Mary Valley Rattler increases its services

March 7, 2024

In time for the post-Easter school holidays, Gympie’s popular tourist attraction, the Mary Valley Rattler, will increase its weekly steam train services from three to four as it gears up for the autumn and winter seasons.

The extra service – operated by the heritage C17 steam train – will be on Thursdays, starting on Thursday, 4th April.

The Mary Valley Rattler steam train service will now run on Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with the popular High Tea Experience, using the Silver Bullet railmotor, on Fridays.

The ‘Rattler’, as it is known locally, provides an atmospheric journey back in time, when Gympie was one of Australia’s richest gold fossicking regions.

Today, the lovingly restored steam and diesel trains traverse the impressive Mary Valley, crossing over bridges and through verdant farmland to the historic village of Amamoor. Here, passengers can disembark and enjoy refreshments while watching the train engine turn on the turntable for the return journey.

The C17 steam engine revives a century-old history when rail services opened up the region’s rich agriculture and linked the inland Queensland region to the coast.

Gympie is located less than an hour’s drive from Sunshine Coast Airport and two hours from Brisbane Airport.

The Mary Valley Rattler operates out of the Gympie Railway Station (opened in 1913), in the heart of Gympie’s heritage district, famous for its colonial-style buildings, historic pubs and Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum.

Mary Valley Rattler General Manager Linda Barry said the romance of the rails and the love of steam trains had encouraged the addition of a fourth service.

Barry shared “our passengers adore the opportunity to take a trip back in time through some of Australia’s most spectacular countryside.

“We have upgraded the experience on the Classic Rattler services, adding a VIP Car for indulgent journeys, as well as a specially designed carriage for wheelchair-bound passengers and a ‘pets onboard’ option for people who want to share the magical experience with their favourite pet.

“Autumn and winter are perfect seasons for travelling on the Rattler, and we look forward to welcoming visitors from across Australia and around the world in the months to come.”

Bookings and further information

6th February 2024 - Mary Valley Rattler operators offer discounted tickets to their community base

21st September 2023 - Mary Valley Rattler team marks 5th birthday with discounted offerings

10th July 2023 - Mary Valley Rattler tourist railway launches heritage Silver Bullet hospitality service

21st June 2023 - Mary Valley Rattler operation becomes independent of Gympie Regional Council

26th February 2023 - Mary Valley Rattler’s Tasting Train special package offered in lead up to festival

8th December 2022 - Mary Valley Rattler celebrates 100,000th passenger

15th August 2022 - Mary Valley Rattler recognised as ‘Best of Queensland Experience’ and receives high profile among UK TV viewers

27th April 2022 - New General Manager appointed for Mary Valley Rattler

18th March 2022 - Mary Valley Rattler resumes service after completion of full safety assessment

14th January 2022 - Mary Valley Rattler offers special Australia Day service

30th August 2021 - Mary Valley Rattler secures Travellers’ Choice Award

1st May 2021 - Mary Valley Rattler forms agreement with Grey Nomads Awards to promote Gympie

7th January 2021 - New appointee for Mary Valley Rattler Board

4th December 2020 - Mary Valley Rattler attraction able to maintain operation with JobKeeper support

2nd February 2019 - Mary Valley ‘Rattler’ back on the rails to offer heritage steam train experience on the Sunshine Coast

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