Gympie

As the cultural and historical centre of the famed gold rush region of Cooloola, Gympie offers the warm hospitality of a country town, with many modern conveniences. Originally settled for grazing purposes, Gympie became a prominent gold town after an initial discovery in 1867. Unlike most gold rush towns however, Gympie diversified its industry base and is now the centre of the agriculturally rich Mary River Valley - home to cattle stations and pig farms, fruit and vegetable production, and an active dairy industry. In addition to agriculture, the following industries dominate the local economy:

• gold mining
• tourism
• forestry
• retail trade
  

Tourism in particular is tipped to play a major role in the region's continuing development. As an enchanting garden city that boasts an enviable sub-tropical climate, Gympie provides visitors with easy access to national parks, state forests and coastal areas, including the breathtaking Fraser Island and Rainbow Beach. Situated less than one hour from Queensland's booming Sunshine Coast, the town of Gympie has enjoyed continued prosperity and development in recent years, with the immediate surrounding land primed to accommodate future development.Source: Cooloola Regional Development Bureau 2007

• *Australian Bureau of Statistics 2007; Cooloola Shire Local Government Area

Gympie at a glance

Population:

39,059*

Location:

2 hour drive north of Brisbane

Facilities:

• 2 hospitals
• 2 major shopping centres
• 2 vocational education centres (Cooloola Sunshine Institute of TAFE; Queensland Apprenticeship Services)
• Youth Development Unit

Key Events:

• Bull and Bronc Spectacular (February)
• Gympie Cooloola Home and Garden Expo (April)
• Gympie District Annual Show (May)
• National Country Music Muster (August)
• Gympie and District Gold Rush Festival (October)

APNAP Publications:

• The Gympie Times
• Cooloola Advertiser