December 16, 2020
Pets on Board the Mary Valley Rattler
Looking for a pet-friendly day out in Gympie?
With the Pets on Board the Mary Valley Rattler experience you’ll get to enjoy Queensland’s famed steam train.
Launched with koala-saving ‘Koolie’ as its first four-legged passenger, the ‘Pets on Board’ service permits passengers to share the experience with their favourite four-legged friend.
The Mary Valley Rattler operates a range of services across the week from Gympie Station to Amamoor in the Mary Valley. The three-hour journeys capture the beauty and history of the rich agricultural – and former gold mining – region from the comfort of beautifully restored heritage carriages.
How much?
The pricing for passengers on the Pets on Board the Mary Valley Rattler service is the same as the regular service and $10 per pet cost is applied. Pets can travel on board the Rattler on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday services subject to availability and terms and conditions apply. Cats also welcome.
Very impawtant guest
The service was launched in October 2020 with one of the Sunshine Coast’s most special dogs on board to celebrate the special day – Bear, an Australian Koolie.
Bear is part of a team at the Detection Dogs for Conservation Centre at the University of the Sunshine Coast (which is supported by the International Fund for Animal Welfare), and is trained to detect live koalas through the scent of their fur.
Pet Train Travellers
Recognising that dogs are playing an increasingly important role in the lives of humans, the Rattler has configured a carriage with two segregated booths that can accommodate up to six people per booth with up to two pets per booth from the same family.
“Pets are for many people totally part of the family and they would like to travel and share the experience with their favourite pets,” said Micheal Green, General Manager of the Mary Valley Rattler.
“We have had many requests from potential passengers asking whether they can bring their dogs. Naturally, we’ve allowed passengers with Guide Dogs to travel on the Rattler and everyone has been supportive, so extending the opportunity to other passengers to bring along a well-behaved pet was a logical evolution.
“It is part of our philosophy of making the Rattler available to everyone in the community. Earlier this month we launched an all-access carriage that was specially designed to facilitate wheelchair passengers and that has attracted a flood of bookings. We believe our pet-friendly facilities will also encourage greater inclusion and participation amongst the community.”
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