Gympie is a regional city in south eastern Queensland, Australia, it is located approximately 160 kilometres north of Brisbane. It is an old gold mining town situated along the Bruce Highway on the Fraser Coast. Gympie offers the warm hospitality of a country town with all the modern conveniences.
Gympie's history began in 1867 with the discovery of gold by James Nash at the site now occupied by the Town Hall. At the time, Queensland was facing bankruptcy due to drought and the fall in wool prices. But Nash made the five day journey down the Mary River from Maryborough and, dug up 75 ounces of gold in six days then he staked his claim.
After that the Gympie Gold Rush was on, injecting the boost to the Queensland economy that enabled the colony to survive.You can find out about the mining industry in Gympie at the Gympie and District Historical and Mining Museum.
Other attractions in Gympie include the interesting Woodworks Forestry and Timber Museum. Gympie also holds two great festivals. The Country Music Muster is held in August, while the Gold Rush Festival is held in October. Both of which are great fun.
Alongside the Bruce Highway you will pass Rotaract Park, which is a large and attractive park. Within the park you can wander around the lake, relax in the picnic area and enjoy the beautiful gardens.
You will also notice the large statue, called Husman Place. The statue is in memory of the gold miners who worked in Gympie during the gold rush.
Gympie you can turn off towards the coast and the pretty Rainbow Beach, from where you can visit popular Fraser Island or continue south along the beach to Noosa.
You can get information and camping permits about both the Cooloola National Park, and Fraser Island from Gympie. There is also a selection of accommodation, including hostels.
Just south of Gympie (along the Bruce Highway) you will come across Nambour, where you will find the well known Big Pineapple.
Thirty minutes drive east of Gympie is Tin Can Bay where you can hand feed rare Indo-Pacific Hump-backed Dolphins in their natural environment. The feeding is regulated for the protection of the dolphins. Tin Can Bay is the Southern access point to the Great Sandy Strait, a stunning aquatic playground protected by World Heritage listed Fraser Island.
Queensland DVD (Queenslands South East - Land of Scenic Wonder)
Purchase the DVD that portrays Queensland's South East including footage of Fraser Island, Glass House Mountains, Blackall Range, Montville, Mount Tamborine and Springbrook's unforgettable rock bridge.
Taking you through the tree tops in Lamington where the thick, green roof shades; the mysterious underworld of the forest floor. On to Noosa, a haven of stunning national parks and brilliant waterways. Plus the amazing coloured sands of Teewah and Rainbow Beach.
PLEASE NOTE: The Queensland travel destinations outlined above are only a small selection from the tens of thousands of Australian travel information pages available on Australian Explorer. A comprehensive list of destinations for Queensland Holidays can be found on the main Queensland Holidays location guide.
