Full steam ahead

The iconic Mary Valley rattler is once again chugging through the Sunshine Coast hinterland’s picturesque countryside.

The historic locomotive has returned after almost seven years of extensive upgrades to trackwork and improvements to its fleet of historic steam and diesel engines and carriages.

Morning and afternoon services on the Mary Valley Rattler will now run three days per week on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from the historic Gympie or Amamoor stations.

Dotted with quaint country towns and known for its high-quality produce, the scenic Mary Valley is home to descendants of the original pioneers of the area and is an ideal place to experience the friendly laidback atmosphere of rural living at its best.

Mary Valley Rattler Chairman Ian McNicol said that the Rattler was a special attraction for the Sunshine Coast region.

“The half day return journey really is a showcase of all the different elements the Rattler has to offer: our historic railway stations, which are amongst the best examples of their kind in Queensland, our Platform No.1 Café and event space, the rich mining history of the area and the fine produce of the region,” he said.

“We are absolutely delighted to see the Mary Valley Rattler back on track – it’s a huge achievement for everyone involved and we are looking forward to sharing the experience with as many people as possible.”

For more information, ticket purchases and departure times visit https://www.maryvalleyrattler.com.au/