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An Australian holiday experience with  Queensland Rail  offers you the largest and most comprehensive range of holiday options in Australia incorporating the most memorable long distance and travel train and tilt train experiences.

Travel in style, make new friends, learn about Australia’s history and kick back and enjoy the scenery in comfort on one of Australia’s iconic rail journeys.

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Travelling by train around Queensland is something you must do if you are spending time travelling around the beautiful part of Australia. QLD is lucky enough to have a variety of trains taking you all across the coast and outback. The trains are comfortable, easy and a great experience for any type of traveller from backpackers to families.

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The Tilt Train – Australia’s fastest train turns 25

By Rob Shiels, Collection Manager – Transport, Cultures and Histories

In 2023, Queensland Rail’s Tilt Train turns 25. Although unlikely to be spoken about alongside the world’s fastest trains like Japan’s famous Shinkansen or France’s TGV services, the Tilt Train holds the record for the fastest train speed ever recorded in Australia at 210km/h (the train’s top speed during regular service is 160km/h).

In the early 1990s, Queensland Rail decided that new trains were needed on the Brisbane to Rockhampton route. Although existing trains such as the iconic Sunlander and Spirit of Capricorn serviceswould keep running alongside the new services for several years, the coming of the 21 st century would usher in a new era of train travel in Queensland. The Tilt Train was the future.

Although it was new technology for Queensland, tilting trains had been used for decades in other parts of the world. The design allows trains to run at higher speeds by ‘leaning’ or ‘tilting’ into the centre of curves without having to slow down, providing a unique riding experience for passengers.

In 1994, Walkers of Maryborough began building two electric six car tilt train sets. Testing began in 1997 and after 12 months of test runs, the Tilt Train was ready for service in November 1998.

With the new trains completed (named City of Rockhampton and City of Maryborough ), daily services commenced between Brisbane and Rockhampton and, thanks to the new design technology, the Tilt Train was over two hours quicker than the older Spirit of Capricorn service – taking seven hours instead of over nine (the Spirit of Capricorn service ceased operation in 2003).

Without a fully electrified railway line between Brisbane and Cairns, a new type of train had to be designed to run a faster speed service into North Queensland. In 1999, Walkers began working on two diesel fuelled tilt trains that would operate between Brisbane and Cairns. Named City of Cairns and City of Townsville, the two new diesels began service in 2003.

A serious accident involving a Tilt Train in 2004 near Berajondo led to the train’s speed limit being reduced for three years until safety upgrades were completed and the speed increased again in 2007.

Despite the setback, diesel Tilt Trains were here to stay, and they changed the way people travelled by long-distance train to Cairns. Shaving six hours off the journey, compared to the Sunlander service, the Tilt Train took about 24 hours to arrive in Cairns compared to 30 hours. However, this extra speed came at a price – unlike the Sunlander , the Tilt Trains did not have private sleeping cabins, utilising airline type seating configurations instead.

In 2010, it was announced by the Queensland Government that another diesel train would be built, and the two existing trains were overhauled by Downer Rail (formerly Walkers) in Maryborough. The three trains, known as the Spirit of Queensland service, would allow for a five days per week service, with the new train entering service in 2013. At the end of 2014, the Sunlander completed its last journey with the Tilt Trains taking over all Brisbane to Cairns services from 2015 onwards.

Without sleeping compartments, the Spirit of Queensland service is in direct competition with air travel. However, one of the most important aspects of long-distance trains are their ability to service regional centres. Tilt Trains to both Cairns and Rockhampton continue play an important role in helping people move between the widely dispersed population centres of Queensland. Twenty-five years since they were first introduced, Tilt Trains and their ‘high speeds’ continue to be enjoyed by travellers and tourists who prefer to experience travel at a more leisurely pace.   

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Tilt Train - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Spirit of Queensland

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​spirit of queensland​.

Brisbane to Cairns​

Rediscover the luxury of time with a rail journey along Queensland’s coast aboard the Spirit of Queensland.

With regular services each w​eek, it’s a great way to travel to visit friends and family or stop along the way to experience some of Queensland’s spectacular destinations including the Whitsundays, Townsville, Cairns or south to Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane with connections to travel furt​​her to the Gold Coast. Whether you’re travelling to see the natural wonders of the north or to catch the twinkling lights of the city in ​Brisbane, the Spirit of Queensland is an easy and sustainable way to travel between Brisbane and Cairns.

Train travel has so many benefits, but trains can be tricky to travel on. We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable journey.  Find out more about travelling safely with us on our Safety page –  Act safe. Arrive safe .

For specific information on train times, visit the  Timetables page ​​ .

​* Conditions apply: Prices are per person one-way, subject to availability. Queensland Rail Travel reserves the right to make changes without notice .​​​​

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20th Anniversary of the Tilt Trains

Perched atop the driver's seat with a front row view to the pineapple farms and Glasshouse Mountains of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Rail veteran Jonathon 'Jacko' Limpus considers his job the best in the world.

"I don't think many people get to work with a view like this every day," Mr Limpus says as his train passes Mount Tibrogargan on the start of its journey to Rockhampton.

Jonathan has been driving the Brisbane to Rockhampton electronic tilt train since its debut in 1998, when Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On was number one on the charts, the Brisbane Broncos won their fourth NRL title and Google first appeared on our computer screens.

On 6 November 2018, Queensland Rail will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Rockhampton Tilt Trains. These services have travelled almost twelve million kilometres over the past two decades and today carry more than 200,000 customers each year.

"The Tilt Train fleet was a real hit when it launched. Gone were the days of the slow, bumpy commute; now there was a fleet of trains that could travel at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour and get the entire family from the south east to Rocky faster than a car and without any hassle," Mr Limpus recalls.

"What made it so special compared to traditional trains is that it used ground-breaking technology from Japan that allowed it to approach curves at a higher speed without making passengers feel like they were going to roll out of their seats.

"It was and is the fastest train in the country. In fact, it set the Australian rail speed record on 23 May 1999 clocking in at 210 kilometres per hour."

Within two years of its launch more than half a million people had travelled on the Tilt Trains, which transport customers between Brisbane and Rockhampton – a 639 kilometre trip with 11 key locations in between.

On top of that, the introduction of the Tilt Train fleet also provided a shot in the arm for many of the communities along the service.

"The trains were manufactured at what is now Downer's rail facility in Maryborough. They were trains made by Queenslanders, to connect Queenslanders. It was an investment in the Maryborough community and their workforce.

"For the Rockhampton area alone, the fleet has injected upwards of $4 million a year in the local economy, bringing in tourists, connecting locals like never before with healthcare, family and friends and giving long-distance workers a new, affordable and quick way to travel."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Tilt Train fleet remains as popular today as it was 20 years ago.

"The Tilts definitely remain the most utilised service on the Queensland Rail Travel fleet," Mr Bailey said.

"Whether you use the tilts for holidays, to visit family or friends, make medical appointments or even commute for work, it really changed the game in affordable travel from the Wide Bay and Central Queensland regions.

"The Tilt Trains offer a seven-and-a-half hour journey between Brisbane and Rockhampton, which is comparable to car travel, but with the added relaxation of on board meals and beverages, as well as in-seat visual and audio entertainment.

"Queensland Rail recently invested more than $28 million to refurbish its entire Tilt Train fleet, giving the trains a mid-life mechanical overhaul and bringing in technology like Wi-Fi and USB charging ports.

"Now customers can sit back and relax listening to their Celine Dion classics, searching Google or watching another Broncos win."

For Jacko Limpus, he hopes to continue driving the Brisbane to Rockhampton tilt for years to come.

As the train drives past Curra State Forest, just north of Gympie, Limpus quips, "It's a job I wouldn't trade for anything else in the world."

For more information about travelling on the Bundaberg and Rockhampton Tilt Trains visit www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au

Tilt train fast facts:

• City of Maryborough – 5.93 million kilometres travelled to-date
• City of Rockhampton – 6.039 million kilometres travelled to-date
• 4.5 million customer trips since 2000
• Maximum service speed: 170km/h
• Acceleration: 0.69m/s2
• Angle of car body tilt: five degrees maximum in each direction
• Number of carriages: six
• Length of cab cars: 23 metres
• Length of passenger cars: 21.5 metres
• Wheel diameter: 810mm
• Track gauge: 1,067mm

Timeline:

• March 1993 – Contract awarded to Walkers Limited, Maryborough for the manufacturing of two Tilt Trains
• 12 August 1997 – First Tilt Train trial Maryborough to Gympie return
• 25 October 1997 – First Tilt Train trial trip Maryborough to Brisbane
• 15 November 1997 – First Tilt Train trial to Rockhampton
• 6 November 1998 – Inaugural Tilt Train service Brisbane to Rockhampton
• 23 May 1999 – Tilt Train sets Australian rail speed record at 210km/h
• 24 July 1999 – Inaugural tilt train service Brisbane to Bundaberg
• 4 August 2000 – 500,000 th passenger on Tilt Train Brisbane to Rockhampton
• 6 November 2018 – Brisbane to Rockhampton tilt train service 20 th anniversary.

 Ends. 

For further details contact Queensland Rail Corporate Affairs on:

Phone: 07 3072 2180 Email: [email protected]

The Spirit of Queensland

The Spirit of Queensland is a modern tilt train that runs the length of the Queensland coast between Brisbane and Cairns. The train makes the 1681km journey five times per week. The Spirit of Queensland  has a maximum speed of 160km/h and the entire trip takes 24 hours.

The main stops en route between Brisbane and Cairns are Maryborough (where you can get a connecting bus to Hervey Bay), Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay, Proserpine (where you can get a connecting bus to Airlie Beach) and Townsville.

You can get connecting bus, coach and rail transfers at the following stations:

• Brisbane : local bus and rail services including trains to the Gold Coast, Trainlink NSW trains to Sydney (the Discovery Pass rail pass is valid on these trains) plus the Spirit of the Outback train to Longreach and the Westlander train to Charleville (the Queensland Explorer Pass is valid on the Spirit of the Outback and the Westlander )
• Nambour : local buses to Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast (rail passes not valid on these buses)
• Cooroy : local buses to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast (rail passes not valid on these buses)
• Maryborough West : buses to Hervey Bay (rail passes are valid on this bus)
• Rockhampton : buses to Yeppoon (rail passes not valid on this bus) and ferries from Yeppoon to Great Keppel Island. Also transfer to the Spirit of the Outback train to Longreach (the  Queensland Explorer Pass  is valid on the  Spirit of the Outback )
• Proserpine : buses to Airlie Beach (rail passes are valid on this bus)
• Townsville : ferries to Magnetic Island and the Inlander train to Mount Isa (the  Queensland Explorer Pass  is valid on the Inlander )
• Tully : Greyhound coaches to Mission Beach
• Cairns : the Kuranda Scenic Railway to Kuranda (rail passes not valid on this train) and buses to Port Douglas

The Spirit of Queensland features:

• licensed club car (open 24 hours with alcohol served 10am–midnight)
• drinking fountains
• showers and toilets at the end of each carriage
• screens with on demand entertainment (8.9 inches in premium economy and 18.5 inches in RailBed seats)

Premium economy seats

If you’re travelling with either the Queensland Coastal Pass or the Queensland Explorer Pass rail pass then you are able to sit in the Premium Economy seats on the Spirit of Queensland. Premium Economy features comfortable leather seats with generous leg room and also comes equipped with an on demand entertainment system with an 8.9 inch screen mounted on the rear of the seat in front of you.

Premium economy seats have a 42 inch pitch, which gives you plenty of legroom. In comparison, economy class seats on most airlines only have a seat pitch of 31–32 inches.

RailBed sleeper seats

There are also two RailBed sleeper cars with airline business class-style seats that convert into lie-flat beds. These are not available to rail pass holders , although it is possible to pay to upgrade to this service. The RailBed seat comes with an 18.5 inch screen with on-demand entertainment and passengers in RailBed seats have all-inclusive meals served at their seat.

RailBed seats give you more comfort than business class on many airlines and feature massive 18.5 inch seats. There’s enough legroom  to allow for your travel companion to sit facing you when they are not in their own seat.

RailBed seats convert into a proper lie-flat bed at the push of a button. You won’t believe you could sleep so well on board a train.

Rail passes

You can use the Queensland Coastal Pass and the Queensland Explorer Pass to travel on the Spirit of Queensland .

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Diesel tilt trains prove their endurance.

This year marks the 20 th anniversary of Queensland Rail’s iconic Diesel Tilt Trains, now known as the ‘ Spirit of Queensland ’, with the fleet completing 1.3 million passenger trips since entering service.

Queensland Rail regional head Scott Cornish said the Diesel Tilt Trains first ran on the North Coast line in mid-2003 and have continued to connect communities from Brisbane through to Cairns for two decades.

“The trains were initially known as ‘Cairns Tilt Train’ before being renamed ‘Spirit of Queensland’ in 2013, following an overhaul,” he said.

“Since it began operations, the fleet, which is now made up of three trains, has travelled more than 11 million kilometres, equal to around 275 laps around the Earth or 14 return trips to the moon.

“The iconic service has conveyed more than 1,368,000 passengers along Queensland’s coastline.

“The ongoing success is a testament to our hardworking teams that keep it running including our onboard staff, station staff, maintenance crews and everyone behind the scenes.”

Last month, to support planned maintenance on Queensland Rail’s Electric Tilt Train fleet, there were additional Spirit of Queensland travel options added.

Services increased from eight to 10 one-way services each week between Brisbane and Cairns.

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‘There has to be a way’: Queensland government working to reunite Molly the magpie with family, premier says

Steven Miles says environment department ready to provide training to Instagram-famous magpie’s ‘devastated’ carers

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The Queensland premier has revealed a magpie could be returned to a Gold Coast family weeks after the bird was separated from its carers and their pet bull terrier.

Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen adopted Molly the magpie in 2020 after it fell from the nest.

The bird became Instagram famous, attracting 728,000 followers, for videos showing its friendship with the couple’s dog, Peggy. Dozens of videos captured over the years show the animals playing and sleeping together.

But the department of environment later revealed it was unlawful to care for a magpie without a permit and the couple voluntarily surrendered the bird on 1 March.

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Speaking on the Gold Coast on Thursday, the Queensland premier, Steven Miles , said officers were ready to provide training to Molly’s carers so a family reunion could take place.

“The environment department stands ready to train Molly’s parents to be wildlife carers, to get them that certification so that Molly can be reunited with her family,” Miles said.

“What I’m suggesting now is that we work with the family to get them that permit so that Molly can be reunited with her family.”

Miles said the final decision rested with the department of environment but he felt Molly and her family should be lawfully reunited.

“In this instance, ensuring they can legally take care of Molly is the best outcome for Molly as well as the family,” he said.

“There has to be a way within the rules to see Molly live out a happy life with her family.”

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Molly’s carers said on Tuesday they were “grieving” and “devastated” to lose the bird and had done everything possible to work with the department.

“We are devastated to give you this news and of course these beautiful girls [dogs Peggy and Ruby]; they’ve lost their best friend,” Wells said in a post.

“We did everything in our power to work with the department, including training and also me obtaining my wildlife permit, which, after a period of time, I had to retract my application, as it was a bit of a conflict to our page,” Mortensen said.

The couple’s message went viral and they received an outpouring of love and empathy from the community.

As of Tuesday, more than 65,000 people had signed a petition calling on the department to reunite Peggy and Molly.

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