INLANDER

Acknowledgement of Country 

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Country we traverse. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge their spiritual connection to the lands and waterways and ask their ancestors to watch over us as we tread lightly on Country.

Welcome Aboard the Inlander

Step aboard the Inlander, a unique rail service that journeys through Queensland’s vast northwest Outback, a region rich with natural and prehistoric wonders. The Inlander connects the tropical city of Townsville – the largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast – with the mining hub of Mount Isa – home to one of the most productive single mines in world history – traversing 977 kilometres of stunning landscapes in 21 hours. 

Customers are offered the chance to experience the unique landscapes of the North West Outback as well as the charm of historically significant towns along the route, such as Gold Rush towns Charters Towers and Pentland. Cloncurry celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2017, and is famous as the origin of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The Inlander also passes through the heart of dinosaur and fossil country, with Hughenden being home to the Flinders Discovery Centre which houses a seven-metre dinosaur replica and an impressive fossil collection.

With services operating twice weekly, the Inlander journey is both comfortable and very reasonably priced. Generously sized windows provide fantastic views and there is plenty of leg room in the sitting carriages. 

What to Expect on the Train

The layout of the Inlander is a blend of practicality and comfort. It has three carriages that are used by customers. From the front to the back, there is a customer lounge followed by two Economy Seating carriages. 

The Inlander Lounge is where you can unwind in a communal space and engage in conversation with other members of your party or your fellow travellers: its comfortable lounge-style chairs and compact tables encourage relaxation and interaction. Its enormous windows are perfect for watching the Outback unfold, but are equipped with adjustable blinds should you need them. From here, customers can reach out to the on-board team for assistance and refreshments. You can help yourself to tea, coffee and filtered water at the self-service station at the end of the Lounge carriage. The lounge closes at 9 PM and reopens again at 7 AM the following morning.

At the beginning of Carriage A are luggage racks and a unisex shower. Another unisex shower, complete with baby change table, can be found at the front of Carriage B, while two toilets are located at the end of each carriage. 

The seats in Carriage A are arranged in a two-by-one seating configuration, allowing for solo travellers to sit by themselves, while those in Carriage B have a two-by-two seating configuration. All seats have high backs and have a decent degree of recline that still leaves a generous amount of legroom. They are all fitted with footrests, tray tables, fixed armrests and reading lights. In the seat pocket you can find a safety card, our onboard magazine, ‘embark’and a refreshments menu. 

In terms of luggage storage, customers may check in one piece of luggage weighing no more than 20 kilograms and no larger than 180 centimetres combined dimensions. These are stored securely in the luggage carriage. Hand luggage can be stored in overhead racks, while larger luggage can be stored in racks at the end of the carriage if you decide not to check it in. 

Complimentary snack packs delivered to each seat during mealtimes keep hunger at bay along the extensive journey. The morning begins with nourishing cereal with milk, together with refreshing juice and fruit. Lunch and dinner consist of sandwiches supplemented by a piece of cake or biscuit pack, juice and fruit. These essentials may be sufficient for most people, but those with a larger appetite should consider bringing along extra supplies. 

History of the Inlander

The Inlander is recognised as one of the first trains in Australia to feature air conditioning. This innovation, which began in the late 1940s, significantly improved customer comfort and set a new standard for rail travel. The Inlander made its first official public run on February the second, 1953, generating excitement within the community as it showcased modern technology designed to enhance long-distance travel.

Today, the 21-hour Inlander journey operates on the Mount Isa Line, maintaining its vital role as a connector between Townsville and Mount Isa. 

Highlights along the Way

Embark on the Inlander and encounter some of Queensland’s most captivating scenes, transitioning from coastal beauty to the wonders of the Outback. This journey starts in Townsville, the most populous city in Northern Australia. Not far along, the train meanders toward Charters Towers, where echoes of Gold Rush days reside within the town’s well-preserved architecture that tells tales of the town’s prosperity. In its heyday, at the end of the 19th century, Charters Towers was second in size only to Brisbane in Queensland and even hosted its own stock exchange!

As the Inlander progresses west, the sprawling Outback landscapes beyond reveal themselves to customers gazing out of the windows, with small rural communities like Pentland coming into view, providing a glimpse of local agricultural life sustained by cattle grazing. Hughenden is a mecca for fossil enthusiasts. Here, at the most important town on the “Dinosaur Trail”, customers who break their journey can dwell on the prehistoric past etched into every fossil fragment at the Flinders Discovery Centre, outside which stands Hughie, a life-sized replica of a Muttaburrasaurus which is Queensland’s state fossil emblem. The story of Richmond rings a similar tune, housing the Kronosaurus Korner Museum, where relics tell of ancient marine reptiles that swam when this land was submerged in ancient waters.

As the excursion continues westward, towns like Julia Creek – which was for a short time the terminus of the Mount Isa Line – and Duchess speak to the longstanding importance of the mining and farming sectors to the region. Cloncurry’s famous not only as the origin of the Flying Doctor Service; it was also named Queensland's Friendliest Town twice in recent years by environmental movement Keep Queensland Beautiful due to its livability. Best-known for its mineral deposits – particularly lead, silver, copper and zinc – Mount Isa is the culmination of your enchanting expedition through dusty towns and vast, sweeping plains. 

Accessibility 

Overview 

Queensland Rail Travel is committed to providing rail services that are accessible to all customers. However, accessibility when travelling on the Inlander is limited by its age and original heritage infrastructure. Boarding the train requires navigating a step, and doorways and aisles are relatively narrow. A platform ramp with handrails is available at most stations to assist with joining and leaving services, for use by any customer who requests it. If you have access needs, we recommend you discuss your precise requirements with a travel consultant when booking.

Customers who are able to navigate the train without the use of their mobility device may use the luggage car to store their device. 

In general, the dimensions for a mobility device on the Inlander is 750mm wide by 1300mm long.

Storage options for non-collapsible mobility devices is only in the luggage carriage and must be added at the time of booking due to limited spaces. Storage options for collapsible mobility devices include the luggage racks at the end of each passenger carriage or in the luggage carriage.

Queensland Rail Travel provides concession fares for rail travel to a range of concession card holders. Queensland pensioner rail entitlements are available to Queensland residents who hold a Queensland Pensioner Card. These entitlements are also available to Queensland residents who are war widows or widowers with an Australian Government DVA Health Card or partners of a Totally and Permanently Incapacitated or Extreme Disability Adjustment Veteran travel pass holder.

Holders of a valid Australian state or territory senior’s card receive a discount of up to 50% of the full fare on Queensland Rail long-distance services and Queensland veterans with a Totally and Permanently Incapacitated or Extreme Disability Adjustment Veteran travel pass also receive rail travel entitlements. 

We offer a free carer ticket to eligible customers including Companion Card holders (Australian residents), international visitors in possession of a companion/carers card equivalent to the Companion Card and to Queensland pensioner rail entitlement customers with a doctor’s letter. Check the Concession Fares web page for full details. 

On Board 

The doorway used to enter and exit the train is approximately 610 millimetres wide. Moving through to Carriage A requires opening a door in the gangway between the carriages using a handle; high-contrast grab rails are located next to the door, which is 560 millimetres wide. The width between the seats in Carriage A is 640 millimetres. The passage through to Carriage B is also via a gangway, but there are two doors to pass through, each with a manually operated handle, one being 560 millimetres wide and the other 530 millimetres wide.

Carriage B has seats allocated to people travelling with assistance animals. The aisle width between the seats in this carriage is just 420 millimetres. 

The complimentary snack packs are delivered to customers in their seats.

At the Station 

Entry from the train to the platform is via a step and the height can vary at stations along the journey. Please visit our Find Your Station page to see details of heights between platforms and the train entrance. Ramps with handrails are provided at all stations for those who need assistance. These ramps can safely bear 300 kilograms, including customers, mobility devices and any helpers.

Townsville Railway station has many accessible features: a convenient drop-off zone with ramp access, unisex accessible toilet, tactile platform edges, a hearing loop, a taxi call button, a next-train-information console and luggage trolleys, among others. Mount Isa has similar facilities with the exception of a taxi call button, and Charters Towers is again similar but does not have tactile platform edges. Other stations on the line lack some key accessibility features. 

Communication with Queensland Rail regarding accessibility arrangements is encouraged, allowing staff to anticipate needs and provide necessary assistance, thereby ensuring a pleasant and stress-free journey.

We look forward to welcoming you onboard soon!