MARY VALLEY TOUR

• • You’ll be picked up to start the day with a beautiful scenic drive to the historical Gympie Station for your one-way journey on the Mary Valley Rattler classic steam locomotive. You will have time to explore the historical station and its museum, get a close look at the classic steam engine, buy a souvenir, and grab a drink from the station cafe if you wish.
  • All aboard!! You will then depart on your train for a one-way, one-hour experience on the Mary Valley Rattler classic steam locomotive to the historical Amamoor station. Here you will have time to appreciate this small country town and watch the steam engine get turned around on a historical turntable.
  • Next we take a nice country drive to a picturesque little town called Imbil, previously nominated as one of Queensland’s top tiny tourist towns. Here we’ll explore the corners of this pretty little town, including the town lookout with a panoramic views of the Mary Valley.
  • We then continue our scenic country drive to the heart of the Mary Valley, Kenilworth, where you will be treated to a delicious lunch and drink of your choosing. Don’t eat too much for lunch, because you will want to save room for the delicious donuts, chocolates and cheeses on offer in the main street of Kenilworth, that you will have free time to explore after lunch.
  • Your final experience on this tour will be a 1.2km guided fig tree walk through giant figs and a forest alive with birdsongs. This walk is paved and flat and optional. Alternatively, guest who don’t feel comfortable doing this walk can enjoy the creekside park nearby the conjunction of the creek and the Mary River.
  • We will then complete our journey with another country drive towards the coast to drop you at your accommodation in time for sunset and dinner.

• • Mary Valley Rattler experience – train ticket included (one-way)
  • Lunch with a drink in the heart of the Mary Valley, Kenilworth
  • Free time to explore the donuts, chocolates and cheeses in Kenilworth
  • Panoramic view of the Mary Valley from hidden lookout in Imbil
  • Guided Fig Tree Walk with giant figs and birdlife
  • Sightseeing and stunning scenic country drives
  • Door to door pick-up and drop-off from your home or accommodation
  • Commentary throughout the day from experienced local guide
  • Comfort of a luxury vehicle with reclining seats and USB port for each seat

“Excellent trip with Joel today…Joel is very knowledgeable about the area and took us to places we would not have known about. Being British it was interesting to hear some of the Australian history. We had a great lunch at a little village called Kenilworth and then a doughnut which was huge! We had a thoroughly enjoyable day with a few laughs as well. Would definitely recommend!”

“We had a fantastic day with Joel’s Journeys. The train trip was memorable travelling in an historic steam train while travelling through beautiful countryside in the Mary Valley reaching our destination of Amamoor. We jumped into the van which is very comfortable and air conditioned ready for the next stop – the Imbil Lookout and then a delicious lunch at Kenilworth. You might like to try one of the donut shop’s donuts while there. They are yummy! Our final stop was the Fig Tree walk which is an easy stroll through the rainforest which was breathtaking. The Moreton Bay Figs are majestic as their branches stretch above the tree canopy. We were lucky enough to see three Mary River cod and a Mary River turtle. Joel is a great tour guide who is passionate about nature providing tour goers with a knowledgeable yet entertaining experience. You’ll have to ask him what bird or birds you are hearing as you walk through the bush. You travel through beautiful countryside, historic Australian towns topped off with a delicious lunch before experiencing the beautiful bush Queensland has to offer which you may not otherwise experience.”

“Incredible experience with Joel he made us feel comfortable from the start, the booking experinece, pick up and journey plan for the day were well above expectations as we travelled to the Mary valley railway had a lovely lunch, lookout, group photos, time to stop and look and then the experience the natural environment by a small group walk at the end to see the Moreton Bay fig trees was spectacular.”

“Joel, he himself, guided our Mary Valley Tour today and provided an entertaining, informative & interesting experience. A most relaxing & wonderful way to enjoy part of the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. Extremely highly recommended, first class. Thank You”

“We had such an amazing day. Joel was so attentive and so knowledgeable about the country side. We would highly recommend Joel’s Journey for an amazing day.”

“Excellent tour! Recommended by our accommodation, Noosa Shores Resort, a morning call from Joel from Joel’s Journeys confirming our imminent pick up set the tone from this friendly tour guide. Settled into his super comfy van with great viewing windows and we set off for Old Gympie Station for our start with the Mary Valley Rattler. Atmosphere galore with character volunteers at the station and on the train and beautiful scenery in abundance. History check. Atmosphere check. Good vibes check. Met by Joel at Amamoor and we were off again for a day of touring the beautiful townships and surrounds of the Mary Valley. Lots of interesting and passionate commentary, short nature walks suited to young and old, incredible lookouts and wrapped up with a delicious lunch at Kenilworth with time to sample treats (artisan cheeses, bakeries, chocolatier). A cracker of a day out with a friendly and passionate local, highly recommend the Mary Valley Rattler tour and we will definitely do further tours with Joel.” 

“Beautiful scenery, charming towns, the glories of nature plus a nostalgic trip on a steam train – we would certainly recommend Joel’s Journeys.” 

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