2026 Season – Available Through the Travel Trade

Silver-Tails Rail Sunset – An Outback Rail Adventure

Silver-Tails Rail Sunset

A Tranquil Sunset Rail Journey Through the Outback

  • Approximately two-hour experience aboard restored heritage rail motors
  • Wednesday and Saturday departures from April, with Mondays added in peak season
  • Early booking saving options available for the 2026 season
  • Signature canapés and a complimentary welcome drink included
  • Optional upgrade to include Smithy’s Outback Dinner and Show
  • Suited to Fully Independent Travellers (FIT), series groups, and mature-age clients
A smiling staff member in a black Outback branded uniform serves appetizers and snacks

EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

An Outback Sunset Aboard Heritage Rail Motors

Longreach Railway Station Travellers gather at Longreach Railway Station on the Landsborough Highway, arriving up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure for check-in. The rail motor sets off in the late afternoon, returning to the same station at the close of the journey. It is an easy, central starting point within the Longreach programme.
A serene sunset scene over a calm river lined with eucalyptus trees silhouetted against a golden
Approximately 1.5 Hours on the Rails The rail portion runs for roughly an hour and a half, with the full experience taking around two hours from check-in to return. The route winds through changing outback scenery, offering wide views of the floodplains and surrounding countryside as the light softens into evening.
A woman and young boy sit together on a coach bus with large windows, enjoying views of rolling
Restored 2000 Class Carriages The journey is aboard beautifully restored heritage 2000 class rail motors, a piece of living history in their own right. The comfortable, unhurried ride lets travellers take in the expansive scenery at a gentle pace, with plenty of room to relax and enjoy the experience.
A woman in light blue clothing and a hat boards a classic streamliner passenger train numbered 2036
Tales From the Driver-Guides Outback Aussie Tours’ trained drivers bring the journey to life with stories of the land, the railway, and the people who have shaped this corner of Western Queensland. Their local knowledge adds depth to the experience, turning a scenic ride into an engaging window on outback life and history.
A silver Art Deco streamliner passenger train numbered 2035 travels through an arid desert
Changing Colours Over the Thomson River As the sun lowers, the floodplains and lagoon take on shifting tones of gold, copper, and deep red. The journey is timed to make the most of this transition, with the sunset reflecting across the water for one of the most photographed moments in the region. It is a quiet, memorable highlight that captures the character of Outback Queensland.
Three smiling women in white and striped clothing enjoy a moment together inside a luxury coach
Signature Canapés & Licensed Bar As the rail motor rolls through the countryside, guests are welcomed with a complimentary champagne drink and signature canapés. A licensed bar is available throughout the journey, so travellers can settle in with a drink of choice while the late-afternoon light shifts across the landscape. It is a relaxed, social way to round off a day in the outback.
A cheerful tour guide wearing a cream-colored shirt, cowboy hat, and glasses gives two thumbs up

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Inclusions & 2026 Departure Details

Tour Inclusions

  • Optional upgrade to include Smithy’s Outback Dinner and Show
  • Spectacular changing colours across the floodplains at dusk
  • Relaxed, low-fitness experience suited to all ages
  • Licensed bar available onboard for drinks of choice
  • Signature canapés served throughout the journey
  • Approximately 1.5-hour rail journey through changing outback scenery
  • Departs and returns to Longreach Railway Station

Tour Highlights

  • Early booking saving options for 2026 – contact AABH for details
  • Engaging onboard storytelling from trained driver-guides
  • Restored heritage 2000 class rail motors – a journey through living history
  • Sunset reflections across the Thomson River lagoon
  • Complimentary champagne welcome drink on boarding

Add This Destination to Your Australia or New Zealand Itinerary

Contact our team for trade rates, availability, and help packaging this tour into your clients’ tailor-made itineraries. As a leading inbound travel specialist for Australia and New Zealand, we’ll build the complete journey, including flights, accommodation, connecting tours, and onward travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Early booking saving options are available for the 2026 programme, and these are best arranged through the travel trade. Australia and Beyond Holidays (AABH) can confirm current availability, wholesale rates, and saving options for your clients. Contact AABH to discuss bookings, request a quote, or build the Silver-Tails Rail Sunset into a larger Outback Queensland itinerary.

The 2026 programme runs from mid-April through to mid-October, aligning with the cooler dry season in Outback Queensland. Departures are scheduled on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 15 April to 30 June, with Mondays added from 1 July to 30 September, and Wednesdays and Saturdays again from 1 to 15 October. The train departs at 4:45 pm for most of the season, shifting to 5:15 pm in October. All dates are subject to availability and minimum numbers.

This is a low-fitness, easy-going experience suited to travellers of all ages. Guests are seated comfortably aboard the heritage rail motor for the journey, with minimal movement required beyond boarding and disembarking at the station. It is an accessible, relaxed way to enjoy the outback sunset and is well suited to mature-age clients and families alike.

The Silver-Tails Rail Sunset departs from and returns to Longreach Railway Station on the Landsborough Highway. Clients should arrive up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time for check-in. Longreach is accessible by direct QantasLink flights from Brisbane or aboard the Spirit of the Outback train, making it straightforward to add this experience into a broader Outback Queensland itinerary.

Yes. The Silver-Tails Rail Sunset suits series groups, incentive programmes, and special interest travellers looking for a relaxed shared experience in the outback. Departures can be coordinated to fit group schedules, and the licensed onboard bar and signature canapés make it a natural fit for celebration or networking moments. We can work with you on group numbers and timing to ensure a seamless experience for your clients. Speak with Australia and Beyond Holidays (AABH) about coordinating group departures.

The Silver-Tails Rail Sunset is an ideal late-afternoon experience that slots neatly into a longer Longreach stay. It pairs beautifully with the Qantas Founders Museum, the Stockman’s Hall of Fame, and a Drover’s Sunset Cruise across separate days, giving clients a full picture of Outback Queensland. As a roughly two-hour journey departing in the late afternoon, it leaves the rest of the day free for other touring and works well as an evening highlight before or after dinner. For travel agents building tailor-made itineraries, it is a flexible inclusion that adds a memorable sunset moment without disrupting the rest of the programme.