The Spirit of Queensland

The Spirit of Queensland is a modern tilt train that runs the length of the Queensland coast between Brisbane and Cairns. The train makes the 1681km journey five times per week. The Spirit of Queensland has a maximum speed of 160km/h and the entire trip takes 24 hours.

Spirit of Queensland rail map

The main stops en route between Brisbane and Cairns are Maryborough (where you can get a connecting bus to Hervey Bay), Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay, Proserpine (where you can get a connecting bus to Airlie Beach) and Townsville.

You can get connecting bus, coach and rail transfers at the following stations:

  • Brisbane: local bus and rail services including trains to the Gold Coast, Trainlink NSW trains to Sydney (the Discovery Pass rail pass is valid on these trains) plus the Spirit of the Outback train to Longreach and the Westlander train to Charleville (the Queensland Explorer Pass is valid on the Spirit of the Outback and the Westlander)
  • Nambour: local buses to Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast (rail passes not valid on these buses)
  • Cooroy: local buses to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast (rail passes not valid on these buses)
  • Maryborough West: buses to Hervey Bay (rail passes are valid on this bus)
  • Rockhampton: buses to Yeppoon (rail passes not valid on this bus) and ferries from Yeppoon to Great Keppel Island. Also transfer to the Spirit of the Outback train to Longreach (the Queensland Explorer Pass is valid on the Spirit of the Outback)
  • Proserpine: buses to Airlie Beach (rail passes are valid on this bus)
  • Townsville: ferries to Magnetic Island and the Inlander train to Mount Isa (the Queensland Explorer Pass is valid on the Inlander)
  • Tully: Greyhound coaches to Mission Beach
  • Cairns: the Kuranda Scenic Railway to Kuranda (rail passes not valid on this train) and buses to Port Douglas

The Spirit of Queensland features:

  • licensed club car (open 24 hours with alcohol served 10am–midnight)
  • drinking fountains
  • showers and toilets at the end of each carriage
  • screens with on demand entertainment (8.9 inches in premium economy and 18.5 inches in RailBed seats)

Premium economy seats

If you’re travelling with either the Queensland Coastal Pass or the Queensland Explorer Pass rail pass then you are able to sit in the Premium Economy seats on the Spirit of Queensland. Premium Economy features comfortable leather seats with generous leg room and also comes equipped with an on demand entertainment system with an 8.9 inch screen mounted on the rear of the seat in front of you.

Premium Economy seats are available to holders of the Queensland Coastal Pass or the Queensland Explorer Pass rail pass you can travel in Premium Economy seats (unless you pay to upgrade to RailBed seats.

Premium Economy seats on the Spirit of Queensland train

Premium economy seats have a 42 inch pitch, which gives you plenty of legroom. In comparison, economy class seats on most airlines only have a seat pitch of 31–32 inches.

RailBed sleeper seats

There are also two RailBed sleeper cars with airline business class-style seats that convert into lie-flat beds. These are not available to rail pass holders, although it is possible to pay to upgrade to this service. The RailBed seat comes with an 18.5 inch screen with on-demand entertainment and passengers in RailBed seats have all-inclusive meals served at their seat.

RailBed seats are not available to holders of rail passes. If you are travelling with the Queensland Coastal Pass or the Queensland Explorer Pass rail pass you can only travel in Premium Economy seats (more information above), unless you pay to upgrade to a RailBed seat.

RailBed seat on the Spirit of Queensland train

RailBed seats give you more comfort than business class on many airlines and feature massive 18.5 inch seats. There’s enough legroom  to allow for your travel companion to sit facing you when they are not in their own seat.

RailBed seats on the Spirit of Queensland train convert into a proper lie-flat bed

RailBed seats convert into a proper lie-flat bed at the push of a button. You won’t believe you could sleep so well on board a train.

Rail passes

You can use the Queensland Coastal Pass and the Queensland Explorer Pass to travel on the Spirit of Queensland.

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