General News
9 June, 2026
Savannahlander simply ‘The Best’, but where to now?
THE next chapter in the story of the Savannahlander train journey looks to be a thriller as the now official “Best Tourism Attraction in Queensland” continues to barrel along a rail line pitted with damage.
The story so far has been tumultuous – a classic underdog rising from the floods, the rally of regional and remote towns vocal in their support of a tourism lifeline. There’s even been a song about it.
Then just last week, the State Government announced the rail journey through the Tablelands to Gulf Savannah country was voted “the Best” ahead of Australia Zoo and Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, which has put the future of the train well and truly in the spotlight.
Will the government cough up the money to fix sections of the line currently closed? Will Queensland Rail or the Department of Main Roads and Transport provide an update on the status of the damage and costings?
An “ecstatic” Member for Cook, David Kempton, has vowed to push for a solution. He joined operations manager at Cairns Kuranda Steam Train, Mike Lee, and Savannahlander train driver Wil Kemp in Brisbane for the announcement ceremony on Wednesday last week in Brisbane.
“This proves how iconic and popular the Savannahlander is,” Mr Kempton said. “It’s been a fantastic morning celebrating this win for Savannahlander with Wil and Mike.”
Train driver Mr Kemp is a well-known and well-loved character on the ride. A driver on the train for 15 years, and before that a zoo animal keeper and handler, he has been relentless on social media to keep the trip going, highlighting fantastic wildlife and historic curiosities along the way.
He has also been a huge instigator of the groundswell of support for the train during the voting for “The Best” campaign, and the awards morning had been “big and emotional”.
“It’s been an overwhelming morning for Mike and me. We flew down last night and now there is all the people you see on TV surrounding us,” he said.
“The last couple of years have been extremely hard with floods and fires and the closed sections of track.
“Just operating from season to season, not knowing whether or not we’re going to be around the next year or even if I would have a job.
“We fought really hard to get the railway situation out there, into the public to try and gather support and I guess this is the culmination of that.”
Queenslanders voted in record numbers to back their favourite local businesses and places to eat, drink and visit, to help decide the 2026 QLD Day All the Best winners, with almost 75,000 unique votes across 15 categories.
A Tumultuous Timeline
1800s – A rail line is built fromCairns to Mareeba then with branch lines from Mareeba to Chillagoe, and from Almaden to Einasleigh, then on to Charleston and Forsayth.
Advertisement1990s – The Savannahlander “Forsayth Mixed” rail usage was dwindling, but tourism support for the historic trip ensured its future, and the carriages were sold privately. Queensland Rail (QR) still owns the line and maintains it.
2004 – Cairns Kuranda Steam begins running the rail journey.
2023 – December. Cyclone Jasper flooding hits the rail line, damaging the Copperfield Bridge at Einasleigh. Passengers are subsequently taken by bus to Forsyath. Another rail section near Almaden is also closed and the tour stops at Mt Surprise.
2024 – December. QR track inspections find “accelerated deterioration to timber rail bridges between Kuranda and Mareeba”.
2025 – The Savannahlander is moved to Mareeba, and passengers are taken from Cairns by bus to the old station.
2025 – June. A petition is launched by state members for Hill and Traeger, Shane Knuth and Robbie Katter, to fix the rail line.
2025 – July. A local singer-songwriter launches a song and music video supporting the Savannahlander.
2025 – August. The petition reaches 10,000. Member for Cook David Kempton secures $500,000 in funding from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg, so QR can fix the Copperfield Bridge.
2025 – October. During Questions without Notice in State Parliament, Mr Knuth calls on the Transport Minister to justify why Brisbane’s Cross River Rail received $20 billion in funding for 10km, but “the Savannahlander” went without for the full rail line repair. The minister said QR had estimated costs would be “in excess of $300 million”.
2025 – December. Copperfield Bridge is repaired.
2026 – January - February. Copperfield Bridge is again damaged by unprecedented flooding and cannot be used.
2026 – March. Savannahlander delays first trip for the season until April.
2026 – June. Savannahlander rail journey wins Best Tourism Attraction in Queensland.
