There’s something very special about historic steam train rides. They’re all about nostalgia, history and child-like good fun. It helps too when they hoot ‘n’ toot their merry way along some of the state’s most stunning scenery. The
Valley Rattler Heritage Steam Train Tours through the beautiful Mary Valley are certainly no exception.
Run by the Mary Valley Heritage Railway every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, the half or full-day tours mainly start at the historic Gympie Station. The Rattler then meanders through Gympie City, its southern suburbs, Monkland Station and over the Mary River. (It also impressively negotiates some pretty tight curves and steep gradients.)
The full-day tour includes stops at the original, beautifully-restored stations at Dagun, Amamoor, Kandanga and Imbil, where passengers can hop off and soak up some good old-fashioned, country hospitality, food and wine tastings and other treats.
Grab yourself a window seat for stunning views of the
Cooloola region’s rural landscape and lifestyle, and do look out for picture-perfect plantations of pineapples, macadamias and other crops.
For more details about the journey, click
here.
For a two-hour trek, jump on board the newly-restored RM76, or the Red Rocket Heritage Railmotor, for a short, but very sweet treat through the Mary Valley. Depart from Gympie. Enjoy lovely valley vistas and the art and craft stalls and morning tea at Amamoor before heading back.
Full details of timetables and fares are available
here.
The kids (and the kid in you) will love the Theme Trains that run at certain times of the year and can also be exclusively booked for a special occasion. There’s the Wizard’s Express, Christmas in July, Wild West Tours and the Pirates of the Valley. Now, there’s an idea for a kid’s birthday party with a difference!
