23-06-2025
Savannahlander tourist train 'in limbo' with $150m needed for rail line repairs
The operator of an "iconic" outback tourist train says its future depends on the Queensland government's willingness to repair a series of damaged rail bridges.
The Savannahlander takes tourists from Cairns through tropical rainforest to the Gulf Savannah and the old mining towns of Einasleigh and Forsayth, about 250 kilometres from the coast.
Over the course of the four-day return trip passengers take in attractions such as Chillagoe caves, the Undara lava tubes and Cobbold Gorge and stay overnight in local accommodation.
But severe damage from floods and bushfires over the last three years have rendered the first and last sections of the journey accessible only by road.
Simon Terry, the owner of Cobbold Gorge and the Goldfields Hotel in Forsayth, described the line as "one of the most iconic rail journeys in Australia".
But Forsayth station has not welcomed any passengers since the end of 2023, when an old wooden rail bridge was destroyed.
Mr Terry said the tiny towns depended on visitors to help "dollars flow through".
"The train has always been a great backstop for tourism in the region and to just wipe it off the itinerary is devastating," he said.
The Savannahlander is run by Cairns Kuranda Steam, whose operations manager Michael Lee is seeking Queensland Rail's commitment to a 10-year plan to repair the the 425km line.
A decision on funding is yet to be made but Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg put the cost of repairs at $152 million.
But Queensland Rail estimated the cost could be as much as $300m over a decade.
"I would like to see some independent evaluation of what the costs are to repair the bridges, but it is the wrong side of $100 million, let's just say that, for a total package for the whole line," Mr Lee said.
Damage to a section of rail between Kuranda and Koah has led to the Savannahlander beginning its journey at Mareeba instead of Cairns.
With its Cairns base cut off, Savannahlander operators had to set up a temporary maintenance workshop inland at Mount Surprise, where extensive maintenance is more difficult and expensive.
The Savannahlander operating contract is up for extension at the end of this year and negotiations for a new deal between Cairns Kuranda and Queensland Rail are underway.
"I would be quite prepared to keep this service running for another 12 months, even if we had to remain isolated from Cairns, because I do understand there's a lot of expense involved in the bridges between Kuranda and Koah," Mr Lee said.
Savannahlander driver Wil Kemp said he felt like he was "in a state of limbo".
He said the Savannahlander generated employment and helped keep families in the small towns it passed through.
"If you just look at [the cost of repairs] on paper, it probably doesn't make sense," Mr Kemp said.
Mr Terry said having sections of the line closed made it difficult to develop tourism packages.
Mr Lee said he would like to see repairs to the Copperfield River bridge prioritised to allow the train to cross the spectacular Newcastle Range and get to within 15 minutes of Forsayth.
Tourist numbers have dropped slightly and coaches have replaced the train for parts of the journey.
"One thing we have received, though, is some positive feedback from some people that you might say almost reluctantly did the trip despite the road transport legs," Mr Lee said.
The Savannahlander, now in its 30th year, is the only train that operates between Kuranda and Forsayth.
"However, Queensland Rail continues to support their operations with a $4.5-million investment in the maintenance of the Mareeba to Forsayth section each year," Queensland Rail regional network head Scott Cornish said.
