Mary Valley | Attractions, accommodation, maps, tours, events, markets

Forming part of the Great Sandy Biosphere, Mary Valley is a unique area of ecological importance with amazing natural attractions. The Mary River which runs through the valley is home to rare and endangered animal species including the Mary River Turtle and the amazing Lungfish.
With its proximity to Brisbane (only one and a half hours drive), Mary Valley, nestled between Gympie and the Sunshine Coast, is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination, with a reputation as a hinterland adventure playground. The valley offers a variety of holiday options from bush camping to four and a half star accommodation.

Experience a range of exhilarating adventures in Mary Valley
Horse riding is the perfect way to soak up the relaxing country atmosphere of the valley. Mary Valley has extensive horse riding trails and is host to endurance and camp draft events during the year.

Kayak the Mary River, as it winds through patches of rainforest, eucalypt forest and open farmland. Mountain bike through the forest and explore the many back roads of Mary Valley. Lake Borumba is perfect for picnics, swimming, fishing, camping, canoeing, recreational boating and skiing.

Explore extensive forest parks
Unwind as you explore the many parks and forests of Mary Valley. Picnic areas and excellent camping facilities can be found at Cedar Grove, Amamoor Creek and Amama Park in the Amamoor State Forest. Discover breath-taking lookouts, swimming holes and forest drives. Bush walk through rainforests with ferns, vines, palms and waterfalls.
Wildlife in the region is prolific; keep an eye out for goannas, wallabies and koalas. A special viewing platform at Amama Park offers visitors the chance to catch a glimpse of the elusive platypus.

Take a leisurely self drive tour of the valley
Immerse in the amazing views that unfold with every turn and visit charming country towns as you travel along the Mary Valley scenic drive. From Gympie, follow Mary Valley Road through a rich patchwork of agricultural land to Dagun, a quaint little village. Take in scenic views from Amamoor, home of the Optus Gympie Music Muster. Continue on your journey to the township of Kandanga, where country markets offer the opportunity to sample local produce. Travel to Imbil to find antiques and local art. Stop for lunch at a cafe, the hotel or picnic in the park.

Tour Mary Valley on our historic steam train
Enjoy a spectacular steam train tour through Mary Valley aboard “The Valley Rattler”. Mary Valley Heritage Railway operates regular half and full day trips from Gympie. This is a fantastic way to enjoy the beautiful scenery and good old fashioned country hospitality of the valley.

The Rattler makes stops at restored stations where markets, entertainment, wine and cheese can be enjoyed. Watch in awe as the locomotive is rotated on the turntable for the return trip to Gympie.

Dagun
Encounter the three different habitats to be found in the Mary Valley, as you stroll through the natural history walk at Dagun’s Railway Station Precinct. The walk meanders through lowland scrub, eucalypt forest and rainforest. Kids will love the maze.

Taste locally produced wine and cheese at Dagun as the Valley Rattler stops at the station on its return journey. A few minutes north of Dagun you will find an area of serene walks and picturesque outlooks
at Lagoon Pocket.

Amamoor

A charming and peaceful town, Amamoor offers a unique country experience. Spot a restored Cobb & Co coach each Saturday morning when it meets The Rattler at Amamoor Station. Browse through the station shop for local products and Muster merchandise.

Relax at an authentic country bed and breakfast with picturesque views of Mary Valley or perhaps a farm stay is more your style. This area boasts an abundance of Australian wildlife including wallabies, koalas, echidnas, possums and many varieties of beautiful native bird life.

Kandanga
There’s plenty to do in Kandanga, the town boasts a swimming pool, tennis courts and a lawn bowls club. Visit the Kandanga community centre where you can take a craft lesson or Tai Chi class, purchase local art and craft and get some travel information.
Enjoy a cold beer from the veranda of the Kandanga Hotel. The restored Queenslander overlooks the railway bridge. Platform markets are held at Kandanga’s historic station on Wednesday and Sunday from 10.30am coinciding with the arrival of the Valley Rattler steam train.

Imbil

The township of Imbil has gained a reputation as the ‘art house’ of the valley and is host to the Mary Valley Art Festival in June. Stay a while and shop for antiques and art. Stroll along the Timberman's Walk shaded by glorious jacaranda trees. The town green comes to life on Sundays with the colour and music of the Imbil Country Markets. Stop for a quite drink and a delicious meal at the historic Railway Hotel. You can camp in Imbil on the banks of Yabba Creek, and visit the designated bellbird habitat on the
Imbil-Brooloo Road to hear these tiny birds.

Stay and play at Borumba

Borumba offers a unique relaxing holiday alternative and is an affordable holiday option for families. Lake Borumba is outstanding for canoeing, recreational boating, skiing, skurfing and fishing. In summer the lake comes alive with people enjoying the great outdoors. Pack a picnic and come for a day trip or camp beside the magnificent lake.
Set up a tent or park the caravan beside beautiful Yabba Creek, Wildlife is abundant and the hills are home to red deer. This serene countryside is perfect to relax or to have an adventure of a lifetime.

Brooloo
Brooloo is located just out from Imbil along the Mary Valley scenic drive, perfect for horseback riding or soaking up the quaint country atmosphere of the valley. There is a small residential estate, with some of the best creeks and rivers to explore.

Experience a taste of the Aussie outback and go bush camping on the banks of the tranquil Coonoon Gibber Creek. The song of bellbirds can be heard through many of the local forests.

Welcome to the main event

The iconic Optus Gympie Music Muster is held among the towering gums of Amamoor Creek State Forest near Gympie each August. Over 50,000 visitors flock to this spectacular celebration of music, many camping at the site for months in advance. The 6 day program is rich with Australia’s finest country and blues artists, performing at 13 diverse venues.

Mary Valley is host to the action fueled International Rally of Queensland in May. Competitors race through the forests of Imbil. Get road side for the gravel spinning, hair pin action!

There’s more to explore in Gympie Cooloola

From the rolling green hills and lush forests of Mary Valley drive east for an hour or so to Cooloola Coast where you will discover another amazing area full of natural beauty.
Delve into the sandy rainforests of the Great Sandy National Park. From Rainbow Beach explore stunning attractions, like coloured sands, Carlo Sandblow and Fraser Island. Hand feed wild dolphins at Tin Can Bay, gateway to the stunning aquatic playground of the Great Sandy Strait.

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