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

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,