Gympie
Example of Gympie's heritage architecture
Gympie is the heritage and cultural centre of the Cooloola Region, with a population of around 36,000 people. Known as the ‘Town that Saved Queensland’, Gympie’s proud heritage began in 1867 with the discovery of gold by prospector 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. However, Nash made the five day journey down the Mary River from Maryborough and, after digging up 75 ounces of gold in six days, staked his claim. The Gympie Gold Rush began, injecting the boost to the Queensland economy that enabled the colony to survive.
Today, you can relive the tradition that has given Gympie its special place in history. At the Gold Mining Museum, displays covering the gold rush days are mingled with exhibits such as the Lighthorse Museum and Andrew Fisher House. Other attractions such as the Mary Valley Heritage Railway and Woodworks Forestry and Timber Museum provide memorable links to the region’s railway and timber history.
The city’s heart is Mary Street, a blend of shopping, heritage and nearby parkland. Take a heritage walk past traditional shopfronts as well as well-preserved examples of nineteenth-century architecture.
Gympie’s location, right on the Bruce Highway about a 2 hour drive north of Brisbane and 40 minutes north of Noosa, makes it easily accessible for travellers looking for a special slice of Queensland. It’s also centrally located to the breathtaking coastline of Rainbow Beach, the dolphins of Tin Can Bay, and the rural hinterland of the Mary Valley.