The Mary Valley Rattler embodies the history of the region, winding its way through the community thanks to the staff, volunteers and supporters that make it run. Now it has gained world-wide acknowledgement through Slow Food for its links to the people, the farmers and the producers, as ERLE LEVEY discovers.
“We celebrate food way beyond the paddock – we are taking food to the people, to the traveller.’’
Woooo-woooo-wooooot! There is nothing quite like the rush of steam and the distinctive sound of The Spirit of the Mary Valley on a sunny winter’s morning.
The lovingly-restored C17 967 steam locomotive stands at the heritage-listed Old Gympie Railway Station, ready to set off on another journey through the rolling countryside of the Mary Valley.
It stands there – hissing, heaving like a fire-breathing dragon. Coupled on behind are a half dozen refurbished red carriages, as if the tail of the legendary winged creature.
The magnificent locomotive is the flagship of the Mary Valley Rattler heritage railway.
Now the railway operation has been recognised for the role it plays in the community with Slow Food Noosa’s Snail of Approval.
The award is not just for the support the Rattler provides to local food and producers but for the way it encourages the wider community to support each other.
As such, it is part of the world-wide Slow Food movement – the first train in Queensland to be recognised in such a way.
Each journey from Gympie through the Mary Valley to railway stations at Amamoor or Dagun are more than a novelty, entertainment or a pinch of nostalgia.
The train trips are like visiting a museum without walls, an excursion through what makes the region thrive. It’s history, it’s culture, it’s artistic abilities, its architecture and sense of community.
These adventures weave their way through the very fabric of the valley, providing a glimpse at the future as well as its glorious past – one built on timber-getting, farming and gold mining.
Then you have the present-day drivers of the economy, still built around agriculture and horticulture, even aquaculture. Yet it is very much about tourism – agritourism if you like.
The stops at the railway stations provide a chance to experience musical talents as well as produce stalls and wine tastings from the region. A chance for young and old alike to take part in old-fashioned games such as skittles, bowls, marbles and quoits.
Then there are historical notes and displays that capture the colour of those days of yore.
The Mary Valley Rattler is a Top 10 train experience in Australia and the only one that doesn’t rely on government funding.
The way the organisation embraces its staff, volunteers and supporters make it an exceptional recipient of the Snail of Approval.
The award also comes for the way it provides so many facets for locals as well as the many visitors from throughout Australia and the world.
The Snail of Approval is awarded to those who are judged to be part of a system that encourages good, healthy and fair food for all, produced in a sustainable manner.
Slow Food is represented in more than 150 countries world-wide – and is the fastest growing organisation of its type.
Founded in 1986 as an alternative to fast food, Slow Food engenders the concept of food being celebrated by being enjoyed in an appreciative setting, and the health values of clean, nutrient-dense food free of chemicals and pesticides.
“Fairness is a cornerstone of how we operate at the Mary Valley Rattler,’’ general manager Sherry Lowe said.
“We proudly pay our producers and suppliers fair prices and ensure their stories are woven into the experiences we offer.
“By creating platforms for regional food to be enjoyed, celebrated, and shared, we help build a strong local food community – one that respects the hands that grow and make the food, and one that remains accessible and enriching for both locals and visitors alike.’’
The whistle of the Mary Valley Rattler steam tr/ain has echoed through the Gympie region for more than a century – a sound that once marked the daily rhythm of transporting fresh produce from the fertile Mary Valley to markets across Queensland.
The Mary Valley branch line was established back in 1911, and was critical in the transport of fruit, vegetables, and dairy, connecting local growers to the broader world. While its function has evolved, its spirit remains unchanged — deeply embedded in the land, community, and local food culture.
Formed in 1996 after the closure of the line, the Mary Valley Heritage Railway was created by the local community and steam railway enthusiasts to re-open the line and operate tourist train services.
Today, The Mary Valley Rattler is much more than a heritage rail journey – it is a celebration of slow travel, a champion of regional producers, and a dynamic community precinct bringing together food, culture, and history.
From the moment guests step onto the platform at Old Gympie Station, they’re immersed in an experience that highlights the flavours, stories, and spirit of the region.
The Rattler invites everyone aboard to slow down, connect, and savour all the Mary Valley has to offer.
The Gympie Station precinct is home to the Rusty Rails Café, a hub for locally sourced food, community connection, and seasonal celebrations.
It is the Rattler’s support and promotion of food that is fresh, seasonal, and deeply connected to the region’s identity that has attracted the Slow Food recognition.
A rotating selection of regional produce is offered that reflects seasonal availability and celebrates local food traditions. The products are selected for flavour, quality, and sense of place.
These offerings help keep Gympie’s food culture alive and evolving, bringing traditional practices to new audiences and preserving the culinary stories of the region.
Rattler staff work with producers and local wholesale suppliers who, where possible, prioritise sustainable practices and uphold the integrity of clean food systems.
Many of the suppliers champion regenerative farming, ethical animal husbandry, and low-impact production.
Local fruit and vegetable wholesalers who actively source from nearby farms are engaged, helping to reduce food miles while supporting environmentally-conscious agriculture.
By sourcing locally and seasonally, the Rattler promotes a clean, low-waste approach to food service that embodies the values of the Slow Food movement.
The Rusty Rails Cafe and Rattler Providore Store feature products from a wide range of local makers, giving guests the chance to purchase locally-made goods and support the regional economy.
As a not-for-profit organisation, the Mary Valley Rattler is deeply embedded in the Gympie community. It supports local fundraising efforts, provides a platform for community groups and schools, and collaborates with regional events including Rally Queensland, the Gympie Music Muster, the Gympie and District Show, and many more.
These partnerships reinforce the Rattler’s role as both a cultural ambassador and a connector.
The role the Rattler plays in the landscape embraces the notion of appreciating the environment.
Vegetation management methods such as intensive grazing are utilised along the railway tracks. Then there is manual brush cutting and more recently steaming of the vegetation is used to complement the regenerative farming initiatives being undertaken in the Valley.
The steaming is done by the steam engine as it passes – the C17 Steam Locomotive.
“We’re seeing increased platypus and fish activity in the Mary River,’’ Sherry said. “This is even during flood events in the Mary River and Amamoor Creek.
“Our team go out and monitor the rivers and flooding regularly.
“Nothing beats going out and immersing yourself in nature.’’
The menu for the Rattler and the cafe are adjusted every quarter to see what is available seasonally.
Consistency of quality is really important, Sherry said, so flexibility is needed at times as to the suppliers.
Seafood is obtained direct from Tin Can Bay or Mooloolaba. That can result in a bucket of prawns or being able to provide seafood chowder.
“We try to provide a synergy to help other businesses be successful.
“The Rattler is a central part of the community, and it encourages satellite events and areas to step up.’’
A presentation at the University of the Sunshine Coast highlighted that agritourism is not separate from tourism.
“It is tourism,’’ Sherry said. “Not only are people coming for an immersive experience, but they walk away and remember it as a place for food lovers … a food trail.
“We celebrate food way beyond the paddock – we are taking food to the people, to the traveller.
“It’s not just what we’re doing, it’s what’s happening in the area such as what the schools are doing.
“We have work experience students come in, and they leave with the skills.
“They are continuing their food journey, not just from a work experience point of view but you’re capturing the younger generation – and the importance of food and travel.
“Food that is healthy eating is very important for the long term … we want to facilitate that.’’
By building up its standing within the community, the Rattler can draw on different groups, foster them and show to the wider community the talent that is available.
The Rattler also participates in GourMay – the month-long celebration of food in the Mary Valley.
“We have a role to play in providing and showcasing the produce that is on offer, whether it to be on our shelves or our tasting plates.
“We may not be able to turn the soil and grow it, but the platform we provide is essential. It’s a way of celebrating food way beyond the paddock.’’
So what is ahead for the Rattler?
The 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games are on the timetable and Australian tourism experiences will be involved.
The Olympic Games and Paralympics take in regional Queensland and are important to the Rattler, Sherry said.
“We are totally committed to providing an all-ability service.
“Our region needs to get on board – there are events right along the coast from Cairns and Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton down to the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast.
“The message is the same. There is fabulous clean food in Australia particularly from the Mary Valley, Noosa hinterland and Gympie region.
“It’s a matter of encouraging people to participate on this journey. It can be either the building up to a position of being on staff or volunteering and taking on skills so they can be employed somewhere else.
“People volunteer their time here to get their skills, whether it be a train driver or taking their barista skills to a local employer.
“The drivers can make bacon and eggs on the shovel that they use in the cab … imagine that.’’
The authenticity of the Rattler rail journeys see personal narration rather than taped commentary. There is someone on board to do that, and hosts in each carriage have local knowledge as well as stories to tell.
“We have high-level fitters and carpenters in the restoration shed,’’ Sherry explained, “but then we have volunteers underneath that who are learning the skills.
“Volunteering and work experience feeds into a very local level of integration into the community. It continues the lifeblood of the venture and of the community.
“The reason it attracts people is because of the people you have in it. We want this to be on-going for generations to come.
“It takes three to four years for someone to become a steam train driver.
“Something we are really proud of is the fresh young faces coming through. It’s not just what we pay them but the culture.
“It takes a certain person to be involved in the local ethos. We don’t want to be a commercial venture.
“The bottom line is shared by other values such as skills, encouragement, culture, recognising the local producers.’’
What the Rattler shows is that attractions need to have a legitimate reason to be, not a created event.
By adhering to this philosophy the operation has been recognised as a Best of Queensland Experience by Tourism and Events Queensland and celebrated by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.
As such, the Mary Valley Rattler continues to evolve as a place where heritage meets hospitality, and where every journey is a feast for the senses.
It all fits together – not just food and produce but a slice of life in which people can immerse themselves anywhere, any time and at any place.
THE RATTLER EXPERIENCE
Throughout the year, the Rattler precinct hosts a diverse range of events, including the popular Grazing Lane street-style food nights and Tapas on Tozer at the Station, bringing people together over regional produce.
The experience continues on board with a calendar of themed trains that entertain and delight- from the spooky Ghost Train and the mischievous Wizard Express to the sold-out Murder Mystery, Christmas Express, and the ever-popular Great Gympie Gold Heist.
These immersive journeys feature performances by the Perseverance Street Theatre Company, ensuring that every train ride becomes a memorable adventure.
The Great Gympie Gold Heist, for example, sees actors dressed in period costumes and at times riding horses beside the railway to re-enact a gold robbery.
