Rockhampton to Longreach train: Fare costs & timetable
The Rockhampton to Longreach train costs from $87, departs twice a week and takes 14h37m.
The Rockhampton to Longreach train is one of the more curious ways to visit the Australian outback. It travels west through Queensland, pretty much along the Tropic of Capricorn to one of Queensland’s most engaging outback towns.
Rockhampton offers fascinating history walks and cave tours. To source the best Rockhampton accommodation deals, go here.
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.
To skip the timetable information and get your Rockhampton to Longreach train tickets, book here.
Rockhampton to Longreach train timetable
The Rockhampton to Longreach train is the same as the Brisbane to Longreach train – the Spirit of the Outback. It comes up from Brisbane then turns west at Rockhampton. There are two trains a week in each direction.
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 Rockhampton to Longreach train leaves Rockhampton at ungodly hours of the morning, alas. On Wednesdays, it departs at 04.40, and on Sundays it departs at 01.03. These trains arrive in Longreach at 19.20 and 15.40 respectively.
As you can tell from that timetable, this is a long old journey. The slightly quicker Sunday train takes 14 hours and 37 minutes. The Wednesday train takes 14 hours and 40 minutes.
In the other direction, the Spirit of the Outback leaves Longreach at 10.00 on Mondays and Thursdays, arriving in Rockhampton at 00.57.
4 Longreach experiences to book before you arrive
- 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.
Rockhampton to Longreach train fare costs
One way fares on the Rockhampton to Longreach train cost $87, and they tend to sell out well in advance. Tickets can be booked online.
Longreach attractions include the excellent Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre, plus the Qantas Founders Museum. You can also do a Longreach river cruise along the Thomson River.
Longreach accommodation picks
Longreach offers a surprisingly interesting range of accommodation. The options particularly worthy of consideration are…
- For central location and a pool: Abajaz Motor Inn or Longreach Motor Inn.
- For luxury glamping: Mitchell Grass Retreat.
- For charm and character: Saltbush Retreat.
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Explore Charters Towers on the drive from Emerald to Townsville.