How much does it cost?

From A$1,420 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,019 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

What meals are included?

Three breakfasts, four lunches, and three dinners are included. One meal (afternoon tea at Dimbulah on Day 4) is at your own expense.

Which hotels are used?

Railway Hotel in Almaden (1 night), Finnigans Rest in Forsayth (1 night), and Discovery Parks in Mount Surprise (1 night). All rooms are en-suite.

When does the tour depart?

The pack does not specify the full seasonal or regular departure schedule. Contact Savannahlander for current departure dates.

What is not included?

Afternoon tea at Dimbulah Historical Society, optional side-tours to Chillagoe Caves and Undara Lava Tubes, and any meals or activities outside the main itinerary.

Savannahlander · Tour package

Rail Runner

Four-day train journey inland from Cairns through Queensland outback on the Savannahlander.

Savannahlander's Rail Runner is a 4-day, 3-night train tour through inland Queensland, departing Cairns and traveling inland to Einasleigh and back. The journey uses the Savannahlander train, a scenic regional service, combined with coach transfers to cover a temporary gap in the rail network. Days blend train travel with short stops in small outback towns: Day 1 takes you from Cairns by coach to Mareeba, then by train to Almaden with lunch in Dimbulah. Day 2 continues by train to Mount Surprise with a lineside morning tea stop, then onward to Forsayth. Day 3 includes a short walk to Copperfield Gorge and a return train journey to Mount Surprise. Day 4 completes the return to Cairns by train with lunch at Almaden. Three nights are spent at regional hotels (Railway Hotel, Finnigans Rest, and Discovery Parks), and the package includes all breakfasts, dinners, and lunches. This tour suits first-time rail travelers, couples seeking a relaxed escape, and budget-conscious travelers wanting an all-in package with no decisions to make about meals or lodging.

Price history

Across 4 checks, this price has risen A$130 since 4 Jul, to A$1,420.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

3 readings are held out of the price above and this history: a unknown, a supplement. We only price on the operator's package from-price, read from its own page.

What to know before you look closer

The Cairns-to-Mareeba rail line is closed for bridge repairs; passengers board at Mareeba, and the ex-Cairns fare includes a chartered coach transfer to cover the gap.
Afternoon tea at Dimbulah Historical Society on Day 4 is at your own expense; it is not included in the package price.
Optional paid side-tours (Chillagoe Caves and Undara Lava Tubes) are available but not part of the core itinerary.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Almaden (Railway Hotel)
Cairns to Almaden
Depart Cairns 07:45am with a chartered coach transfer to board the Savannahlander in Mareeba. Lunch in Dimbulah at the Crew House Cafe. Accommodation at the Almaden Railway Hotel including dinner.
Day 2railovernight: Forsayth (Finnigans Rest)
Almaden to Forsayth
Breakfast at the Railway Hotel. Travel on the Savannahlander to Mt Surprise. Lineside stop for morning tea. Lunch at Mt Surprise. Travel on the Savannahlander to Wirra Wirra. Coach transfer to Forsayth. Accommodation and dinner at Finnigans Rest in Forsayth.
Day 3overnight: Mount Surprise (Discovery Parks)
Forsayth to Mount Surprise
Breakfast at Finnigans Rest. Coach transfer from Forsayth to Wirra Wirra. Lunch at the Einasleigh Pub. The opportunity to have a short walk and visit the spectacular Copperfield Gorge. Travel on the Savannahlander from Einasleigh to Mt Surprise. Accommodation and dinner at Discovery Parks in Mt Surprise.
Day 4rail
Mount Surprise to Cairns
Breakfast in Mt Surprise. Travel on the Savannahlander from Mt Surprise to Cairns. Lunch at the Almaden Railway Hotel. Afternoon tea at the Dimbulah Railway station with the Dimbulah Historical Society (at own expense).

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Depart Cairns at 7:45am by chartered coach, board the Savannahlander at Mareeba, and lunch at the Crew House Cafe in Dimbulah before arriving in Almaden.
Day 2Ride the Savannahlander to Mount Surprise with a lineside stop for morning tea in a branded cup to keep, then continue to Wirra Wirra and coach to Forsayth.
Day 3Take a short walk to the spectacular Copperfield Gorge near Einasleigh, then ride the Savannahlander back to Mount Surprise.
Day 4Final ride on the Savannahlander from Mount Surprise to Cairns with lunch at the Almaden Railway Hotel.

Included

Cairns to Forsayth return travel on the Savannahlander (coach transfer between Cairns & Mareeba, and Wirra Wirra & Forsayth)
En-suite rooms at the Railway Hotel (Almaden), Finnigans Rest (Forsayth) and Discovery Parks (Mt Surprise)
3 dinners and 3 breakfasts
4 lunches
Line-side morning tea stop with a Savannahlander branded cup to keep

Not included

Afternoon tea at the Dimbulah Railway station with the Dimbulah Historical Society (at own expense)

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From A$1,420 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,019 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
What meals are included?: Three breakfasts, four lunches, and three dinners are included. One meal (afternoon tea at Dimbulah on Day 4) is at your own expense.
Which hotels are used?: Railway Hotel in Almaden (1 night), Finnigans Rest in Forsayth (1 night), and Discovery Parks in Mount Surprise (1 night). All rooms are en-suite.
When does the tour depart?: The pack does not specify the full seasonal or regular departure schedule. Contact Savannahlander for current departure dates.
What is not included?: Afternoon tea at Dimbulah Historical Society, optional side-tours to Chillagoe Caves and Undara Lava Tubes, and any meals or activities outside the main itinerary.