The Spirit of the Outback Queensland Rail service travels 1,300 kilometres from Brisbane to Longreach, passing through Rockhampton and Emerald before reaching the heart of outback Queensland. Along the way, the landscape shifts from coastal farmland to open grazing country and vast red plains. Spirit of the Outback train tours allow travellers to experience this transition in comfort, with large windows framing ever-changing scenery.
Passengers can choose economy seats or private RailBed sleepers that convert into lie-flat beds overnight. Onboard facilities include a licensed café, dining carriage and lounge area, creating a relaxed social atmosphere. For travellers over 50 seeking scenic holidays without long drives, Spirit of the Outback packages provide an easy, sociable and immersive way to explore Queensland.
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Spirit of the Outback prices vary depending on seating or RailBed selection. The journey includes onboard meals, scenic daylight sections, and overnight comfort.
Along the journey, stops range from brief platform breaks of 10–20 minutes to longer scheduled stops in towns, where passengers can stretch their legs. Many active travellers over 50 prefer structured tours that coordinate transfers and guided experiences at key destinations.
Key stops include Emerald, Barcaldine and Longreach, home to the Qantas Founders Museum and Stockman’s Hall of Fame. The best time to travel is from April to September, when conditions are cooler. Combined with regional attractions, it becomes one of the most rewarding things to do in QLD for travellers who value slow, scenic exploration.
Sleeper RailBed prices vary by season and availability. RailBeds cost more than economy seats and include a lie-flat bed, linen and meals.
The Spirit of the Outback travels between Brisbane and Longreach, stopping at Rockhampton, Emerald and Barcaldine.
The Spirit of the Outback service began operating in 1993 as part of Queensland Rail’s long-distance network.
Our team is always happy to help if you have any questions about us or our tours. Fill out our form and we will get back to you soon.
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We are a Green Travel Leader. This is awarded to businesses which have consistently proven their commitment to sustainable tourism management over ten years.
As a Sustianable Tourism accredited business, we are proud to offer engaging tourism experiences that follow sound sustainability practices and environmental appreciation.
Quality Tourism accredited businesses like Fun Over 50 lead the way by offering the highest industry standards of customer service, satisfaction, reliability, and ethical practices.
We are committed to operating in ways that respect and reinforce Indigenous cultural heritage and the authenticity and integrity of living cultures of Indigenous communities.
We have incorporated strategic climate change responses across all relevant levels of our planning and operations. We are working towards becoming carbon neutral.
With Advanced Ecotourism certification, we offer outstanding experiences which let you get back to nature, help conservation, and minimise environmental impact.
We are a credible, well trained, and professional business. We conduct business in compliance with Australian Consumer Law and in accordance with ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
The Council of Australian Tour Operators represents tour operators and wholesalers. As a full CATO member, we provide authentic and original holidays with sustainable travel.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them, their cultures, and to the elders both past and present.
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