Take a green break ... in the scenic Mary Valley                                      Updated 06/03/10

Gorgeous scenery combines with the nostalgia of the steam train to make this a very special Mary Valley experience.

The Valley Rattler steam train

& Mary Valley Heritage Railway

For bookings and details contact:

Mary Valley Heritage Railway

Old Railway Station, Tozer Street, Gympie

t (07) 5482 2750

e rattler@mvhr.org.au

w www.thevalleyrattler.com

Experience the Cooloola Region's Mary Valley aboard the “Valley Rattler” - easily one of Queensland's most scenic railway lines.

It is also the State’s largest non-profit heritage train organisation, and it runs steam train tours on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, with a rail motor tour on Tuesday.

The historic 80-kilometre journey on Wednesday and Sunday commences at Gympie, and after crossing the Mary River negotiates an abundance of curves, gradients and bridges to pass through the small country villages of Dagun, Amamoor and Kandanga to Imbil.

Disembark at any of these original stations, fully restored and landscaped, where you can enjoy interesting excursions within the district and good old-fashioned country hospitality.

On Wednesday the train leaves Gympie at 10am returning at 3:30pm. On Sunday the train departs at 10am and returns at 4pm. Prices: Adults $36, Senior/Pensioner Card Holders $30.50, Children $18.

The steam train visits the historic Gympie station, Dagun and Amamoor on a 40km journey on Saturday.

Enjoy the restored stations which capture the original character of the early 1900s and discover arts and crafts, wine and cheese tasting and local produce at the station markets. The morning tour departs Gympie at 9:30am and returns at 12:30pm.

The afternoon tour departs Gympie at 1:45pm, returning at 4:45pm. Adults cost $20, and children are free of charge per paying adult, or extra children cost $10.

On Tuesday mornings experience a different atmosphere onboard the Red Rocket Express. The Red Rail Motor departs Gympie Station at

9.30am for a short journey to Amamoor Station where you will have time for morning tea and a wander through the arts and crafts stalls.

The Red Rocket returns at 11:30am. Adult fare $15, children $7.50.

Blind Mans Bluff Vineyard & Cellar Door

Lot 15 Bluff Rd, Kenilworth

t (07) 5472 3168 m 0417 719 530

Blind Man’s Bluff Vineyards, the dream of Noel Evans, became a reality in the year 2000. He was joined by his partner Tricia Toussaint and other family members in the passionate pursuit of turning the magical qualities of the earth into that wonderful elixir of life – wine.

Just a 45-minute drive through Queensland’s Sunshine Coast canefields, historic small towns and a variety of farming communities lies a beautiful valley hidden among the reaches of the Upper Mary River. Kenilworth is the home of the region’s newest and most distinctive vineyard and cellar door experience.

The vineyard is planted with Chardonnay, Shiraz and Verdelho grapes and meticulous viticultural skills have been incorporated to ensure that it produces full flavoured fruit to contribute to fine tasting wines.

Visit for a wonderful experience of wine tasting. Enjoy a glass of wine with a cheese platter, light lunch or coffee and cake. Sit back, melt down, take in the peaceful country atmosphere and appreciate the wonderful views of the Mary Valley and Kenilworth Bluff. Purchase wine by the bottle, or case at the cellar door, mail order or by email.

The wines have been beautifully styled to capture the uniqueness of the region and display characteristics that are unique to the vineyard. The “Liaisons” series of wines displays beautiful artwork to depict the uniqueness of these wine styles. Each wine has a storyline which adds to your enjoyment of wine tasting.

Also on offer are cheese platters featuring local cheeses, bread and dips, coffee and cake. The Cellar Door offers a very special experience of Love Cake especially recommended to be enjoyed with Infatuation and plunger coffee – a Love & Infatuation experience at Blind Man’s Bluff! All dishes have been chosen to enhance the sensory experience of Blind Man’s Bluff Vineyards wines with careful food matching.

Staff specialise in small group functions and provide a personalised service your party will not forget.

Organise your group for an unforgettable wine tasting experience at the beautiful cellar door, or try one of the following options:

• Group barbecues;
• A special romantic wine experience;
• Wine and cheese matching experiences for small groups;
• Light luncheons for small groups;
• Chauffered to and from a local day spa and retreat!

www.blindmansbluff.com.au info@blindmansbluff.com.au