Experience History onboard The Mary Valley Rattler
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Hervey Bay, Australia
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
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, Gympie QLD 4570, Australia
Departure Point is the Historic Gympie Station
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.9:00 am
What To Expect
1
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 travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 200 travelers
Supplied by
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.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 968 reviews
Victorio_A, Dec 2025
You will experience how the trains ran before electric and diesel. The trains are run by volunteers who have a passion.
Luigi_C, Nov 2025
Experience advertised as From Hervey Bay, the thing is the meeting point is 100 minutes drive away so I couldn't join the tour
Christine_P, Nov 2025
Take water with you.
Very good experience.
Friendly staff and crew.
5 star rating thanks to everyone
Leanne_A, Oct 2025
Be aware that the experience
Can be cancelled within 20 minutes of departure time. We received an email to notify us, as we were standing on the platform.
Werner_K, Sep 2025
Absolutely worth doing. Great experience. Nice relaxing ride with mini markets at Amamoor. Excellent atmosphere with friendly staff.
Vera_B, Mar 2025
A great way to spend half a day! Feeling nostalgic with the sights and smell of the steam train, and hearing the whistle blow as we wind through the picturesque Mary Valley. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed in the quaint town of Amamoor.
The staff on the train, as well as the receptionists on arrival, were the friendliest bunch full of information and stories. I am looking forward to ride again .
Lurelle_M, Oct 2024
The Rattler experience was amazing from the minute we arrived until we left. The volunteers are very knowledgeable and helpful and their commentary along the way made the day most enjoyable. They even told us where we could get the best photos. The train trip was pleasant and comfortable. We love our train trips and we love the steam trains - we will defiantly be going on The Rattler again. Thank you for an amazing day!!
Deborah_M, Oct 2024
Mary Valley Rattler was a great experience, boarding a steam locomotive at a heritage station which gives you the feeling of going back in time riding on a steam locomotive. We enjoyed the views of the countryside and the friendly locals who waved to us as we travelled by. We were greeted by friendly staff who made you feel welcome from the beginning of the trip to the end.
At Amamoor heritage station we watched as the Rattler was turned around on the turntable to make its trip back to Gympie.
Fraser_M, Jul 2024
Seeing the steam engine up close was interesting. However the whole journey was uncomfortable and the scenery not overly exciting. The guide was unable to answer the questions we had.
Chris_H, Jun 2024
Worth going, nice people & great train experience . Nice old train with all the feeling of the old time feel.
Tina_M, Jun 2024
A very relaxing trip through lovely rural countryside. The staff were excellent and very attentive. I would recommend this trip to anyone that enjoys trains, slow relaxed travel or just looking for a different type of experience.
Vicki_G, May 2024
Great trip down memory lane. Everyone on board were knowledgeable and helpful. Food was fresh and scenery was beautiful
Barry_F, Apr 2024
The whole trip was lovely. It brought back memories of train travel as a child, the excitement at the station before boarding the train.
The train on the turntable was great. The beautiful stations at Dagan and Amamoor were delightful.
Diane_L, Mar 2024
Friendly staff, amazing experience. Well worth it will be coming back, going to try the VIP experience next
Jeffrey_P, Feb 2024
When the steam train went over the car crossing and they sounded the whistle. How all the crew were so friendly and they all are volunteers. The turning of the train and the entertainment out ended of the train ride. The young gentleman talking along the train ride. All the food that was provided. The hole experience was really good.
Catherine_B, Oct 2023
Fantastic Experience
Staff were amazing
Loved it ✔️✔️✔️
We were greeted at Amamoor station
By locals, some stalls and a gentleman
Singing and playing his guitar 🎸
Robyn_R, Oct 2023
History side of it and travelling on steam train again reminds me of my childhood in adelaide
This is all I have to say will come back again with my s
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 !
Dallas_C, Dec 2022
Great nostalgia. And friendly staff . A little dear in price but run to time. Goes very close to our home.
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.
Ray_M, Sep 2021
The volunteers on board were really great to talk to. Cafe at station was awesome. Great value and worth a try.
lee_n, Jul 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.
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.
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.
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
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
Julie, Nov 2020
This was a wonderful step back in time. Beautiful presented train and carriages. The staff/volunteers were exceptional. Smiles everywhere.
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
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
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.
From $48.57
per person-You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
