In the Gympie surrounds of Queensland, visitors can explore the rich history of gold mining and the town's fascinating past. The Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum, operated by the Gympie & District Historical Society, houses a vast collection of documents, artifacts, and photographs dating back to the discovery of gold in 1867 by James Nash. Some highlights of the museum include the only mining building still standing in Gympie, where equipment is fired up on a "steaming day", the Gympie Steam Festival celebrating the era of steam in October each year, and the Mary Valley Rattler, offering a scenic railway journey from Gympie to Amamoor.
In addition to the museum, visitors can explore the charming town center of Gympie, featuring shady trees, a broad shopping boulevard, and opportunities to pan for gold. Gympie, known for saving Queensland from bankruptcy during the gold rush days, now boasts boutique stores and gourmet cafés. With a population of over 21,000 people, Gympie offers a range of sights and activities for visitors to enjoy.