Debuting in November 1993 by combining the former Capricornian and Midlander trains, this 1,325 km rail journey operates between Brisbane and Longreach.

The Spirit of the Outback travels along the east coast of Queensland, from Brisbane to Rockhampton, where it heads west through Blackwater, Emerald and Barcaldine, to Longreach.

[7] The close call occurred 15 kilometres west of Dingo when the coal train proceeded through a red signal and entered the same section of track the Spirit of the Outback was travelling on.

[7] An investigation chaired by Queensland Transport concluded on 8 December 2000, which confirmed the crew of the Gladstone-bound coal train were at fault because they had passed a signal at danger and as a result were facing disciplinary action.

On the 16 June 2021, the Queensland State Government announced ”$1 million for a business case to build replacement carriages for the iconic Westlander, Inlander and Spirit of the Outback long-distance services right here in Queensland.”[9]