WE’RE DRIVEN BY OUR PIONEERING SPIRIT

The Gympie Region has long been the traditional home of the Kabi Kabi, Wakka Wakka and Butchulla people and our European settlements began in the early 1840’s. Gympie City is forever etched in Australian history as the “town that saved Queensland” from bankruptcy when gold was discovered here in 1867 – but locally, there’s still debate about whether that honour should go to Kilkivan. Irrespective, we’re proud of our pioneering spirit forged by a timber, agriculture and golden past, remnants of which can still be found here today.

The Gympie Region. You’re welcome.

ALL ABOARD!

Thumping pistons, the smell of coal and sooty wafts of steam as you rattle your way out of the historic railway station. This is the Mary Valley Rattler, so named for its wonderful rattling carriages Our lovingly restored steam locomotive looks like something straight out of a Harry Potter film and it’s a firm family favourite. Serious train buffs might like to ride up front where all the action is as part of the Footplate Experience. But for the discerning traveller might prefer the sleek Silver Bullet Train or our Tasting Train which serves our region’s best local produce. This is an experience for all current and future story tellers but check ahead to make sure you’ve got the right train for the right story!

CATCH GOLD FEVER!

The largest nugget ever found here was worth around $2 million in todays’ money and we’re told, by those in the know, that there’s plenty more gold in those hills!

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your hat and a shovel and head for Gympie City to try your hand at gold panning, just like our prospecting ancestors did. Fossicking licenses are required, but are easily arranged by Lake Alford Visitor Information Centre (along with all your panning equipment).

If something a little less strenuous is your thing, another way to catch gold fever is at our Gold Mining and Historical Museum. Bursting with memorabilia from our early gold mining era, as well as displays of early rural, military, hospital, transport and communications – this is a place full of wonderful stories and golden memories.

FOLLOW IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS

History enthusiasts and purveyors of all things “antique”, will enjoy our region’s Heritage Trail. These places are where our ancestors lived and worked and to make it easy to enjoy them we’ve got a map detailing individually numbered sites. For visitors with smartphones, QR codes on each sign link you to our website to read the stories behind some of these beautiful buildings. A first stock exchange, a Labor Prime Ministers’ cottage, the remnants of a bygone Chinese market and, the Mary Valley Rattler Historic Railway are just some of the stories of our fascinating past.

If you want to follow the footsteps of your own ancestors we recommend checking out the Gympie Cemetery and also the local history section of our Gympie Regional Library.

OUR FAVOURITE HISTORIC SPOTS IN GYMPIE CITY

Gympie Town Hall, built on the site where gold was discovered by James Nash and opened in 1891.
Historic Mary Street, a double line of prospectors’ tents sprung up along the sides of the digging bank after gold was found at Nash’s Gully in 1867 and is now our main street.
Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum houses a vast collection dating from the discovery of gold in 1867 to the recently closed Gympie Eldorado Goldmine.
Woodworks Museum, a fascinating insight into the role of forestry in our region.
Gympie Historic Station has been in operation since 1881 and the present building was completed in 1913 based on the Queensland Railways A ‘Pagoda’ standard design.

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS IN OUR REGION

Kilkivan Shire Museum shares the histories of Goomeri, Kilkivan, Widgee and Woolooga
Booubyjan Homestead, a complex of timber structures built between the 1860–1870s by the Lawless family
Double Island Point Lighthouse, access by 4WD only and offering commanding 360o views including K’gari Fraser Island
Goomeri War Memorial Clock, a landmark for the town which earned Goomeri the name of “Clocktown”
Dickabram Bridge, spanning the Mary River at Miva, built in 1886 it is the oldest remaining large steel truss bridge constructed in Queensland
Imbil Railway Bridge, crossing Yabba Creek and once part of the Brooloo line