Rail Runner March 2026 Archives

2026 Season Update - March 2026

Due to recent weather events, the first Savannahlander service for 2026 is now scheduled to depart on 1 April 2026.

It is unknown at this stage if there will be any route restrictions once operations commence until Queensland Rail are able to complete a full assessment of the line.

If there is any impact to our schedule, all passengers with existing bookings will be contacted as soon as further information becomes available.

Thank you for your understanding – from all of the team at the Savannahlander!

Terms and Conditions

Prices and Conditions

Any verbal quote given is only an estimate of the price at the time of enquiry, which will be subject to change until confirmation of your reservation by us.

Prices listed are in Australian Dollars (AU$) and are inclusive of GST. Prices are current at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.

All prices, conditions and information regarding your travel should be checked prior to making a booking. Specific fare conditions may apply and these can be viewed in our Fare Types or they will be noted on the fare advertising information.

Concession prices: The Savannahlander offers concessions and discounts to a range of customer types. Please view our Discounted Fares page for details. All Concession numbers for concession fares MUST BE QUOTED AT THE TIME OF BOOKING – once the invoices have been issued for your tour package we cannot apply concession rates retrospectively.

Deposits and Booking Orders

There is a non-refundable deposit of $150 per person for all tours. (this does not include rail-fare only bookings). In the event that we cannot supply your requested tour the deposit will be refunded in full, however for any re-bookings or cancellations the deposit will be forfeited. This includes changes to existing bookings if new dates become available through the course of the year.

Upon confirmation of your tour you will be sent an invoice for the balance of your tour and full payment is due 30 days prior to travel.

Bookings will be processed strictly on the basis that they are received with a completed deposit.

Amendments, Cancellation and Refunds

Full payment for your tour is due 30 days prior to travel. We offer a full refund (less your deposit) for cancellations made greater than 14 days prior to departure. All cancellations made with 14 days or less notice from the date of departure will not be refunded.

We reserve the right to change or cancel your booking in accordance with operating requirements or due to circumstances beyond our control. We are not responsible for costs of any other travel arrangements affected by changes to or cancellation of your booking.

Without limitation, we will not be responsible if the Product is not available due to force majeure, including but not limited to, civil unrest, health risk, closure of airports/ports etc, industrial disputes, terrorist activity, adverse weather conditions etc.

Coronavirus Related Cancellations

If you are unable to travel due to coronavirus related travel restrictions we will refund your payment and deposit in full with the following conditions:

Coronavirus related cancellations includes cancellations due to border closures, transport cancellations and quarantine or lockdown.
Full payment for your tour is still due 30 days prior to departure unless you have made alternative arrangements with our office.
Cancellations must be made 21 days prior to your departure date for a full refund of your fare and/or deposit.
There are no refund for cancellations under any circumstance (covid or non-covid related) for cancellations made 14 days or less from departure.
If you have a covid related reason that you cannot travel with 14 days or less notice from departure – we will approach our suppliers on your behalf with the circumstances of your cancellation and pass on any refund that they may give us in full to you. You may be asked to provide some documentation to support your claim in this case.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend travel insurance at the time of booking.

Luggage

While the train has no practical weight limit for your luggage – you must be able to lift and carry your own luggage. This includes carrying up a flight of stairs and carrying over open ground. Please note that this is an outback tour and that paved areas are the exception rather than the rule (ie. wheeled bags are not an acceptable alternative to carrying your luggage).

Generally we ask our passengers to limit their luggage to one piece (approx 20Kg) plus a smaller carry-on bag (ie. handbag).

Fitness to travel

By booking with us, you acknowledge and agree that you are fit to travel independently, unless you have fully informed us of any special requirements at the time of making your booking and we have agreed to provide the special assistance to you.

We require that all our passengers self-assess their fitness to travel -we have an online guide here at http://www.savannahlander.com.au/

If you think that there may be an issue – please contact us. We do have a DDA Compliant railmotor and can suggest changes to your tour that may assist with your specific needs.

Smoking

The Savannahlander is strictly a non-smoking service for all types of cigarettes, cigars and e-cigarettes. This includes smoking in the toilet area and within 5 meters of the doorways and eating areas.

All our accommodation providers operate non-smoking rooms and facilities, although there may be provision for smoking in a Designated Outdoor Smoking Area (DOSA). Please make your enquiry direct to the accommodation provider when you arrive as to the location of the DOSA.

If you would like to smoke while travelling with us you may do so when the train stops for morning tea, lunches etc. Please talk to your friendly driver about the timing and where you can go to smoke at the specific stop.

Please note that we take the comfort and safety of our passengers seriously, passengers found smoking on the train may be asked disembark the train and leave the tour. In the event that you are removed from the tour there are no refunds available for the unused portion of your tour package.

Disability Access, Special Assistance, Medical and Dietary Requirements

We will try to ensure that any special requests or requirements noted at the time of booking can be met by the Savannahlander.

Please advise any dietary requirements including diabetic, coeliac meals; allergies etc. to ensure the necessary arrangements are made before your arrival.

Please note that all meals are catered for by third parties and while all care is taken we cannot be responsible for the meals that are served. Most providers are happy to provide alternative meals for breakfast and dinners, but morning tea and lunch selections may be more limited.

Please also be aware that you are travelling in remote areas with limited medical access and facilities. Your care in this matter should be related to the severity of your allergic response.

If your reaction is manageable and regarded more as an “intolerance” then you should be fine. You may want to consider bringing some appropriate snacks with you in case you cannot find a suitable morning tea or lunch option available to your needs. There is an “Esky” on the train in which you can keep things cool.

If your allergic response is severe (such as anaphylactic shock), then you may need to consider bringing food with you for your meals. Our providers are happy to facilitate your needs in this respect but cannot provide segregated food preparation environments which may carry a risk of cross contamination. An example is that the chopping boards and utensils may have been used previously with other foodstuffs. Please contact us if you intend to do this.

If you do have the potential for severe reactions, please advise us of the nature of your allergic reaction and access to any medications that you may have with you to treat severe reactions (ie. Epi-pen). On boarding the train please inform the drivers of your medical needs and the location of your medication so they may be able to assist in the event that you are not able to.

The tour operates in remote areas which sometimes have limited medical access. If you have any doubt about your medical needs please contact us prior to booking to discuss how we may assist.

COVID-Safe travel conditions

The safety of our staff and passengers are always of the highest priority for the Savannahlander. The following new procedures and facilities will be in effect for all travel on the Savannahlander:

By booking with us you agree that you have not displayed covid symptoms, are currently being tested or currently under quarantine as directed by a health official.
If you develop symptoms of Coronavirus prior to departure, please contact our offices as your booking may be deferred as required.
If you develop symptom of Coronavirus prior to departure, you agree NOT TO TRAVEL as this poses a high level of risk to our staff and passengers.
Boarding and exit only through the rear doors of the front carriage and forward doors of the rear unit. (with the exception of those requiring use of the DDA compliant wheelchair lift);
Social distancing will be encouraged;
Increase cleaning and sterilisation procedures during train journeys;
Hand washing stations will be located on each rail motor and passengers are encouraged to use them;
We have reduced the carrying capacity to approximately 50% to allow for social distancing in the seating pattern;
There will be a restriction the amount of free movement of passengers during a train journey (ie. no visiting the drivers areas);
We have made changes to food preparation and delivery to minimise contact;
Changes to luggage handling – passengers will take their bags to the unused seats adjacent to their seating for the day;
We will produce and maintain a “contact tracing manifest” ;
Face masks will be available for any persons developing a cough who will be provided a mask and required to wear them.

Important Covid-19 Information

Thank you for considering the Savannahlander for your next outback rail adventure. Whilst we aim to provide an amazing outback experience, we hold the safety of our staff and passengers as our primary concern. In light of the ongoing corona virus pandemic we have taken advice and risk assessed our business practices and have come to a considered position on the vaccine status of our passengers.

In 2022 we will require all travellers on our tour packages to be double vaccinated two weeks or more before the date of travel.

We ask for proof of vaccination one month prior to travel and your tour will be cancelled if this is not received two weeks prior to travel. In the case that your travel is cancelled at this stage no refund will be available.

If you have any problems or concerns regarding this policy, please contact our office.

As in previous years, you will be invoiced prior to departure and full payment will be due one month prior to travel.

Can I leave my vehicle somewhere?

As with a lot of rail travel, you may be driving to your chosen departure point for your journey with us on the Savannahlander.

The good news is that all of the stations along the route have space available for you to park a car. You should note however that while all care is taken and incidents are very rare that your vehicle is parked at your own risk.

The Cairns central railway station has the provision for FREE parking for travellers on the Savannahlander. It should be noted that Cairns Central has recently moved to “ticket-less parking” which uses cameras to read your vehicle number plates. To access this service you should do the following:

1) Please note your vehicle registration number on your booking form. If you change vehicles between the time of booking and the time of travel you will need to contact our office to update the registration details.

2) On the day please park your car as normal.

3) When you exit the parking facility simply proceed to the exit and the gate will open for you.

Please note- if you do not provide registration details you will need to pay at the pay-station prior to leaving the carpark.

Please note that if you have a large vehicle, motor-home or RV that you may need to make alternate arrangements as not all parking facilities can accommodate larger vehicles. We would advise that you visit the station prior to departure to check or make alternative arrangements.

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Covid-Safe Measures of Partner Organisations

This page is to explain some of the measures that have been put in place by our partner organisations.
These are the businesses along the route of the Savannahlander where you will be booked for meals, accommodation and tours. Please observe social distancing and the direction of the staff in these venues as the measures put in place are for the safety of the staff and passengers such as yourself. In many cases these conditions are enforceable by law and breaking these rules puts our operators at risk of penalties.
Almaden Railway Hotel
No drinks or meals may be consumed at the bar area
Drinks and meals may only be consumed in the designated dining area(s) and social distancing should be observed
Re-organising or moving the tables and chairs is not permitted – if you feel this is required for your specific contact group (ie. a family group) then please discuss these requests with the staff
Bedrock Village Caravan Park
Our bar will not be open until further notice, however, we can supply alcoholic drinks to accompany your evening meal
Dimbulah Historical Society
Please adhere to social distancing markers on the platform while enjoying your refreshments
There is hand sanitiser stations around the station for passenger use
1.5 meter distancing in place by putting tape on the platform we will be serving afternoon tea, tea and coffee for the customers and have the chairs placed 1.5 meters away from each other

In the museum building on the platform – there is only 2 persons permitted at any time (excluding staff). This may be extended if you are a travelling contact group such as a family with children etc.
Mutchilba General Store
Menu will be scones, jam & cream
We can cater for 20 people as we have tables and chairs inside and out.
Please be patient with lining up when entering some might have to wait outside. We will guide customers to seating arrangements

Category: Rail Runner March 2026

Rail Runner March 2026

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