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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Treasures of Queensland from Cairns

Cairns to Sydney by train via the Great Barrier Reef and Kuranda

Illustration of Treasures of Queensland from Cairns

Railbookers runs this 6-day independent rail vacation from Cairns to Sydney, with a Rail Expert available to help arrange the details. The trip opens with three nights based in Cairns, giving time for two signature day trips: a ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway to the rainforest village of Kuranda, followed by a Skyrail cableway crossing above the Wet Tropics Rainforest canopy, and a cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef with time to snorkel or view coral from a semi-submersible boat. From Cairns, travellers board the Spirit of Queensland train for an overnight journey south in a RailBed cabin, arriving in Brisbane for a full day of sightseeing. The trip closes with a day train on NSW TrainLink from Brisbane to Sydney. Because it combines a relaxed rainforest-and-reef base in Cairns with two distinct rail journeys, it suits independent travellers taking their first overnight train trip as well as photographers drawn to rainforest and reef scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers offers a choice of hotels in both Cairns (Hilton, DoubleTree, or Novotel) and Brisbane (Hotel X, Ovolo, InterContinental, or voco); the exact hotel depends on the option you select.
  • The Great Barrier Reef day lists snorkelling, semi-submersible coral viewing, and fish feeding as options once on the reef; the itinerary does not specify which, if any, carry an extra cost.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Cairns

    Your Journey Begins in Cairns

    Welcome to Cairns! Once you have arrived make your way to your hotel for a 3-night stay.

  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 the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Admire the breath-taking views across the rainforest canopy then transfer back to Cairns for the night.

  3. Day 3overnight: Cairns

    Great Barrier Reef

    Today embark on a 2-hour cruise out the Great Barrier Reef for a day you will never forget. Enjoy 4 hours on the reef itself, with the options of snorkelling, semi-submersible coral viewing and feeding the fish.

  4. Day 4railovernight: 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.

  5. Day 5overnight: Brisbane

    Brisbane

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

  6. Day 6rail

    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 2Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a 2-hour trip to the rainforest village of Kuranda, then cross back above the Wet Tropics Rainforest canopy on the Skyrail cableway.
  • Day 3A 2-hour cruise reaches the Great Barrier Reef for 4 hours on the water, with options to snorkel, view coral from a semi-submersible, or feed the fish.
  • Day 4Board the Spirit of Queensland train for the journey home in a RailBed cabin.

Included

  • Rail Travel as per the itinerary
  • 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
  • Great Barrier Reef cruise from Cairns
  • Kuranda railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway day trip with transfers

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Railbookers includes the Spirit of Queensland from Cairns to Brisbane in a RailBed cabin, a day train on NSW TrainLink from Brisbane to Sydney, and the round-trip Kuranda Scenic Railway.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Independent. Railbookers describes it as a self-guided rail vacation with a Rail Expert available to help with arrangements.
What happens on the Great Barrier Reef day?
A 2-hour cruise reaches the reef for 4 hours, with options to snorkel, view coral from a semi-submersible boat, or feed the fish.
How many nights are on the train?
1 night, in a RailBed cabin aboard the Spirit of Queensland.
What is the starting price?
$2,379 USD, or about $397 per day.

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