Hervey Bay Seafood Festival, Valley Rattler, Gallipoli to Armistice Trail Grey Nomad award finalists

Three things to see and do in Gympie, Hervey Bay and Maryborough have been named national finalists in the 2021 Grey Nomad Awards, cementing the two regions’ reputations as bucket list destinations for mature age tourists. See what they are:

Tourist attractions in Gympie, Maryborough and Hervey Bay have been named as finalists in the national 2021 Grey Nomad awards ahead of the winners announcement on March 4.

The annual awards are for mature-aged travellers, otherwise known as ‘grey nomads’, and recognise tourism companies and businesses who care about the needs of the older generation while supporting positive ageing through soft adventure and social inclusion.

The Mary Valley Rattler in the Gympie region was announced as a finalist for the Best Grey Nomad Historic Attraction.

The iconic Mary Valley Rattler at sunset. Photo: Mary Valley Rattler

The Rattler, a restored steam train run by a not-for-profit organisation, is dedicated to providing a heritage rail experience to those who climb aboard and travel along the century-old Mary Valley railway line out of Gympie.

Neighbour, the Fraser Coast, claimed two finalist berths, including the Hervey Bay Seafood Festival and the Gallipoli to Armistice Trail, which were finalists in the Best Grey Nomad Festival or Event and the Best Grey Nomad trail, respectively.

The Hervey Bay Seafood Festival is an annual festival which showcases Hervey Bay’s ‘signature seafoods’, displayed by the area’s most renowned restaurants.

Seafood Festival launch at Seafront Oval – (L) Michelle Fuchs and Elaine Lewthwaite from Hervey Bay Seafood Inc with Fraser Coast Tourism and Events general manager Martin Simons and Cr Darren Everard. Photo: Alistair Brightman

Meanwhile, the Gallipoli to Armistice Trail, located in Maryborough, lets visitors experience the journey from Gallipoli to the Western Front and follow the story of Anzac hero of the Wide Bay, Duncan Chapman; the first Allied man to step ashore at Gallipoli.

Awards director Kim Morgan said the Grey Nomad Awards shone a light on regional Australia by rewarding organisations and destinations that cater in an exemplary way to mature age visitors.

“In this way, the Awards are fostering a better lifestyle for over 50s by providing verified information that will guide their decisions on where to travel safely in 2022, where to stay and what to experience along the way,” she said.

Gallipoli to Armistice memorial in Maryborough. Photo: Alistair Brightman

She said that the ongoing uncertainty for tourism businesses throughout last year made it especially challenging for them to face each day with confidence and the unwavering customer focus that is necessary to be recognised in these Grey Nomad Awards.

The Grey Nomad Awards are judged by mature-age tourism professionals, some of whom have experienced the grey nomad lifestyle personally, adding weight to the finalists’ success.

Originally published as Hervey Bay Seafood Festival, Valley Rattler, Gallipoli to Armistice Trail Grey Nomad award finalists