Gumtree - Thanks for giving me the opportunity to tell about that Queensland trip. I have taken it, I went last May after I decided that because I had always wanted to visit Cairns, the Daintree etc. that I really had to visit before I died.
The railway trip departs Roma Street Station in Brisbane quite early and ends up in Cairns at 4pm the next day. The journey takes approximately one and a half days. I had saved my pennies and bought a private first class ticket to ride. The price included meals of the highest quality in a rather fancy buffet car. I had my own steward and she plumped my pillows and left chocolates for the night I was in transit. Also fluffy bathrobes and towels were provided for the passengers to keep. The drinks were good value and the latest magazines were on hand. Games, cards etc. were also available. In addition, there was an extremely accomplished pianist availabe to play requests on a baby grand. I was travelling alone, as is my preference, but for my first meal at lunch I was joined, after giving my permission, by a charming young man who I discovered was doing a review of the trip for Queensland Tourism. I had the impression that the staff knew about why this young man was on board, and we were rewarded by many free bottles of champagne and the finest food for the remainder of the trip. My bed was narrow, but comfortable. I particularly enjoyed looking out the window in the early hours - something I never do at home. The trip doesn't come cheap, but as a pensioner I got a reasonable discount. If you visit Queensland, I can recommend the trip most highly.
