The Sunlander from Brisbane to Cairns. Panasonic Lumix DMC LX7

We took the Sunlander from Brisbane to Cairns on 30th March, 2014. Arriving the next day in Cairns. The trip took 31 hours. The video footage was shot using a Panasonic Lumix DMC LX7. I won the trip by submitting a video into the Queensland Rail "Spirit of Queensland" video competition. I was one of the runner's up.

[@akagumasony]

I want to get on the luxury train "Sunlander" someday. I envy trains that run unthinkable distances in Japan.

[@WilliamHenryAlbert]

Unfortunately the Sunlander does not run anymore but you can travel on the "Indian Pacific" and also "The Ghan" across Australia, East to West and South to North. Thank you for watching.

[@clayton4115]

nice video, very professionally done !

[@WilliamHenryAlbert]

Thank you Clayton :-)

[@chrispianta3182]

hey Chris....wonderful nostalgic trip.

[@WilliamHenryAlbert]

Yes. Sadly, the train is no more.

[@howardwayne3974]

I wish America had never let its rail system fall apart as it did . in its mad headlong rush to be " modern " and " pushing into the future " it shut down a viable transportation option for thousands of people who either couldn't afford a car and couldn't afford to fly . so the only other option was overcrowded undermaintained stinking long distance buses that took two days to get even a hundred miles .

[@WilliamHenryAlbert]

Thats very sad. The Sunlander is no longer in service, it has been replaced with a more modern train with no private compartments. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@azzamur]

Beautiful video. Congratulations.

[@WilliamHenryAlbert]

Thanks so much Azzamur :-)

[@vasilislenakakis1674]

Lovely places!

[@WilliamHenryAlbert]

Yes Vasilis, a lovely part of the world. Thank you for sharing and commenting.

[@richardjohnson9593]

great vid... I did the trip twice, and with a dog... they allowed my Maltese to travel with me in First class sleeping :)

[@WilliamHenryAlbert]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@stevegardner713]

Great video. Takes me right back to a Far East and Australis trip way back in 2004. Were they still providing high quality dressing gowns in 2014? Food was superb. We have taken plenty of long distance Sleeper trains in UK, Canada, 5 in US, this train and the full distance on the Indian Pacific! The only one I would say is better for food, accommodation and features is "The Canadian". The Queensland Class was remarkable for squeezing full size sleeper compartments in a 3ft6in wide carriage, Real shame they scrapped it. Queensland Rail should have realised how good this was a tourist service in its own right.

[@WilliamHenryAlbert]

Thanks Steve. Yes, we had a nice dressing gown on this trip. We had really nice food on this trip too. Yes, it's such a shame they scrapped this train with it's private compartments. There is a new more modern train "The Spirit of Queensland" but it does not have private cabins, just sleeper pods similar to a business class flight. :-)

[@Abitibidoug]

Good video, it brings back memories as I took the same trip from Brisbane to Proserpine on Feb. 25-26, 2014. I understand this older rail equipment is to be replaced with newer equipment this year, is that right?

[@WilliamHenryAlbert]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting on the video. Yes, this train will be de-commissioned at the end of the year. It is being replaced with a train with rail beds but no individual compartments. I'm glad it bought back memories for you, it's a lovely trip.

[@nobodycares85]

If the QLD Gov had any brains at all, they would have kept this service. I've been on the Spirit of Queensland modern train and compared to the old Sunlander, it's rubbish. Bring back the Sunlander.

[@TheSuziesue]

Rubbish that’s what The Sunlander is rubbish I went on the Spirit in Jan of 2016 and I say it is my spirit animal that’s how good it is.

[@peterpamlockwood]

this looks like its from 1960s.Former Communist country ...Gov complaining its trains are ONLY doing 230kph in 6yrs it hope to get there poor old train to 350kph......... qld 3rd world...

[@WilliamHenryAlbert]

It WAS slow!