Railbookers · Independent rail package

The Best of Queensland from Cairns

Independent rail package through Queensland from Cairns to Sydney

Railbookers runs The Best of Queensland from Cairns as an independent rail package, meaning travelers set their own pace between stops rather than following an escorted group. The trip covers 7 days and 6 nights, starting in Cairns and finishing in Sydney, with Brisbane along the way. Cairns is the base for a day trip on the Kuranda Railway, a cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef, and a drive north to the Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation. From there, the route follows the rail lines south to Sydney. It suits travelers who want a mix of a scenic train ride and Australia's best-known natural landmarks, without being tied to a group schedule. Prices start from $2,099 per person.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers does not publish a day-by-day itinerary for this package; confirm the order of stops and connecting trains before booking.
  • The Great Barrier Reef portion is a cruise and the Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation portion is a drive, so parts of this rail vacation are not spent on a train.

Questions travellers ask

Does this trip include train travel?
Yes. The package is built around rail, including a day trip on the Kuranda Railway out of Cairns and onward train travel toward Sydney.
Is this an escorted tour or an independent trip?
It is an independent rail package, so travelers make their own way between Cairns, Brisbane, and Sydney rather than following an escorted group.
Which cities does the trip visit?
Cairns, Brisbane, and Sydney, Australia.
How long is the trip and what does it cost?
It runs 7 days and 6 nights, with prices from $2,099 per person (USD).
What happens in Cairns?
A day trip on the Kuranda Railway, a cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef, and a drive to the Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation.

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