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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Queensland Adventure from Sydney

Independent Queensland rail trip from Sydney to Cairns via Brisbane

Illustration of Queensland Adventure from Sydney

Railbookers operates this 9-day, 8-night independent rail vacation that starts in Sydney and ends in Cairns, traveling north through Brisbane and the Queensland coast. Day 1 boards an overnight NSW Trainlink train with a private Double Cabin to Brisbane, where day 2 is free to explore, including a walk through the Southbank Parklands. Day 3 boards the Spirit of Queensland, with food and drink served to the RailBed cabin and fresh bed linen provided, for an overnight journey to Cairns. From there, the trip heads to Port Douglas for a Great Barrier Reef day trip with lunch included and a half-day cultural tour of the Daintree rainforest and Mossman Gorge, before returning to Cairns for the Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Skyrail cableway over the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Because this is an independent package, the day trips and train journeys are pre-arranged while other time is unguided. It suits travelers who want a full Sydney-to-Cairns Queensland itinerary connected end to end by named trains and pre-arranged day trips.

What to know before you look closer

  • This package lists several hotel options in each city, four in Brisbane, three in Cairns, four in Port Douglas, 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 1railovernight: Train (onboard)

    Overnight Train from Sydney to Brisbane

    Depart Sydney Central in the afternoon and settle into your private cabin for the journey.

  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.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Spirit of Queensland (onboard)

    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.

  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.

  5. Day 5overnight: 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. Lunch is included at the reef.

  6. Day 6overnight: 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.

  7. Day 7overnight: 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.

  8. Day 8railovernight: 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 the Wet Tropics Rainforest, then transfer back to Cairns for the night.

  9. Day 9

    Your Journey Ends in Cairns

    Check out of your hotel and continue with your travels elsewhere.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1An overnight journey from Sydney to Brisbane in a private Double Cabin aboard an NSW Trainlink train.
  • Day 3Boarding the Spirit of Queensland north to Cairns, with in-seat entertainment, food and drink served to the RailBed cabin, and fresh bed linen provided.
  • Day 5A day trip to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, with lunch included at the reef.
  • Day 6A half-day cultural tour of the Daintree rainforest and Mossman Gorge.
  • Day 8A 2-hour scenic ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway followed by the Skyrail cableway over the Wet Tropics Rainforest.

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 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 an overnight Double Cabin on NSW Trainlink from Sydney to Brisbane, an overnight RailBed cabin aboard the Spirit of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns, and the Kuranda Scenic Railway. 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, two: the Double Cabin from Sydney to Brisbane on day 1, and the Spirit of Queensland RailBed cabin from Brisbane to Cairns on day 3.
What hotels are included?
A choice of hotels in each city, including the InterContinental Brisbane, Hilton Cairns, and Villa San Michele in Port Douglas, among other named options.
What is the starting price?
From $3,199 USD per person.

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