Gympie was founded in 1867, and was named after the Aboriginal word ‘gimpie-gimpie’ that roughly translates to ‘stringing tree’. The original occupants of the area were grazers from Europe, however the discovery of gold lead to the town developing rapidly during the 1860s – this discovery was extremely fortuitous as it lead Queensland straight out a depression. Initially the town was named Nashville, after John Nash who struck gold, however in 1868 its name was changed to Gympie. While gold mining is still an industry in the area, in modern times it is surpassed by its agricultural exports, dairy, timber and the tourism industry, which play key roles in its annual Pumpkin Festival and Seafood Festival.
Gympie is 170 km (2 hr drive) north or Brisbane.
View the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships online portal to identify the Indigenous language group/s for Gympie.
- Population:
- 18602
- Airport:
- Airport
- Arts & Culture:
- Australia Council Profile - Wide Bay
- Local Electorate:
- Gympie Regional Council
- State Electorate:
- Gympie
- Federal Electorate:
- Wide Bay
- Weather:
- 19°C overcast clouds
