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8 Day Queenslander Rail, Reef & Rainforest Escape

Daintree Rainforest - Brisbane - Cairns - Great Barrier Reef - Green Island

Spirit of Queensland Rail + 4-star hotel accommodation

Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise

Discover the Daintree Rainforest,  Green Island Day Trip + More!

Book now with only 50% deposit

From $1,799 Typically $2,199 pp twin share

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Description


The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation. Travelling between Brisbane and Cairns the Spirit of Queensland redefines the modern rail travel experience with a comfortable and convenient way to access spectacular holiday destinations. The Spirit of Queensland will have you relaxed from the moment you step aboard to the time you arrive at your destination.
When you arrive, you will enjoy 6 nights accommodation in Cairns, considered the gateway to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park tells the stories of indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with music and dance. Cairns Esplanade, lined with bars and restaurants, has a swimming lagoon.
 Plus, enjoy full day tours to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, Cape Tribulation & the Daintree Rainforest as well as the Kuranda Rail Experience + more!
 
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Itinerary Downloadable Itinerary


Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8

Day 1

Depart Brisbane on the Queenslander Train

Board the Queenslander train from Brisbane for your overnight train tour to Cairns.  The train departs Brisbane at 3.45 p.m. and arrive in Carins at 4.30 pm the following day.  The Spirit of Queensland is a Queensland Rail long distance passenger rail service. It is operated by a diesel powered Tilt Train that runs five times a week on the North Coast line between Brisbane and Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres. At the start of 2015, it replaced the diesel-hauled train The Sunlander.

Accommodation: Rail Sleeper Bed 

Meals: Dinner

 

Day 2

Arrive Cairns

Transfer to your hotel by taxi,  enjoy the evening at leisure.

Accommodation: The Cairns Colonial Club or Cairns Palm Royale Resort

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3

Full-Day Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Tour

Set out from Cairns for a day of snorkelling and sightseeing at 2 spectacular destinations in the Outer Great Barrier Reef. A large, modern vessel carries you to exclusive, protected locations far away from the crowds, where the spectacle of nature is waiting.  Each day, your captain chooses amongst 12 exclusive moorings at 6 reef locations based on the water and weather conditions, making sure you get the best experience to be found. Seasoned dive masters are on hand to provide an in-depth briefing on your gear and what to expect at each site. Relax aboard the vessel as you leave the Australian coast behind and get your gear ready for some quality time in the sea.

With outer reef locations chosen for their variety and the striking contours of the ocean floor, you're in for an outstanding experience when you plunge into the water. Once you've had a chance to mingle with the amazing sea life of beautiful corals and tropical fish, kick back aboard the vessel to enjoy a barbecue lunch before you cruise back to shore.

Accommodation: The Cairns Colonial Club or Cairns Palm Royale Resort

Meals included: Lunch

 

Day 4

Daintree Rain Forest & Cape Tribulation Day Trip

Spend a day exploring the ancient Daintree Rainforest and its incredibly diverse tropical ecosystem with an expert guide. Cruise down the Daintree River and walk through the Daintree Entomological Museum before venturing further to the Cape Tribulation National Park.

Start your day with morning pick-up from your hotel, driving north to the Daintree Rainforest. Dating back 135 million years, the rainforest is one of the oldest in the world and is now home to one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Your guide takes you first to the Daintree River, where you enjoy morning tea before stopping on board a cruise. As you float down the gentle current, look for birds, frogs, crocodiles, and even flying foxes in the flourishing nature around you.

Following your cruise, take lunch by the Daintree Entomological Museum before touring its fascinating exhibits, which house the largest live and dead collection of insects in Australia. Your afternoon is spent visiting the Cape Tribulation National Park, where the beach beckons as you stroll along its coral sands. After a pause for refreshing afternoon tea, begin the return journey, catching sight of the extraordinary and primitive king ferns of the Alexander Range on the way back.

Accommodation: The Cairns Colonial Club or Cairns Palm Royale Resort

Meals included: Lunch

Day 5

Green Island Day Trip

Cruise to Green Island, the only coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef with a lush rainforest. Spend the day exploring this protected Marine National Park—immersing yourself in its surrounding undersea universe teeming with coral and marine life.

Your journey begins aboard a high-speed catamaran steering for the soft, white beaches of Green Island. This 6000-year-old coral cay boasts its own rainforest—the only of its kind in the Great Barrier Reef. Mid-cruise, tune in to your local guide's informative snorkelling and reef presentation.  Upon arrival, step ashore to soak up the turquoise waters, glittering sand, and fringe of emerald palms ringing the island. Climb into a glass-bottom boat and lean over the railings to get an up-close look at a colourful underwater world. Feast your eyes on brilliant colonies of zany Brain Coral, orange sea stars, and scores of blue damselfish flitting to and fro.

If you're craving a swim, strap on a snorkel and mask to see everything up close: black and white angelfish feeding on sponges and striped clownfish nestled amongst anemones. Emerge from the water to amble around the island at your leisure. Relax on the beach to soak up the sun, or choose to indulge in an optional semi-submarine tour, or buffet lunch before cruising back to Cairns.

Accommodation: The Cairns Colonial Club or Cairns Palm Royale Resort

Meals included: Lunch

Day 6

Cairns 

Enjoy today at your leisure to explore the busting harbourside city of Cairns. 

Accommodation: The Cairns Colonial Club or Cairns Palm Royale Resort

Meals included: None

 

Day 7

Kuranda Railway Tour

Immerse yourself in the ancient, World Heritage-listed rain forest of Tropical North Queensland. Your full-day adventure begins with pickup at your Cairns hotel and a ride on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway. During the 1.5-hour journey, wind around mountainous curves and stop briefly at beautiful Barron Gorge for photos.  When you arrive at the station in Kuranda, enjoy several hours of leisure time to spend as you choose. Browse heritage markets and enjoy lunch at a local café (own expense), or select from a variety of optional activities. Join in an indigenous celebration at the Tjupakai Aboriginal Cultural Park, take an amphibious duck tour at the Rainforestation Nature Park or enjoy an up-close observation of some of Australia’s amazing animals at Birdworld and the Kuranda Koala Gardens.

Accommodation: The Cairns Colonial Club or Cairns Palm Royale Resort

Meals included: Lunch

 

Day 8

Depart Cairns 

Make your own way to the aiport for youe flight home. 

Meals included: None 

Inclusions & Exclusions


Inclusions

  • One way rail tour from Brisbane to Cairns on the Queenslander train in a rail bed for the 24 hour rail trip
  • 6 nights 4-star hotel accommodation at the Oasis Inn Resort Cairns
  • Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Escorted Cruise
  • Green Island Escorted Cruise
  • Cape Tribulation and Daintree Forest Escorted Tour
  • Kuranda Railway Escorted Tour

 

Inmportant Information

Please enquire with your choice of date so we can confirm availability of the sleeper train.

4-star Accommodation

Cairns - Oasis Inn Resort Cairns

 Upgrade option: Trinity Beach Pacific apartments from $275pp (available at checkout)

Looking for flights?

Contact one of our friendly Travel Specialists for a quote on 1300 893 404 or info@traveldream.com.au

Exclusions

  • Meals not mentioned
  • All drinks
  • Any additional requests
  • Travel Insurance

 

Child Policy 

Children that are 2 to 11 years of age are eligible for a 10% discount. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult 18 years old and over to travel. No unaccompanied minors are allowed.

 

Single Supplement 

The additional supplement for a single traveller is $1099

 

Booking Conditions

50% deposit option available for all bookings with departures outside of 100 days. If you are departing within the next 100 days, full payment will be due on Checkout.

 

Travel Insurance: We recommend Covermore travel insurance. To quote and book, please click HERE.

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