Trains in Queensland, Australia
Trains in Queensland, Australia, vary between mass transit in Brisbane and long distance outback trains. They’re sometimes quicker than driving or cheaper than flying.
Most people travelling around Queensland, Australia, do so by car or internal flight. However, with careful planning, it is possible to see much of the state by train.
There are various forms of train travel in Queensland. In the south-eastern corner around Brisbane and the Gold Coast, most of the trains are aimed at commuters, with some mass transit Metro trains in Brisbane.
Tourist trains in Queensland
There are also a few tourist trains, such as the Kuranda Scenic Railway in Cairns and Mary Valley Rattler in Gympie.
But most Queensland train services are a weird halfway house – low frequency long distance services that have some comforts but are nowhere near luxury rail journeys. These are used by an odd mix of tourists and locals who don’t want to fly.
Queensland train travel
Several of these Queensland train services are covered in more detail on Australia Travel Questions. They are listed below, with journey times.
Trains within Queensland
Ayr to Townsville train: 1h6m.
Brisbane to Proserpine train: 14h37m.
Bundaberg to Brisbane train: 4h30m.
Cairns to Brisbane train: 24h25m.
Cairns to Innisfail train: 1h43m.
Cairns to Mackay train: 11h1m.
Cairns to Proserpine train: 9h26m.
Cairns to Rockhampton train: 15h54m.
Cairns to Townsville train: 6h4m.
Cardwell to Townsville train: 2h30m.
Charleville to Brisbane train: 17h10m.
Gladstone to Cairns train: 18h7m.
Gold Coast to Brisbane train: 1h21m (but varies depending on which stations are chosen).
Longreach to Brisbane train: 26h hours.
Rockhampton to Brisbane train: 7h40m.
Rockhampton to Gladstone train: 1h16m.
Rockhampton to Longreach train: 14h37m.
Roma to Brisbane train: 11h50m.
Toowoomba to Brisbane train: 4h25m.
Townsville to Brisbane train: 18h26m.
Townsville to Bundaberg train: 11h54m.
Townsville to Mackay train: 4h42m.
Townsville to Rockhampton train: 9h35m.
Interstate trains
Brisbane to Coffs Harbour train: 6h10m.
Brisbane to Newcastle train: 11h57m.
Sydney to Brisbane train: 14h12m.
