Cairns to Rockhampton train: Fare prices & timetable
The Cairns to Rockhampton train runs five times a week, with one way fares costing from $173.
- Note: This article was checked and updated in March 2024.
The Cairns to Rockhampton train is handy to know about if you’re planning to travel down the Queensland coast by public transport rather than flying or driving. It’s certainly not the quickest way of travelling between Cairns and Rockhampton, but it might well be the most pleasant.
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.
Rockhampton offers fascinating history walks and cave tours. To source the best Rockhampton accommodation deals, go here.
Book your Cairns to Rockhampton train tickets.
Or reserve your place on the Rockhampton to cairns train here.
The Cairns to Rockhampton train is the same Spirit of Queensland train that runs from Cairns to Brisbane. It is operated by Queensland Rail, and runs five times a week.
Cairns to Rockhampton train timetable
According to the Cairns to Rockhampton train timetable, the Spirit of Queensland leaves Cairns on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays Fridays and Sundays. The departure time is 09.35, and the train arrives in Rockhampton at 01.27 the next day. That’s a hefty journey time of 15 hours and 52 minutes.
In the opposite direction, the Rockhampton to Cairns train depart Rockhampton at 10.16 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. This arrives in Cairns at 14.30.
One way fares on the Cairns to Rockhampton train obviously vary according to time of year, how far in advance you book and demand.
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 Rockhampton train fare prices
However, you can expect to pay from around $173 for a one way Cairns to Rockhampton train ticket booked in advance. This is for an economy seat. For a Railbed (aka a sleeper bed), the price starts at around $316.50. Tickets 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.
Top experiences to book in and around Rockhampton
- (Highly recommended ✅) Great Keppel Island day trip – with lunch.
- Cathedral Cave tour at Capricorn Caves. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- 90 minute Deep Vault Cave and Flower Pot tour at Capricorn Caves.
- Time Safaris walking tour.
The best places to stay in Rockhampton, Queensland
The best Rockhampton accommodation choices are:
- For character and charm: Denison Boutique Hotel.
- For heritage: Quality Hotel Regent.
- For well-equipped apartments: Quest Rockhampton.
- For really good value: Rockhampton Serviced Apartments.
- For a great pool: Korte’s Resort.
All prices and timetable information was correct at time of writing, but is obviously subject to change in the 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.
More Queensland travel
Is there a Toowoomba to Brisbane train service?
How long does the Cairns to Innisfail train take?
Watch whales from Urangan Pier in Hervey Bay.
Walk to the top of Mount Ngungun in Glass House Mountains National Park.
Catch the Gold Coast Hop-On, Hop-Off Ferry.