Spreading along the Mary River, Gympie is part of the UNESCO-designated Great Sandy Biosphere and has deep roots as a gold mining and timber town. You can pan for gold, visit numerous regional museums, explore the Cooloola Coast and enjoy the coloured sands of Rainbow Beach.

Things to do

The charming main street in Gympie is host to cosy cafes, produce markets and art galleries, all within walking distance of parks and green spaces. Stroll through Gympie Regional Art Gallery to learn about the town’s history through exhibitions, hands-on activities and art shows.

Spend some time at Lake Alford Park, particularly at Gympie's Gold Mining and Historical Museum. You can pan for gold and learn about the gold-mining industry, and will discover the region’s connections to agriculture, gemstones, steam machinery and dairy farming.

Another place to go gold fossicking is Deep Creek Fossicking Area, a gold-bearing gully open to the public. Gympie's Woodworks Museum and Interpretive Centre highlights its forestry, showcasing a steam-powered sawmill, various ancient forestry tools and a restored Winch Truck from 1925.

Head to Rainbow Beach, about a one-hour drive from Gympie, then visit the Carlo Sand Blow. At Tin Can Beach, you can feed Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, try paragliding from sand cliffs or go beach fishing for whiting, dart, flathead and bream.

Getting around

Gympie is 160 kilometres north of Brisbane, where you can rent a car. Hire cars are also available in Gympie, as are four-wheel drives, caravan services and taxis. Buses run within the city and along the Cooloola Coast.