Ministerial Statement: Explore Queensland by rail thanks to special deal

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Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
05/02/2008

Explore Queensland by rail thanks to special deal

Rail travellers can take a friend for free on train journeys across Queensland as part of a special deal designed to promote our own backyard, Minister for Transport John Mickel says.

Mr Mickel today urged holidaymakers to take advantage of a '2 for 1' offer currently available on all of Traveltrain Holidays' Queensland rail services.

"When you buy a full-fare seat on services including The Sunlander, The Spirit of the Outback, The Westlander, The Inlander and the high-speed Tilt Train, a family member or friend can travel free," Mr Mickel said.

"This is a great way to experience Queensland's most vibrant coastal and outback destinations, particularly if you have never seen the state by rail."

Mr Mickel said the deal applied to one-way and return rail journeys taken until Tuesday March 18.

"Traveltrain Holidays offers a host of rail options from the premium Queenslander Class on The Sunlander - a five-star journey from Brisbane to Cairns - to day trips on the Tilt Train," he said.

"The Sunlander and the Tilt Train both give travellers access to World Heritage-listed destinations such as Fraser Island, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.

"Meanwhile, The Spirit of the Outback, which journeys from Brisbane to Longreach, also travels through remote and untouched wilderness via routes you would not be able to experience any other way."

Mr Mickel said the Queenslander Class on The Sunlander was recently crowned one of the world's top 25 trains by the US-based Society of International Railway Travellers.

"Traveltrain Holidays' packages combine a range of experiences with rail journeys such as sailing, national parks and diving on the Great Barrier Reef - the benefits to the state's tourism industry are obvious," he said.

From January this year, Traveltrain Holidays has been connecting travellers to destinations nationwide aboard iconic journeys such as The Ghan and the Indian Pacific.

Travellers should grab a copy of this year's new 'Australian adventures with rail' brochure and visit Traveltrain Holidays' new website.

To book a rail journey or to order the Australian Adventures with Rail brochure, call Traveltrain Holidays on 1300 654 841 or visit www.traveltrain.com.au

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