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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Best of Queensland from Sydney

8-day self-guided rail trip from Sydney to Cairns via Brisbane

Illustration of Best of Queensland from Sydney

Railbookers operates this independent, self-guided rail vacation from Sydney to Cairns over 8 days and 7 nights, with Brisbane as the only stop along the way. The trip opens with an overnight sleeper train from Sydney to Brisbane, where travelers settle into a private cabin for the night, then continues on day 3 aboard the Spirit of Queensland, spending a second night on board in a RailBed with in-seat entertainment and meals served at the seat. Cairns is the base for the rest of the trip, with a 4-night stay built around three included day trips: the Kuranda Railway and Skyrail cableway over the Wet Tropics Rainforest canopy, a cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef with time to snorkel, and a full day trip to Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation with a river cruise and guided boardwalk tour. Hotel choices lean upscale, including Hilton, InterContinental, and Ovolo properties. This trip suits travelers who want a mix of scenic overnight train travel and a dense, already-planned run of Queensland's best-known excursions.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation day trip runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays only, so it may not be available on every departure.
  • Hotel choices in Brisbane and Cairns are each presented as a list of options (Hotel X Brisbane, Ovolo The Valley, InterContinental Brisbane, and voco in Brisbane; Hilton Cairns, DoubleTree by Hilton, and Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort in Cairns), so the exact hotel depends on which one you select.
  • The evidence for this trip does not list current departure dates; confirm availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: onboard

    Overnight Train from Sydney to Brisbane

    Depart Sydney Central in the afternoon and settle into your private cabin for the journey. (Overnight onboard)

  2. Day 2overnight: Brisbane

    Brisbane

    Arrive in the Queensland capital in the morning, and head to your hotel. Once checked in and refreshed head out to enjoy all this great city has to offer. (Overnight Brisbane) B

  3. Day 3rail

    The Spirit Of Queensland

    Spend the morning as you wish, and then board the Spirit of Queensland train heading north to Cairns. Enjoy In Seat Entertainment and food and drink served to your RailBed, as well as fresh bed linen. D

  4. Day 4railovernight: Cairns

    The Spirit Of Queensland

    Relax in the comfort of the train and enjoy the Queensland scenery as you speed towards Cairns. Once you have arrived make your way to your hotel for a 3-night stay. (Overnight Cairns) B,L

  5. Day 5railovernight: Cairns.

    Kuranda Railway, and Skyrail Day Trip

    Depart Cairns in the morning for a 2-hour scenic train ride to the quaint village of Kuranda. From here embark on a spectacular cable-way ride over what is often cited as being one of the most extraordinary places on Earth, the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Admire the breath-taking views across the rainforest canopy, then transfer back to Cairns for the night. (Overnight Cairns.)

  6. Day 6overnight: Cairns

    Great Barrier Reef

    Today embark on a 2-hours cruise out the Great Barrier reef for a day you will never forget. Enjoy 4 -hours on the reef itself, with the options of snorkelling, semi-submersible coral viewing and feeding the fish. (Overnight Cairns) L /AT

  7. Day 7overnight: Cairns

    Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation

    Head to the true Tropical North of Australia today and a wonderful day trip to Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation. You will enjoy the scenic coastal road, a 1-hour river cruise, guided boardwalk tour and the abundant wildlife in the area. Lunch is taken care of in a picturesque beach house as well as a 4WD drive along the iconic Bloomfield Track before returning to Cairns for the evening. (Overnight Cairns) L

  8. Day 8

    Your Journey Ends in Cairns

    Following breakfast at your hotel, make your way to airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board an overnight sleeper train from Sydney to Brisbane, settling into a private cabin for the night.
  • Day 3Board the Spirit of Queensland train north to Cairns, with in-seat entertainment and food and drink served to your RailBed.
  • Day 5A 2-hour scenic ride on the Kuranda Railway is followed by a Skyrail cableway ride over the Wet Tropics Rainforest canopy.
  • Day 6A cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef includes 4 hours on the reef, with options to snorkel or view coral from a semi-submersible.
  • Day 7A day trip to Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation includes a 1-hour river cruise, a guided boardwalk tour, and a 4WD drive along the Bloomfield Track.

Included

  • Rail Travel as per the itinerary Double Cabin accommodation from Sydney to Brisbane 1 night in a RailBed on the Spirit of Queensland 1 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Brisbane 4 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Cairns Great Barrier Reef cruise from Cairns Kuranda railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway day trip Full day tour from Cairns to Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation (Wed and Sat only)

Questions travellers ask

Is the overnight train travel included?
Yes. Rail travel is included throughout, including double cabin accommodation on the overnight train from Sydney to Brisbane and a night in a RailBed on the Spirit of Queensland to Cairns.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is independent and self-guided, though the Great Barrier Reef cruise, the Kuranda Railway and Skyrail day trip, and the Daintree Forest day trip are all included, guided excursions.
What is included besides the trains and hotels?
Breakfast throughout, the Great Barrier Reef cruise, the Kuranda Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway day trip, and a full-day tour to Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation (Wednesdays and Saturdays only).
How many nights are spent in each place?
One night on the overnight train to Brisbane, one night in Brisbane, one night on the Spirit of Queensland to Cairns, and four nights in Cairns.
What is the starting price?
From $3,139 per person, in USD, with Railbookers.

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