About Gympie – getting there, staying there and things to do

Gympie, Queensland – Home of the Heart of Gold International Film Festival

Gympie is a picturesque, historic, rural town surrounded by beautiful countryside and peopled with friendly faces. The name of the festival ‘Heart of Gold’ pays tribute to Gympie’s gold-mining history as well as the content of the films we show.

Situated at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Gympie is nestled amongst rolling hills with the Mary River flowing through it. It is home to wonderful wineries and produce, attractions such as historic train and gold-mine tours, and one of Australia’s largest and most successful music festivals (Country Music Muster, every year in August).

Easily accessible from Gympie is the Fraser Coast, well-known for whale watching, fishing, boating, 4WDing beaches and the stunning Fraser Island. The Sunshine Coast is less than an hour away, where you’ll find fantastic beaches, resorts, world-class restaurants and cafes and the serene Noosa National Park in Noosa Heads.

How to Get Here – Map and Directions

Download or print this map of the area.

To Gympie by road
Gympie is an easy 2 hour drive north of Brisbane. Simply jump on the Bruce Hwy heading north and follow the signs to Gympie or Rockhampton. It is also a 45 minutes from Noosa on the coast and one hour south of Maryborough. If you are driving yourself from Maroochydore/Sunshine Coast airport, follow signs to the Bruce Hwy, and then turn north. Once on the highway its about a one hour drive.

Airport pickup
To arrange a pickup from either Brisbane or Sunshine Coast Airports call Cooloola Connections on 0448 711 667 or email phill@coolconnect.com.au

Directions to Civic Centre, Gympie (Home of the Heart of Gold):
Follow Bruce Hwy coming from south into Gympie.
At 1st main set of lights, turn right into Excelsior Rd (after Woolworth complex on your right and McDonalds on your left).Follow this road, which changes its name to Calton Hill, until you come to a 5-way roundabout.
Take 3rd exit from roundabout into Mellor St. The Civic Centre is on your left, after the Gympie Library.

Places to Stay:
There is something for everyone’s budget from 4.5 star B & Bs to value for money motels.

The Royal Hotel This landmark building right in the centre of town is one of Gympie’s most popular watering holes for locals and visitors and a favourite with Heart of Gold visitors.

Gunabul Homestead a tranquil environment with luxurious couples only cottages.

Amamoor Lodge an authentic country bed and breakfast experience in picturesque Mary Valley near Gympie.

The Victory Hotel Motel The Victory Hotel is an iconic Hotel and the 26 Unit Motel is one of Gympies newest and most luxurious.

Or click here and Gympie Accommodation will offer several more options.

Places of interest:

This is a truly beautiful part of Australia, with a lot to see and do.

Visit the tourism websites of the region to help you plan your trip: Cooloola.org.au and TourismSunshineCoast.com.au

The Valley Rattler offers a beautiful journey from Gympie through the Mary Valley to the township of Imbil.
Fraser Island is easily accessible from Gympie. Ferries depart just 3/4 hour drive away at Rainbow Beach.
If you are after a great tour around the Gympie area, let Terry’s Gympie Regional Tours show you around.
Visit the surf at Rainbow Beach or picnic and walk in the the area’s rich reserve of national parks . Or if your just fill in time between sessions; have a look around the town, the gold mine museum, the art gallery, or try gold fossicking, gliding or get in a round of golf. And then back for some world class inspiring shorts for the family.