Mary Valley Rattler steams ahead with an extra ticket to ride

Gympie’s iconic tourist attraction in Queensland Australia, the Mary Valley Rattler, will increase its weekly steam train services from three to four as it gears up for rattlingly good autumn and winter seasons.

The extra service – operated by the heritage C17 steam train – will be on Thursdays, starting on Thursday, 4 April, in time for the post-Easter school holidays.

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 glorious 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.

“Our passengers adore the opportunity to take a trip back in time through some of Australia’s most spectacular countryside,” said Ms Barry.

“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: https://www.maryvalleyrattler.com.au/