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Queensland Coastal Experience from Cairns

Independent Queensland coastal rail trip from Cairns to Brisbane

Illustration of Queensland Coastal Experience from Cairns

Railbookers operates this 8-day, 7-night independent rail vacation that starts in Cairns and ends in Brisbane, tracing Queensland's coast south by train and short bus connections. Day 2 rides the Kuranda Scenic Railway before the Skyrail cableway carries travelers over the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Day 3 boards a RailBed train south to Proserpine, with a short bus ride on to Airlie Beach for two nights, including a full-day Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands cruise with time to snorkel at Hardy Reef. Day 5 returns to Proserpine for an overnight journey aboard the Spirit of Queensland, with dinner served at the RailBed, arriving at Maryborough West and a bus to Hervey Bay. There, a full-day 4WD tour visits Fraser Island's Lake McKenzie and the Maheno shipwreck before a final bus and train reach Brisbane. Because this is an independent package, the day tours are pre-arranged while other time is unguided. It suits travelers who want Queensland's coastal highlights connected by named trains rather than a single city-to-city journey.

What to know before you look closer

  • This package lists several hotel options in Cairns (three) and Airlie Beach (three), so which hotel you get depends on the tier you book, not one fixed hotel.
  • Getting between the trains and the coastal towns involves short bus connections: Proserpine to and from Airlie Beach, and Maryborough West to and from Hervey Bay.
  • Optional extras cost extra and are not included in the package price: a heli-scenic flight to Heart Reef, a scenic flight over Fraser Island, a whale watching cruise, and the day-1 recommendation to visit Daintree rainforest and Mossman Gorge.
  • 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

    Your Journey Begins in Cairns

    Welcome to the capital of northern Queensland. There is so much to do and see from Cairns, a day trip to Daintree rainforest and Mossman Gorge is highly recommended, please speak to any of our Travel Consultants for further details.

  2. Day 2railovernight: 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.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Airlie Beach

    Cairns to Airlie Beach

    Make your way to the station this morning for a train south. Enjoy the great onboard services included with your comfortable RailBed to Proserpine, from where it is a short bus ride to Airlie Beach.

  4. Day 4overnight: Airlie Beach

    The Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands

    Today enjoy a day you will never forget with a full day cruise. Spend 4hrs at Hardy Reef where you can snorkel, take a ride in a semi-submarine, and watch the amazing reef wildlife from an underwater observatory. Lunch is included, and if you choose you can also take a Heli-scenic flight to Heart Reef (own expense).

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard

    Airlie Beach and The Spirit Of Queensland

    Enjoy a day relaxing in Airlie Beach today, then in the afternoon take the bus back to Proserpine for an overnight journey aboard the Spirit of Queensland train. Dinner is served at your RailBed, then enjoy a good nights sleep as the sun goes down outside.

  6. Day 6overnight: Hervey Bay

    Hervey Bay

    Your stop is Maryborough West and here a bus connection will be waiting to take you to Hervey Bay. Once checked in head out for a stroll downtown and check out the huge 'Nala' - an impressive 22-tonne Whale sculpture.

  7. Day 7overnight: Hervey Bay

    Fraser Island

    Today embark on an exciting full day tour of Fraser Island. Visit iconic spots including Lake McKenzie, Seventy-Five Mile Beach, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek, the Maheno shipwreck, and the Pinnacles all via 4WD-vehicle.

  8. Day 8rail

    Your Journey Ends in Brisbane

    Check out of your hotel and take the bus back to Maryborough West and a train ride to Brisbane where your tour ends.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A 2-hour scenic ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway followed by the Skyrail cableway over the Wet Tropics Rainforest.
  • Day 4A full-day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands, with 4 hours at Hardy Reef to snorkel, ride a semi-submarine, or watch the reef from an underwater observatory, lunch included.
  • Day 5An overnight journey aboard the Spirit of Queensland from Proserpine to Maryborough West, with dinner served at your RailBed.
  • Day 7A full-day 4WD tour of Fraser Island, visiting Lake McKenzie, Seventy-Five Mile Beach, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek, the Maheno shipwreck, and the Pinnacles.

Included

  • All travel as per the itinerary
  • RailBed accommodation onboard the Spirit of Queensland between Cairns and Maryborough West
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Cairns
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Airlie Beach
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Hervey Bay
  • Kuranda Rail and Skyrail day trip including transfers
  • Full day cruise of the Great Barrier Reef and much more from Airlie Beach
  • Full day tour of Fraser Island

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The itinerary includes the Kuranda Scenic Railway on day 2, a RailBed seat from Cairns toward Proserpine on day 3, an overnight RailBed cabin aboard the Spirit of Queensland from Proserpine to Maryborough West on day 5, and a train from Maryborough West to Brisbane on day 8. Bus connections link the trains to Airlie Beach and Hervey Bay.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation with several included day tours, the Kuranda Railway and Skyrail, the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays, and Fraser Island, and free time in between.
Is there an overnight train?
Yes, one night aboard the Spirit of Queensland from Proserpine to Maryborough West on day 5, with dinner served at your RailBed.
What hotels are included?
A choice of hotels in Cairns (including the Hilton Cairns and the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort), Airlie Beach (including the Heart Hotel and Gallery and the Boathouse Apartments), and the Oaks Hervey Bay Resort and Spa in Hervey Bay.
What is not included?
A heli-scenic flight to Heart Reef, a scenic flight over Fraser Island, and a whale watching cruise are optional extras at your own expense, as is the recommended Daintree rainforest and Mossman Gorge day trip on day 1.
What is the starting price?
From $2,439 USD per person.

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