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Clickety-Clack Down the Australian Track: Queensland Rail to the Great Barrier Reef

May 30, 2012 at 9:44 AM | by | Comments (0)

We admit, traveling can become a real pain the in the ass sometime. That's why when luxury travel becomes accessible to the masses, we get excited. We have already told you about what the people down under at Queensland Rail have been up to by creating unique travel journeys to scenic destinations. Now we can show you a bit more.

The 146-year old Queensland Rail is the largest regional rail system Australia offers, and it's one that opens up the opportunity to explore a part of the sprawling continent, without having to go and from airports. Specifically we mean the state of Queensland, called the fruit bowl of Australia.

Now, onboard the Sunlander! The train commenced services in 1953, so it maintains the romantic vintage air of train travel while incorporating the modern luxuries of today.

Gallery: Queensland Rail Scenery

More recently, 10 years ago, the train introduced an exciting new class of travel called Queenslander Class. This is a completely dedicated carriage that offers private sleeping berths, dedicated lounge and dining cars and an on-board Maitre d' for a personal touch.

Sunlander services leave from the east coast city of Brisbane and travel on up to the tropical playground of Cairns, transporting its passengers to the main launching point for further explorations of the Great Barrier Reef.

All train services offer the opportunity to kick back, change out of your "travel clothes," and just allow the scenery to change from metropolis to pine forest to sugar cane fields. Since the private cabin, lounge car and dining car all boast large windows to highlight the scenery, a picturesque backdrop is a given, for everything from dining to reading to napping in the sun.

Queensland Rail offers regular luxury services along with unique specialty packages that range from full-culinary experiences, to golf themed adventures and gardening experiences. Specifically, we boarded a full dining trip which we will detail later.

Traditional rail trips can range in price from $1750 for a twin share, 5-day trip all the way to $6300 for a full 13-day trip with a safari to Ayers Rock. The themed trips range in price from $669 for a 4 day gardening trip all the way to about $3500 for a 7 day, steam train trip to the Australian Outback.

Disclosure: We traveled as a guest of Queensland Rail, but all photos and opinions presented are completely our own.

[Photo: Rayme Gorniak for Jaunted]

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