A Living Piece of Queensland Heritage
Rolling through some of the most picturesque countryside in South East Queensland, the Mary Valley Rattler is a heritage steam train experience that connects the historic Gympie Station to the quiet rural town of Amamoor. The 40-kilometre return journey follows a railway line originally built in 1881 to serve the gold mining, dairy, timber, and pineapple industries of the Mary Valley — crossing the Mary River, negotiating an abundance of gentle curves, and passing through the small heritage station at Dagun along the way.
Today the Rattler is operated by a not-for-profit organisation and staffed by passionate volunteers who have lovingly restored every locomotive, carriage, and station building. The fleet centres on a fully restored C17 class steam locomotive from the 1920s, complemented by the vintage RM76 railmotor (the "Silver Bullet") and beautifully appointed heritage carriages sourced from across Queensland. It is now described as Australia's third-largest heritage railway and one of the Gympie region's biggest tourist attractions.
Beyond the classic steam run, visitors can upgrade to a VIP Club Car experience, ride the Silver Bullet High Tea on Fridays, join the Tasting Train to sample local produce, or even ride with the driver on the footplate. Pets are welcome in a dedicated carriage, and the entire experience is wheelchair accessible.
Choose Your Journey
Every journey departs from Gympie, travels to Amamoor (with engine turntable demonstration), and returns. Upgrade your ride to suit your style.
MOST POPULAR
Classic Rattler Run
The signature heritage steam experience. Board the restored C17 locomotive at Gympie, wind through Dagun to Amamoor, watch the engine turn on the turntable, and return. Guided commentary, Rusty Rails Café, gift shop, and scenic views throughout.
Silver Bullet High Tea
Glide through the Mary Valley aboard the beautifully restored RM76 railmotor — a silver-service experience with a glass of bubbles, an elegant high tea of locally-made sweet and savoury treats, and stunning countryside views.
Rattler Tasting Train
A gastronomic journey aboard the vintage RM76 railmotor celebrating the best of Mary Valley food and produce. On Sundays, the All Stations Train stops at Dagun for optional wine and cheese tasting ($5 at the local community group stall).
VIP Club Car
The ultimate upgrade. Enjoy a private booth for up to six, a personalised meet-and-greet with the train driver, priority pre-boarding, and a regional tasting platter — all aboard the beautifully restored Rattler 1038 Carriage.
Ride with the Driver
A once-in-a-lifetime experience for train enthusiasts. Join the crew on the footplate of the working steam locomotive, attend the morning briefing, and ride through the Mary Valley in the best seat on the train.
Pets on Board
Your four-legged family members are welcome on the Rattler. A dedicated pet carriage is configured for comfort — book the upgrade and bring your dog along for a scenic day out through the countryside.
Gympie → Dagun → Amamoor & Return
The 40km return journey follows the original 1881 railway line through the heart of the Mary Valley.
📜 A Railway Built on Gold, Dairy & Pineapples
The Mary Valley railway line was originally constructed in 1881 as a branch of the North Coast line, running from Monkland (just south of Gympie) westward through the valley to Brooloo. It played a crucial role in transporting gold from the Gympie goldfields to the port at Maryborough, and later became the lifeline for the valley's thriving dairy, timber, and pineapple industries.
By the 1970s, the line became unprofitable as the dairy industry declined — the Wide Bay Co-Operative Butter Factory in Gympie (once Australia's largest) closed in 1978. The pineapple industry lobbied to keep the line running until 1995. In 1998, volunteers launched the heritage tourist service, which ran until safety-related closure in 2012. With Gympie Regional Council funding, the restored Rattler recommenced journeys between Gympie and Amamoor on 6 October 2018.
Steam, Steel & Scenery
Everything You Need to Know
Schedule
Classic Rattler: Wed, Sat, Sun — departs Gympie 9am, returns ~12pm (Sun ~1:30pm with Dagun stop). Silver Bullet High Tea: Fridays from 10am. Special event trains throughout the year. All journeys are return trips.
Tickets & Pricing
Classic Rattler from ~$65 adult. Upgrades: VIP Club Car, Ride with the Driver, Pets on Board, Ride & Dine. Under-2s free (no seat). Children's and family fares available. Book online or call the station. Pre-booking recommended.
Getting There
Gympie Station, Tozer St, Gympie QLD 4570. About 78km (1 hour) from Sunshine Coast Airport. 170km (~2 hours) from Brisbane. Free on-site parking plus free street parking nearby. By bus: routes #3 and #4 to Mellor St.
Food & Drink
Rusty Rails Café at Gympie Station — meals, coffee, snacks, and takeaway to enjoy on board (order coffee 30 min before departure). Pre-order a packed lunch in a branded Rattler cool bag. Onboard trolley service. General store at Amamoor.
Accessibility
Fully wheelchair accessible — dedicated spacious carriage, boarding ramps, elevated platforms, accessible toilets at both stations. Bring your own mobility aid (limited wheelchairs available first-come-first-served). Service dogs welcome. Notify in advance.
Good to Know
Coal dust exposure possible — caution if you have lung conditions. Children under 16 must be supervised. Steam engine operation depends on weather, fire bans, and volunteer availability. Passengers may face backward for half the journey. Arrive 15 minutes early.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Classic Rattler Run is approximately 3 hours return (9am–12pm on Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–1:30pm on Sunday with the additional Dagun stop). The Silver Bullet High Tea on Fridays departs at 10am. If your ticket includes lunch, allow an extra 30 minutes.
Yes — it's a wonderful family experience. Children under 2 ride free (no seat). Child fares are available for older kids. The scenic views, turntable demonstration, and heritage station exploration are great for all ages. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Yes — dogs are welcome on the Rattler in a dedicated pet carriage configured for comfort. Book the Pets on Board upgrade when purchasing your tickets. Service dogs travel in any carriage at no extra charge.
Yes — all services are wheelchair accessible. There's a dedicated carriage with extra space, boarding ramps, elevated platforms, and accessible toilets at both Gympie and Amamoor stations. Contact the station in advance so they can make arrangements.
The Rusty Rails Café at Gympie Station serves meals, coffee, and snacks — including takeaway to bring on board. You can pre-order a packed lunch in a branded Rattler cool bag. An onboard trolley also comes through with drinks and snacks during the journey. There's a general store at Amamoor.
Yes — you can book an entire carriage for group events, birthday parties, corporate outings, and school excursions. The Rattler also runs special event trains throughout the year, including themed seasonal experiences. Contact the station directly for private charter pricing.
The Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum is excellent. Amamoor State Forest has bushwalking and over 120 bird species. The WoodWorks Museum covers the timber industry. For Sunshine Coast visitors, combine the Rattler with Eumundi Markets (30 min south) or the Noosa hinterland.
More Sunshine Coast Adventures
Combine the Rattler with other nearby experiences.
All Aboard the Rattler
Heritage steam, scenic countryside, and a journey through Queensland's past — departing Gympie every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. A not-for-profit experience where every ticket supports the volunteers who keep the line alive.