Map RC - Rail map of North Queensland

The "Gulflander" at Blackbull (Map reference A3).

Photo Courtesy Railpix

This map covers the tropical north-eastern corner of Australia in the State of Queensland from the tropic of Capricorn near Rockhampton in the South to Port Douglas in the north. The climate is generally warm, with the coastal strip enjoying wet summers and dry winters. The coastal strip is very fertile and lush with sugar cane being the predominant crop, to the north is tropical rainforest with abundant wildlife, and to the west are flat dry plains extending to outback supporting cattle farming and mining. The primary attraction in the area is the coastal region in which there are many on-shore and off-shore holiday resorts based on the spectacular Great Barrier Reef.

Train services are operated by Queensland Railways (QR). They operate long distance trains under the brand name "TravelTrain" "The Sunlander" runs from Brisbane to Townsville four times per week and continues on to Cairns two days per week - taking a day and a half for the journey. "The Inlander" runs twice weekly from Townsville to Mount Isa. These trains offer sleeping berths, seats and dining facilities on board. "The Tilt Train" is a faster train that runs from Brisbane to Cairns three times weekly.

QR also operate specialist tourist trains - The Kuranda Scenic Train operates twice daily from Cairns to Kuranda, the Savannahlander operates weekly from Cairns to Forsayth and return (with an overnight stop along the way), and the Gulflander operates along the isolated Normanton to Croydon line once weekly.

A printer-friendly version of this map in pdf format can be downloaded by clicking here.

Queensland Railways (QR) official maps and track access details