Longreach to Brisbane train: Timetable, fare prices and stops

The Longreach to Brisbane train departs twice a week, takes 26 hours and costs from $141. The Spirit of the Outback connects outback towns such as Barcaldine and Emerald.

The Longreach to Brisbane train is one of Australia’s quirkiest train services. It stretches through outback Queensland, in regions where most people simply don’t expect there to be a rail service.

Officially known as the Spirit of the Outback, the Longreach to Brisbane train is one of the country’s iconic long distance rail services.

Longreach offers evocative cruises along the Thomson River, adventures on an old-fashioned stagecoach and an outback sheep station experience. To investigate the best Longreach tour and activity options, head this way. To pick the right Longreach accommodation, nosey around here.

As with many of Australia’s long distance trains, the Spirit of the Outback runs more as a tourist experience than a functional way of getting from A to B. That’s not to say that Australians living in the towns along the route don’t use it. But most of the time, it’s far more practical to drive.

Welcome to Longreach sign. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Longreach to Brisbane train timetable

According to the Longreach to Brisbane train timetable, the Spirit of the Outback departs twice a week from Longreach, and twice from Brisbane.

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.

This outback train departs Longreach at 10.00 on Mondays and Thursdays. The return journey on the Spirit of the Outback leaves Brisbane at 18.10 on Tuesdays or 13.55 on Saturdays. The journey takes 26 hours and covers 1,325km.

Longreach to Brisbane train fare prices

Fare prices on the Longreach to Brisbane train are not unreasonable. Economy seats cost from $141, although you might have a bit of a sore bum by the end of the journey. If you’d prefer a sleeper, both sleeper and twin sleepers cost from $427. Book via the Queensland Rail Travel website.

There are showers, power sockets and a restaurant on board, but this Queensland outback train service is not in the same luxury category as the Indian Pacific train from Perth to Adelaide or Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin.

4 Longreach experiences to book before you arrive

Exploring the Thomson River on a Longreach river cruise

Starlights river cruise – take in sunset along the Thomson River aboard a paddlewheeler.
Cobb & Co stagecoach experience – travel along an outback dirt road pulled by galloping horses.
Wildlife and woolsheds tour on a double decker bus through Nogo Station.
Dinosaur-packed day tour to Winton.

Where does the Spirit of the Outback train stop?

Of course, you don’t have to do the full journey. There are plenty of places to stop along the way. The Longreach to Brisbane train stops in Ilfracombe, Barcaldine, Jericho, Alpha and Anakie before arriving at Emerald.

Then it continues to Blackwater, Bluff and Duaringa on the way into Rockhampton. Heading south along the coast from Rockhampton, the Spirit of the Outback stops in Mount Larcom, Gladstone, Miriam Vale, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Gympie, Cooroy, Nambour and Caboolture. It arrives at Brisbane’s Roma Street Station.

If you don’t fancy the long train journey, then a Brisbane to Longreach road trip is a great way of exploring the Queensland outback.

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.