Queensland Rail renews its much-loved 2-for-1 Outback Rail fare for the tenth consecutive year. The promotion runs from 1 November 2025 to 31 March 2026. It lets two people travel for the price of one on key western rail services.
This offer applies on the Spirit of the Outback, Westlander and Inlander routes. It encourages Queenslanders to discover remote towns and scenic landscapes across the outback.
A Budget-Friendly Outback Adventure
This campaign makes the outback more accessible. Passengers travelling in pairs book one full fare and the second person rides free. Queensland Rail also extends a 50 % discount on AChoice fares for solo travellers.
The eligible routes include the Spirit of the Outback (linking Brisbane to Longreach and Charleville), the Westlander (Brisbane to Charleville), and the Inlander (Townsville to Mount Isa). These routes span hundreds of kilometres through remote and striking terrain.
Fare Structure and Discounts
- For a pair, one pays the full adult BQuick or AChoice fare (or concession fare), and the second travels free.
- Solo travellers qualify for 50 % off the AChoice fare when travelling alone on these services.
While Queensland Rail does not publish every fare in the media release, some sample sectors from prior promotions show significant savings in economy class when two passengers travel together.
Supporting Regional Communities
Queensland Rail launched this promotion to boost travel during slower months and support regional economies.
By sending more visitors into remote communities, the offer helps local cafes, hotels, tour operators, and attractions. It also improves connectivity to areas with few other transport options.
Candice Heine, Executive General Manager of Regional Operations at Queensland Rail, expressed pride in reaching the ten-year milestone. She emphasized strong demand for accessible regional travel and said the fare allows more people to enjoy outback towns affordably.
The Experience on Board
Travelling by train across Queensland’s outback offers a relaxed pace and open views. Passengers can admire changing scenery without the stress of driving.
Onboard dining, social interaction, and uninterrupted panoramas make the trip itself memorable. Heine noted that the journey becomes part of the adventure.
Queensland Rail offers twice-weekly return services on all three outback lines.
Travel Tips & Booking
- Call Queensland Rail Travel (phone 1800 872 467) or visit a Rail Travel Centre or travel agent to book. The special fares don’t allow online booking.
- This fare applies only to sectors commencing or ending west of Rockhampton.
Why It Matters
This 2-for-1 fare promotes regional tourism and helps maintain the viability of rail services in rural Queensland. When more people ride trains into remote areas, communities reap the benefits of increased visitation.
Travel in the outback also builds awareness of Queensland’s cultural heritage, natural environments, and the stories of its smaller towns.
Final Word
Whether you plan a trip with a friend, partner, or set out solo, this decade-old Queensland Rail promotion delivers great value. It invites you to journey across Queensland’s western expanse via the Spirit of the Outback, Westlander, or Inlander.
Book early, travel between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026, and seize this rare chance to explore Australia’s outback by rail — at half the usual cost.
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