Exploring Queensland By Train – What I Would Do in Five Days in Queensland

 When I was younger, whenever the subject came up (in that 4th grade kind of way that these things do), I would tell anyone who would listen that I was going to go to Australia for my honeymoon. Well, my wedding has come & gone & I’ve still not been to Australia. Although the Mediterranean cruise we went on for our honeymoon was great, I still dream of heading “down under” for the ultimate DINK vacation. What would B & I do in the ultimate DINK adventure across Queensland, Johnny Jet wants to know?

Conqueror the state via my favorite mode of transportation: train.

Rail Australia & Queensland Rail offer a number of options for exploring Queensland. They can be combined to create a rather epic journey.

After arriving in Brisbane from Sydney, we’ll board our first train, The Spirit of the Outback, for the one night journey from Brisbane to Longreach. Along the way, we’ll travel in style across the landscape, discovering the history of Australia.

Once we’ve arrived in Longreach, we’ll hop on a domestic flight to Cairns, which we’ll use as our home base for a few days, taking day trips up to Kuranda on the Kuranda Scenic Railway & a two day trip to Forsayth & back aboard Gold Class on the Savannahlander (considered one of the last great rail trips in the world).

Once we’re back in Cairns, we’ll travel in business class on the Tilt Train back to Brisane to catch our flight back to Sydney & the U.S.

For this journey, the train isn’t just a mode of transportation, it’s a part of the trip. Trains, especially those traveling long distances, are inherently social places, allowing the opportunity to meet travelers from around the world. I’ll make an extra effort to capture their stories & ideas of all the “must dos” at each stopping point along the train route.

The best thing about train travel is that each destination is a mini-trip in itself: the skyrail (no time like the present to conquer my fear of heights!) & Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda , the tiny town of Forsayth (population: 101!), Longreach – home to Qantas airlines (the world’s second oldest) – perfect for a transit nerd like myself, &, of course, Cairns itself – known for its beach, boardwalk & history.