Gympie, Queensland
Encyclopedia
Gympie is a regional town in south eastern Queensland
, Australia
, about 160 kilometres (99.4 mi) north of the state capital, Brisbane
. The city lies on the Mary River
. Gympie is the administrative centre for the Gympie Region area. At the 2006 census
, Gympie had a population of 10,933.
still plays a role in the area's fortunes, along with agriculture (dairy predominantly), timber and tourism.
(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.
There are many attractions in and around Gympie. The Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum houses memorabilia from the early gold mining era, as well as displays showcasing military, rural, transport, communications and steam development in Australia. The WoodWorks Museum provides an insight into the timber industry & social history of yesteryear through displays and demonstrations. Features include a large selection of pioneering handtools, 1925 Republic truck, bullock wagons and blacksmith shop.
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.
The Mary Valley has a stunning landscape of rolling green pastures and many beautiful forests. The countryside is spectacular with an abundance of curves, gradients and bridges. Steep slopes portray a patchwork of pineapples, macadamia nuts and other crops. The towns of the Valley include Dagun, a pretty little ten house town and Amamoor which hosts the National Country Music Muster, held annually in August. The Muster is held over six days and nights in the Amamoor Forest Reserve
. Featuring 13 venues full of diverse music The Muster is the largest outdoor country music festival in Australia. The Mary Valley Scenic Drive also travels through Kandanga and Imbil.
Gympie'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.
15 mins south-east of Gympie subtropical rainforest & spectacular rocky creeks make the Mothar Mountain rock pools a popular retreat for locals and visitors. Crystal clear water gently cascades over ancient granite outcrops at Woondum State Forest. Facilities include picnic tables, barbecues, firewood, fresh water, amenities and bush walking tracks.
30 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.
Gympie, Mary Valley, Tin Can Bay, Rainbow Beach and Cooloola are part of the Great Sandy Biosphere which gives world wide recognition of the outstanding natural beauty and high levels of biodiversity in this region.
The alleged Gympie Pyramid
is also a minor attraction.
.
. Rail connects via QR's
North Coast railway line
, which is served by daily Citytrain
services to Brisbane
and Traveltrain
services for long distances. There are few public buses in Gympie and automobiles are the main mode of transportation.
, about 16 km south of Gympie, arguing that there is sound geology and that the South East Queensland region needed greater water security due to the threat of climate change and population growth. The project was scrapped in 2010.
The proposed dam would have flooded about 900 properties, many of them income-producing farms, including the largest dairy farm in Queensland. The affected land owners and other shire residents staged rallies protesting against the proposed dam. Strong opposition to the dam from the wider and international community based on environmental concerns related to the endangered Mary River cod, Mary River Turtle, Giant Barred Frog, Cascade Tree Frog and Coxen's Fig Parrot and the vulnerable Queensland lungfish, Tusked Frog, Honey Blue-eyed Fish, the Richmond Birdwin Butterfly and the Illidge's Ant-blue Butterfly finally shut down the project.
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, about 160 kilometres (99.4 mi) north of the state capital, Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. The city lies on the Mary River
Mary River (Queensland)
The Mary River is a river system in South East Queensland, Australia. The river rises at Booroobin in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, west of Landsborough...
. Gympie is the administrative centre for the Gympie Region area. At the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Gympie had a population of 10,933.
History
Originally settled for grazing purposes, the area became prominent when James Nash reported the discovery of 'payable' alluvial gold on 16 October 1867. 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 miningGold mining
Gold mining is the removal of gold from the ground. There are several techniques and processes by which gold may be extracted from the earth.-History:...
still plays a role in the area's fortunes, along with agriculture (dairy predominantly), timber and tourism.
Etymology
Gympie's name derives from the KabiKabi
The Kabi people are an Aboriginal Goori people of Australia, and corresponding language group of the South East Queensland coast, stretching from Brisbane up to Bundaberg. In their language, "Kabi" means "No"....
(the language of a tribe of Indigenous Australians that historically lived South East Queensland
South East Queensland
South East Queensland is a region of the state of Queensland in Australia, which contains approximately two-thirds of the state population...
) word "gimpi-gimpi" (which means "stinging tree), which referred to Dendrocnide moroides
Dendrocnide moroides
Dendrocnide moroides, also known as the Gympie Gympie, moonlighter, or stinger, is a large shrub native to rainforest areas in northeastern Australia, the Moluccas and Indonesia. It is best known for stinging hairs which cover the whole plant and deliver a potent neurotoxin when touched. It is the...
. The tree has large, round leaves that have similar properties to stinging nettles. The town was previously named "Nashville", after James Nash
James Nash
James Nash is popularly acknowledged as the first person to discover gold in the area of Queensland, Australia now known as Gympie.-References:...
, who discovered gold in the area in 1867. The name was later changed to Gympie in 1868.
Attractions
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.
The Mary Valley has a stunning landscape of rolling green pastures and many beautiful forests. The countryside is spectacular with an abundance of curves, gradients and bridges. Steep slopes portray a patchwork of pineapples, macadamia nuts and other crops. The towns of the Valley include Dagun, a pretty little ten house town and Amamoor which hosts the National Country Music Muster, held annually in August. The Muster is held over six days and nights in the Amamoor Forest Reserve
Amamoor Forest Reserve
The Amamoor State Forest and Forest Reserve is a riverine rainforest near the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. The forest is composed of subtropical vegetation dominated by stands of Melia azedarach , Toona ciliata , Araucaria cunninghamii and A. bidwillii...
. Featuring 13 venues full of diverse music The Muster is the largest outdoor country music festival in Australia. The Mary Valley Scenic Drive also travels through Kandanga and Imbil.
Gympie'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
Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival
The Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival is a film festival which has been held in Gympie, Queensland, Australia since 2006.-Background:...
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.
15 mins south-east of Gympie subtropical rainforest & spectacular rocky creeks make the Mothar Mountain rock pools a popular retreat for locals and visitors. Crystal clear water gently cascades over ancient granite outcrops at Woondum State Forest. Facilities include picnic tables, barbecues, firewood, fresh water, amenities and bush walking tracks.
30 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
Great Sandy Strait
The Great Sandy Strait is an 70 km Australian sand passage estuary separating mainland Queensland, from World Heritage listed Fraser Island.-Description:...
, 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.
Gympie, Mary Valley, Tin Can Bay, Rainbow Beach and Cooloola are part of the Great Sandy Biosphere which gives world wide recognition of the outstanding natural beauty and high levels of biodiversity in this region.
The alleged Gympie Pyramid
Gympie Pyramid
The Gympie Pyramid is a terraced structure located in the outskirts of Gympie in Queensland, Australia. It has been proven to be an Italian farmer's construction to stop erosion....
is also a minor attraction.
Education
Gympie has many schools, reflecting its importance as a regional service centre. State primary schools include Gympie West, Chatsworth, Monkland, Jones Hill, Gympie Central, Two Mile, One Mile, Gympie East, Gympie South. State secondary schools include James Nash and Gympie State High, which is well known for its music department and sporting facilities. Private schools offer both primary and secondary education. They include Victory College, Cooloola Christian College and St Patrick'sSaint Patricks College
Saint Patricks College is a private catholic girls day school located in Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.It currently enrols about 850 students, most of whom are from Campbelltown and the surrounding areas. Its current principal is Sue Lennox...
.
Transport
Road connection to Gympie is via the Bruce HighwayBruce Highway
The Bruce Highway is a major highway in Queensland, Australia. Commencing in the state capital, Brisbane, it passes through areas close to the eastern coast to Cairns in Far North Queensland. The route is a part of the Australian National Highway and also part of Highway 1...
. Rail connects via QR's
Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail, also known as QR, is a government-owned railway operator in the state of Queensland. Under the control of the Queensland Government, Queensland Rail operates the inner-city and long-distance passenger services, as well as some freight operations and gives railway access to other...
North Coast railway line
North Coast railway line, Queensland
The North Coast railway line is a narrow gauge railway line in Queensland, Australia. It runs from Brisbane, along the Queensland coast to Cairns in Far North Queensland. The line is electrified between Brisbane and Rockhampton...
, which is served by daily Citytrain
CityTrain
Citytrain is the brand name of urban, suburban and inter-urban electric passenger railway services in South East Queensland, Australia. Its network, centering in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, is approximately in route length...
services to Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
and Traveltrain
TravelTrain
Traveltrain provides long range passenger rail services in Queensland, run by Queensland Rail. Its flagships are the electric and diesel Tilt Trains, servicing Brisbane – Rockhampton and Brisbane – Cairns respectively...
services for long distances. There are few public buses in Gympie and automobiles are the main mode of transportation.
Traveston Crossing Dam
The Queensland Government had plans to build a dam on the Mary River at Traveston CrossingTraveston Crossing Dam
Traveston Crossing Dam was a proposed water project that was initiated by the government of Queensland, Australia, in 2006 as a result of a prolonged drought situation which saw South-East Queensland's dam catchment area receive record-low rain...
, about 16 km south of Gympie, arguing that there is sound geology and that the South East Queensland region needed greater water security due to the threat of climate change and population growth. The project was scrapped in 2010.
The proposed dam would have flooded about 900 properties, many of them income-producing farms, including the largest dairy farm in Queensland. The affected land owners and other shire residents staged rallies protesting against the proposed dam. Strong opposition to the dam from the wider and international community based on environmental concerns related to the endangered Mary River cod, Mary River Turtle, Giant Barred Frog, Cascade Tree Frog and Coxen's Fig Parrot and the vulnerable Queensland lungfish, Tusked Frog, Honey Blue-eyed Fish, the Richmond Birdwin Butterfly and the Illidge's Ant-blue Butterfly finally shut down the project.
Notable people from Gympie
- Glen BossGlen BossGlen Boss is an Australian jockey, considered a champion, who is best known for riding Makybe Diva to victory in three consecutive Melbourne Cups - 2003, 2004, and 2005.-External links:***...
- Tyrone Graham
- Darren HanlonDarren HanlonDarren Hanlon is an Australian singer/songwriter who plays urban folk music. He has released five solo albums, three EPs and eight singles on Candle Records and Flippin Yeah industries , as well as several compilation tracks...
- Sarah Kirby
- James NashJames NashJames Nash is popularly acknowledged as the first person to discover gold in the area of Queensland, Australia now known as Gympie.-References:...
- Thelma KeaneThelma KeaneThelma "Thel" Keane was the Australian-born American wife of The Family Circus newspaper cartoonist, Bil Keane...
- Rhys TaylorRhys TaylorRhys Francis Taylor is a Welsh goalkeeper for Chelsea. He attended Glan Afan Comprehensive School, Port Talbot and then moved to Richard Challoner School, New Malden.-Club career:...
- The Amity AfflictionThe Amity AfflictionThe Amity Affliction is an Australian post-hardcore band from Gympie, Queensland formed in 2002.The band's current line-up is Joel Birch , Ahren Stringer , Ryan Burt and Troy Brady...