First Class Spirit of the Outback train Brisbane to Longreach review - QR Queensland Rail Australia

The Spirit of the Outback is a two weekly railway service from Brisbane to Longreach, the train consists of 4 first class carriages, 2 economy class carriages and 3 lounges.
In my opinion this is the most luxurious train journey you can get in Queensland. The First Class features a cabin with lockable door, a seat which can convert into a bed in the evening, a shower room, an entertainment tablet, and all inclusive meals for this 25h45m journey!!
This is the most enjoyable train journey I've ever head in my life, I would highly recommend you to watch the whole video, but if you only have limited time, these are the highlights in this video:
0:00 Intro
1:18 Economy Class seats
2:15 Economy Class Dinning Car
2:58 First Class carriage layout
4:08 First Class Twin Sleeper Cabin layout
6:44 Shearers Rest Lounge + Afternoon tea
8:38 Dinner
10:50 The Lie-flat bed
13:00 Onboard Shower
14:14 Breakfast
15:19 Alpha Station
16:25 Barcaldine Station - Tree of Knowledge
17:20 Lunch
This video was filmed on 28-29 November 2020
Train type: Spirit of the Outback - Queensland Railways 2470 class
Max Speed: 100km/h (62mph)
From Brisbane Roma Street to Longreach
Travel time: 25h45m
Seat: B8 and B9
Class: First Class Twin Sleeper
Price: First Class Twin Sleeper Sole Use: $265, 2 people: $427
*This video is not sponsored by any organisation.
*Carriage layout and menu were retrieved from: www.queenslandrailtravel.com....
The INDIAN PACIFIC 2022: Adelaide to Perth in GOLD TWIN - luxury sleeper train across Australia: • The INDIAN PACIFIC 202...
Christmas on the Great Southern Train - Australia's newest luxury rail journey Adelaide to Brisbane: • Christmas on the Great...
The GHAN Platinum Class Adelaide to Darwin - 3,000km luxurious train journey across Australia: • The GHAN $7,000 Platin...
Travelling on every type of V/Line train in ONE DAY! Long-distance rail travel in Victoria: • Travelling on every ty...
MUST DO!! Tasmania West Coast Wilderness Railway Strahan - Queenstown Complete Review: • MUST DO!! Tasmania Wes...
Transwa Australind Perth to Bunbury: • Transwa Australind Tra...
Travelling on the Old Ghan Railway - Pichi Richi Afghan Express Port Augusta to Quorn return • Travelling on the Old ...
Spirit of Queensland Railbed Sleeper Cairns to Brisbane: • Spirit of Queensland T...
The Fastest Train in Australia - Tilt Train Business Class Brisbane to Rockhampton: • Fastest Train in Austr...
Riding on Locomotive 3801, a legend of steam: • Locomotive 3801 First ...
The INDIAN PACIFIC 2021, Australia's most luxurious train - Sydney to Adelaide Full Review: • The INDIAN PACIFIC 202...
The Overland Red Premium from Melbourne to Adelaide: • The Overland Train Red...
Canberra to Melbourne by trains only!! NSW Xplorer + First Class overnight XPT: • Canberra to Melbourne ...
XPT Economy class Yass to Melbourne: • NSW XPT Canberra - Yas...
First Class Sleeper NSW XPT train from Sydney to Melbourne: • NSW XPT First Class Sl...
First Class V/Line N class train from Melbourne to Wodonga: • First Class V/Line N c...
First Class NSW Xplorer train from Sydney to Canberra: • First Class NSW Xplore...
Premium Economy Class Spirit of Queensland from Townsville to Cairns: • Spirit of Queensland T...
Visiting Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach: • Qantas Founders Museum...
Trainspotting at Wondabyne Station: • NSW TrainLink Central ...
Join my channel membership to get access to perks:
/ @roryding
Follow my Instagram: / roryding.travels
*For any inquiries please message me on Instagram or send me an email. My Facebook is my private account I will not accept any message request on Messenger. Thank you.

[@MrTimothyBehr]

I really appreciate that you always find something positive to note and your great inclusion factual information along with your personal experience.

[@RoryDing]

Thank you 😊

[@paulthompson1271]

@@RoryDing ĺL

[@TheAussieTrainGuy]

@@RoryDing u should go on the gahn

[@michaelmacdonell4834]

He's one of the better travel bloggers, and at such a young age!

[@lukeyoung4635]

I love an old classic train makes you feel like going back to 1900 and between 2000

[@raymondquigley5572]

Rory I stumbled across your KZbin channel and watched this and your xpt train trip from Sydney to Melbourne. What a great job you have done! I thoroughly enjoyed them and appreciated the effort you put in to making them. Happy travels!

[@allanm7450]

I did the journey on the 1st Dec 2020, Rory did a marvelous job in presenting the trip overall and especially the food aspects. I worked at Commonwealth Engineering in the eighties where the rolling stock were built so it was awesome to actually ride the train. Good job Rory.

[@RoryDing]

Thank you 😊 and yeah it was a really wonderful experience! I Really enjoyed the meals

[@shirlzdey951]

I am South African and I loved Queensland. Did most of the lovely towns on the Sunshine Coast . (Rainbow Beach, Maroocrhidor, Gympie, Bundaberg , 1770 to mention a few) Loved every minute of my stay in one of the most beautiful countries.

[@aviationchannel6204]

The experience looks so good! I can't wait to try it one day!

[@nickhiscock8948]

I did this trip in July 2020 it was wonderful trip. I started at Caboolture instead of Brisbane. It was so nice riding this train during COVID as I was relaxed and mask free enjoying the lovely food on the train.

[@jng66]

Thank you Rory for opening my eyes to the train travel that can be done in my own country. I've only ever done many, many times the XPT in NSW and the Spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Cairns return on 5 occasions using their rail beds which are definitely less private than the Longreach service beds.

[@RoryDing]

This train service is like a hidden gem in Australia Despite the carriages are quite old, I still really love it

[@dogcalledholden]

@@RoryDing I once worked for Queensland Rail over twenty years ago. I can tell you, those carriages are unchanged in design since I left there. The staff on these trains are fantastic, thank you for the video.

[@coover65]

Great video, and you covered it well. We did this trip in about 2015, departing Roma St. at about 6pm. The carriages looked tired and worn then, and worse now. We absolutely hated the non reclining seats in the sleeper cabs, and spent most of our journey with the beds made (even during the day). The meals however are absolutely delicious. This is definitely a trip you wouldn't do twice-once is enough. And for those contemplating such a visit to Longreach; go in the cooler months. In December it's about 45C, not a cloud in the sky and you spend your time ducking from shady, airconditioned building to the next.

[@RoryDing]

Yeah the space in each cabin is two tight! I had the whole twin cabin to myself and I still feel the space is too small. And yeah go in June or July, December was hot 😂😂

[@peaceraybob]

Well done again. Very informative, if slightly disturbing. I did that trip 35 years ago and it really doesn't look like much has changed. Indeed, some of those carriages looked strangely familiar.

[@fracksha4428]

I'm Australian been on it heaps I've been to Japan too and honestly i rate Japan's trains and the journeys is unforgettable... they just got it right. If you want a unforgettable train ride Japan is where it's at.

[@scottmclennan6114]

Great review Rory. I like that you include prices etc.

[@RoryDing]

Thank you 😊

[@AmbientWalking]

Wow! This is amazing! I can’t wait to go on this journey!

[@Crosshead1]

Fantastic review. I had no idea the Spirit of the Outback was this impressive. I would seriously consider it as a way to get to Longreach and the Qantas museum. Thank you.

[@RoryDing]

Thank you!! Yes it is quite good especially the meals in the tucker box restaurant!!

[@stevenkun01]

Thanks for another informative video! You’ve encouraged me to try this service when next in Australia 👍👍

[@AnnQlder]

I love how you just present the trips and focus on the good things, the rest is obvious and speaks for itself. In Queensland our trains have been designed to be as practical and cheap as possible, so first class is only first compared to the rest of the train. I hope one day we get genuine luxury train holidays here. Thank you 🙏

[@Sanznachito]

You’ve certainly enjoyed some unique experiences in 2020, despite all the challenges. What a fascinating and unique insight travelling these vast distances, it didn’t look bad at all. Can’t wait to see your vlogs in 2021. Safe travels! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@cazhinds]

Great video! Very informative. Thank you :)

[@janharrison2925]

What a great video with all the info we needed for our upcoming trip. Thanks Rory for the great effort you put into making this informative video.

[@TheDragonKnights5950]

I love the train inside is a best first class that i want to go to Australia next time

[@sarah-janegalipo3995]

I love the detail you give in your reviews

[@dianneruss777]

Thank you so much - that was very interesting and gave me a good introduction as to what to expect when we travel on the Spirit of the Outback.

[@c-za]

So much detail man good job mat

[@HenrysAviation]

Another fantastic review rory!

[@lizzieandlou5164]

Fantastic narrative-thanks so much for the great advice.!!!

[@patricknullo4196]

Most entertaining and informative. Many thanks for the ride!

[@RoryDing]

Thank you 😊

[@greystanesboy]

Always enjoy your videos, especially train travel which I enjoy watching. I grew up in Sydney in a railway family. Enjoy your happy travels.

[@liamdoyle9559]

Really enjoyed this. Many years ago I worked for QR at Emerald and Morelia Junction which is between. Longteach and Winton. Merry Christmas.

[@RoryDing]

Thank you for watching this video. I hope you’ve had a great Christmas and happy new year 😊

[@patrickkonnane5078]

(●__●)(⑉⊙ȏ⊙)

[@superplatypus]

I love the scenes of nature, lovely views from the window, great video too.

[@ut00bington]

Really detailed, clear and well thought out content.. Kudos.

[@bellbird]

What an interesting trip. The food looked delicious. I would like to experience this train ride in the cooler months. Thank you for your quality reviews.

[@mman069]

I stumbled across your channel and watched this and your xpt train trip from Sydney to Melbourne. great job I thoroughly enjoyed them im now thinking of taking a train trip

[@vk2ycj]

That was fantastic Rory. You put so much good information in your videos that they are a valuable resource for all travellers. Thanks, Jamie C.

[@Rocky-Esq]

Well done Rory. Well balanced review. When I did the trip some time back the train was full of rail enthusiasts from all over Australia.

[@LongTran-jd4iy]

That’s a wonderful of Spirit of Outback.

[@larainegadd3048]

Brilliantly reviewed and videoed. Thank you so much.😁👍

[@RoryDing]

Thank you 😊

[@timinman9578]

Loved this. Well done. I’m keen to take my wife on such a trip. Thanks to you.

[@johnbruyn]

Also, a very delightful Xmas and a happy New Year, hope to see more of your travelling video's.

[@RoryDing]

Thank you! The same to you!! 😊 Yes there’ll be quite a few review videos coming up once I get time to make them 😊

[@davidellis4416]

Very informative, thanks

[@justinflynn4100]

I had a ball watching this. Thank you

[@lkentonon]

We did too!

[@WilliamHenryAlbert]

Great video Rory, thank you.

[@RoryDing]

Thank you 😊

[@carolyngrimson758]

Thanks Rory for all information on Qld train trip. Am going on Brisbane to Cairns and booked Railbed thanks to your review. Started watching all your videos and am now trying to figure out which is my next trip. Thanks again.

[@MN-pu6qx]

I am officially binging on your videos. Thanks again. 8/10 (24.6.21)

[@captaincad1977]

Hey Rory, great review. Keep up the good work.

[@RoryDing]

Thank you ☺️

[@starseedtravel8902]

I love those old train seats 💺 they were designed for comfort back in the 80’s 😂

[@clayton4115]

very informative video! well done!

[@dotti1203]

great review thanks Rory

[@RoryDing]

Thank you 😊

[@Bellairvideo]

Many thanks Rory A great travel feature

[@RoryDing]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed my video ☺️

[@Bellairvideo]

I did watch both the Sydney to Melbourne & this plus the Canberra to Adelaide. Wonderful presentations. I see you use FCP as i do. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5rPk42cZs14pLM Kindest regards Bellairvideo

[@robertdonnan5958]

GREAT VERY INFORMATIVE & ENJOYABLE VIDEO RORY..KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THE AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS MAKE GREAT FUN TRAVEL

[@brassholio]

I've driven from Brisbane to Longreach, and had no idea there was a train. Your videos are excellent. Thanks.

[@nefflz]

Rory, your videos are the best. You should be sponsored by Tourism Australia, as I now want to use a number of the services you've reviewed - especially the Australian rail travel services

[@RoryDing]

Thank you ☺️

[@Nooticus]

So true!

[@carinewoder1499]

I’ll be doing this this year..awesome video

[@RoryDing]

Thank you

[@Cryshalo]

Loving these train review videos, Rory, great work and great production values. Best of luck with your channel.

[@RoryDing]

Thank you 😊

[@tiaansea3319]

This video made me happy. Such is a bliss of travelling. It nurtures one's soul. ✌️

[@RoryDing]

Awww thank you 😊

[@SteveInQLD007]

Thanks for the video been wanting to do this journey for ages now i might just do it!

[@RoryDing]

Do it now cuz I think they still running a promotion and if you’re travelling by yourself you’ll get the twin cabin to yourself!!

[@SteveInQLD007]

@@RoryDing I'll look into it today thanks heaps!

[@kiaraholmes4329]

Enjoyed this with a view of hopefully going to longreach on the train in the future.

[@ThePilbaraPrince]

Awesome video. Love it.

[@RoryDing]

Thank you 😊

[@Ellengin]

Enjoying your videos 😊

[@RoryDing]

Thank you! ☺️☺️

[@blasmartinez8985]

Great video

[@LadyRickie]

I like how you do your rides.

[@pushagainstthezeitgeist4968]

I’ve watched a lot of your doco’s. Very well done and professional. Your attention to detail is remarkable!!

[@RoryDing]

Thank you 😊

[@87licorice]

Excellent video

[@johncoyle4211]

I have been on the Spirit of the Outback a number of times, and my best adv ic e is to take that train in one direction, but perhaps flying in the other direction.

[@TravelSignal]

Amazing! I definitely need to head back to Aus after the pandemic!

[@steveplanesnlego9055]

Great video.... great footage.... nice style.

[@RoryDing]

Thank you 😊

[@zendude123]

Very cool video 👍

[@chetanchauhan5462]

Great review 👍

[@tt1367]

I love your videos :)

[@AviationforAustralia]

Great video as always! I went on the Dubbo XPT and I suggest it for the experience!

[@Confuze4874]

i wish train travel was classic like this, stainless steel carriages and a trip to practically anywhere

[@Wally1967]

Excellent Videos mate. :)

[@RoryDing]

Thank you 😊

[@Code_breaker_]

Thanks for a fantastic information video ! ✔ Great camera work, too ! ✔ 8 March 2021

[@Angelicwings1]

So interested in this. I quite enjoy train travel. I’ve never been on a plane. Also yes I’m doing a binge of your videos lol! I know I’m way behind :)

[@driftingintoretirement]

Great video Rory, I need to start travelling more by train.

[@doughoward6401]

Still have some Bundaberg rum let over from my time there ! Good stuff !

[@mwww12310]

Great video!

[@RoryDing]

Thank you!

[@duaneadams4055]

I like ur journey

[@endoftheline774]

Cant wait to do this trip in April!

[@RoryDing]

That sounds exciting!! 😝

[@shreychanchad2325]

You're a great guy mahn! 💯🙋

[@RoryDing]

Thanks!!

[@grimbomaesai8311]

HAVE WATCHED A COUPLE OF YOUR BLOGS AND REALY LIKE THEM I AM A AUSTRALIAN LIVING IN THAILAND AND AM TO OLD TO COME BACK TO DO THESE TRIPS I AM 82 SO REALY LOVE TO WATCH THESE VIDIOS YOU DO A VERY GOOD JOB XO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK RORY PLEASE BE MY EYES AND KEEP MAKING AN OLD MAN HAPPY

[@RoryDing]

Thank you ☺️

[@brunovaillant972]

J'aime beaucoup vos vidéos sur le réseau ferroviaire australien ou bien à propos de vos trajets aériens. Vidéos de qualité avec des commentaires précis et pertinents. Cela me rappelle mes périples en Australie. Very good job ! . Suis impatient de visionner les prochaines vidéos.

[@RoryDing]

Merci beaucoup d'avoir regardé mes vidéos, je vraiment heureux que tu les apprécies. ☺️☺️

[@gilgandra75]

Great videos, I need to do some off these trips.

[@RoryDing]

You should! I really enjoyed it!

[@carolbennett3742]

I did this journey many times between Emerald and Brisbane about 20 years ago. While I am very happy flying I found the single first class sleeper my preferred form of travel.

[@RoryDing]

Yeah I’d do this again in the future quite an enjoyable experience!

[@robertbarnier45]

Thanks Rory. Well covered as always. I can’t believe the lack of a recliner chair in first class. I would not like that. Cheers Rob

[@lkentonon]

Rob. Great comment. Personally, I would not like no recliner either. Cheers Jeff

[@ajithreddy5491]

Good video

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Great stuff. 👍 I love travelling by train and I’d love to visit the Qantas museum in Longreach so I’m adding this train to my bucket list. ✅ I travelled on The Ghan earlier this year and am editing a video together about that. It was helpful to see how you constructed your review. 🙂

[@RoryDing]

Thank you! Glad my video helps! You should try it, it's quite good consider the price that I paid. Merry Christmas!

[@arohawaima9334]

Also good to look at when in longreach is the stockmans hall of fame

[@tomv8952]

Love this. I have done regional rail travel in Japan and a little bit in Europe... maybe it's finally time to try it in Australia? Thanks for the inspiration!

[@RoryDing]

Europe and Japan are way better 😂😂 most regional trains in Australia are built in the 1980s

[@TalkingPlanning]

Great video as always Rory! Looks like you enjoyed the journey. I know feature length videos take a long time to make so I appreciate you sharing the journey with everyone!

[@RoryDing]

Thank you for watching my video too! Merry Christmas!! 😊🎄

[@johnbruyn]

I did enjoy the video it was a great experience to see the outback! I was thinking to do the same trip but I will fly back or do the reverse.

[@RoryDing]

Thank you! And Yes that’s exactly what I did! I caught the train then flew back with QantasLink!

[@davidlogan4329]

Thanks for the great video, Rory. The Spirit of the Outback looks much better than the so-called more modern train to Cairns from Brisbane. It has decent private proper sleepers and a full dining car too.

[@RoryDing]

Thank you for watching my videos David! I agree the spirit of the outback is better because of the privacy! I actually did it again in 2021

[@rowanbowyer6560]

Enjoined this videos

[@livelife2503]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZe0ZpeVfdGKr68

[@gjmob]

The carriage that you entered was called Hudson Fysh. He was a founder of Qantas Airlines. I used to live near Hudson Fysh Avenue in Darwin N.T.

[@charmaynebruce2534]

You got your own compartment! That's what I miss so much on the Queenslander. I miss the Sunlander!

[@neilmansfield8329]

Like you r video mate

[@lindak8664]

Great video! Beautifully presented food. Good thing you’re skinny indeed, there wasn’t much room in that cabin once the bed went down, ha ;)

[@RoryDing]

The space is quite limited, I actually prefer NSW xpt’s sleeper cabin layout, at least I still can move around when the bed is down.

[@astrofabio68]

Love your reviews Rory, and you show two of my greatest loves, Australia and trains, but it's true ( and I don't know why, maybe because a lot of people choice the plane) the trains are not really comfortable and fast. When I visit my auntie and cousins in Australia, I always choose winter, because summer is to hot for me. Maybe, if the life give me the chance to go again to down under , could make that journey in Queensland, but I'm not quite sure...greetings from Uruguay..!

[@michaelformaini7053]

Great review of one of Australia's last traditional sleeping car trains that doesn't require one to take out a second mortgage to be able to experience it. It's on the bucket list for me but I probably won't be doing it soon because of the craziness we have experienced with COVID in 2020 and the ongoing dramas with quarantine, lockouts, social distancing and vaccines. I have self-imposed a five year travel ban on going anywhere in Queensland because of the attitude of their Premier to anyone that doesn't come from her State. I'll stick to Victoria for the time being. Enough negativity from me (grumpy old bugger I am)! You have done a really good job presenting this train service and the tourism potential about it. The staff hospitality and meal presentation make this a quality experience for any traveller and going First Class Sleeper is definitely worth it. Cheers from Michael.

[@RoryDing]

Thank you so much for your comments/ thoughts on my train reviews, glad you liked my videos! I wasn’t happy with the Qld premier for a while either but you shouldn’t punish yourself for someone else’s mistake. Queensland is worth visiting!

[@newbris]

@@RoryDing Also probably worth researching some of the reports made about her. Some of the tabloid stories stating they didn't let emergency patients into qld, for example, were corrected afterwards as untrue. People don't fact check all the stories they read and so the damage is already done.

[@HappyComfort]

At morning breakfast I found it a little curious that the train was so squeaky 🤔 I know trains are noisy but this is the first video of all I have watched and of the ones I have ridden that is squeaky 🤷🏼‍♀️😛 But nice video and scenery etc otherwise. I was surprised about what a tight squeeze it was with the bed down. Anyway very interesting and fun video thank You 😊🥳🌷👍

[@glendafordham8779]

Great video of your train journey to one of my favourite outback towns. Did you continue on the Winton, just a couple of hours West of Longreach? Another great outback town with so much history of opal mining and movie making. And I hope you also tried some meat pies while you were there. And yes, barramundi is a deelish fish...glad you enjoyed it on the train. I'm a homesick Aussie living in Canada so I really enjoyed your video. Thank you Rory.

[@casperblackcat1975]

Watching your video makes me feel like I'm actually on the train.