Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Gympie

Gympie

Gympie is located on the Bruce Highway, 160km north of Brisbane and set on the banks of the Mary River amongst a mass of rolling hills and rich pastures. The town was settled in 1867 when John Nash discovered a rich gold deposit in the region and mining continued through to 1920. By then, dairying and other agricultural industries had been developed and Gympie is now the centre of such farming districts, an important highway stop for motorists as well as being the chief centre in the Cooloola region. Gympie's town layout is somewhat unplanned possibly due to the strong growth it received during its gold rush, however the extremely undulating terrain it is built on also would play a part. The town centre is set in one of its many valleys, is colourful and busy as well as being home to a number of historic buildings.

Population: 14,500
State: Queensland
Name Origin: Gympie was the name given to the stinging tree by the local Aboriginal tribe.
Pronunciation: Gim-pee
Postcode: 4570
Local Government: Cooloola Shire Council
Location: 162km north of Brisbane
Main Roads: Bruce Highway
Main Watercourses: Mary River
Radio Stations (Music): Zinc 96.1 (96.1), Sea FM (91.9), Mix FM (92.7), Hot 91 (91.1), Triple J (99.3)

Photos from Gympie (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Mary Street, heading east in Gympie (2003).

Mary Street, looking east at the Monkland Street junction, Gympie (2003).

Lawrence Street, looking south in Gympie (2003).

The Bruce Hwy, heading north-west through Gympie (2003).

And again at the intersection of Cross St, Gympie (2003).

Excelsior Road, looking south with the Bruce Hwy junction in the distance, Gympie (2003).

Mellor Street, looking south-west in Gympie (2003).

Cootharaba Road, looking south-west from Hamilton Drive, Gympie (2006).

Looking south across Lake Alford Park, Gympie (2006).

Looking north along the Mary Valley Road as it approaches the Bruce Hwy, Gympie (2004).

The Bruce Hwy, heading north from Gympie (2004).

	Mary Street, heading east in Gympie (2003).
	Mary Street, looking east at the Monkland Street junction, Gympie (2003).
	Lawrence Street, looking south in Gympie (2003).
	The Bruce Hwy, heading north-west through Gympie (2003).
	And again at the intersection of Cross St, Gympie (2003).
	Excelsior Road, looking south with the Bruce Hwy junction in the distance, Gympie (2003).
	Mellor Street, looking south-west in Gympie (2003).
	Cootharaba Road, looking south-west from Hamilton Drive, Gympie (2006).
	Looking south across Lake Alford Park, Gympie (2006).
	Looking north along the Mary Valley Road as it approaches the Bruce Hwy, Gympie (2004).
	The Bruce Hwy, heading north from Gympie (2004).