Any recomendations as to which train to take between Brisbane & Cairns - if flying much better?

Definitely fly.

The new Tilt Train takes 7 hours off the journey, but it's still a long 27 hours. But if you like train travel ...
The flight is approx 2 hours.

You'd have to be a train nut or have a lot of time on your hands. It's a hell of a long way - I'd fly.

I too would fly, its a long way to Cairns, but if you love trains, then consider, getting a ticket that allows you to get on & off at various locations, thus giving you chance to see major attractions along the way, but you will need plenty of time on your hands. I know backpackers often use the train to visit various places enroute to Cairns.

hi, jdmacht,
Last year we considered taking the Tilt train to Cairns from Brisbane but as we had travelled on the Tilt train from Brisbane to Rockhampton return we decided against it because of time, repeated scenery, and a huge discrepancy between the cost of the train and the plane, flying being a lot cheaper! We flew, a trip of 2 hours 15 minutes against a 27 hour train trip, and were pleased we had as it gave us an extra day in Cairns. The Tilt train is an experience which we will be enjoying again this September between Cairns and Townsville . (This is partly because we travelled by bus last year, and I refuse to fly in anything smaller than a 737!) I would agree with the other posters - fly, but if you have the time certainly travel part of the trip on the Tilt train.

Aren't you the same fellow who thought about driving a convertible from Brisbane to Cairns? Better to fly...