Queensland Rail Sunlander is a classic long-distance service from Brisbane to Cairns, covering 1,681 km in approximately 32 hours. Running along the Queensland coast, it serves coastal towns, sugar mills, and the Reef gateway cities of Townsville and Cairns. The Sunlander has operated since 1953.
| # | Station | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brisbane Central Brisbane | Start | 08:55 |
| 2 | Rockhampton Railway Station Rockhampton | 18:02 | 18:17 |
| 3 | Townsville Railway Station Townsville | 08:45 (+1d) | 08:55 (+1d) |
| 4 | Cairns Railway Station Cairns | 13:30 (+1d) | End |
Timetable data is sourced from official Australia railways records and may vary due to delays or seasonal changes. Always verify with the official operator before travelling.
Queensland Rail Sunlander is a classic long-distance service from Brisbane to Cairns, covering 1,681 km in approximately 32 hours. Running along the Queensland coast, it serves coastal towns, sugar mills, and the Reef gateway cities of Townsville and Cairns. The Sunlander has operated since 1953.
The train runs on Tue, Thu, Sat. The full route covers 4 stops with a total journey time of approximately 28h 35m.
Available travel classes include Economy, Business. Fares start from AUD 89 for Economy.
Book Sunlander tickets at journeybeyondrail.com.au, the official Journey Beyond portal. Online booking opens 30 to 120 days before departure depending on the operator. Book in advance for the best seat selection and lowest available fares.
Passengers are advised to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time to locate the correct platform and coach.
Standard seating, most affordable class
Premium seating, exclusive coach
Book Sunlander tickets at journeybeyondrail.com.au, the official Journey Beyond portal. Compare fares and seat availability before booking. Online booking typically opens 30 to 90 days before departure.
Book NowVisit any Journey Beyond booking office in person. Staff can help with seat selection, group bookings, and special assistance. Book early for popular departure times and holidays.
Contact Journey Beyond for schedule information, delay updates, and booking assistance via their official website or station helpdesk.
Visit Journey BeyondSunlander departs at 08:55 and arrives at the final destination at 13:30 (next day). Total journey time is approximately 28h 35m. Always verify current timings with Journey Beyond before travelling.
Sunlander fares start from approximately 89 (economy class). Book at journeybeyondrail.com.au for the latest prices.
Book Sunlander tickets at journeybeyondrail.com.au, the official Journey Beyond booking portal. Tickets are also available at station booking offices. Book in advance for popular routes and holiday periods.
Sunlander makes 4 stops. The route starts at Brisbane Central and ends at Cairns Railway Station. Major intermediate stops include Rockhampton Railway Station, Townsville Railway Station.
Check the running days shown in the hero section on this page. Some routes run daily, others run on selected days only. Always verify the current running schedule on the Journey Beyond website or app before booking.
Opens Journey Beyond official booking site