Experience History onboard The Mary Valley Rattler
Description
The Mary Valley Rattler is one of Queensland’s most iconic heritage steam train experiences, capturing the Gympie region’s rich history while offering visitors a contemporary tourism attraction and the beauty of the spectacular Mary Valley landscape. This 3 hour, 40km journey, in a beautifully restored C17 steam train, is an iconic experience like no other. Departing from the Historic Gympie Station, you travel through rich agricultural farmland right into the heart of the picturesque Mary Valley. On arrival in the quaint town of Amamoor, here you can disembark your carriage and make your way to a viewing area to watch the train engine as it turns on the turntable. Enjoy a short stay to explore the Amamoor Village Green before reboarding your assigned carriage for your return journey to the Gympie Station. On board, volunteer guides provide a wealth of historical detail about the trains and the region as you enjoy the views and the nostalgia of travel from times past.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Rusty Rails Cafe & Heritage Museum.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(981)
Fantastic experience, we all enjoyed it immensely. From the breakfast in the Cafe, with the most enjoyable piano encompanyment, to the the lovely Cafe at Amamoor & the guitar/ukele concert. Not forgetting the lovely gentleman with his trumpet, playing Happy Birthday songs & others to the passengers 🥰 And a must mention was the informative stories along the way, they were great!! Well done to all the volunteers you are all true treasures. ♥️
Hi Donna This sounds like a day full of smiles from start to finish! We're delighted you enjoyed every part of the experience, from breakfast at Rusty Rails Café and the live music to the friendly atmosphere in Amamoor. It’s wonderful to hear the onboard commentary and musical performances helped make the day even more memorable. Thank you for your lovely words about our volunteers. They'll be so touched to know their efforts helped create such happy memories. We hope to welcome you back on board again soon! Cheers MVR Team
My wife and I joined with friend for a VIP MVR experience with lunch in the historical station afterwards. The whole trip was well organised from start to finish. The seating was comfortable and the VIP carriage though at capacity was not crowded. The volunteer staff were all very attentive, helpful and knowlegable. The trip itself was leisurely with the vintage sound of the steam engine hauling the carriages through the lush green properties of the Mary Valley to Amammoor, where the station has a cafe for refreshments and situated alongside the rail line to observe the steam train on the turntable in preparation for the return trip. Back ot Gympie station, the lunch and the service was excellent to round off a great morning.
Hi deadelegs2023 What a wonderful summary of the VIP experience, thank you! Thank you for your kind words and support. We hope to welcome you, your wife and friends back on board again soon. Cheers MVR Team
Absolutely wonderful. Such friendly and helpful staff. Both our dogs 🐕 throughly enjoyed themselves.
Hi Tour32506960387 Now that's what we love to hear! We're so glad you and your two four-legged travel companions enjoyed the experience. Our Pets on Board journeys are always filled with wagging tails and happy smiles. We hope to welcome you all back for another adventure soon. Cheers MVR Team
What a great experience. And nostalgic too. The Rattler runs through what was my dairy farm in Hutchins Rd Amamoor. This area has some of the best scenery you will find anywhere. The old store and post office haven’t changed. The staff on the trip were so friendly and helpful and the running commentary was first class. The engine is in great working order (I’m a steam tragic) and to see it turned around on the turntable In Amamoor was a treat. Put this on your bucket list.
Hi Martin What a special journey this must have been for you! Travelling through a place filled with personal memories makes the experience even more meaningful. We're delighted you enjoyed the scenery, commentary and seeing the locomotive turned on the Amamoor turntable. Thank you for sharing your story and for recommending the Rattler. Cheers MVR Team
Had a great experience on this train trip. All staff were great. Our carriage volunteer Ryan was very informative. Would highly recommended this.
Hi Wayne We're delighted you had such a great experience! Ryan will be thrilled to hear your kind words. Our volunteers love sharing the stories and history of the railway with guests. Thank you for the recommendation and we look forward to welcoming you back again. Cheers MVR Team
Great journey travelling on this historic engine and track . Beautiful station with coffee and food at either end of journey . Highly recommended . Well done to the Rattler team .
Hi Eleanor What a lovely review, thank you! There's something truly special about travelling on a historic steam train and experiencing the heritage stations along the way. We're glad you enjoyed the journey and the hospitality at both ends of the line. Thanks for recommending us and for supporting the Rattler team. Cheers MVR Team
Have been wanting to do this trip for sometime as my husband is a train enthusiast. It was very enjoyable and our carriage Attended was very informative. The volunteers who keep this piece of history going and in such good condition should be proud of themselves. Well done 👏👏
Hi Sandy It’s always special when a long-awaited trip finally happens, thank you! We’re so glad you and your husband enjoyed the experience and that your carriage attendant helped bring the journey and history to life. Our volunteers will really appreciate your kind words, they put their heart and soul into preserving this wonderful piece of history. Hope to see you back on board again soon! Cheers MVR Team
What a fabulous morning. The staff were attentive, friendly and helpful, assisting with photo opportunities and making sure our trip was comfortable. Very generous savoury and sweet treats with a glass of bubbles included in the price. The commentary was interesting and kept to a minimum so we could enjoy the scenery and the rhythmic clickety clack.
Hi Vanessa What a lovely review, thank you! We’re delighted you enjoyed your Silver Bullet High Tea experience. It’s wonderful to hear the team helped make the morning extra special and that you had plenty of time to relax, enjoy the scenery and settle into that classic clickety-clack rhythm of rail travel. And we’re very glad the sweet and savoury treats (and bubbles!) hit the mark too. We hope to welcome you back on board for another special journey soon. Cheers MVR Team
Beautiful and interesting train ride. Very friendly and helpful staff and volunteers.
Hi Lyn So glad you enjoyed the experience, thank you! We’re pleased you found the journey both beautiful and interesting and that our team and volunteers helped make the day extra enjoyable. Hope to see you back on board again soon! Cheers MVR Team
Absolutely well worth it. Very affordable, especially when it’s a three hour experience, great atmosphere, fantastic staff (John you are awesome). We went on the Wednesday so plenty of room, not crowded just very relaxing and so informative. We had the best time. Thank you so much.
Hi We’ll take “awesomeness” any day, thank you! So glad you had such a relaxing and enjoyable experience and we’ll be sure to pass your shoutout on to John — he’ll love that! Great to hear you made the most of the midweek vibe too. Hope to see you back on board again soon! Cheers MVR Team
