit of Queenslands RailBed experience was one of the most relaxing journeys Ive ever had. 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. var _this = this; Our Spirit of Queensland train is the newest edition to our fleet which combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of rail travel. Australias impressive size and long distances between its destination make traveling by plane the most popular way to see Australia. But, theres also the train thing. Cairns to Brisbane, Spirit of Queensland rail journey the only improvement seems to be more leg room and a bigger toilet/shower room.function extend(destination, source) { if (typeof Widget === 'undefined' || !Widget.BasicDropdown) return; 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. Meals will be delivered directly to Railbed guests and the 24 hour Club Car is available for additional purchases. The three meals were delivered on a trolley to each seat. this.submit.value = this.submit.getAttribute('data-submitting-text'); Lie Flat With RailBed The first two passenger carriages on Spirit of Queensland are dedicated to RailBed. I am sure the passengers at the other end of the platform were all now awake. The couple behind me also suffered the same screaming about being overweight. We regret that you were not informed beforehand that you are able to store the luggage yourself if you prefer. The new Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of long distance rail travel. More onboard experiencesOnboard MerchandiseMore about your train. Your email address will not be published. Enjoy the trip! 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.
validate: function() { Can you take the train from Brisbane to Cairns but get on and off overnight in various places en route? field.className += ' invalid'; Tea and coffee were also provided. A staff member told me the beds cost $100,000 each. My young friend shook her head in disbelief at the absurdity of my travel choices. We got to sample the delicious all-inclusive railbed menu and were really impressed by its quality. Our Railbeds are an Australian first designed to provide our customers with a smooth and relaxing ride. }, } is definitely worth a stop along your Spirit of Queensland journey. The train makes the 1681km journey five times per week. Each seat had a standard power point, USB port, and earphone socket. While the Spirit of Queensland can and does do 160 kilometres per hour at times, she doesnt stick to that speed the whole way. destination[prop] = source[prop]; The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. I travelled from Roma St to Ayr and return on the Spirit of Queensland 'Rail Bed'. Spirit of Queensland - 1700kms in a railbed seat You also get an amenities pack which included all organic products. The Club Car provides food and refreshments for purchase as well a social environment to sit with other travelers.Kind Regards,Customer Service - Travel. revalidateOnChange: function() { 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. if (input.value.length === 1) _this.validate(); At busy times, it was possible to buy a drink and take it back to the comfort of your seat. Thanks for sharing Nicki. this.submit.disabled = !this.isValid; We look forward to seeing you again onboard someday.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll('.mimi_field'); The whole thing rattled and vibrated constantly, and lurched from side to side, so that sleep was virtually impossible. Definitely will keep in mind for my next Australia trip (hopefully soon!). Youll also get a free knee blanket! Pack shower shoes (e.g., thongs/flip flops), and comfortable sleepwear. What was missing from the RailBed experience? input.placeholder = ''; Discover Tropical North Queensland with Rail - My Cruises You can catch the Brisbane to Cairns train five times a week and have the option of booking RailBed or Premium Economy seats. For us, trains offer the best alternative to flying. For the three-course evening meal, the appetizer was a Caprese salad of Mozzarella pearls, tomatoes, and sweet basil seasoned with salt and olive oil. But while domestic flights certainly dominate travelers preference list, it wont surprise many to hear that its not the most eco-conscious way. Most rows have three seats, with two on one side and another on the other side of the aisle, so if youre travelling solo as I was you may want to request the single bed aisle when you book rather than the double if youd prefer not to sleep next to a stranger. The main lights were turned off at 21:30, but each pod had individual reading lights. But she does feel fast. Spirit of Queensland . this.textFieldError(email); It was more expensive than flying but an attractive option, all things considered. The Service fell down at the Dinner Service ex Townsville, Good food spoilt by over heating. Youve shown me where wed be sitting/sleeping & it sounds wonderful , Oh that sounds like a lovely one to do together. }
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 highly recommend it. this.callbackName = 'jsonp_callback_' + Math.round(100000 * Math.random()); } Theres also a Galley / Club Car, and a carriage for luggage and crew. A 24-hour journey from Brisbane to Cairns on the Spirit of Queensland train will set you back by $370 per seat for a Premium Economy Seat and over $860 for a RailBed seat. I described the sleep time in terms of a ship. It is unfortunate to hear that you considered the Railbed seat by-day uncomfortable as many of our customers have advised us of their satisfaction with the comfort of the seats. See queenslandrailtravel.com.au - Traveller An unanticipated problem. 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. this.isValid = true; He did ask if he could pay for the excess, in his case 200 grams. Theres a locomotive at each end. a budget airline" was the reply from one of the assistants as the other two just laughed. A Premium Economy ticket comes with one 20kg luggage item plus one carry on hand luggage item free of charge. 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. this.initialize(); 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. 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? }, } else { We stopped for 5 days, enjoying some time in Airlie Beach, in the Whitsundays and on the Great Barrier Reef. Hi splumpf,Thank you so much for your wonderful review on our Spirit of Queensland train service. Besides, when compared to air travel, its a more sustainable method of transportation. See queenslandrailtravel.com.au See also: The world's greatest train journeys See also: What it's really like on Australia's greatest train journey Tim Richards Apr 4 2019 Traveller You can also get connecting coach services to Quilpie and Cunnamulla. this.isValid = false; 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. var inputs = fields[i].getElementsByTagName('input'); submitButtonText: function() { They have been designed to provide a smooth and relaxing ride. } The Spirit of Queensland runs between Cairns and Brisbane five times a week. I have just returned from my first trip on the spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Cairns. e.preventDefault(); Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through a tropical rainforest, past rugged mountains, waterfalls tumbling and deep ravines of the Barron Gorge. running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns. Cairns is an excellent base and launching point for exploring Far North Queensland. Hi Noel, they do indeed. The Spirit of Queensland Rail Bed is SERIOUSLY UNCOMFORTABLE! As my train / airline experience blurs a little I sometimes forget where I am, and think oh, a little turbulence as the train moves. }, It worked just fine. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. } Plus, if you get off in Pomona (for example), theres no need to take the RailBed as its only 150 km or so north of Brisbane. In fact, I used Scotiabanks Scotia Rewards to cover the cost of the Spirit of Queensland fare from Brisbane to Cairns. How much were you paid for this review? Ride the historic railway to the hinterland or take a tour out to the Great Barrier Reef. 'submit' : 'disabled'; Sleeping to the rocking and rolling of the train and soothing sounds of rail travel added to the enjoyment. The entertainment schedule changes regularly, but you can check it ahead of your trip via the Spirit of Queensland entertainment guide. Lunch was a 2-course meal served at around midday. var elements = this.form.elements; We were also thrilled to see that the Galley Car meals were served with Biopak biodegradable cutlery! 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.