​​​Gulflander Accessible Travel

Connecting people with magical places and experiences is what we love doing, and we’ve been doing it for more than 130 years.  

The Gulflander opened in 1889 – making it one of the oldest rail journeys in Queensland. The traditional and unique style of the Gulflander means it has very limited accessible features.

We aim to give you all the information so you can decide if the Gulflander journey is possible for you. We want you to be confident that when you book, you know it meets your needs.

We hope these resources and information will give you the clarity and confidence to make the journey your own.

The train is not suitable for customers who use a wheelchair or mobility scooter. The train does not have facilities to assist customers who are Deaf or hard of hearing or are blind or have low vision.

We do allow certified assistance animals on board.  

Please discuss your exact requirements with your travel consultant to determine if you will be able to safely use the service.

​​​Station and platform information

Normanton railway station

  • Normanton railway station has a concrete and bitumen flat, ground-level platform, under roof cover with a unisex accessible toilet, gift shop and museum.
  • The accessible toilet (RH access) has grab rails, Braille signage and a manual privacy lock.
  • There are double entry doors to the museum and gift shop, with 800mm wide walkways. 
  • A hearing loop is provided for station announcements at Normanton.
Customers can take a self-guided heritage walk around the station precinct. Please note that this walking area has a loose gravel and dirt surface in some areas.

Visit our Tour our train virtual tour for a preview of Normanton railway station.

Croydon railway station

  • Croydon railway station has a bitumen flat, ground-level platform, under roof cover with two unisex accessible toilets.
  • The accessible toilets have grab rails, Braille signage and manual privacy locks.
  • A hearing loop is provided for station announcements at Croydon.

Blackbull, Critters Camp and Golden Gate stops

  • These stops are at ground level, with a loose gravel and dirt surface. 
  • There is no platform at these locations.
  • Chairs and tables are available for customer use at Blackbull.

All platforms on the Gulflander line are at ground level. Access to the train is via steps with a handrail. For station information, please visit Find your Station on the Queensland Rail Travel website.

Joining or leaving the Gulflander train

Gulflander carriages are accessed by narrow steps attached to the train, with handrails provided. 

The traditional and unique style of the Gulflander means that it is not accessible for customers who use a wheelchair or mobility scooter to join or leave the train. 

Using the steps

Customers will need to be able to join and leave the train using the stairs, however mobility aids such as walkers or canes can be used once onboard to proceed to your seat. Due to limited space on board, walkers or frames will then be stored in the luggage area of the Gulflander. The Onboard team will discuss customers’ requirements to access their mobility aid on the day.

Access to join and leave the Gulflander is by stairs.   Access to join and leave the Gulflander is by stairs.

Access to join and leave the Gulflander is by stairs.

​​Assistance Available​

Our team will strive to make your journey as comfortable as possible. Please advise your consultant of any assistance you may require at the time of booking. 

Please note that due to workplace health and safety requirements there are some limitations to the assistance our team can provide.

Assistance at the station

At our stations, we are able to provide the following assistance:

  • Guiding customers to carriage entrances. Our team have received disability awareness training and know how to assist someone who is blind or has low vision. 
  • Assistance with carrying small hand-held luggage or small mobility aids such as walking frames and canes (up to 7kg max).

We do not provide the following types of assistance:

  • Lifting customers in any way.
  • Assistance with carry-on luggage or mobility aids (over 7kg).
  • Personal care. 

Assistance on board

On board our services we are able to provide the following assistance:

  • Guiding customers to or from their seat or the toilet facility entrance. Our team have received disability awareness training and know how to assist someone who is blind or has low vision.
  • Assistance with carrying small hand-held luggage or small mobility aids such as walking frames and canes (up to 7kg max).

We do not provide the following types of assistance:

  • Lifting customers in any way.
  • Assistance with carrying carry-on luggage or mobility aids (over 7kg).
  • Assistance with food and beverage consumption.
  • Giving injections or administering medication.
  • Personal care such as emptying colostomy bags, urine bottles or similar equipment. If assistance of this nature is required, please arrange for a carer or companion to travel also.

Important note: Please note that carers travel for free.

Travelling with a guide, hearing or assistance animal

Certified assistance animals are permitted on board, please discuss your exact requirements with your travel consultant to determine if you will be able to safely use the service.

Please refer to Assistance Animals for detailed information on our policy on Gulflander related to guide, hearing or assistance animals.

For customers travelling with an approved assistance animal, our luggage policy allows for one additional luggage item (up to 20kg maximum) to allow for additional items required for travelling with an assistance animal. Note that our onboard team can only provide assistance with carrying small hand-held luggage up to 7kg maximum.

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