A winter getaway that is perfect every day

This is branded content for Travelrite.

Don't get SAD, seasonal affective disorder, in winter 2024. Sunny Queensland, is the perfect mid-winter SAD antidote and on this fully escorted Travelrite, in conjunction with The Senior newspaper, rail and coach tour, there is nothing to do but relax and soak up the sun.

For a journey along the coast, jump aboard the Tilt Train at Brisbane's Roma Street Station. Travelling at speeds up to 160km per hour, the Tilt Train is one of the fastest trains in Australia and will have you disembarking in time for the welcome dinner in Rockhampton.

After a tour of Rockhampton, familiarise yourself with Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. Enjoy a cruise to Whitehaven Beach before some free time at Hamilton Island.

Following the coast to Townsville, there is time to take in the vibe of this lively, dynamic beach town with its signature Federation-style architecture.

The following day outback Queensland and the Great Dividing Range loom large on the horizon as the tour boards the Inlander train for Charters Towers.

Once a booming gold rush town, Charters Towers has a fascinating history told in its museums, tours and colonial heritage architecture.

Richmond, a small outback town once part of Australia's vast inland sea, is the place to see fossil finds from the cretaceous-era at Kronosaurus Korner.

Later travel to Mount Isa via Cloncurry. Built on the banks of the Leichhardt River, Mt Isa came into existence due to the huge mineral deposits in the area.

Today it is a bustling, cultural melting pot. Explore the unique Hard Times Mine Underground Tour and the WW2 Underground Hospital.

On the way to Winton have a beer at the Walkabout Creek Hotel as seen in Crocodile Dundee. This is Banjo Paterson country that takes in the Combo Waterhole and The Waltzing Matilda Centre.

Winton is known for its fossilised past inhabitants such as dinosaur 'Elliot' who was discovered close by in 2002. See the fossilised footprints of a 95 million year old dino stampede at Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways.

At the next stop, Longreach, find out about the towns close association with Australia's favourite carrier after exploring the Qantas Founders Museum.

Catch the historic Spirit of the Outback out of Longreach to Barcaldine and rest a little under the famous Tree of Knowledge.

On to Charleville and the ultimate Bilby Experience to meet the cute but endangered little marsupial.

Roma is known for its bottle trees and famous heritage-listed courthouse.

From Roma you can choose how to head back to Brisbane. Either travel by rail overnight on the Westlander or head off by coach. Both will take you across the Darling Downs and the Great Dividing Range and via Toowoomba.

Keep July 16 to August 1, 2024, free for this sunny winter escape.

For more call 1800 630 343 or go to Travelrite Queensland Rail Tours.