Cardwell to Townsville train: Timetable, fares & journey time

The Cardwell to Townsville train is timetabled to depart four days a week. The journey takes two-and-a-half hours, with one way fares costing from around $41.

When travelling down the Queensland coast, most visitors choose to drive or fly. However, with a bit of careful planning, the trip can be done by rail. A case in point is the Cardwell to Townsville train.

Skip the detail and book your train ticket.

The Cardwell to Townsville train journey is aboard the Spirit of Queensland – the train that runs from Cairns to Brisbane. There’s no law saying you have to stay on the train from start to finish, though, and you can buy tickets covering smaller sections of the journey.

Townsville is where you can take the ferry to gorgeous Magnetic Island, enjoy sunset cruises and visit the Museum of Underwater Art. For more Townsville experiences, explore here. To ferret out the best Townsville accommodation deals, look here.

Cardwell to Townsville train timetable

The Cardwell to Townsville train leaves four times a week, with departures on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The train departs from Cardwell at 12.09, and arrives in Townsville at 14.39.

This makes for a journey time of two hours and 30 minutes

According to the timetable for the train in the opposite direction, Townsville to Cardwell trains run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

These services leave Townsville at 09.53 and arrive in Ayr at 13.00.

Cardwell to Townsville train fares

Fare prices on the Cardwell to Townsville train vary depending on how close the train is to capacity is and how far in advance bookings are made. But as an approximate rule, expect to pay from $41 for a one way ticket. Bookings can be made online.

Best Cardwell accommodation choices

The best places to stay in Cardwell are:

For a holiday park with an outdoor pool and children’s playground: Cardwell Beachcomber Motel and Tourist Park.
For prime location: Cardwell Beachfront Motel.
If those two are fully booked: Kookaburra Holiday Park.

Things to do in Townsville include enjoying a cruise to the Museum of Underwater Art, relaxing on a small group sunset cruise and catching the ferry to Magnetic Island.

Townsville accommodation favourites include the coastal Aquarius on the Beach, the impressive Grand Hotel and Apartments and the central, rooftop pool-equipped Rambutan Resort.

Exploring Townsville, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Destination and Events Queensland.

7 Magnetic Island experiences to book in advance

Sort out your return ferry ticket from Townsville.
Get the best of the coastline on a five hour boat tour with snorkelling and stand-up paddleboarding.
See the sky change – on a sunset and shipwrecks cruise.
See all the island highlights – on an afternoon island tour combining heritage, culture and nature.
Cram it all in on a five hour comprehensive island tour.
Take to the water on a lunchtime sailing cruise.
See subaquatic creativity – on a Museum of Underwater Art and Great Barrier Reef day trip.