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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Treasures of Queensland from Sydney

Sydney to Cairns by overnight train via Brisbane and the Reef

Illustration of Treasures of Queensland from Sydney

Railbookers runs this 7-day independent rail vacation from Sydney to Cairns, with a Rail Expert available to help arrange the details. The journey opens with an overnight ride in a private Double Cabin on NSW TrainLink from Sydney to Brisbane, followed by a day exploring Queensland's capital. From Brisbane, travellers board the Spirit of Queensland for a second overnight leg north, settling into a RailBed with in-seat entertainment and meals served on board, arriving in Cairns for a three-night stay. The Cairns days include the Kuranda Scenic Railway to a rainforest village, a Skyrail cableway crossing above the Wet Tropics Rainforest canopy, and a cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef with the option to snorkel or view coral from a semi-submersible boat. Because the trip pairs two distinct overnight sleeper experiences with a relaxed rainforest-and-reef base in Cairns, it suits independent travellers taking their first long-distance 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 Brisbane (Hotel X, Ovolo, InterContinental, or voco) and Cairns (Hilton, DoubleTree, or Novotel); 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 1railovernight: 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: 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 5railovernight: 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.

  6. Day 6overnight: 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.

  7. Day 7

    Your Journey Ends in Cairns

    Wake up and enjoy your final morning in Cairns before continuing your journey or heading home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart Sydney Central in the afternoon and settle into a private Double Cabin for the overnight journey to Brisbane.
  • Day 3Board the Spirit of Queensland heading north to Cairns, with in-seat entertainment and food and drink served to your RailBed.
  • Day 5Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway to the rainforest village of Kuranda, then cross the Wet Tropics Rainforest canopy on the Skyrail cableway.
  • Day 6A 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.

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
  • Great Barrier Reef cruise from Cairns
  • Kuranda Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway day trip

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Railbookers includes a Double Cabin overnight from Sydney to Brisbane on NSW TrainLink, a RailBed overnight on the Spirit of Queensland to Cairns, 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.
How many nights are spent on the train?
2 nights, one in a Double Cabin from Sydney to Brisbane and one in a RailBed on the Spirit of Queensland to Cairns.
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.
What is the starting price?
$2,569 USD, or about $367 per day.

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