Cairns to Proserpine train: Fare prices & timetable
The Cairns to Proserpine train is the secret to ticking off top Queensland hotspots via public transport. According to the timetable, there are four services per week, with one way fare prices starting at $105.
The Cairns to Proserpine train isn’t a rail service that will cross the minds of many travellers in Australia. But if you’re wishing to combine some of Queensland’s highlights without hiring a car, it can actually be incredibly useful.
If you have three days in Cairns, do a Great Barrier Reef trip, a Kuranda scenic train and cable car combo and a Mossman Gorge plus Cape Tribulation World Heritage rainforest day tour. With more time, consider mesmerising scenic flights over the Reef, dinner cruises and waterfall-packed Atherton Tableland tours.
To choose from a wide range of memorable Cairns tours and experiences, look here. To pick the Cairns accommodation best suited to you, book here.
Book your Cairns to Proserpine train tickets.
There is a bus service that connects Proserpine Station to Airlie Beach, the main tourism hub of the Whitsundays region. This is where most Whitsundays cruises depart drom.
If you can get from Cairns to Proserpine by train, therefore, you can get to Airlie Beach by public transport without having to drive or fly.
To choose from a wide range of memorable Cairns tours and experiences, look here. To pick the Cairns accommodation best suited to you, book here.
Cairns to Proserpine train timetable
The Cairns to Proserpine train is the Spirit of Queensland, which is the Cairns to Brisbane train service. There are four departures per week from Cairns, so you’ll need to pay attention to the Cairns to Proserpine train timetable.
The Cairns to Proserpine trains depart from Cairns on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 08.35. This arrives in Proserpine at 18.01. That’s obviously a fairly long journey, lasting nine hours and 26 minutes.
The reverse service – the Proserpine to Cairns train – also leaves four times per week. This leaves Proserpine station at 06.22, arriving in Cairns at 16.30.
The Queensland Rail connection bus to and from Airlie Beach is timed to meet up with these trains.
Save time queuing – Book these Cairns attractions in advance
- From the air: Outer Reef helicopter flight | Sunrise hot air balloon ride | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
- At night: Sunset dinner cruise | Pub and club tour | Aquarium by Twilight experience.
- For wildlife: Birdworld Kuranda | Kuranda Koala Gardens | Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome | Cairns Aquarium | Rainforestation Nature Park
- For culture: Cairns Museum tickets | Street art walking tour | City and surrounds highlights bus tour.
- For thrills: AJ Hackett giant jungle swing | High speed jet boat tour | Barron Gorge white water rafting | Mulgrave River tubing.
Cairns to Proserpine train fares
Cairns to Proserpine train fares vary depending on how full the train is and how far in advance you book. But as a rough rule of thumb, one way economy fares on the train to Proserpine from Cairns cost from around $105. These should be booked online.
Strong Cairns accommodation options for the night before travel include the Pacific Hotel, the Hilton Cairns and the Sebel Cairns Harbour Lights.
Things to do in Airlie Beach include swimming at the Airlie Beach Lagoon, Whitsundays kayaking tours, helicopter flights, glass bottom boat cruises and day trips to Hamilton Island. There are also several day trips from Airlie Beach to other Whitsunday Islands.
Timetable and fare information was correct at the time of writing, but is subject to change in future.
Trip-booster! 8 great day trips from Cairns to power-up your holiday
- Kuranda combo package – take the Kuranda Scenic Railway up and the Skyrail cable car down.
- Green Island tours with beach time, glass bottom boat and snorkelling. (Or pick a Fitzroy Island trip instead).
- Moore Reef day tour – with underwater observatory, snorkelling gear, glass bottom boat & semi-submersible cruises.
- Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – with snorkelling stops at two excellent spots on the Reef.
- Cape Tribulation rainforest day tour – with Mossman Gorge Aboriginal cultural experience and Daintree River crocodile-watching cruise.
- Atherton Tableland waterfalls and rainforest tour – including wildlife-spotting and a swim in a volcanic lake.
- Outback 4WD tour – visiting Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal rock art and Granite Gorge.