Travel back in time to the golden era of train travel with a journey on the Mary Valley Heritage Railway. Experience the old world nostalgia as soon as you step into the historic Gympie Station, where you’ll learn about the history of steam locomotives before boarding the Mary Valley Rattler. Enjoy the countryside views as you head out to Amamoor, where the train is turned around for the journey back.

Go for a ride in a volunteer-restored 1950s steam train
Discover more about the Mary Valley Heritage Railway from the volunteer crew
Explore the fully restored Gympie Station with a cafe and gift shop
Purchase your own snacks and drinks for the train including wine & cheese

What's Included

Mary Valley Rattler train ticket

Food and drinks, unless specified

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

10 Tozer St
10 Tozer St, Gympie QLD 4570, Australia
Departure Point is the Historic Gympie Station

Start time

10:00 am

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Mary Valley Rattler

Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Infants must sit on laps

Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travellers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 200 travellers

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Reviews

5.0

777 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 777 reviews

A blissful day rattlin down the old line.

Karen_J, Jan 2023

The train is exquisite and a wonderful experience. We were also very impressed with the enthusiasm of the volunteers who were very professional, attentive and welcoming. The attention to detail was fabulous ! The games set up for the kids at Amamoor and the watermelon slices were a small touch but a lovely one. It made us feel cared for. Thank you !

School holidays.

Dallas_C, Dec 2022

Great nostalgia. And friendly staff . A little dear in price but run to time. Goes very close to our home.

The informative...

Graham_H, Oct 2022

The informative commentary by Deb who looked after us. All the people associated with the train were also were very helpful with any questions we had.

Good time out

Ray_M, Sept 2021

The volunteers on board were really great to talk to. Cafe at station was awesome. Great value and worth a try.

Great days outing

lee_n, July 2021

Our party of3 had such an enjoyable time stopping at all stations. The volunteer staff were amazing and very informative. Every station had something unique, we all enjoyed the wine and cheese tasting, at Dagun, coming away with a few very scrumptious cheeses, and the string orchestra was also a lovely touch. The weather was perfect so we could enjoy the views of the countryside as the beautiful steam train meandered through the valley. I would certainly recommend it as a great family days outing.

Exceptional Dsy

Colin_O, Feb 2021

The views the staff were wonderful, a great day . The cafe staff were great & the food was excellent. Watching the engine turned around was great too.

Fun day out

Jeff_M, Feb 2021

Lots of volunteers and well organised. The trip to Amamoor was enjoyable but you soon learn why it is called the Rattler. Amazing how many of the locals wave from their balconies and back yards. Recommended.

Journey from the past

Jan_H, Feb 2021

A lovely journey through the beautiful Mary River valley. The staff are friendly and helpful. Before we left they made a number of announcements which we couldn’t hear because people waiting for the train wouldn’t stop talking which I found very rude. At the half way mark there is a stope with a cafe and general store. The cafe is currently not accepting cash so make sure you have a card. Personally I found the general store better

Great day out

Gillian_P, Nov 2020

This was a great day out ! Lovely to go back in time Great staff all around from the cafe to the train

A step back in time.

Julie, Nov 2020

This was a wonderful step back in time. Beautiful presented train and carriages. The staff/volunteers were exceptional. Smiles everywhere.

Mary Valley Rattler

2020, Oct 2020

Amazing experience Beautiful Train The Mary valley river is beautiful as are the views along the way awesome staff People come out of there house’s to wave to you as you go by very country The cafe is great value & great food Loved the experience

Train trip

David_C, Oct 2020

A great experience wanted to do the trip for the past four years very glad we did it will be coming back to do the other two trains the guide on the coach was very informative with details of the train and area

Brilliant day out

Patricia_K, Aug 2020

Beautifully restored train station at Gympie with cafe and giftshop, wonderful steam train experience with enthusiastic crew. Seeing the locomotive turned on the turntable at Amamoor was special. Lovely scenery along the journey. A great half day out whether or not you're a steam train enthusiast.

Rattler

Thomas, Mar 2020

Fantastic trip back in time, plus great entertainment, wine and cheese tasting. A truly memorable experience with exceptional work by the army of volunteers.

Nice way to spend the afternoon with interstate guests.

Karen_J, Mar 2020

We decided to upgrade our tix to 1st class initially we were hesitant due to pricing. The sales lady said we wouldnt be disappointed, we would each receive a cheeseplatter (local Kennilworth cheeses) & alcoholic beverage along with nicer seating. Initially we were disappointed due to the "rush" to get on board, as they were at capacity we were left to share a tiny circular table with 2 other passengers, not really ideal. Thankfully a group of 4 decided to unite & give us their table. We had to reshuffle chairs the staff didnt help. Upon departure we were given a small cheeseplatter to share & options for wine / beer. Disappointingly the wine wasn't local (Lindemans), but there was a local boutique beer option. We were disappointed with the cheesplatter size, because we didn't realise they also gave us another cheeseplatter on the return journey. Interestingly, other passengers had bought extra dips & bread with them, we assumed they were repeat customers. Think we would have prefferred only 1 platter (more substantial) for the journey. Overall it was a pleasant trip, nice way to spend an afternoon with interstate guests, glad we did it and glad we upgraded.

Back to the good old days!

Gayna_F, Jan 2019

What an amazing trip! Not only was the scenery beautiful the volunteers were so helpful and accommodating made us feel welcome and it was awesome to ride on steam again something I haven't had the chance of doing since I was a kid.

Mary valley rattler

Grace_M, Dec 2018

lovely day. enjoyed it. only criticism I have is that at the Dagun stop there wasn't anything for children. e.g. Ice cream shop. perhaps markets and local produce to purchase.

Leuke rit

Daniela_L, Jan 2020

Leuk ritje met de stoomlocomotief, er zit een gids bij die onderweg wat over de trein verteld en de omgeving waar doorheen gereden wordt. Na 2 uur stopt de trein op een stationnetje waar je 3 kwartier de tijd hebt om wat te eten en drinken. Op dat moment wordt ook de locomotief gedraaid om terug te keren wat erg leuk is om te zien.