Queensland Railways have the reputation for being one of the finest in Australia. Train travel offers the benefits of combining scenic travel with accommodation which means great value for money, as well as the opportunity to really observe the natural flora and fauna along the way. Cairns is well serviced with interstate trains arriving and departing Briisbane four times a week. The 'Sunlander' departs Cairns for Brisbane on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. This train has 15 carriages and the journey takes 32 hours. Fares on the Sunlander start at $284 return economy (sitting up) and go up to $526 return for a first class sleeper. Students are half price and there are discounts for pensioners and children. The 'Queenslander' which departs Cairns on Tuesdays is a first-class only train with meals inclusive. The one-way fare is $439 and return is $878. Once again, there are discounts for students, pensioners and children. There are twice daily connecting services from Brisbane to Sydney and there are also twice daily services from Sydney to Melbourne. A one-way economy fare from Cairns to Melbourne is $300 (return $600) and a one-way economy fare from Cairns to Sydney is $200 (return $400). Please note that all these trains services are passenger-only, there are no container carriages. The new 'Great South Pacific Express', which is part of the legendary Orient-Express company, offers passengers the ultimate in luxury rail travel. Built by Queensland Rail at a cost of $35 million, the train boasts attentive service, sumptuous cuisine and stunning furnishings. There are restaurants, lounges, an open-sided Observation Car and even a boutique. Passengers can choose from a variety of journeys such as Brisbane - Cairns (vice versa), Brisbane - Sydney (vice versa) or Sydney - Brisbane - Cairns (vice versa). Fares start from $2,430 (twin share) for a Pullman compartment and go up to $6,310 for a Commissioners compartment. There is a 20% discount for a child aged 11 or less and 10% reduction on a second trip. The Cairns leg of the journey takes in the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a popular tourist attraction of Far North Queensland. Although direct train services don't extend further north than Cairns, there are several fascinating train trips available throughout North Queensland. 'Spirit of the Tropics' runs between Brisbane and Townsville twice a week and the 'Spirit of the Outback' runs between Brisbane and Longreach twice a week. The 'Queenslander', the 'Sunlander', the 'Spirit of the Tropics' and the 'Spirit of the Outback' are all air-conditioned and are equipped with video/music facilities, showers, and club car. Bus company, Coral Coaches runs a 4/5/6 day all inclusive 'Gulflands Experience' tour across the Atherton Tablelands to Karumba, which includes journeys on the famous outback trains, the 'Gulflander' and the 'Savannahlander'. The tours which depart Cairns regularly from April to October, start from $699 for adults with discounts for pensioners, children and groups. The Kuranda Scenic Railway, which runs between Cairns and the picturesque rainforest village of Kuranda, is one of the most popular attractions in Tropical North Queensland. Originally built more than 100 years ago, the train runs everyday except Christmas Day and New Year's Day and includes guided commentary. Fares are $25 (o/w) adult and $40 return with discounts for pensioners, students and children. The Kuranda Scenic railway trip can be combined in a package with a number of other attractions including the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.