Spirit of Queensland to Cairns Essentials

6 Day Train Package

Discover the charm of Queensland train travel and the highlights of Cairns with this 6 day Spirit of Queensland rail and Cairns touring package. Rediscover the romance of this historic train journey that follows the spectacular Coral Sea coast to Brisbane and redefines the modern rail travel experience. Includes 3 days touring in Cairns with a Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail tour, Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Cruise, flights, transfers. Cruise the Great Barrier Reef and enjoy the colourful marine life by snorkel and glass bottom boat viewing, then explore the tropical village of Kuranda and surrounding rainforest by skyrail and scenic train. Take in the spectacular views and vibrant atmosphere of Cairns before your journey along Queenslands coast to Brisbane onboard the Spirit of Queensland. Themes include: Queensland, Departs from Cairns, Spirit of Queensland, Returns from Brisbane. + Show more

Package Includes

  • Spirit of Queensland Train Cairns to Brisbane (Railbed Sleeper from Cairns to Brisbane)
  • All Flights (e.g. Home to Cairns & Brisbane to Home, pricing options below)
  • 4 Nights Cairns Hotel (superior 4 star)
  • 1 Night Railbed Accommodation on board Spirit of Queensland, All main meals onboard Spirit of Queensland, FREE On-demand entertainment, access to Club Car, Complimentary drink with Lunch & Dinner
  • Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail Luxury Day Tour
  • Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Cruise
  • Great Barrier Reef Glass Bottom Boat Tour
  • Meet and Greet Personalised Return Transfers (Train Station, Hotel and Airport)

Highlights

  Cairns   Great Barrier Reef   Snorkelling   Kuranda Scenic Railway   Submersible Coral Reef Cruise   Kuranda Skyrail   Skyrail Rainforest Cableway   Alexandra Reefs   Scenic Coastal Drive   Barron Gorge National Park   Barron River   Green Island Cruise   Cairns Lagoon   Cairns Central Shopping Centre   St Monica's Church   Cairns Night Markets   Coral Sea   Rusty's Weekend Markets   Surprise Creek Falls   Centenary Lakes   Palm Cove Beach
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Descriptions

Spirit of Queensland

This itinerary can be done in reverse (travelling by Spirit of Queensland north to Cairns). We have presented the southbound train direction as it is a smoother journey with better timing and connections. Let us know if you prefer the northbound direction.

Day 1 Welcome to Cairns

Feel the warmth of Tropical North Queensland, as you arrive smell the sweet scent of the wet tropics and see expansive mangroves on your way into Cairns. You will be personally met at the airport by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from the airport to your hotel. You can relax and use the rest of the day to explore your hotel and its facilities, perhaps take a stroll around the neighbourhood and central Cairns.

Meet and Greet Personalised Arrival Transfer, Overnight Cairns Accommodation.

Day 2 Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Green Island

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most spectacular natural features, an amazing underwater world of breathtaking beauty. The reef is alive with an abundance of colourful and exotic marine life, including multi-hued angelfish, vivid-yellow butterfly fish and the clown fish of ‘Finding Nemo’ fame. Visit the beautiful idyllic coral cay of Green Island located right within the Great Barrier Reef itself. The island is an Eden of tropical rainforest, stunning white-sand beaches surrounded by magnificent technicoloured reefs teeming with diverse and wonderful marine life. You'll explore these balmy, clear waters, discovering this extraordinary underwater wonderland, your companions being huge shoals of multi-coloured damselfish, graceful butterfly fish, hawksbill turtles and charming dolphins. The islands interior is a wonderland of pristine rainforest, lush, green and verdant. You'll enjoy exciting and memorable experiences here, such as the glass-bottomed boat tour or snorkelling, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
 
Cruise across the Coral Sea to Green Island in the comfort of your modern air-conditioned catamaran, enjoying an onboard briefing about the day's activities and options. View the coral reef and tropical fish from the comfort of the semi-submarine or the glass bottom boat or alternatively snorkel in the clear tropical waters to witness the stunning spectacle of the marine world (snorkel gear and training provided). Spend time browsing the resort shops or just relax on the white sandy beach. Explore this tropical paradise further with a walk around this tiny coral cay. Perhaps visit Marineland Melanesia - a fascinating walk-through nautical museum featuring live crocodiles, tropical marine aquariums and Melanesian artefacts.

Our friendly crew will help you to choose your options, organise your activities to make the most of your time on Green Island. Semi-Submarine Option: explore the Great Barrier Reef in air-conditioned comfort, without even getting wet. Seated below water level, you are treated to a divers view. Glass Bottom Boat Option: View the diversity of the reefs coral gardens and their wonderful array of sea life with the added fun of lively fish feeding. Snorkel Option: Snorkel and swim in the clear calm island waters at your leisure from the beach or on a supervised Boat Snorkelling Trip. Explore the idyllic tropical island at your leisure, walk the beach and rainforest boardwalks or perhaps just find your own piece of paradise to simply relax and take it all in. The colours and underwater personalities from today will stay in your memory for a long time.

Luxury Day Tour with Return Transfer, Green Island Cruise, Overnight Cairns Accommodation.

Day 3 Explore Cairns

Spend the day exploring Cairns at your own pace. Perhaps take the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway through the Wet Tropics or the Skyrail Cableway for remarkable views of Cairns, the tablelands, mountain ranges and the Coral Sea before descending through the rainforest canopy. You may also visit the beautiful Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation where the rainforest meets the ocean. Alternatively, you may choose to relax and stroll around the many cafes and shops or the beautiful waterfront in Cairns. The choice is yours.
 
Overnight Cairns Accommodation. 

Day 4 Kuranda Scenic Train & Skyrail

The charming tropical village of Kuranda is set in the World Heritage Listed lush emerald Wet Tropics Rainforest. It is famous for its bohemian atmosphere, vibrant markets, cafes, galleries, shops and butterfly sanctuary. The surrounding Barron Gorge National Park features a thriving and ancient rainforest jungle, Barron River and breathtaking Barron Gorge with its cascading, thundering waterfall.
 
Your friendly driver will pick you up in the comfortable air-conditioned luxury coach before sharing experiences, fascinating facts and enchanting stories in the onboard full commentary throughout the day.

Today, combine the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway with the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway for a full day tour experience. Skyrail will take you on an amazing experience over Australia’s World Heritage listed Tropical Rainforest canopy and deep into the forest.
Your Skyrail experience should take approximately 1½ hours and includes spending time at the two rainforest stations. Allow 20 minutes for each station, to enjoy Ranger guided boardwalk tours and visit the Rainforest Interpretation Centre, lookouts and historical displays.

The famous Kuranda Scenic Railway was built over 120 years ago and winds its way through the tropical mountain ranges between Cairns and Kuranda.

This package includes time for you to explore Kuranda ‘Village in the Rainforest’. There are rainforest walks, markets, cafes, restaurants, and galleries for you to visit.

Luxury Dy Tour with Return Transfer, Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Overnight Cairns Accommodation.

Day 5 Board the Spirit of Queensland & Tour to Brisbane

You will be personally met at your hotel by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from your hotel to Cairns Railway Station for your journey aboard the Spirit of Queensland to the vibrant Brisbane.

Travel south along Queenlands coast to Brisbane in your comfortable rail bed. Enjoy personal entertainment systems featuring on-demand music and movies, choose from a variety of hot & cold dining options in the Club Car and relax as you make your way to Brisbane. Includes meals at your seat, complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink with lunch and dinner.

Breakfast, Meet and Greet Personalised Rail Transfer, 1 Night Rail Bed on the Spirit of Queensland, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner, 2 Desserts.

Day 6 Say Goodbye to Brisbane

Enjoy breakfast this morning from the comfort of your Railbed seat before arriving into Brisbane.

On arrival in Brisbane, you will be personally met at the Railway Station by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from the Railway Station to Brisbane Airport for your flight home.

Breakfast, Meet and Greet Personalised Departure Transfer.

Flights Home Included

This package includes all flights as detailed below in the price section (including all fees, levies and taxes). However, we can tailor this package to include our special discounted 'package only' airfares from anywhere. Simply let us know.

Airport and Rail Transfers Included

You will be personally met by a DISCOVER AUSTRALIA representative and transferred from the airport on arrival in Cairns to your Cairns hotel, from your Cairns hotel to the Cairns Rail Terminal for your journey to Brisbane and then from Brisbane Rail terminal to Brisbane Airport for your flight home.

Spirit of Queensland in Detail

Use this tool for full details and images on the Spirit of Queensland:
Overview Seating Options Dining Inclusions
Train Details

Overview

The renowned Spirit of Queensland... This remarkable journey connects Brisbane and Cairns, travelling along the coast of tropical North Queensland. From iconic beaches and the colourful Great Barrier Reef or luscious rainforests and laidback cities along the coast - immerse yourself in the pioneering spirit and charm of rail travel.

It's the little things about travelling by train that stay with you. The way people unwind, relax in each other's company and marvel at the stunning scenery. Enjoy the excitement of what lies around the bend, keeping you focused on the moving lens of your panoramic window.  

Explore the colourful landscapes or coastal serenity, admire city views, meet the local characters and hear about the fascinating history and heritage of Queensland.

Discover and explore the vibrant urban villages across the cities, dine alfresco by the ocean, uncover the stories of the past, explore dramatic landscapes or immerse yourself in a remarkable diving experience on the pristine coral reefs.

With activities to suit everyone’s holiday agenda, Tropical North Queensland will create memories to last a lifetime.

Enjoy the luxury of time with a rail journey in Queensland that spans the scenic coastline.

Use this tool to discover more about the renowned Spirit of Queensland (select sections above).

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Prices flying from

Spirit of Queensland to Cairns Essentials

 6 Day Train Package

$ 1411 *

*Starting holiday costs per person, two share, for low seasons (A$). Seasonal surcharges apply outside of low season. Early Bird Specials require travel outside of the next 6 months (ie travel in more than 6 months time). As prices vary based on travel dates, be flexible with dates to get the for the best deals! Itinerary and vehicle types subject to change without notice. Subject to limited availability at these prices, after which higher prices apply, book now. Some governments and service operators have Covid vaccination requirements. Your included flights advised via email with 24 hours to select alternative flights, routing or airline (alternatives may be at a higher price). Included flights may not be the most direct routing. Arrive earlier/stay longer for specified airports only. Stop-overs are not possible. Subject to Booking Conditions, see Important Information before booking. © DISCOVER AUSTRALIA Booking Code: mp364

The Spirit of Queensland to Cairns Essentials is very popular. Many dates book out well in advance, please book soon.

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