for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { showConfirmationText: function(html) { We hope to see you on board again soon.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. 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. There are slightly different food options depending on your ticket type, but there is a good general selection of seasonal dishes, with gluten free, dairy free and veggie options. var script = document.createElement('script'); if (input.value.length === 1) _this.validate(); }, I suspect Queensland Rail assigns single bookings in this way but I wouldnt count on it. The Club Car provides food and refreshments for purchase as well a social environment to sit with other travelers.Kind Regards,Customer Service - Travel. The RailBed ticket for the Spirit of Queensland train includes all-inclusive meals which are served directly to your seat. } The staff certainly have not changed. for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { var input = inputs[i]; if (input.name.indexOf('signup') >= 0) {
for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { var field = fields[i], type = this.fieldType(field); if (type === 'checkboxes' || type === 'radio_buttons') { this.checkboxAndRadioValidation(field); } else { this.textAndDropdownValidation(field, type); } } }, fieldType: function(field) { var type = field.querySelectorAll('.field_type'); if (type.length) { return type[0].getAttribute('data-field-type'); } else if (field.className.indexOf('checkgroup') >= 0) { Take your pick from the Great Barrier Reef. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. formSubmitting: function() { There are the non-RailBed carriages that might meet your needs. A selection of Queensland wines and beverages is also available. Pack shower shoes (e.g., thongs/flip flops), and comfortable sleepwear. 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! The whole thing rattled and vibrated constantly, and lurched from side to side, so that sleep was virtually impossible. It arrives at 4:30 pm. It was a welcome break from the frenetic pace of busy airports, enhanced security-screening measures, and cramped aircraft space. 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. Each one can recline to thirty degrees. For breakfast, there was a choice of hot or cold option served at around 7 am. Apparently the galley crew don`t understand how to heat food. It must have come from a very happy cow who smiled a lot because it was very tender. running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns. As my train / airline experience blurs a little I sometimes forget where I am, and think oh, a little turbulence as the train moves. 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! If there is one drawback with this type of sleeper it is lack of privacy. #833-0; TICO Reg. Stay up to date with the latest travel info and destination deals! We experienced USB ports that didnt work, and ear-hone jacks that didnt work. Please ask the onboard staff or check today's selections board in the Servery/Caffor the fresh selection on your day of travel. if (document.addEventListener) { Hi Noel, they do indeed. RailBed customers aboard Spirit of Queensland receive inclusive meals served directly to their seat. For information on the site, please see the About page. (this.form.querySelectorAll('fieldset')[0] || this.form).innerHTML = html;
function extend(destination, source) { Yes, especially when factoring in the costs of overnight accommodation, three meals, and long-distance ground transportation. My experience started when the luggage gestapo screamed that my luggage was overweight. 5 Nights at 4-star Rydges Cairns Esplanade Resort with breakfast daily and welcome drink. } else { Two of them, dinner and lunch, included a complimentary soft drink, juice, water, beer, or wine. Your email address will not be published. Customer service is one of our highest priorities and the vast majority of our staff take great pride in their customer relationships. The final product was among a number of options put to testers and was selected as the most comfortable option. My partner and I chose to do Brisbane to Cairns on the Spirit of Queensland. Looking for an airfare only? I wasnt paid anything for the review, and clearly we had very different experiences. 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. for (var prop in source) { if((input.type === 'checkbox' || input.type === 'radio') && input.checked) { But she does feel fast. 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. We regret that you were not informed beforehand that you are able to store the luggage yourself if you prefer. The whole thing rattled and vibrated constantly, and lurched from side to side, so that sleep was virtually impossible. This plush seat offers ample recline for comfort along with a state-of-the-art touch screen personal entertainment system for on-demand movies, music and even audio books. The drawstring bag included shampoo, conditioner, face mist, lip balm, body lotion, face cloth, eye mask, earplugs, and headphones. Further north were cattle stations, wetlands, sugar cane fields, and mango and banana plantations. 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 wait is over!!
dropdownValidation: function(field, input) { This map takes a look at some of the hotels and Stayz home rental options nice and close to the station. The Service fell down at the Dinner Service ex Townsville, Good food spoilt by over heating. As I came back from the bathrooms feeling all comfy I noticed some people had the same idea as me while others planned to sleep in their clothes. 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. } No access to the Club Car is available from the RailBeds for wheelchair customers. The Spirit of Queensland is a long distance passenger rail service running along the North Coast between Brisbane and Cairns. The overhead bin was large enough for my carry-on travel bag. The first of her kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the Spirit of Queensland was brought in to replace The Sunlander, cutting the Brisbane to Cairns route down from 31 hours to a 25 hour journey. Guaranteed. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Your email address will never be shared. Cairns to Brisbane, Spirit of Queensland rail journey if (input.value) { Queensland Rail Travel - Spirit of Queensland - Railbed Class In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. } else if(result.single_opt_in || !result.confirmation_html) { this.submit.value = this.submit.getAttribute('data-submitting-text'); For the safety of customers with reduced mobility, our Onboard team members can assist by delivering meals and refreshments to yourseat or sleeperby request on all Queensland Rail Travel services. Australias impressive size and long distances between its destination make traveling by plane the most popular way to see Australia. In-seat wine and dine service and entertainment aboard the Spirit of Queensland. I thought that it had been upgraded. text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-invalid-text'); And Im with you and definitely want to do it again someday. } Railbed: - 2 x checked in items of luggage not exceeding 20kg and a maximum of 180 linear centimetres (sum of length, width and depth). Planning your next trip? Spirit of Queensland Overview | Goway Travel Railbed Travel on the Spirit of Queensland Tilt Train It's easy to walk around or freshen up with a shower. The staff on the train were just fantastic very professional and they just couldnt do enough for the passengers. textAndDropdownValidation: function(field, type) { 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. Unbelievable prices. 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. }, What is the food like in the Railbed section? updateSubmitButtonText: function(text) { You also get an amenities pack which included all organic products. }); 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. The Spirit of Queensland runs between Cairns and Brisbane five times a week. But, theres also the train thing. I knew they were not a budget airline as they at least have decent caring staff. When travelling in Australia, I use British Airways Avios points to fly on Qantas, one of British Airways oneworld airline partners.
htmlEmbedDropdownValidation: function(field) { 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. this.submit.value = text; So really the choice is up to you, and whatever you feel comfortable doing. After all, there are lots of great stops and things to do between Brisbane and Cairns. Where: Brisbane to Cairns, Queensland, Australia. The service and the food was very delicious not a leftover to be seen at each meal. Spirit Of Queensland. Our toolkit is a great place to get started. } The USB ports are useless for charging so I plug mine into the power point beside the bed. input.placeholder = ''; _this.onFormSubmit(e); Surely for that amount of money something more comfortable must have been possible. } else { RailBed passengers also receive a lip balm, hand sanitser and hand cream from Queensland skincare brand, Bubbles Organic. The route was dotted with coastal towns, each with its own character. 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. },
I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. Not to mention its also home to over 350 species of birds, possums, wallabies, sea turtles, dolphins, and the famous dingo! } else { Features 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. return name; Your entertainment system might not work or the content could be uninspiring. The seven carriages in between include two RailBed sleeper cars with airline style seats that convert to lie-flat beds. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); Any other drinks and snacks can be purchased from the club car, which is where premium economy passengers buy their meals. document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() { I may have grown up on a farm where kangaroos were commonplace but the sight puts a big smile on my face. Review tags are currently only available for English language 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. 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. You can easily plan your trip with the full Spirit of Queensland timetable. A FREE travel quote! This feedback has been passed on to the relevant area for review.We understand your frustration RE luggage limits, however these have been implemented with the safety of our staff in mind, as well as being in line with the luggage limits of our interstate neighboring rail operators. 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. 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.fieldAndListValidation: function() { The seats in Premium Economy are pretty spacious and recline just enough for you to feel relaxed. Cost: A$0 (2 Passengers) . In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. For information on what forms of payment are accepted onboard when travelling with us, visit our for (var i = 0; i < instances.length; ++i) { Not as far as Im aware, but youre best to check with Queensland Rail about that one to be sure. if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) { var dropdowns = field.querySelectorAll('.mimi_html_dropdown'); 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 website contains some affiliate links, so if you click on a link and book something I will get a little something to help pay those blogging bills, but dont worry, its no extra cost to you. this.showConfirmationText(result.confirmation_html); The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! new Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation(); Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, Croc Express to Australia Zoo from Brisbane. By day, the RailBeds are spacious seats capable of reclining up to 35 degrees. You can also get connecting coach services to Quilpie and Cunnamulla. All thoughts and opinions remain her own. if (this.isValid) { updateFormAfterValidation: function() { _this = this; 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. 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 Copyright 2022 Adventures All Around | Website by Liveby5. input.placeholder = input.getAttribute('data-required-field'); With the beds made up, the lights dimmed, and the curtains closed, it felt like one large upmarket moving hostel dorm. Tea and coffee were also provided. Spirit of Queensland Rail Service Townsville to Brisbane Sept 2015 Friendly and Welcoming Cabin Crew. Your email address will not be published. For dessert, I had the tiramisu cake. for (var i = 0; i < elements.length; ++i) { 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. thanks. this.form.attachEvent('onsubmit', function(e){ Spirit of Queensland Brisbane-Cairns / Railbed - Senior - Brisbane The bathroom was kept impeccably clean throughout the trip. disableForm: function() { Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. if (this.isValid) { if (name.indexOf('mimi_invalid') === -1) { The pod-like RailBeds provided a considerable amount of privacy, similar to business class pods on an aircraft. 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 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? Cost: 390 dollars for a rail bed fare at time of publication. Spirit of Queensland? don't bother - Tripadvisor 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. Required fields are marked *. return 'text_field'; Aboard the Spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Cairns Train } I must admit they were pushing it, their case was 200 grams over. Its beautiful out there, and I feel lucky to be seeing this part of Queensland in a completely new way. It says there are a point for sleep apnea machine as I am travelling in September with mine so made the same enquiry and told them at time of booking. 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. for (var j = 0; j < inputs.length; ++j) { window[this.callbackName] = function(response) { The Spirit of Queensland fleet will provide guests with a fast, value for money modern rail experience. The bathroom was spacious and worth the experience of showering to the rocking on the rails. Cons Good luck! Spirit of Queensland . The Spirit of Queensland runs between Cairns and Brisbane five times a week. 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. }, We got to sample the delicious all-inclusive railbed menu and were really impressed by its quality. The ride was quiet and smooth, and conversation was possible at a normal volume. Spirit of Queensland! Rail Sleeper Car.. - Tripadvisor How much were you paid for this review? We do appreciate your honest feedback and thank you for taking the time to review our train. I took a Queensland Rail train form Brisbane to Maryborough and it was very affordable. The Club Car is licensed to sell alcohol from 10am - 12 midnight. You feel connected to the rails, and as the train tilts, so do you. return 'checkboxes'; var inputs = field.getElementsByTagName('input'), Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. }
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. Discover Tropical North Queensland with Rail - My Cruises Spirit Of Queensland Timetables And Bookings | QLD Travel Next. Also, Id steer clear of selecting seats near doors that open and close frequently. Instead, you flew from Sydney to Brisbane for $22 and from there took the train to Cairns for $389? 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 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. 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. } else { After leaving the urban sprawl of Brisbane, we passed by pineapple farms, rainforests, and the Glasshouse Mountains. }; There was an extra seat that folded down under the TV. Menu - Queensland Rail Travel Water Fountains - Drinking fountains are located at the end of all passenger carriages. Trip in August 2014 between Innisfail and Gladstone. A call button is available to contact the onboard staff for assistance var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll(".mimi_field.required"), this.dropdownValidation(field, input); Youve shown me where wed be sitting/sleeping & it sounds wonderful , Oh that sounds like a lovely one to do together. Besides, when compared to air travel, its a more sustainable method of transportation. 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). It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. document.body.appendChild(script); Cost: A$0 (2 Passengers) Not Available. A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as. Required fields are marked *. Disembark here to enjoy the crystal clear blue waters on the shores of the Noosa National Park.textValidation: function(input) { Railbeds - Spirit of Queensland.
extend(Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation.prototype, { Spirit of Queensland | Railbed Information | Goway Travel 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. 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. - 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 take the Spirit of Queensland train to Proserpine and then take a RailBus Connection to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the, . There are stops for passengers to board and disembark. var inputs = fields[i].getElementsByTagName('input'); Theres also a Galley / Club Car, and a carriage for luggage and crew. I described the sleep time in terms of a ship. }); Spirit of Queensland (Cairns) - All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor I did removed one article and my case now weighted 18kgs. Let us customize a dream holiday for you. Since 2015, we have been traveling full-time with a mission to inspire others to follow in our footsteps. text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-default-text'); 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. The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. 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. Youll also get a free knee blanket! A fast moving slumber party. }, this.removeTextFieldError(input); this.updateFormAfterValidation(); Second was evening Day One, and given we were going through the heartland of Qld's beef country, I had the beef cheeks. We took the Queensland Class train from Cairns to Brisbane to give us a chance to see Australia and give us a break from internal flights. }, It worked just fine. Get your FREE subscription today. It was a very bad crossing on a ship without stabilisers, with screaming banshees all night. var invalidFields = document.querySelectorAll('.invalid'), Not unlike first class in a plane but more spacious. } else { Hi Tom, Im glad youve experienced this one for yourself and that you love the staff on the trains. 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. Lie Flat With RailBed The first two passenger carriages on Spirit of Queensland are dedicated to RailBed. var dropdownEl = input.parentNode, Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. var input = this; When: All year round. 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. Need help planning your holiday? Ask the airfare experts at GowayAir. this.isValid = false; A video trip report of Railbed (first) class on QR Travel's new Spirit of Queensland tilting train. It had been over fifteen years since I travelled from Brisbane to Cairns on this service. I have just returned from my first trip on the spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Cairns. Miles and points are my thing. 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. var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll('.mimi_field.required');
Our Railbeds are an Australian first designed to provide our customers with a smooth and relaxing ride. I travelled from Roma St to Ayr and return on the Spirit of Queensland 'Rail Bed'. this.formSubmitting(); Guests will be able to select different options from the menu (a-la-carte) with orders taken prior to the meals times.