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Join our Mary Valley Private Tour to experience the best of this unique countryside, where you will ride on the famous Mary Valley Rattler Classic Steam Engine, indulge in the local food & drinks, whilst absorbing stunning sights & scenery.
Our all-inclusive Mary Valley Private Tour is a great change of scenery from the beautiful beaches to the nearby country, which is equally as stunning and picturesque. This tour has it all, from sightseeing and a scenic country train ride to the indulgence of the local produce, and an energising guided nature walk through giant fig trees to finish the day. This tour includes a one-way train ride on the Mary Valley Rattler classic steam locomotive between historical Gympie and Amamoor stations.
To further compliment this tour, we provide you with an experienced local guide and door to door pick-ups in a luxury vehicle with reclining seats and a USB port for each seat to charge your phones and cameras along the way.
ITINERARY
- 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 by no later than 4:30pm, in time for sunset and dinner.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 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
NOOSA & SUNSHINE COAST Pick-ups and Drop-offs
Joel’s Journeys will pick-up and drop-off customers at their home or accommodation in the Noosa and Sunshine Coast regions, including the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Please ensure you provide your pick-up address when you make the booking. Pick ups outside of the above locations may incur a surcharge.
Sunshine Coast Airport Drop-off Available
Make the most of your departure day and be dropped-off at the Sunshine Coast Airport after your private tour for no extra cost. We have plenty of luggage room on the bus to stow your bags for the duration of the tour or transfer. Ensure you select the appropriate airport transfer checkbox option when you make your tour or transfer booking.
Luxury Vehicle for Passenger Loads of 11 or Less
Groups of 11 or less will be chauffeured around in comfort in our luxury 12-seater vehicle. Our bus is equipped with reclining seats and a USB port for each seat to recharge your phones and cameras throughout a day. The vehicle has a fridge running throughout the day to keep cool any cold produce you purchase.
Passenger Loads of 12 or More
Passenger loads of 12 or more guests are subject to the availability of a larger bus, which will be different to the 12-seater bus described above. Please provide us with as much notice as possible for group bookings of 12 to 24 guests.
Experienced Guide
Your host is an experienced tour guide and driver who lives in the Noosa region, is passionate about the natural world, respectful of indigenous culture and has received many positive compliments and reviews from customers.
SUITS
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What a day! Montville, Maleny, and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland totally delivered — stunning views, beautiful towns, and lots of laughs. Our group clicked instantly, and Joel was the perfect guide: fun, full of local stories, and just the right amount of fun. 10/10 would tour again! Lina and Anna



Helen and Angela
Sydney








The Noosa Hinterlands tour was a highlight. The scenery was absolutely stunning, and we loved visiting the charming town of Pomona and the peaceful lakeside spot at Boreen Point on Lake Cootharaba. Joel shared interesting stories and local history along the way, without ever making it feel like a lecture, just good conversation.
Our second tour was to Eumundi, where the markets were buzzing with life. We especially enjoyed the local ginger beer and learning about the area’s rich history. Joel seemed to know just where to go and gave us plenty of time to explore at our own pace.
Both tours were well-organized, comfortable, and had a personal touch that’s often missing from larger group tours. If you’re looking for a more intimate, thoughtful way to explore the Sunshine Coast, we can’t recommend Joel’s Journey’s enough.

John & Julie








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





Joel was courteous and informative before we were even picked up notifying us of pick from our hotel.
The day was sunny and warm. From the minute the tour started, Joel told us an enormous amount of facts about the flora and the fauna. He was able to tell us about the custodial owners of the land and their words for landmarks, animals, and wildlife.
He was very knowledgeable and friendly.
Our first stop was at a waterfall for a cup of tea or coffee.
I asked for a cup of Earle Grey with oat milk, and he had it. What a man!
Then it was onto Montville. First stop was the chocolate shop, where we all got a tasting box.
The chocolate was super yummy and none of mine made it home!!
We then had 45 minutes free time to look at Montville shops before lunch. Honestly, I could have bought every product from every store and gone back for seconds. The art was incredible. I am still salivating!
The view from the car park, looking towards the coast, was stunning. Montville shops on its own needs at least a week to do it justice!
Next was lunch. I had potato and leek soup and ginger beer. The view was delicious , a bit like the view from The Cuckoo in the Dandenong Ranges.
Lunch was delicious. The products in the shop were delicious. I found a Mary Poppins teapot.
After lunch, we walked under the tree canopy in a rainforest. Again, Joel's knowledge of wildlife was stunning. So that baby I could hear crying every night in Noosa was a bird haha!
We got pictures of the Glass House Mountains and travelled onto a winery.
Oh my goodness, the moscato was so light and fresh I will definitely be ordering some. The sommelier had the most seductive French french accent I have ever heard. I closed my eyes, and my ears were having orgasms!! His voice was like soft fingers and silk trailing across your back, neck, arms.. you get the picture. Truly, that man could have seduced anyone if you kept your eyes shut and just listened!!
Then it was time to go home after we stopped at a lookout, and Joel pointed out where all the landmarks were!
Joel was very passionate about his love of the environment and his beloved Noosa!
Joel's Journeys will now become a regular part of my Noosa holiday! There are so many great tours to go on!
Joel is a keeper. What a wonderful human being he is. He is grounded and intensely passionate about all things Noosa and the environment.
A thoughtful and wise human being. He said lots of things that show intention and maturity. I love supporting businesses that are truly about service to others. Joel's Journeys deserve a 20 out of 10. He is a local treasure!





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.





Despite the rain, Joel ensured that the tour was well-paced and completely worth the price. Joel himself is an incredible tour guide, going above and beyond to make sure everyone felt comfortable and got the most out of the experience. Even with the weather, we got to see so much, including breathtaking views and fascinating insights that we wouldn't have discovered on our own.
One highlight was the spot Joel found for lunch—it was perfect. Not only was the food great with plenty of options, but the view was absolutely spectacular. It really added to the whole experience.
After lunch, we headed to Australia Zoo, where Joel dropped us off just in time for the Wildlife Warriors show. We had over three hours to explore the zoo and still had plenty of time to see all the other exhibits.
In summary, if you're considering booking this tour, don't hesitate. Joel is an amazing guide who knows how to put on a top-notch tour. You're guaranteed to have a fantastic time, rain or shine. Highly recommended!











Friendly and fun, super informative and very attentive to all his passenger’s needs.

Had a recent family holiday experience with Joel’s Journeys & we couldn’t be more impressed. Joel catered for our private needs, bouncing between a number of locations on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Joel delivers a professional tour with a friendly, comfortable atmosphere. His local knowledge combined with his global travel experience, on show inside a wonderful vehicle, really made our whole family feel special. It feels like we’ve known Joel for years & now we will have a friend for life. Thanks heaps Joel, look forward to our next Journey with you mate:D




Highly recommend, great value for money and felt like a luxury trip given by a tour guide who really cares.

Highly recommend, great value for money and felt like a luxury trip given by a tour guide who really cares.



Would definitely recommend you book Joel. He was so friendly, kind and so accommodating and will be booking him again when we return to the Sunshine Coast for our next holiday.





Thanks Joel, not often you get a personal tour with the owner
Very impressive, thanks for turning the good weather on too
