KNOWN AS ‘QUEENSLAND’S GOLDEN CITY’ FOLLOWING QUEENSLAND’S FIRST GOLD RUSH, GYMPIE HAS PROUDLY GROWN AROUND THE ORIGINAL SITE WHERE GOLD WAS DISCOVERED IN OCTOBER OF 1867.
Situated on the Bruce Highway, two hours north of Brisbane, in Queensland, Gympie is a city rich in history and culture. With the Mary River flowing through it, rolling green hills and forest reserves surrounds this beautiful city.
As the major hub for the region, Gympie offers all the conveniences of modern living and an unmistakable country charm. There are lovely parks and gardens, markets and world-class events including the iconic Gympie Music Muster and the Heart of Gold International Film Festival. Only a short drive to the Mary Valley, Cooloola, Fraser and Sunshine Coasts, Gympie is central to a relaxed and friendly lifestyle. Take time to stop and reflect in Gympie, the town that saved Queensland from bankruptcy.
James Nash, a migrant from England, discovered alluvial gold near the present site of the Gympie Town Hall. Within six months there were over fifteen thousand men mining the Gympie alluvials, many obtaining an ounce to the dish and unearthing nuggets including the largest nugget ever found in Queensland. The Gympie Goldfield was one of the most plentiful goldfields in Australia. Prior to the gold rush, timber was a major industry. By the 1860’s the Gympie region was noted for its vast wealth of timber and for the abundance and quality of red cedar.
Tucked in the hinterland behind the fabulous Sunshine Coast beaches open the door to the secret world that is Mary Valley country. The Mary Valley offers an array of national parks, state forests, reserves, creeks, rivers and waterways. This stunning natural environment provides numerous opportunities for those passionate about outdoor pursuits and recreation.
Be impressed by the Conondale Great Range Walk or Imbil and Amamoor State Forests. The area is visually spectacular winding through rainforest and tall open forests with deep gorges, tranquil creeks and cascading waterfalls, to magnificent view points. With its proximity to Brisbane less than two hours’ drive, Mary Valley country is a popular holiday destination with a reputation as Queensland’s natural playground.
Tin Can Bay is one of the few places in Australia where dolphins can be hand fed in their natural environment. Located half an hour’s drive east of Gympie on the Cooloola Coast. Tin Can Bay is built on a peninsula along the Great Sandy Strait, close to the southern tip of Fraser Island. Marina, houseboat and yacht charter facilities reflect the predominance of water-based activities for visitors wishing to explore the Great Sandy Strait.
With postcard views and some of the most amazing natural attractions in the world, Rainbow Beach is 3/4 of an hour’s drive from Gympie. With miles of pristine sandy white beaches, fresh water creeks and lakes and stunning sandscapes at Rainbow Beach is located an hour’s drive east of Gympie on Queensland’s Cooloola Coast,
Fraser Island is on Rainbow Beach’s doorstep which is the world’s largest sand island and is one of the most popular four-wheel driving destinations in Australia.
Kilkivan and Goomeri are two country towns located about 45 minutes west from Gympie heading into the great expanse of the South Burnett region.
Goomeri is conveniently located on the junction of the Burnett and Wide Bay Highways, 78 kilometres north west of Gympie and 265 kilometres from Brisbane. The name of the town is derived from the Aboriginal name for the area, Goomeribong’ meaning broken shield.
Goomeri has a rich agricultural and timber history and the town is bursting with period charm. Kilkivan features lovely parks and restored historical buildings, a tribute to the areas golden heyday. Immerse yourself in the history of Kilkivan, the site of Queensland’s first gold discovery in 1852 and subsequent gold rush. The region also has a rich agricultural and timber history
