gympie cooloola

Business Directory and Tourist Guide

WELCOME TO THE GYMPIE REGION

rainbow beach

Rainbow Beach is home to some of the world’s most amazing natural attractions. Nestled between
World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and the natural beauty of the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy
National Park, this small picturesque beachside village offers the ultimate beach holiday experience.

Steeped in Aboriginal legend, the coloured sand cliffs tower majestically over the rolling surf and white
sandy beaches. It is the most convenient access point to Fraser Island with an easy 10 minute barge
journey to the island from Inskip Point, 12kms north of the township and a great beach camping location
in its own right (note dogs on leashes are allowed in camping areas and on beach). The sun, surf and
sea breezes complement the full range of activities available including skydiving, para and hang gliding, scuba diving, surfing and fishing, or four wheel driving along miles of golden sand. Of course being surrounded by national park there are ample bush walking opportunities through pristine rainforests.

tin can bay

Tin Can Bay is one of the few places you can hand feed the rare Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins. 
Tin Can Bay offers an idyllic location to relax and unwind, surrounded by the tranquil, and sheltered
waters of the Tin Can Bay Inlet. Tin Can Inlet adjoins the Great Sandy Strait which is considered to be
one of the best and safest waterways in Australia for sailing and house-boating with every chance of
spotting dugong, turtles, dolphins and other marine life. An eco-paradise, explore the Tin Can Bay
foreshore by bicycle or leisurely walk along the Environmental Walkway, stopping at the many picnic
areas as the path winds along the township through native mangrove areas and back. Home to a large
fishing fleet, Tin Can Bay boasts fresh seafood daily available through restaurants and cafes or you
might like to catch your own. With an 18-hole golf course, lawn bowls, swimming pool and many other recreational facilities, Tin Can Bay is the ideal holiday retreat.

gympie

The discovery of gold in 1867 saw the settlement of the town of Gympie, now the heritage and cultural centre of the region, with a population of approximately 20,000. Known as the ‘town that saved Queensland’ this historic township offers an array of attractions and activities.

Must do’s are a ride on the Mary Valley Rattler Steam Train, a visit to the Gold Mining and Historical Museum, the Woodworks Museum, and the Gympie Regional Art Gallery, or try fossicking for gold at Deep Creek Fossicking area. The architecture in and around Mary Street CBD lends itself to the atmosphere of a bygone era, with many of the original buildings still in use today. Manicured parks and gardens fringe shopping and recreational areas adding to the scenic beauty and charming ambience of Gympie.

mary valley

Several quaint villages are located in the Valley which has a reputation as a hinterland adventure playground. Recreation areas include rainforests, forestry areas, Borumba Dam and of course the Mary River which meanders through the Valley. There are a variety of holiday activities including horse riding, canoeing, bush walking, mountain biking, four wheel driving, waterskiing, fishing and an abundance of wildlife spotting opportunities, including the elusive platypus found in some of the Mary River’s tributaries. There are lots of bush camping locations or relax and enjoy the country hospitality at some of the award winning Bed & Breakfasts that are scattered throughout the rural hills of the Valley. Take an historic journey on the Valley ‘Rattler’ Steam Train, stopping along the way at the fully restored stations in Dagun, Amamoor, Kandanga
and Imbil.

kilkivan

Kilkivan is one of the few townships on the Bicentennial National Trail.  The Kilkivan Great Horse Ride, held annually, is a display of modern day horsemanship that culminates with a Grand Parade through the centre of town.  The Kilkivan Hotel has strong historical links to the region’s old coach and stock routes.  Glimpse life as it used to be by wandering through the Kilkivan & District Historical Society Museum. There are also a number of antique and second-hand stores to browse through.

A working gold mine, the Prophet Gold Mine, offers visitors the opportunity to try their luck at gold panning.  Want to play a unique round of golf? Kilkivan has a 9-hole course with sand greens!  Another unique attraction is the Wonga Drive-in, a true bush cinema experience.  Mudlo Conservation Park is ideal for bird watching and nature walks with vast stands of native Hoop and Bunya Pines.

goomeri

Goomeri is located between Kilkivan and Murgon.  The Memorial Clock with its distinctive face has become a landmark in the town.  The Hall of Memory is now listed by the National Trust in recognition of its unique timber architecture. 

The annual Goomeri Pumpkin Festival, held in May, is popular with locals and visitors alike.  The sight of pumpkins racing down Policeman’s Hill is one you’ll never forget!

Goomeri will delight you with its gourmet food suppliers, a wonderful emporium and craft stores, or enjoy a visit to some of the surrounding wineries. Nearby Kinbombi Falls has a lovely picnic area and is popular with bushwalkers.  The swimming hole at the base of the rocks provides cooling relief on warm summer days.

great sandy strait

The Great Sandy Strait is recognised by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance and was declared a Ramsar site in 1999. The Strait is also a designated dugong sanctuary and these majestic mammals may be seen as they surface from feeding on sea grass on the sandy bottom. Turtles and playful dolphins are also frequently spotted. This area is a valuable roosting area for migratory trans-equatorial shorebirds with almost 30,000 birds stopping annually. Nature and photography enthusiasts will love the opportunity to capture the rare wonderland nature has created in this vicinity.

GYMPIE'S ATTRACTIONS

Mary Valley Heritage Railway - Ride the restored 1923 steam train from Gympie through the scenic Mary Valley.

Gympie Gold Mining & Historical Museum
- An impressive tribute to the Regionís past with a range of rural, military, transport, communication and steam displays.

Woodworks Museum and Interpretive Centre
- The history of the timber industry brought to life through working demonstrations & displays. Check with the museum for demonstration times.

Gympie Regional Gallery
- The category A gallery located in a heritage listed building displays exceptional works of local and touring art.

Deep Creek Fossicking Area
- Grab a pan and fossick for gold. Fossicking permits and equipment are available at the Gympie Cooloola Visitorsí Information Centre (Lake Alford, 24 Bruce Hwy, Gympie; next to the duck ponds).

Mothar Mountain Rock Pools
- 10minutes south of Gympie in Woondum State Forest this Sub tropical rainforest with spectacular rocky creeks make this picnic area a popular retreat.

Hand feed wild dolphins
- Feeding takes place at 8am near the boat ramp at Norman Point, Tin Can Bay.

Environmental Walkway
- This delightful trail hugs the coastline of the Tin Can Bay foreshore, with picturesque views of Tin Can Bay Inlet.

Coloured Sands
- At Rainbow Beach, a unique natural attraction created by the weathering of iron-rich minerals in the dune soils which stain the sand in an array of tones and hues. 

Wolf Rock
- World class scuba diving can be found at this spot where a formation of four volcanic pinnacles create an ideal multi-level scuba dive.

Lake Borumba
- Near Imbil, this pristine lake is home to excellent fresh water fishing, with great facilities for camping and recreational boating.

State Forests, Forest Reserves and National Parks
- Relax, explore and enjoy nature-based recreational opportunities. Forests gravel roads lead to picnic and camping areas where you can cool down near cascading creeks and rock pools. Walking tracks provide the opportunity to explore diverse forests, observe inquisitive wildlife and you may even see a platypus playing.

The Prophet Gold Mine
- a working gold mine just on the outskirts of Kilkivan offers visitors the opportunity to try their luck at gold panning. 

Wonga Drive-in
- a unique attraction showing a true bush cinema experience.

Hall of Memory
- at Goomeri is listed by the National Trust in recognition of its unique timber architecture.

Kinbombi Falls
- a local Goomeri picnic area is popular with bushwalkers and so is the swimming hole in summer.



For more information about any of these interesting, free, fun activities and other great things to see
and do in the Gympie Cooloola Region contact the friendly teams at one of the
Gympie Cooloola Visitors' Information Centres.

Ph: 1800 444 222
E:
cooloolatourism@cooloola.org.au www.cooloola.org.au

gympie cooloola visitors' information Centres

Matilda Travel Complex
Bruce Highway, Kybong (10mins south of Gympie) Qld 4570

Lake Alford
24 Bruce Highway, Gympie (beside Lake Alford) Qld 4570