train trip brisbane to sydney

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This 11-day Train Journey Has Views of Crystal-clear Waters Along the Entire Route — What to Know

Hop aboard the Island Tracks journey with Goway that snakes along the "best of Queensland’s tropical island escapes."

Courtesy of Goway Travel

Train travel is already the most scenic way to see a destination. Whether you're rolling through pastoral landscapes or making your way through a glittering city, trains are simply the top-notch way to travel. But what if we told you there was one more kind of landscape you could explore on the rails? It's time to head to the beach because this 11-day journey will take you along one of the world's most pristine coastlines. 

Travelers looking to both take the slow route and enjoy the view along the way can hop aboard the Island Tracks journey with Goway that snakes along the "best of Queensland ’s tropical island escapes."

On the trip, guests will board The Spirit of Queensland , a train that took to the tracks in 2013, which comes with major bells and whistles, including lay-flat business class seats just like those you'd find on an airplane. 

The journey begins in Cairns and makes its way to Hamilton Island, where you'll find "glorious weather, azure waters, brilliant beaches, awe-inspiring coral reefs, fascinating flora and fauna, fine food and wines, and activities almost too numerous to mention," according to Goway. 

From there, the trip continues to Hervey Bay and Fraser Island, where guests can meet with Aboriginal people, and choose to either sit and relax on the beach or get an adrenaline rush with a guided 4WD Safari to the island’s shipwrecks and through its lush forests. 

Next, guests will board the train to Sydney to experience its magical harbor, where they can snag ferry tickets to view the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House in one go. 

And while, yes, you can snooze on the train, each night, guests will have access to local hotels so they can unwind in peace, including nights at the Coral Sea Marina Resort, Reef View Hotel Hamilton Island, Kingfisher Bay Resort Fraser Island, and the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney.  

On the last day, Goway notes, you'll have plenty of leisure time before being "transferred to the airport for your onward flight." It added, "If you have time, perhaps stay longer and explore more of Australia," which sounds like a great idea to us.

Learn more about the 11-day trip, which begins at $2,599, at goway.com , 

Related Articles

Local news:

Sydney train line closed due to police incident

Sydney commuters are being warned the train line between Berowra and Hornsby is closed due to a police incident.

NSW Police have said there is no danger to the public and buses are expected to replace trains.

Transport NSW issued the following travel notice about 6.35am Tuesday.

“Trains are not running between Hornsby and Berowra due to an incident requiring emergency services at Mount Colah,” Transport NSW said.

“We are contacting bus companies to arrange replacement buses, however none are available right now.

“We will update you if buses become available.

“Delay travel if possible, or consider using other nearby public transport services.

“Please allow extra travel time, check transport apps, information screens and listen to announcements.”

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Wondering how to get from Brisbane to Melbourne without wrecking the climate? Our transport choices make a huge difference

Adjunct Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney

Disclosure statement

Robin Smit is the founding Research Director at the Transport Energy/Emission Research (TER) consultancy.

University of Technology Sydney provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU.

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Australian transport emissions are still growing . As a result, transport is expected to be our biggest-emitting sector by 2030. So, cutting transport emissions is crucial to Australia’s net-zero strategy .

Studies show electrifying passenger vehicles and trucks will greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But the switch to electric vehicles is slow. It won’t be enough to reach net-zero by 2050.

Other strategies are needed. That’s where the concept of “mode shift” comes in. It involves shifting passengers and freight to lower-emission forms of transport such as electric rail and shipping.

In two new research papers, a colleague and I show what a big impact this could have on Australia’s emissions. We used the Inland Rail project linking Brisbane and Melbourne as a case study of the potential impacts of shifts between land-based transport , shipping and aviation . (The route comprises 12 sections, some already operational, some being built and others in the planning phase.) We modelled the total emissions of these modes for three years: 2019, 2030 and 2050.

We found electric rail is hands down the land transport mode with the lowest emissions intensity (the amount of greenhouse gas produced per kilometre travelled) for both passengers and freight. When we included air and sea transport, we found electric rail and shipping have the lowest emissions. Air transport in Australia is in a class of its own as its emissions performance is so much worse than other modes, particularly for freight.

It will be very hard to reach zero emissions in the transport sector in a timely fashion. To get there will require all hands on deck for the freight sector but also for personal travel and the choices we make.

Read more: We compared land transport options for getting to net zero. Hands down, electric rail is the best

How much difference can mode shifts make?

Current domestic emissions by transport mode are skewed. The vast bulk (85%) of total annual carbon-dioxide-equivalent (CO₂-e) emissions comes from road transport. It’s followed by air (8%), rail (4%) and sea (2%) transport.

To fairly assess performance, we used the well-to-wheel/wake approach. It includes both direct and indirect emissions from producing, distributing and using fossil fuels, hydrogen and electricity. We calculated these emissions for 2019, 2030 and 2050.

These figures do not yet include non-domestic emissions created by Australian aviation and shipping activities overseas. Including these will greatly increase total emissions from these modes.

For passengers, air transport had the highest emission intensity. It is an energy-intensive mode of transport and has climate effects in addition to those caused by its CO₂ emissions, as I outline below. Including these effects, we estimated air transport’s emission intensity to be 1.7 to 2.8 times higher than for road transport.

From an emissions perspective, high-speed electric rail is a great alternative to road and air transport for travel between capital cities. It would result in deep emission cuts varying from 75–95%.

For freight in 2019, ships performed much better than any other mode. This included electric rail, due to the relatively high emission intensity of grid electricity at the time. As renewable sources replace fossil fuel generation, electric rail’s emission intensity will improve.

By 2050, bulk carriers and electric rail were estimated to have the lowest emission intensity of all modes. Shifting freight to these modes would deliver deep emission cuts varying from 50–99%.

Air transport performed particularly poorly for moving freight. Its emissions intensity was, on average, 96 to 265 times higher (including the non-CO₂ climate effects of aircraft) than that of electric rail, for instance.

How did the study reach these conclusions?

Modelling the impacts of transport mode shifts on emissions is complex, country-specific and changes over time. It involves a broad range of inputs and information. Each mode has its own challenges and specific details to be considered.

For instance, aviation and shipping operate in the air and water. This means the modelling must account for winds and currents.

As another example, the practice of “ slow steaming ” – when cargo ships reduce their speed to cut fuel use and emissions – was considered for shipping.

For aircraft, there are additional net radiative forcing effects. (Radiative forcing is a measure of the influence a climatic factor has on the radiant energy impacting Earth’s surface.) These effects are complex and include the formation of contrails (condensation trails), aircraft-induced clouds and ozone formation (secondary air pollutant).

The analysis was based on statistical modelling. That is, instead of estimating single emission values, we quantified the most likely value and a plausible range in emissions performance.

It is also very important that the estimates reflect Australian conditions. For instance, we specifically modelled emissions from ship types and sizes (bulk carrier and container ships) and aircraft (A320 and B737) commonly used in Australia.

The modelling included mode-specific aspects such as vehicle weight and capacity, passenger occupancy, payload, annual passenger and freight volumes, operational profiles, future efficiency improvements and travel distance.

Travel distance can be surprisingly different between modes, as the map below shows. Air transport generally has the smallest travel distance. Sea transport routes can be much longer (about 60%).

What does this mean for policy and people?

Mode shift from road and air to rail and shipping has unused potential in Australia. Our findings suggests governments should, where possible, promote this shift for environmental and climate change reasons.

Clearly, other aspects such as costs and practical barriers need to be considered. But, from an emissions perspective, mode shift could get the Australian transport sector much closer to net zero.

And, as individuals, we can often reduce our own impacts by choosing not to travel or using lower-emission transport modes for our personal travel and the products we buy.

• rail transport
• Transport emissions
• airline emissions
• Vehicle emissions
• Road transport
• Air transportation
• Net zero emissions
• Better Cities
• Net zero emissions by 2050
• New research, Australia New Zealand

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State government warns major Sydney train line closure to blow out to more than 12 months

By Holly Tregenza

By Jessica Kidd

Topic: Infrastructure

Commuters from Bankstown to Sydnenham will be impacted for more than a year while the T3 line is closed for upgrades.  ( Supplied: NSW government )

The NSW state government is warning the T3 Bankstown line will close for more than a year for upgrades from September 30. 

The government had previously said it would take 12 months. 

What's next? 

Replacement bus services, which could double travel time for some commuters, will be free. 

The NSW state government is warning the shutdown of one of Sydney's busiest train lines could last more than the initially forecast 12 months. 

The T3 Bankstown line will close on September 30 for at least a year during upgrade works for what will eventually form the South West Metro network to stretch from the city's North Shore at Chatswood to Bankstown.

It will increase commute times to and from the city for people living in the west who will have to travel on replacement buses. 

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen acknowledged it would be a "disruptive" and "inconvenient" time for people travelling between Bankstown and Sydenham. 

 "I know this is going to be a painful period but there is light at the end of the tunnel," she said. 

"We have a 12-month program to deliver this project and we will absolutely be holding our construction partners to account to deliver on it.

"But I do want to be up-front with passengers that it could take longer."

The government is now expecting the closures to continue until "late 2025". 

Last year, NSW Premier Chris Minns re-committed to upgrading the century-old rail line into a driverless service.

There had been doubt over the extension to Bankstown last year as the Minns government grappled with cost and time blowouts inherited from its predecessor. 

Once complete, trains will run every four minutes during peak times. 

Government offers free bus travel 

Passengers will travel for free on replacement bus services, known as Southwest Link, for the duration of the shutdown. 

There will be 200 buses running from early in the morning to late seven days a week, and are expected to run every two to four minutes during peak travel times. 

The state government said all bus driver positions have been successfully recruited for. 

When the original timeline for the upgrades was announced in August last year, NSW locomotive division secretary, Farren Campbell, questioned if there would be enough drivers and said the upgrade would likely severely impact commuters. 

"The changes to the Bankstown line are a totally unnecessary disruption to commuters who will be forced onto buses, during a time when there's a crippling driver shortage in Sydney," he said. 

"The only people set to benefit from the conversion of the Bankstown line are greedy developers, there's no benefit whatsoever for commuters."

Sydney to Brisbane Train

Explore the most current information on trains from Sydney to Brisbane

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• Trains: NSW TrainLink regional express trains.
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Sydney to brisbane train details, departing from.

Sydney Central Railway Station

Railway Colonnade Dr, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia

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Faq: what to know about sydney - brisbane train.

HOW MUCH IS THE TRAIN TICKET FROM SYDNEY TO BRISBANE?

Ticket prices start at $111.

IS THERE A DAY TRAIN FROM SYDNEY TO BRISBANE?

Every day, one train departs on this direction at 14:41.

IS THERE A TRAIN LINE FROM SYDNEY TO BRISBANE?

Yes, the train departs once daily from Sydney Central Station.

Discover More Destinations in Australia

Melbourne to sydney train, newcastle to sydney train, canberra to melbourne train.

Brisbane to Sydney

Brisbane to sydney train : distance, timetable & tickets.

Travel in style and comfort on the high-speed Brisbane to Sydney train journey, spanning approximately 935 kilometers. This efficient railway route ensures a seamless connection between the vibrant Australian cities of Brisbane and Sydney. Relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery as you traverse the landscapes, making your trip from Brisbane to Sydney a memorable experience. Plan your itinerary and explore the beauty of Australia with the Brisbane to Sydney train service.

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XPT Regional Trains

Book a seat on NSW TrainLink Regional services

Introduced to service in 1982 the XPT, short for "express passenger train", has an aerodynamic design and travels between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Dubbo, Grafton and Casino.

The XPT power car features a Paxman VP185 12-cylinder, turbo-charged diesel electric engine boasting 1492 kW or 2000 horsepower. There's a power car at each end of the train, one pulling and the other pushing.

The XPT trains can have the following carriages.

XPT power car

Sleeping car (XAM)

Seating capacity: 18 (sleeping) or 27 (seated)

Saloon - first class car (XL)

Seating capacity: 56

Buffet and saloon - first class car (XBR)

Seating capacity: 16 plus two wheelchair spaces. The accessible toilet is in this carriage.

Saloon - economy class car (XF)

Seating capacity: 68

Saloon - economy class car (XFH)

Seating capacity: 44

Honest tourism information about Australia

Sydney to Brisbane train: Fares, timetable & journey time

• David Whitley
• Practicalities

The Sydney to Brisbane train is timetabled to take 14h12m. One way Sydney to Brisbane train ticket fares cost from $93.79.

The Sydney to Brisbane train is not a journey many visitors consider. It’s far quicker to fly between the New South Wales and Queensland capitals, and anyone wanting to go the slow route is better off driving and turning it into a road trip.

Sydney’s enormous collection of experiences includes all-inclusive sunset dinner cruises , behind-the-scenes tours of the Opera House, jet boat thrill rides and historic walking tours . To get the best deals on Sydney accommodation,  book here . To find Sydney tours and experiences that suit your tastes,  step this way .

To skip the explanation, and just book a Sydney to Brisbane train ticket, head over here .

Sydney to Brisbane train timetable

The service may be largely ignored, but t here is a direct Sydney to Brisbane train which leaves once a day . This route is run by NSW Trainlink, and according to the timetable, the Sydney to Brisbane train departs from Sydney Central Station at 14.41.

It’s a long, largely inconvenient journey, and the train from Sydney to Brisbane arrives at Brisbane ’s Roma Street Station at 04.53. When NSW daylight savings is in operation, that arrival time is 03.53.

13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book

• (💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour .
• Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour .
• Save money with a multi-attraction pass .
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour .
• Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
• See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise .
• (Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour .
• Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour .
• Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
• Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons .
• Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
• Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk .
• (🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure .

How long does the Sydney to Brisbane train take?

That’s a journey time of 14 hours and 12 minutes. Which probably accounts for why the Sydney to Brisbane train service isn’t particularly popular or more frequent.

The return train from Brisbane to Sydney also departs daily , this time at 05.55, or 04.55 during NSW daylight savings time. It arrives in Sydney at 20.12.

For the full Sydney to Brisbane train timetable, visit the Transport for NSW website . To book a ticket, head this way .

6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday

• Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure .
• Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
• Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
• North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
• Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
• Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.

Next up: Sydney to Brisbane train fares and stops.

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Trains from Sydney to Brisbane

🚉 The train journey from Sydney to Brisbane is an enduring adventure, spanning approximately 14 hours and 12 minutes . With services departing twice daily, travelers can enjoy the picturesque landscapes of Australia's east coast along the way. 🎟️ Prices for this train ride range from $55 to $90 , offering an affordable and convenient transportation option from one major city to another. The route covers a distance of 989 km , providing passengers with ample time to relax, unwind, and appreciate the diverse scenery passing by outside their windows.

Where to stay in Brisbane

There are over 722 hotels to stay in Brisbane. Prices range from $13 per night.

What companies provide train routes from Sydney to Brisbane?

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If you are looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Brisbane to Sydney

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Wednesday 04 September 2024

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