Jump onboard for a wild ride as the Mary Valley Rattler stages the Gympie Gold Heist – Saturday, 2 May

This is performance art at its steamiest! Lovers of the Wild West should head to Gympie next month for the Mary Valley Rattler’s Gympie Gold Heist on Saturday, 2 May.

Lovers of classic westerns can put themselves centre stage by hopping onboard the Rattler to witness a train robbery that transports the scene back over a hundred years, when gold glittered in the Gympie hills and outlaws were prepared to exchange lead in pursuit of the precious metal.

The professional theatre company Perseverance Street Theatre Company and the horse riders from CB Performance Horses will choreograph the action adventure, replicating the great tradition of railway robberies, with the outlaws taking on the C17 iron horse with real horses, delivering a posse of robbers to the Rattler.

The outlaws will interact, entertain and maybe even share a nugget of laughs with passengers as the heritage train steams towards the village of Amamoor.

The Mary Valley Rattler’s general manager, Sherry Lowe, said the combination of the Rattler’s and Gympie’s gold heritage was perfect for taking passengers on a ride back in time.

“We are very fortunate to have two regionally based organisations who are so enthusiastic about using the Rattler and the incredible Mary Valley backdrop as the stage for this swashbuckling experience,” said Ms Lowe.

“Developing the characters and the scenarios for this event has meant reliving Gympie’s heritage and celebrating the golden age of steam.

“And we invite our passengers to get into the full swing of things by dressing up for the event, with prizes on the line for best costumes.”

The Gold Heist special train leaves Gympie Station at 9am, and travels through Mary Valley to the historic village of Amamoor, where passengers can disembark and view the engine being turned around on the turntable. There is time to explore Amamoor Village Green before passengers re-embark for the return journey to Gympie Station, arriving at about 12.30pm.

Tickets start at $84 per adult, $67 for children, and the event is suitable for the whole family.  Options include VIP tickets, onboard food and drink packages, and family passes.

Further information and bookings: https://www.maryvalleyrattler.com.au/