Gympie & Surrounds
The Heritage Heart - Gold Rush Capital of Queensland
Gympie stands as Queensland’s most significant gold rush town, where the discovery of gold in 1867 literally saved the struggling Queensland colony from bankruptcy, earning it the title “The Town That Saved Queensland”. The massive gold finds attracted thousands of prospectors, creating a bustling frontier town that became one of Australia’s richest goldfields.
Today, this vibrant regional city seamlessly blends its rich historical heritage with modern amenities, creating a compelling destination for visitors seeking authentic Australian history, culture, and hospitality.
North of Gympie, discover the growing towns of Chatsworth and Curra, and the rural communities of Theebine and Gunalda. Explore scenic country drives, historic railway heritage, charming pubs, and peaceful bushland perfect for a picnic or a relaxed getaway.
The city centre showcases beautifully preserved heritage architecture, from grand Victorian buildings to charming miners’ cottages, while modern cafés, restaurants, galleries, eclectic mix of vintage and boutique shops create a vibrant cultural precinct. Wide tree-lined streets, beautiful parks, and the meandering Mary River provide the perfect setting for exploring this historically significant city.
Journey Back In Time
Start your adventure in the heart of the Gympie Region with a visit to Gympie City. Steeped in rich history, the city offers plenty to explore, from a scenic walk along the River to Rail Trail to a refreshing swim in the Mothar Mountain Rock Pools.
Our museums, art gallery, parks and heritage railway are reminiscent of a bygone era and there’s another side to us with a modern café culture, quaint antique and specialty shops plus weekend markets.
So take some time to get to know us – there’s more to Gympie City than you might imagine!
Mary Valley Rattler
The crown jewel of Mary Valley tourism, the Mary Valley Rattler operates heritage steam train journeys through spectacular countryside between Gympie and various destinations throughout the valley. This fully restored railway uses authentic steam locomotives and heritage carriages to provide a nostalgic travel experience while showcasing the region’s scenic beauty
Thumping pistons, the smell of coal and sooty wafts of steam as you rattle your way out of the historic Amamoor station. This is the Mary Valley Rattler, so named for its wonderful rattling carriages and scenic journey in to the Mary Valley. Our lovingly restored steam locomotive looks like something straight out of a Harry Potter film and it’s a firm family favourite.
Serious train enthusiasts will enjoy watching the train on its turn style as its manoeuvred in to place for the return journey.
The rattler is a delightful way to experience the wide open spaces of the Mary Valley, creating wonderful memories for current and future storytellers.
Dining & Hospitality
Coffee’s always much better with a friend!
In Gympie City, our coffee culture has really come-of-age with some seriously chic cafes springing up all over the city. So, we recommend grabbing life “by the beans” and getting out there to enjoy more of what this city has to offer with a hug in a mug (BYO friend!)
Gympie’s dining scene celebrates both heritage and innovation, with historic pubs serving traditional meals alongside contemporary restaurants featuring regional produce. Coffee culture thrives in heritage buildings converted to trendy cafes, while farmers’ markets showcase the region’s fresh produce, artisanal foods, and handcrafted goods.
Specialty Shopping
Buyers beware! Boutique collectables, timeless treasures and curio shopping are things we do really well here; and we’re also a “must” for lovers of antique, retro and second hand shopping.
Yes, we’ve got the shopping-mall shops that you’d expect in a city but, we’ve also got an impressive number of one-of-a-kind homeware, fashion and specialty shops. For fresh country fare, our Duck Pond and Gympie Showground markets are open weekend about.
The city centre offers unique shopping experiences in heritage buildings housing antique stores, local craft shops, and boutique retailers. Farmers’ markets feature fresh regional produce, while specialty stores offer locally made products including honey, preserves, crafts, and artworks.
Parks, Picnics & Rest
It’s the picnic principle. Things just taste better outdoors! So here’s a couple of our favourite local picnic spots.
Memorial Park, is a beautiful heritage listed park, with well-manicured gardens and an original band rotunda dating back to a time when life was just a bit simpler. Lake Alford Park is perfect for the littlies. Sparkling fountains, gentle walkways, a duck pond and an all abilities play area that the young (and young at heart) just love. There’s even an off-lead dog park so the family pooch can come too.
Beautiful parks throughout the city provide perfect settings for picnics and relaxation. Memorial Park features heritage plantings and war memorials, while the Mary River offers swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities.
Gympie Aquatic Centre
We’re very proud of our new Aquatic Centre. We call it the ARC and in summer you’ll find us here enjoying the colourful water slides, outdoor pools and the splash fountain play area.
With a state-of-the-art gymnasium, café and an indoor heated pool, serious swimmers use it all year round. We head for the sun loungers and a relaxing afternoon!
Panning for Gold
Step back in time to our gold mining days and try your hand at panning for gold. The city’s Gold Mining Museum is the perfect starting point for an “apprentice panner”. For the more serious fossicker, grab your license (and panning gear) from our Visitor Information Centre and go for gold!
The largest ever find in Gympie City weighed 30 kgs and today would be worth more than $2 million!
Up & Close with Nature
Mothar Mountain Rock Pools is one of our best kept secrets, and we’re not really sure we should share it.
Not far from Gympie City in the Woondum National Park, this is a real family favourite on those long, hot summer days we’re known for. And we’ve been swimming here for years and years. This is our natural playground, rock pools, rock hopping and great water ways to play in but be prepared – goannas love it as much as we do, especially if you’ve brought a picnic!
With a variety of tracks and trails for walking, mountain biking, horse riding and 4WD, there’s plenty of ways to explore here.
Trail Blazing
We love our River to Rail Trail and it’s becoming a real thing to do here in Gympie City. Nine kilometres of sealed and unsealed pathways that connect the Mary River, Gympie City and the Historic Gympie Station.
Walk it in sections, or pack your bikes and do the entire loop with a café stop along the way.
Littlies, look out for the rock art hidden along the trail. We don’t know who’s put them there, but it’s a fun treasure hunt. Or, paint your own rocks and hide them along the track too
Cultural Precinct
Gympie’s cultural heart features numerous art galleries, studios, and performance spaces. The Gympie Regional Gallery showcases local and visiting exhibitions, while community theatres present regular performances. Local artists’ studios offer workshops and demonstrations, creating opportunities for visitors to engage with the creative community.
Gympie hosts numerous annual events celebrating its heritage and culture. The annual pumpkin roll is a highly anticipated occasion that needs to be witnessed at the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival, while the famous Gympie Music Muster attracts country music lovers from across Australia. Regular markets, car shows, and cultural festivals ensure year-round entertainment.
Gympie Regional Gallery, is home to the premier art competition for the Gympie region “The Du Rietz Art Awards”, named in honor of the architect of the historic School of Arts building that is home to the gallery.
Woodworks Museum
This unique museum celebrates the region’s timber industry heritage through an extensive collection of woodworking tools, vintage machinery, and crafted timber pieces. Interactive workshops allow visitors to try traditional woodworking techniques, while the interpretive centre explains the vital role of timber in the region’s development.