FAQs

We strongly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

The boarding station is at the historic Gympie Station only.

Your ticket is valid for your return journey as stipulated on your ticket. The departure times you have purchased are the seats that have been allocated for you.

You are welcome to bring your own food on board.

We do have a selection of takeaway and dine-in options as well as snacks available at Rusty Rails Café at the historic Gympie Station.

During the summer months we suggest you bring water or purchase from the Rusty Rails Cafe prior to your departure.

We would ask that you take your rubbish with you at the end of your journey.

There is parking at the historic Gympie Station on Tozer Street and some street parking is also available.

There is some signed coach street parking on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

We do not have facilities to provide for or accommodate high chairs or prams as they will not fit through the doorways of the carriages and some exhibits are accessible only by stairs.

There are no bottle warming facilities.

A limited number of toilets are available on-board, in a few of the Rattler’s carriages. If you require a carriage with a toilet on board please request at time of booking in the special requirements field and we will endeavour to accommodate your request but cannot guarantee. Toilets can be found at all the stations.

Please ensure you note at time of booking in the special requirements field on by calling the Station to ensure you are seated together.

Yes. We’re committed to making the Mary Valley Rattler experience as accessible and welcoming as possible.

Accessibility features include:

  • Step-free pathways for easy access around key areas
  • Platform ramps and accessible boarding options to assist with safe boarding and disembarking
  • Accessible seating at Rusty Rails Café
  • Accessible amenities at historic Gympie Station and Amamoor Station
  • Wheelchair-accessible rail experiences, subject to availability

Due to the heritage nature of some of our carriages, standard carriage access requires guests to climb steps and safely negotiate the gap between the platform and carriage. We are unable to provide manual lifting assistance when boarding or disembarking.

If you use a wheelchair, have limited mobility or require assistance with boarding, please let us know when booking so our team can help identify the most suitable option for your journey.

Accessible spaces onboard are limited and advance bookings are essential. Please contact our team on (07) 5482 2750 to confirm availability for your preferred travel date. Please visit our Accessibility webpage for further details.

While the Mary Valley Rattler is not an affiliated participant of the Queensland Companion Card Scheme, we independently offer an Independent Accessibility Discount to guests who hold a valid Companion Card and their Client.

Companion Card Holder: $29
Companion Client: $64

The discount is available on the Classic Rattler Run only and does not apply to special events, event trains or other rail experiences.

A valid Companion Card must be presented at check-in to receive the discounted fares.

The Mary Valley Rattler is committed to making our heritage rail experience as accessible as possible. For information about wheelchair accessibility, accessible rail experiences and planning your visit, please visit our Accessibility webpage.

We welcome domestic dogs and cats in a segregated carriage on board. Assistance dogs are welcome on board.

Bookings are required in advance and must be made via Pets on Board or by calling (07) 5482 2750.

Limited availability and terms and conditions apply and must be accepted and adhered to.

Tickets are non-refundable nor transferable.

No, guests are unable to drive the locomotive but our Footplate Friends Experience gets you about as close to the action as you can get!

Ride in the locomotive cab alongside our experienced volunteer drivers and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and workings of heritage steam rail.

The experience includes time with the train crew and a return footplate cab ride, giving you a fascinating behind-the-scenes perspective of what it takes to operate a heritage steam locomotive.

The Footplate Friends Experience operates on selected Classic Rattler Run services and is available to guests aged 18 years and over.

Availability is limited so advance bookings are strongly recommended.

Find out more and book your Footplate Friends Experience.

The fire engine following the steam train is to ensure we are meeting best practice safety requirements.

The only people who can ride on the section cars or Gertie are our fully qualified volunteers.