The iconic rail journey, the Gulflander, is back on track following the annual wet season closure and necessary track repairs.

The track the Gulflander travels was originally built to connect the once-bustling river port of Normanton to the goldfields of Croydon.

Now, the Gulflander is a tourism icon that, in 2025, transported more than 3500 travellers ‘from nowhere to nowhere’ across Queensland’s Gulf Savannah for a unique trip through the countryside between Normanton and Croydon, over five hours.

Scott Cornish, Queensland Rail Head of Regional, said he was excited to welcome back travellers for the 2026 season.

“We see people coming from all over the world to experience this iconic journey. It’s steeped in beautiful landscapes and rich history and allows customers to experience North Queensland’s outback in a fun and unique way, ensuring a trip of a lifetime,” Cornish said.

The Gulflander also has a new Officer in Charge, Dwayne Hansen, who said he couldn’t wait to get on track and show customers everything on offer.

“I’ve recently moved from Townsville to drive the Gulflander after working 16 years in the control centre and in track maintenance at Queensland Rail,” Hansen said.

“It’s been a great change of pace, and I’m looking forward to giving customers an authentic experience of the line and the region.

“There’s been a lot of work happening behind the scenes, particularly since we experienced a rainier than usual wet season, but it’s all worth it once we see customers coming through and enjoying the journey.”

The Gulflander season will run until October 2026, with a multitude of tours and excursions available.

For more information, visit www.gulflander.com.au