Bundaberg to Brisbane train: Timetable, journey time and fare prices

The Bundaberg to Brisbane train service is infrequent. The main Tilt Train service passes through up to twice a day, with journeys taking from 4h30m. Book tickets in advance for the best deals.

Why take the train from Bundaberg to Brisbane?

The Bundaberg to Brisbane train is a good option for travelling along the Queensland coast if you don’t have a hire car. There are plenty of bus services in Queensland, but travelling by train is far more comfortable. It’s also quicker.

Want to skip the explanation and just book a Bundaberg to Brisbane train ticket? Then come over here…

Queensland Rail runs a Bundaberg to Brisbane train service known as the Tilt Train.

Don’t expect the sort of semi-frequent train service that you might find in other countries. Catching the Bundaberg to Brisbane train requires knowledge of the timetable and advance planning. It’s a good example of how train travel in Australia lags behind much of the world.

6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday

Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.

Bundaberg to Brisbane train timetable

There are 12 Tilt Train departures from Bundaberg to Brisbane every week. According to the timetable, there are daily departures at 10.05. There are also extra departures at an ungodly 05.15 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The full timetable is available on the Queensland Rail website.

The Bundaberg to Brisbane train journey is scheduled to last four hours and 30 minutes – only slightly longer than the Bundaberg to Brisbane drive. The service stops at Howard, Maryborough West, Gympie North, Cooroy, Nambour, Landsborough and Caboolture on the way in to Brisbane’s Roma Street Station.

Book the Tilt Train in advance for the best prices.

Bundaberg to Brisbane train fares

Tilt Train tickets from Bundaberg to Brisbane cost from $58 one way. Bookings can be made online.

However, the Tilt Train is not the only service on the Bundaberg to Brisbane route. The Spirit of Queensland train from Cairns to Brisbane also passes through, stopping at Bundaberg. As does the Spirit of the Outback train from Longreach to Brisbane. The latter passes through on Fridays at 05.26, and takes six-and-a-half hours to reach Brisbane.

The Spirit of Queensland stops in Bundaberg on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays at 03.52. You’re looking at five-and-a-half hours on board before you reach Brisbane.

If you need convenient accommodation before catching the train, the Matilda Motel and Sugar Country Motor Inn are both a very short walk from Bundaberg Railway Station.

At the other end, the Pacific Hotel is the closest hotel to Brisbane’s Roma Street Station. The Selina, George Williams Hotel and Grand Chancellor are also very close.

Things to do in Brisbane once you’re there include a Brisbane River cruise, a Segway sightseeing tour and taking a boat to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. You can also book transfers to Australia Zoo, a Springbrook National Park rainforest tour and day trips to Moreton Island.

9 brilliant Brisbane experiences to book in advance

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets (or entry plus river cruise combo) – hold a koala and see lots of adorable native wildlife.
Brisbane River cruise – see the key sights and learn about the city on the way.
Story Bridge Adventure Climb – walk along the top of Brisbane’s famous bridge, with 360 degree views.
Combine the Southbank Parklands, City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs on a fun Segway tour.
Helicopter flight – see the city from a bird’s eye view.
Kayaking tour – choose the night tour to see the city light up, the day tour to enjoy the sunshine.
XXXX brewery tour – see how Australia’s most famous beer is made.
Guided wine flight tasting – get an Aussie wine introductory course.
See Brisbane’s spooky side on a city centre ghost tour.

6 Bundaberg experiences to make the most of your free time

(Highly recommended ✅) Tour – with tastings – at the Bundaberg rum distillery.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Day trip to Lady Musgrave Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
Fly out to Lady Elliot Island for a day on the reef.
See migrating humpbacks – on a four hour whale watching cruise with lunch.
Brewery tasting tour – including the famous Bundaberg ginger beer.
Farm life experience at Splitters Farm.

The Bundaberg to Brisbane tilt train in Queensland, Australia.

If you found this guide useful, please consider booking your accommodation and tours through the links to Wotif and Viator below.
Australia Travel Questions earns a small commission from them at no extra cost to you.
This helps keep the site running and adding more guides.
The companies chosen are those usually used by Australia Travel Questions founder David Whitley when booking travel in Australia.
BOOK AUSTRALIAN ACCOMMODATION AND TOURS.