Historians say that Gympie is the town that saved Queensland from going bankrupt. Find out how at the
Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum (
215 Brisbane Road).
Gympie, originally a grazing area, flourished after the discovery of gold in 1867. The resulting gold rush and influx of migrants lifted Queensland out of its economic depression. The town's past, from gold mining days to present, are on display at the museum.
The museum is located on five hectares and has more than thirty displays housed in fifteen buildings. Lending authenticity is the fact that the site was once the Number 2 Great South Eastern Mine, a fully functioning gold mine. Many relics and old buildings still exist on this site, including an operational steam driven winding engine.
Some highlights include:
* Mining relics and gem displays,
* The Andrew Fisher House, named after the
fifth Australian Prime Minister and a former Gympie local, and
* Olden day buildings like the gaol house, school and church.
Also on display are memorabilia, documents, artefacts and photographs exploring one hundred years of history. Learn more about the military, transportation, communication, railway and rural development in the area.
Afterwards, purchase souvenirs from the gift store, buy lunch at the museum cafe or take advantage of the outdoors picnic grounds and barbeque areas, located around a lake.
With one hundred years of history on display in more than a dozen buildings, you'll need an entire day to get through the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical museum.
