Gympie is the quiet achiever of South East Queensland. From its chaotic beginning amid a gold rush, to overcoming the isolation caused by limited access to a port (Maryborough) and the state capital (Brisbane), and diversifying its industry base into timber, dairying and fruit growing, Gympie has become a busy hub within the Wide Bay-Burnett region for industry, tourism and local government administration.

Gympie has achieved this progress without forgetting its past, by maintaining and refurbishing its building heritage, remembering the contribution of its citizens to the Australian war efforts through an impressive memorial lane of murals, honouring the contribution of its famous citizens, and maintaining museums to educate its citizens and tourists alike about the positive impacts of the gold, timber, dairying and fruit growing industries. Furthermore, the Gympie council has financed the reinvigoration of the Mary River Branch Railway and its “Rattler” tourism initiative.

Gympie is a small city (population 21,000) 176km north of Brisbane in the Wide Bay-Burnett region of South East Queensland. It was established following the discovery of gold in 1867, a significant event in the life of a young and financially vulnerable State of Queensland. Although the gold rush is long gone, Gympie continues to flourish and today is a local government administrative centre for the Mary River Valley and Cooloola Coast (population 52,000).
Our book provides a glimpse of Gympie’s interesting history and heritage.