Great Australian Train Journeys

GENERAL INFORMATION

Today the ideal journey for anyone seeking new discoveries still Queensland’s coastline and great outback are full of hidden surprises just waiting to be discovered, and what better way to experience them than through the magic of rail. A scenic rail trip allows you to make the most of your holiday, with every minute of the journey as much a part of the adventure as the destination itself.

Comfort, flexibility and a great social atmosphere have made The Sunlander one of Australia’s great overnight rail journeys. Sit back, relax and watch the breathtaking scenery roll by as The Sunlander weaves its way along the picturesque coastal stretch between Brisbane and tropical Cairns where the Great Barrier Reef meets the timeless Daintree wilderness. The Sunlander connects passengers with some of Queensland’s most popular tourist attractions, including the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands, Fraser Island, Kuranda Scenic Rail and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Experience.  Enjoy the friendly onboard atmosphere in the comfort of the Club Car or Lounge Car. Covering 1045 miles (1681kms) over 31 hours travel, The Sunlander offers a range of accommodation options to suit every taste and budget, from seats or sleepers to the indulgent all-inclusive Queenslander Class. The Sunlander has been rated Australia’s number one train journey, and amongst the World’s Top 25 Rail Journeys.

THE JOURNEY

As The Sunlander leaves Brisbane, it's hard to take your eyes away from the scenery. Suburbia gives way to bushland with tall gum trees interspersed by bracken and ferns. They in turn make way for the pineapple plantations that scrawl across the land in every direction.

Just before Nambour, you notice the Glasshouse Mountains. You couldn't miss them with their oddly shaped peaks formed from long extinct volcanoes. You're alert, looking for new things, new sights; but the rhythmic movement of the train is soothing so you nestle deeper into your first class seat.

The train heads north. Past Gympie, the birthplace of the Queensland gold rush of 1867, past Maryborough and into the vast ocean of cane plantations that lead up to Bundaberg. You're feeling hungry and head for dinner in the Coral Cay Restaurant. A group of fellow travellers wave and ask you to join their table. Soon you're feasting on a Whitsunday seafood platter and sharing travel stories under an inky black sky dotted by stars. Following the contours of the land, The Sunlander snakes its way north.

The Tropic of Capricorn is somewhere up there, cutting through the landscape. But only on the map. Call it a finely tuned sense of orderliness or call it coincidence, but there's a highway that almost follows the Tropic of Capricorn from the coast inland to Longreach. A visible signpost for an invisible line.

Your sleeper is beckoning, cosy. Under a blanket of a thousand stars you drift off into sleep. You wake to the first rays of sunlight.

Single sleeping berth

Consists of a single bed for one person, or one adult sharing with a child under four years. Each cabin contains a wardrobe, power point (240 volt AC) and a washbasin with a vanity mirror. The berth has a reading light, pillow, top and bottom sheet, blanket and towel. Half of the single berths face in the direction of travel and the remaining face in reverse.

Single Berth

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  Day Layout
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  Night Layout

Twin sleeping berth

Consists of two bunk style beds. Each bed can be sold individually to persons of the same gender, or as an entire cabin to a couple or small family group. Each cabin contains a table, two wardrobes, full length mirror, power point (240 volt AC) and a washbasin with vanity mirror. The berths have a reading light, pillow, top and bottom sheet, blanket and towel. All Twin sleeping berths face in the direction of travel.

Twin Berth

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  Day Layout
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  Night Layout

Triple sleeping berth

Consists of three bunk style beds. Each bed can be sold individually to persons of the same gender, or as an entire cabin to a party or family group. Each cabin contains a table, power point (240 volt AC) and a washbasin with a vanity mirror. A reading light, pillow, top and bottom sheet, blanket and towel are also provided for each berth. All Triple sleeping berths face in the direction of travel.

Economy seat

All economy seating carriages are open saloon cars with overhead luggage racks and individual reading lights. The comfortable seats may be reclined to the desired position by pressing a button on the arm rest. A fold down table and foot rest is provided however pillows and blankets are not provided. All economy seating face the direction of travel.

Club Car:

The Club Car has a friendly atmosphere and offers service of light refreshments,  drinks and confectionery for all customers.  A restricted liquor service is also available.

Buffet Car:

A licensed Buffet Car is available for all customers to purchase a range of meals and beverages, all set against a backdrop of an ever changing view.

Drinking fountains:

Drinking fountains are located at the leading end of most cars.

Showers:

Showers are located at the end of all sleeping cars.

Toilets:

Toilets are located at the end of all sleeping and sitting cars.

Your Queenslander Class twin sleeping berth is appointed with a host of special touches to ensure your journey is a memorable one.

Queenslander Class twin berths feature:

• Two seater lounge, which converts to twin bunk style beds by night
• A panoramic window that allows you to make the most of the spectacular scenery
  
• An in cabin commentary service
  
• Bed turndown service
  
• Air conditioning
  
• Complimentary robes, slippers and wet pack (containing shower gel, shampoo and conditioner)
  
• Fresh, crisp bed linen and towels
  
• Vanity unit, full length mirror, wardrobe, wash basin, bedside reading light and 240 volt power point
  
• A hair dryer is available on request.

All Queenslander Class twin berths face in the direction of travel and are adorned with a Cooktown orchid, the floral emblem of Queensland.

Queensland Class facilities and Services

Dining Car
All Queensland Class meals are served in the fine dining atmosphere of the Dining Car which is for the exclusive use of the Queenslander Class customers.

Lounge Car
Queenslander Class customers can enjoy refreshments and entertainment in the Lounge Car, which is for the exclusive use of Queensland Class customers.

Entertainment
Portable DVD players and a selection of movies are available,  as well as a variety of board games and magazines

Queenslander Class Room

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  Day Layout
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  Night Layout

The Sunlander – Northbound Timetable

• Departs BRISBANE to Cairns on Sunday
  at 9.00 am and arrives in Cairns at 4:15 pm the next day.
• Departs BRISBANE to Cairns on  Tuesday and Thursday
  at 1:25 pm and arrives in Cairns at 7:15 pm the next day.

The Sunlander – Southbound Timetable

• Departs CAIRNS to Brisbane on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
  at 9:15 am and arrives in Brisbane at 3.55 pm the next day.