onFormSubmit: function(e) { 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 Hi Anna, towels are provided so you dont need to worry about that one. I'm Anne, a dedicated carry-on traveller. I will definitely taking another trip in the future with qld rail thank you for a memorable trip away. var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll('.mimi_field.required');
showConfirmationText: function(html) { Most people seemed to have pyjamas for sleeping. 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. _this.onFormSubmit(e); It was a very bad crossing on a ship without stabilisers, with screaming banshees all night. 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. } else { 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. 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 The Spirit of Queenslands RailBed experience was one of the most relaxing journeys Ive ever had. I have a little service dog and want to know if he can travel with me, I Googled Queensland Rail service dog and the following site was at the top of the search results: https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Assistance-Animals.aspx. Meanwhile the RailBeds are reminiscent of business class seats on an airline. Need help planning your holiday? This nature lovers paradise is definitely worth a stop along your Spirit of Queensland journey. #1543989; CST #2016613-20. The Spirit of Queensland is proud to offer an Australian first, the revolutionary RailBed. 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. onSubmitSuccess: function(result) { Previous. initialize: function() { Learn how your comment data is processed. Cons The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. We hope to see you on board again soon.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. } Cost: A$0 (2 Passengers) . The Spirit of Queensland is a Queensland Rail long distance passenger rail service. . On the Brisbane to Cairns route, the views were interesting and varied. Surely for that amount of money something more comfortable must have been possible. Theres a locomotive at each end. After folks settled in, a more social atmosphere prevailed, especially while watching staff make up the beds. The pod-like RailBeds provided a considerable amount of privacy, similar to business class pods on an aircraft. It was a welcome break from the frenetic pace of busy airports, enhanced security-screening measures, and cramped aircraft space. , or one of the many wildlife and nature experiences just outside of the city. The Spirit of Queensland service operates from Brisbane to Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 miles). } I suspect Queensland Rail assigns single bookings in this way but I wouldnt count on it. We stopped for 5 days, enjoying some time in Airlie Beach, in the Whitsundays and on the Great Barrier Reef. for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { The journey to Kuranda passes by. The sun is preparing to come up over the mountain range, theres mist everywhere, and kangaroos are hopping beside the train. } . 5 Nights at 4-star Rydges Cairns Esplanade Resort with breakfast daily and welcome drink. 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. 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. Collapsible wheelchairs can be stowed at the end of the carriage. Youll also get a free knee blanket! I knew they were not a budget airline as they at least have decent caring staff. A staff member told me the beds cost $100,000 each. I am sure the passengers at the other end of the platform were all now awake. 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. Spirit Of Queensland. Railbeds - Spirit of Queensland. Luckily, it is possible to get around Australia without flying, especially on the East Coast by taking the Spirit of Queensland train! and were really impressed by its quality. this.htmlEmbedDropdownValidation(field); Select a Region you are interested in travelling to. Yes, some folks got and and off at different stops but most people seemed to travel the entire route on the RailBed. A selection of Queensland wines and beverages is also available. There are the non-RailBed carriages that might meet your needs. Hi Joan thats right there in the story complete with a picture! } Staff made them up, and returned the beds to seats, on demand. text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-invalid-text'); 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. But, theres also the train thing. Ask the airfare experts at GowayAir. The staff on the train were just fantastic very professional and they just couldnt do enough for the passengers. Instead, you flew from Sydney to Brisbane for $22 and from there took the train to Cairns for $389? this.submit.disabled = !this.isValid; 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. 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 There are also plenty of fun activities around the park such as walking trails and the chance to spot some of Australias national animals, like koalas and kangaroos. } The wait is over!! updateFormAfterValidation: function() { The seats in Premium Economy are pretty spacious and recline just enough for you to feel relaxed. The three premium economy cars have adjustable leather lounger seats in a 2 2 configuration. 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, 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, 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. 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. } Hi Amanda are towels provided for economy seat passengers as well? else { For $389?. Hot breakfast in RailBed Class on the Spirit of Queensland train Lunch was a 2-course meal served at around midday. Perhaps Ill give it another chance. As my train / airline experience blurs a little I sometimes forget where I am, and think oh, a little turbulence as the train moves. 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. At busy times, it was possible to buy a drink and take it back to the comfort of your seat. No access to the Club Car is available from the RailBeds for wheelchair customers. }, this.isValid = false; 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. We look forward to welcoming you onboard a Queensland Rail Travel service again soon.Kind Regards,Customer Service - TravelQueensland Rail Travel. One hand on the grab bars at all times added to the challenge. I did removed one article and my case now weighted 18kgs. On the south-to-north service, the stop in Tully was long enough for passengers to stretch their legs on the platform. The magazine for world travellers. At night, theyre a comfortable bed with a thick mattress and beautiful bedding consisting of a sheet, two pillows, and a duvet. this.submitForm(); As a Stay22 affiliate if you book through this map I may receive a commission but dont worry its at no extra cost to you. this.form.attachEvent('onsubmit', function(e){ Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A call button is available to contact the onboard staff for assistanceif (this.validEmail.test(email.value)) { }, for (var j = 0; j < inputs.length; ++j) { 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. If there is one drawback with this type of sleeper it is lack of privacy. Second was evening Day One, and given we were going through the heartland of Qld's beef country, I had the beef cheeks. Spirit of Queensland Rail Service Townsville to Brisbane Sept 2015 Friendly and Welcoming Cabin Crew. Next. var dropdownEl = input.parentNode, How much were you paid for this review? textAndDropdownValidation: function(field, type) { 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. 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. 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. But, theres also the train thing. I have just returned from my first trip on the spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Cairns. Another route through the Outback, this time going from Brisbane to Charleville, taking in the picturesque scenery of the. onSelectCallback: function(input) { Two of them, dinner and lunch, included a complimentary soft drink, juice, water, beer, or wine. . Never again!.. this.onSelectCallback(input); 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. For the main, I chose oven-roasted pork loin accompanied by an apple infused jus, chat potatoes, carrots, and beans. this.isValid = true; The menu brings a paddock to plate experience with meals prepared using the freshest Queensland produce. 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). 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. Take advantage of the coach connections at certain stops to explore parts of the Australian countryside that many tourists miss out on. Not unlike first class in a plane but more spacious. this.updateSubmitButtonText(this.submit.getAttribute('data-thanks'));
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} e.preventDefault(); 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. Access Queensland Rail Travel on Instagram, Access Queensland Rail Travel on Facebook, Access Queensland Rail Travel on Trip Advisor. With the beds all made up, the lights dimmed and the curtains closed, the RailBeds feel like a fun slumber party. Can't recommend the RailBed highly enough and would definitely do this sort of experience again. 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. If you enjoy train travel, it might be for you. But its pretty much just like being in business class on a plane where people may still be walking past and the little bit of light from the galley gets seen through the curtain. }, Youll have your own reading light, a power point for charging your phone or other electrical devices, overhead lockers, and in-seat entertainment. A staff member told me the beds cost $100,000 each. field.className = field.className.replace(/ invalid/g, ''); } else { Website: www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au. There was an extra seat that folded down under the TV. 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. That was also the experience of the others in our tour party. The lack of privacy was unpleasant and with the exception of one shower room, the bathroom facilities were very cramped with wet floors. The bed at night was SERIOUSLY uncomfortable. For dessert, I had the tiramisu cake. Your email address will not be published. window.attachEvent('onload', function() { this.isValid = false; this.updateFormAfterValidation(); Enjoy 35 degrees of recline and a wide flat 18.5 inch screen with on-demand . Stay up to date with the latest travel info and destination deals! The seven carriages in between include two RailBed sleeper cars with airline style seats that convert to lie-flat beds. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system and 240v powerpoint. 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. Im glad you enjoyed your Spirit of Queensland adventure as much as I did. Your feedback on the noise within the sleeping carriage has been relayed back to our Onboard Customer Service Team for monitoring. We acknowledge their spiritual connection to the lands and waterways and ask their ancestors to watch over us as we tread lightly on Country. The RailBed class is a top-notch travel experience at an affordable price. var inputs = field.getElementsByTagName('input'), The spinach & feta quick was definitely our favourite! 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. 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. , plus 15 handmade tunnels and 37 towering bridges and offers a truly unique rail adventure. return name.replace(/\s?mimi_invalid/, ''); document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() { The drawstring bag included shampoo, conditioner, face mist, lip balm, body lotion, face cloth, eye mask, earplugs, and headphones. Water Fountains - Drinking fountains are located at the end of all passenger carriages. Unbelievable prices. Check out the Queensland Rail site for options. }, At the start of 2015, it replaced the diesel-hauled train The Sunlander . Join the mailing list for updates, and access to the Resource Library. For us, trains offer the best alternative to flying. } else { It took longer to get from Cairns to Townsville than it did fifteen years ago. There's a locomotive at each end.