Search

Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Queensland Adventure from Cairns

Independent Queensland rail trip from Cairns to Sydney via Brisbane

Illustration of Queensland Adventure from Cairns

Railbookers operates this 8-day, 7-night independent rail vacation that starts in Cairns and ends in Sydney, traveling south through tropical North Queensland and Brisbane. Early days combine a scenic drive to Port Douglas with a day trip to the outer Great Barrier Reef, where lunch is included, and a half-day cultural tour of the Daintree rainforest and Mossman Gorge with the Kuku Yalanji people. Back in Cairns, day 5 rides the Kuranda Scenic Railway before the Skyrail cableway carries travelers over the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Day 6 boards a RailBed cabin aboard the Spirit of Queensland for an overnight journey south to Brisbane, where a full day of sightseeing follows before the final train leg reaches Sydney. Because this is an independent package, the day trips are pre-arranged while free time between them is unguided. It suits travelers who want a tropical Queensland itinerary anchored by named trains and day tours rather than a purely city-to-city rail transfer.

What to know before you look closer

  • This package lists several hotel options in each city, three in Cairns, four in Port Douglas, four in Brisbane, so which hotel you get depends on the tier you book, not one fixed hotel.
  • Travel between Cairns and Port Douglas is by a return coach transfer, not by train, despite the trip's rail focus.
  • The evidence available does not list current departure dates for this package; confirm exact dates with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Cairns

    Cairns

    Welcome to Queensland! On arrival make your way to your hotel for an overnight stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Port Douglas

    The Great Barrier Reef

    Enjoy the scenic drive north this morning to Port Douglas, and from here enjoy the day trip of a lifetime out to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Take to the water yourself with a snorkel, in a semi-submersible or via a unique underwater viewing platform. Lunch is included at the reef.

  3. Day 3overnight: Port Douglas

    Daintree Forest and Mossman Day Trip

    Head out to the true outback today with a half day cultural tour of Daintree rainforest and the beautiful Mossman Gorge. Learn the way of the Kuku Yalanji people, then head back to town for a relaxing afternoon.

  4. Day 4overnight: Cairns

    Cairns

    Take to the Captain Cook highway and enjoy the tropical scenery along the coast to Cairns and your hotel for the night. In the evening check out the renowned Night Market.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Cairns

    Kuranda Railway and Sky Rail 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 the Wet Tropics Rainforest, then transfer back to Cairns for the night.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Spirit of Queensland (onboard)

    The Spirit Of Queensland

    Following breakfast at your hotel, make your way to the station to begin your journey home. Watch the scenery fly past from the comfort of your RailBed onboard the Spirit of Queensland train.

  7. Day 7overnight: Brisbane

    Brisbane

    Check into your hotel once you have arrived, then enjoy a full day sightseeing in Brisbane.

  8. Day 8rail

    Your Journey Ends in Sydney

    Enjoy the final leg of your holiday, travelling south by train to Sydney.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A day trip to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, with snorkeling, a semi-submersible, or an underwater viewing platform, and lunch included at the reef.
  • Day 3A half-day cultural tour of the Daintree rainforest and Mossman Gorge, learning about the Kuku Yalanji people.
  • Day 5A 2-hour scenic ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway followed by the Skyrail cableway over the Wet Tropics Rainforest.
  • Day 6An overnight journey in a RailBed cabin aboard the Spirit of Queensland from Cairns to Brisbane.
  • Day 8The final leg of the trip, traveling south by train from Brisbane to Sydney.

Included

  • Rail Travel as per the itinerary
  • Double Cabin accommodation from Brisbane to Cairns
  • 1 night in a RailBed on the Spirit of Queensland
  • 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Brisbane
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Cairns
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Port Douglas
  • Return coach transfer between Cairns and Port Douglas
  • Great Barrier Reef Experience from Port Douglas
  • Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge half day tour
  • Kuranda Rail and Skyrail Day trip with transfers

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The itinerary includes the Kuranda Scenic Railway, an overnight RailBed cabin aboard the Spirit of Queensland from Cairns to Brisbane, and an NSW Trainlink train from Brisbane to Sydney. Travel between Cairns and Port Douglas is by coach.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation with several included day trips, the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree and Mossman Gorge, and Kuranda and Skyrail, and free time in between.
Is there an overnight train?
Yes, one night in a RailBed cabin aboard the Spirit of Queensland from Cairns to Brisbane on day 6.
What hotels are included?
A choice of hotels in each city, including Hilton Cairns, Villa San Michele in Port Douglas, and the InterContinental Brisbane, among other named options.
What is the starting price?
From $2,619 USD per person.

Similar journeys