emailValidation: function() { is definitely worth a stop along your Spirit of Queensland journey. _this.onFormSubmit(e); var action = this.form.action; For us, trains offer the best alternative to flying. A call button is available to contact the onboard staff for assistance Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. if (field.className.indexOf('invalid') === -1) field.className += ' invalid'; fields[i].style['display'] = 'none'; Its also a good idea to pack your own entertainment. The ones in the amenities kit are cheap and flimsy. by Anne Betts | Nov 7, 2019 | Australia | 8 comments. this.onSubmitSuccess(response.result); this.isValid = false; var input = inputs[i]; }, for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { }, },
Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. } It was more expensive than flying but an attractive option, all things considered. We traveled from Brisbane to Cairns in RailBed seats and were impressed with the comfort and service level in RailBed Class. By day the seat was hard and the footrest reached no further than behind my knees, which was not at all comfortable. The Spirit of Queensland runs between Cairns and Brisbane five times a week. We never got bored looking at the stunning scenery outside of our windows, but when it got dark, and we had to amuse ourselves before getting some shut-eye, the entertainment options on board the Spirit of Queensland were plentiful. But even then it felt like such an old-fashioned thing to do. For dessert, I had the tiramisu cake. if (type === 'text_field') { 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. 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. } else { I must admit they were pushing it, their case was 200 grams over. 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. } All thoughts and opinions remain her own. #833-0; TICO Reg. Cons We are Oksana & Max, eco-conscious travelers on a mission to inspire responsible travel practices around the world. So really the choice is up to you, and whatever you feel comfortable doing. I would speculate that most travellers spend time in Cairns to explore the hinterland, the reef, and surrounding areas. All services have aServery orCafonboardfor customers to purchasemeals and refreshments. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); 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. Another is that its an opportunity to take in the scenery. 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. If your travel plans involve Australia, you might be interested in these other posts: Very interesting. The new Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the romance of long distance rail travel. Dear stevecau,It is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your experience on board the Spirit of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns recently. In fact, I used Scotiabanks Scotia Rewards to cover the cost of the Spirit of Queensland fare from Brisbane to Cairns. 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. onSubmitCallback: function(response) { It arrives at 4:30 pm. } else { The menu brings a paddock to plate experience with meals prepared using the freshest Queensland produce. var elements = this.form.elements; })(this); We spent many years living and traveling around Australia exploring the country in-depth! var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll(".mimi_field.required"), this.textValidation(input); The main lights were turned off at 21:30, but each pod had individual reading lights. 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. } Thats great that youve let them know so they can take care of you. 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. Hope this helps. Tea and coffee were also provided. } submitButtonText: function() { 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 The whole thing rattled and vibrated constantly, and lurched from side to side, so that sleep was virtually impossible. } The couple behind me also suffered the same screaming about being overweight. thanks. I did this trip recently and I loved it to bits, except for one thing and I'll get to that. Need help in planning your perfect holiday? I even spotted the odd kangaroo and wallaby, and lots of cockatoos. For information on the site, please see the About page. Youve shown me where wed be sitting/sleeping & it sounds wonderful , Oh that sounds like a lovely one to do together. 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.if (input.value) { this.form.attachEvent('onsubmit', function(e){ if (this.isValid || !invalidFields) {
extend(Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation.prototype, { We were also thrilled to see that the Galley Car meals were served with Biopak biodegradable cutlery! Hi splumpf,Thank you so much for your wonderful review on our Spirit of Queensland train service. The Spirit of Queensland train journey is a 1681 kilometre route taking about 24-25 hours from Brisbane to Cairns. destination[prop] = source[prop]; Last year I travelled on the Spirit of Queensland (Diesel Tilt Train) Premium Economy Class from Townsville to Cairns, I thoroughly enjoyed my trip therefore I wanted to travel from Cairns all the way to Brisbane one day. },
this.form.addEventListener('submit', function(e){ The lack of privacy was unpleasant and with the exception of one shower room, the bathroom facilities were very cramped with wet floors. Phone: 1800 872 467 is bookings for Queensland Rail Travel. 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. The. 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. Oh thats so lovely to hear, Linda. You also get an amenities pack which included all organic products. }, new Mimi.Signups.EmbedValidation(); Yes, especially when factoring in the costs of overnight accommodation, three meals, and long-distance ground transportation. Orders were taken in advance of the meal. 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 (this.isValid) { The RailBed ticket for the Spirit of Queensland train includes all-inclusive meals which are served directly to your seat. Looking for an airfare only? The service included a welcome drink of ginger beer, lime, mint, and ice. With a high ticket price, many would wonder, is the journey on the train really worth it? You can take the Spirit of Queensland train to Proserpine and then take a RailBus Connection to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the, . The staff on the train were just fantastic very professional and they just couldnt do enough for the passengers. 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. for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { Premium Economy from $221, Railbed from $389. Each seat had a standard power point, USB port, and earphone socket. Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. } else { if((input.type === 'checkbox' || input.type === 'radio') && input.checked) { 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. Previous. TERRIBLE Service bad attitude from Supervisor so no point complaining. A direct flight back to Brisbane offers a quick return. I am sure the passengers at the other end of the platform were all now awake. onSubmitSuccess: function(result) { Take your pick from the Great Barrier Reef. A Premium Economy ticket comes with one 20kg luggage item plus one carry on hand luggage item free of charge. That was also the experience of the others in our tour party. In other words, you traded a three-dollar business class flight to spend 24-hours on a train? for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { var input = inputs[i]; if (input.name.indexOf('signup') >= 0) { } For dinner, we once again had a choice of a 3-course meal. 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. }, return 'checkboxes'; the only improvement seems to be more leg room and a bigger toilet/shower room. if (instance.wrapperEl === dropdownEl) { this.onSelectCallback(input); this.callbackName = 'jsonp_callback_' + Math.round(100000 * Math.random()); 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.isValid = false; 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. Cost: A$0 (2 Passengers) Not Available. }); 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? We are Oksana & Max, a Canadian couple with a passion for sustainable travel. text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-choose-list'); Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your RailBed ticket, with one glass of complimentary wine with your evening meal. At busy times, it was possible to buy a drink and take it back to the comfort of your seat. var input = this; Hi Tom, Im glad youve experienced this one for yourself and that you love the staff on the trains. 2 Days / 1 Night aboard the Spirit of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns in a lie-flat RailBed with lunch and dinner. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Check out the Queensland Rail site for options. I took a Queensland Rail train form Brisbane to Maryborough and it was very affordable. 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. Next. instances = Widget.BasicDropdown.instances, this.dropdownValidation(field, input); var script = document.createElement('script'); } 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. updateSubmitButtonText: function(text) { document.body.appendChild(script); Pack shower shoes (e.g., thongs/flip flops), and comfortable sleepwear. I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. While you cant feel the speed of a plane once youre up in the air, you can feel the speed of a train. text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-invalid-text'); Heres a quick look at the other trains and their destinations. Cost: A$0 (2 Passengers) . 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. Do you need a Visa to enter? Disembark here to enjoy the crystal clear blue waters on the shores of the, Hop off the Spirit of Queensland train and. I described the sleep time in terms of a ship. 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. Trains are more sustainable and more comfortable and not only that but going at a slower pace allows you to see more of the Australian countryside without the crazy cost of multiple flights. this.updateSubmitButtonText(this.submit.getAttribute('data-thanks')); isnt the only one departing from Queensland there are a number of other routes taking you to the far-flung corners of the state! If youre travelling solo, reserve a seat in the single bed aisle at the time of booking. 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. Miles and points are my thing. input.className = 'required invalid'; Join the mailing list for updates, and access to the Resource Library. 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. There are windows throughout the carriage so youll be able to see that view. In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. onSelectCallback: function(input) {var _this = this; Our Railbeds are an Australian first designed to provide our customers with a smooth and relaxing ride. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the country we traverse. However with unpredictable border restrictions and the train's popular demand, I had to reschedule this trip again and again! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to Packing Light Travel. Oksana had the vegetarian noddle salad option. No other words are needed. this.revalidateOnChange(); var dropdown = dropdowns[i]; What attracted me to the Spirit of Queensland was the RailBed class. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. 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.There is no dining car. } else { 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. textFieldError: function(input) { You can also get connecting coach services to Quilpie and Cunnamulla. You can also get connecting coach services to Quilpie and Cunnamulla. if (invalidFields.length || invalidFields[0].className.indexOf('checkgroup') === -1) { for (var i = 0; i < instances.length; ++i) { The train makes the 1681km journey five times per week. By night they are converted into the sort of flat bed that Id be very happy to find on a plane, measuring 1.9m x 0.51m. BC Reg. The USB ports are useless for charging so I plug mine into the power point beside the bed. 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). to Townsville. But the best thing is, that you can really take your time and make a few pit stops along the way, the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays, and Townsville before arriving at your final destination of Cairns. The route was dotted with coastal towns, each with its own character. There are the non-RailBed carriages that might meet your needs. More onboard experiencesOnboard MerchandiseMore about your train. 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. 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. this.submit.className = this.isValid ? Premium economy-class passengers buy their meals from the Galley and some choose to eat in the Club Car so it can become congested at meal times. RailBed customers aboard Spirit of Queensland receive inclusive meals served directly to their seat. }, Customer service is one of our highest priorities and the vast majority of our staff take great pride in their customer relationships. No wonder people just fly, Is there power points for sleep apnea machines. They then make the bed for you, providing all of the bedding as well as a towel for those who fancy a refreshing shower at high speed. It was so much better than what we had ever gotten on a plane. 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. Spirit of Qld Rail Bed. The Staff on the Queenslander are EXCELLENT! if (input.value) { It was a welcome break from the frenetic pace of busy airports, enhanced security-screening measures, and cramped aircraft space. In the evening the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. The bed at night was SERIOUSLY uncomfortable. Its beautiful out there, and I feel lucky to be seeing this part of Queensland in a completely new way. I imagine so, but presumably it will cost more and will require paying for each segment. 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. } else { Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, Croc Express to Australia Zoo from Brisbane. Cost: 390 dollars for a rail bed fare at time of publication. For your listening pleasure, you might want to pack your own headphones. The Spirit of Queensland is a modern tilt train that runs the length of the Queensland coast between Brisbane and Cairns. if (!Mimi.Signups) Mimi.Signups = {};
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. I considered the cost of overnight accommodation when evaluating the fare. 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. Also, Id steer clear of selecting seats near doors that open and close frequently. this.submit.value = text; 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. RailBeds - There are 2 accessible RailBeds, however, there is no provision to park a non-collapsible wheelchair. }, return 'text_field'; The three premium economy cars have adjustable leather lounger seats in a 2 2 configuration. 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. Movies, music, and audiobooks were on demand. var email = document.getElementById('signup_email'); How much were you paid for this review? A staff member told me the beds cost $100,000 each. The overhead bin was large enough for my carry-on travel bag. The bathroom was spacious and worth the experience of showering to the rocking on the rails. For anyone who loves train travel, Queensland Rails Spirit of Queensland is a fabulous choice. 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. before arriving at your final destination of Cairns. A small train compared to that of other epic rail journeys such as. 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. Fully plated meals will be provided to RailBed customers offering hot or continental breakfast, 2 course lunch and 3 course dinner. this.removeTextFieldError(input); Take advantage of the coach connections at certain stops to explore parts of the Australian countryside that many tourists miss out on. For a change of scenery, the Club Car offered an opportunity to mingle with other passengers over conversation and drinks. The sun is preparing to come up over the mountain range, theres mist everywhere, and kangaroos are hopping beside the train. Toilet seats have become loose and generally a good refurbishment program would work wonders.