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Gympie is a city located on the Mary River in South East Queensland, Australia, approximately 160 kilometres north of the state capital, Brisbane. The city is serviced by the Bruce Highway, and has a population of approximately 16,000 and a catchment of approximately 40,000. Gympie offers the warm hospitality of a small country town with all the modern conveniences of large city. HistoryOriginally settled for grazing purposes, in 1867 the area became prominent when James Nash discovered gold. At the time Queensland was suffering from a severe economic depression and the discovery probably saved the colony from bankruptcy. This event is still celebrated today during the Gympie Gold Rush Festival, with 10 days of cultural events held in October. Gold Mining still plays a role in the area's fortunes, along with agriculture (dairy predominantly), timber and tourism. Gympie's name derives from the Kabi (the language of a tribe of Indigenous Australians that historically lived South East Queensland) word "gimpi-gimpi" (which means "stinging tree), which referred to Dendrocnide moroides. The tree has large, round leaves that have similar properties to stinging nettles. The town was previously named "Nashville", after James Nash, who discovered gold in the area in 1867. The name was later changed to Gympie in 1868. AttractionsValley Rattler Steam Train
The Valley Rattler steam train winds its way through the backyards of the southern side of Gympie and then continues its way into the scenic Mary Valley where it crosses and then follows the Mary River to negotiate the valley and the Mary's main tributaries. This provides a spectacular journey through the valley beginning at the Old Gympie Railway Station in Tozer Street. This station is the original railway station for the track that passed through Gympie in the 1900s gold rush. Tin Can Bay30 minutes drive east of Gympie is Tin Can Bay where you can hand feed rare Indo-Pacific Hump-backed Dolphins in their natural environment. The feeding is regulated for the protection of the dolphins. Tin Can Bay is the Southern access point to the Great Sandy Strait, a stunning aquatic playground protected by World Heritage listed Fraser Island. The Strait is an important ecological area with marine turtles, dolphin pods, dugongs also known as mermaids, migrating Humpback whales and valuable roosting area for migratory birds. Mary StGympie's Mary St offers a wide array of bars, cafes, banks and stores with stunning 19th Century Victorian architecture. Gympie also hosts the Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival in March. The festival is five days of fun, inspiration and stimulation. Highlights include short films from all corners of the planet, special features and documentaries, parties, seminars, intimate Q & A sessions with filmmakers and an award Ceremony. EventsGympie is host to several major events, expos and festivals each year such as the Gympie Gold Rush Festival. Visit our What's On in Gympie section for the latest event info. ShoppingCentro Gympie is ideally positioned to cater to the needs of the local community. The centre’s strengths include convenience, accessibility and a strong retail offer. Centro Gympie is the largest shopping centre within the region and serves a main trade area population of approximately 40,000 residents. Located on the corner of Excelsior Road & Bruce Highway, Gympie, QLD, Centro Gympie is Gympie's largest shopping centre. Major stores include: Woolworths, Big W, Central Medical Centre, Priceline Pharmacy, Hi Speed Internet Cafe and more than 55 specialty stores, all your shopping needs are taken care of under the one roof. The centre is open 6 days (Monday to Saturday), for your shopping convenience. StatisticsPopulation: 16,000 (Approx). Occupations: Labourers 17.2%, Technicians and Trades Workers 15.7%, Professionals 12.8%, Clerical and Administrative Workers 12.3% and Sales Workers 11.7%. Income: The median weekly individual income for persons aged 15 years and over who were usual residents was $370, compared with $466 in Australia. The median weekly household income was $716, compared with $1,027 in Australia. The median weekly family income was $942, compared with $1,171 in Australia. Families: 39.3% were couple families with children, 40.3% were couple families without children, 19.3% were one parent families and 1.1% were other families. Dwellings: 6,446 occupied private dwellings counted in Cooloola (S) - Gympie only (Statistical Local Area): 89.1% were separate houses, 3.2% were semi-detached, row or terrace houses, townhouses etc, 6.0% were flats, units or apartments and 1.6% were other dwellings. Dwelling Occupancy: $160, compared to $190 in Australia. The median monthly housing loan repayment was $943, compared to $1,300 in Australia. The average household size was 2.5 and the average number of persons per bedroom was 1.1. Dwelling - Tenure: 35.8% of occupied private dwellings were fully owned, 29.3% were being purchased and 29.9% were rented. Dwelling - Rentals: 40.3% were rented from a real estate agent, 12.7% were rented from a State or Territory housing authority and 45.2% were rented from other landlord type. In comparison, in Australia 50.5% were rented from a real estate agent and 14.9% from a state or territory housing authority. Household Composition: 68.3% of occupied private dwellings were family households, 26.5% were lone person households and 2.8% were group households. Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data. More InformationGympie Visitors GuideClick here to view our Gympie Visitors Guide Gympie Weather |