📍25 Best Things To Do In Gympie, QLD (2024.) (Tours & Attractions.)
LOOKING FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN GYMPIE, QLD?
Surrounded by country and nature, the region of Gympie is more than the city it shares its name with. While it’s home to the Mary Rattler and the annual Gympie Music Muster, there’s so much more to it than that.
From the fabled Coloured Sands at Rainbow Beach to fossicking for gold at Deep Creek and swimming at the Mothar Mountain Rock Pools, that’s only the start of the long list of awesome things to do in Gympie.
👉 My top 3 picks for what to do in Gympie, Australia.
- Take a ride on the historic Mary Valley Rattler steam train.
- Enjoy a picnic or BBQ with the waterbirds at Lake Alford.
- Head towards the coast and visit Rainbow Beach.
Planning Your Trip? Use My Favourite Resources!
Tours/Experiences: I recommend Viator.
Accommodation: I recommend Booking.com.
Flights: I recommend Aviasales.
Car Rental: I recommend economybookings.
Best Things To Do In Gympie. (City.)
Free Things To Do In Gympie.
1. Drop By A Beautiful Lake And Stretch Your Legs.
Lake Alford.
After sitting in the car for a while, it’s always great to get out and stretch out the limbs, and a fantastic place to do that is at Lake Alford on Gympie’s southern side.
The small, picturesque lake and gorgeous manicured parkland are home to thousands of birds, such as ducks, magpie geese, ibises and swans, making it a lovely place for a stroll to get the blood flowing back to the extremities.
It’s also home to the region’s Information Centre, so you also can stock up on some local knowledge and score yourself some souvenirs before heading onward. Either way, it’s a great spot to stop by and recharge.
2. Explore Nature And History.
River To Rail Trail.
One of the best free things to do in Gympie to get a feel for the place is to walk, run or cycle the River To Rail Trail,
The full circuit, which goes through various points of interest throughout the city, has long sections that follow the tranquil waterway, seamlessly connecting the city’s notable heritage with its beautiful natural landscapes, most notably, the picturesque Mary River.
It’s a lovely walk, especially the riverside areas, which despite being right by the city and next to a national highway, the density of the treeline makes you feel like you’re a world away and is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life without venturing too far.
3. Paddle A Quiet River.
The Mary River.
And if following the River To Rail Trail alongside the Mary River isn’t how you like to roll, or you’d like to see it from a different perspective, heading out on a kayak or canoe is a relaxing and picturesque way to enjoy the serenity.
For the best experience, start early in the morning and you’ll likely be accompanied by numerous birds and may even spot one of the animal kingdoms’ most strange and elusive animals, the platypus.
4. Drive The Picturesque Mary Valley.
Mary Valley Tourist Drive. – Gympie-Imbil.
One of Gympie’s hallmark things to do is ride the Mary Rattler train through the Mary Valley (see more in Paid Attractions in Gympie). But if historic train journeys don’t stoke your coal fire or you’re looking to save a few bobs, a fantastic alternative is the Mary Valley Tourist Drive, which follows a similar route.
Starting at the city and stretching for 45 km to Imbil, this drive is a scenic alternative to the noisy and chaotic Bruce Highway.
Cruise at your own pace and stop by wherever you like. For the train or history buffs, the tiny towns of Dugan, Amamoor, Kandanga and Imbil all have historic train stations that played a significant role in the Mary Rattler’s life.
There are also a couple of lovely lookouts along the way making this drive one of the most picturesque things to do around Gympie.
5. Get Some Thrills On Two Wheels.
Victory Heights Recreational Trails.
Prefer exploring on two wheels rather than on foot or by kayak? The Victory Heights Recreational Trails in the city’s northeast is a great place to fit in some nature-based thrills close to the action.
The network, which covers 60ha has 25kms of tracks for biking enthusiasts of every skill level. Even those who’d rather walk, have trails for them too, making this top-notch Gympie attraction a great place to spend outdoors.
Paid Gympie Tourist Attractions.
6. Discover Gympie’s Past.
Gympie Gold Mining & Historical Museum. – $.
Gympie’s claim to fame was gold. In fact, it was so rich in deposits of that beautiful malleable metal that it saved Queensland from bankruptcy. Singlehandedly.
Between kicking off the city’s Gold Rush, being the home of an Australian Prime Minister, and enduring significant floods, the history of Gympie is a storied one.
And the Gold Mining and Historical Museum has collections of these defining moments, which will captivate those who love to delve into the past.
7. Strike Gold and Get Rich!
Deep Creek Fossicking Area. – $.
Gold, you say? If hearing about Gympie’s Gold Rush caught your interest and striking it rich by happenchance sounds like a good deal, and you want to try your luck, you can live it up like a prospector right in town.
You’ll need to get gear and a fossicking license first (you can get the license online or at the Information Centre at Alford Park), then head over to the fossicking area, accessible from Counter Street or Victoria Street between the Bruce Highway and Brisbane Street.
After that, it’s all up to you. Go nuts, but the question is, how lucky are you? Will you strike it rich?
8. Learn About The Timber Industry.
Woodworks Museum And Interpretive Centre. – $.
Another Gympie attraction worth visiting is the Woodworks Museum and Interpretive Centre. The museum uses historical exhibits and live demonstrations to show visitors how the forestry and timber milling trades operate.
In addition to enlightening people about the industry, it also serves as a home where trade artifacts get preserved, making it an intriguing look into an underappreciated industry.
9. Take A Historic Steam Train Journey.
Mary Valley Rattler. – $.
If you love old trains or simply enjoy history with more liveliness, interaction and authenticity, a ride on the Mary Valley Rattler will deliver that experience in spades.
Hop aboard the beautifully restored train and drink in the scenery of the picturesque Mary Valley whilst journeying like it was yesteryear.
It’s a magical experience and one that is not only a fantastic outing for train buffs and history enthusiasts, but the little ones will also get a kick out of this unique travel adventure.
There’s a variety of train trips and packages for every type of guest to enjoy as well, from the Classic Rattler Run to riding in the fancy VIP Club Car. Whichever one you pick, it’ll be an enchanting ride, so sit back, relax and enjoy this wonderfully quintessential Gympie adventure.
10. Discover Some Great Australian Musicians.
Australian Institute of Country Music. – $.
Another thing Gympie is known for is its music. After all, it’s home to the iconic Gympie Music Muster Festival, which takes place annually in August. (More on that in Things To See In Amamoor State Forest.)
But if you’re not heading here around that time but are still curious about the country music scene, a great place to drop by is to Australian Institute of Country Music.
Not only can you discover some great Australian artists, but it’s also a fantastic thing to do in Gympie at night on days when you’re not ready to turn in yet.
Things To Do In Tin Can Bay.
Tin Can Bay sits on a small peninsula across the Great Sandy Strait from Rainbow Beach. While it’s not known much more than a boating town, Tin Can Bay still has a couple of lovely things to see that make stopping by worthwhile.
11. Walk To Your Own Little Tidal Island.
Norman Point.
Have you always wanted a private island? Well, they don’t come cheap!!! But at Norman Point, they do come tidal.
And if you happen to be there when it’s low, you can explore the exposed tidal flats. If shallow enough, you can make your way over to a temporary island.
Sure, it doesn’t have the mansion and the luxury yachts, and it’ll be gone in a couple of hours, but you can’t have everything! Take a flag, stake your claim and enjoy your fleeting slice of paradise.
Discover hermit crabs, beach worms, MILLIONS of soldier crabs and other cute sea-faring creatures as you make your way to and from your awesome sand kingdom.
With all the little critters scurrying around and an island all to yourself, you and especially any little ones with you will have a ball discovering all the flats have to offer.
12. Kayak With Dolphins & Dugongs.
Great Sandy Strait.
If you have a watercraft and are looking to enjoy some serenity in the ocean, the waters between Tin Can Bay and the Inskip Peninsula are a fantastic place to go for a paddle.
The section of protected ocean between Tin Can Bay, K’Gari (Fraser Island) and the Inskip Point Peninsula is known as the Great Sandy Strait, and it’s where gorgeous dolphins and dugongs like to hang out.
While any wild animal encounter is never guaranteed, you have a fair chance of seeing these ocean-dwelling lovelies, especially the former. That’s because dolphins are a big part of the Tin Can Bay scene.
But even if you don’t go for the tourist experience at the Brnacles Dolphin Centre (I passed on this for ethical reasons), there’s a fantastic opportunity to encounter them, especially if you “happen” to be near the centre around feeding time.
Dugongs, however, are a little rarer as they like to swim in deeper waters, but looking for them in a slow-moving paddle craft is the best way to see if you can spot these gentle sea giants.
Things To Do At Rainbow Beach.
Rainbow Beach is Gympie’s crown jewel and one of my favourite places I’ve visited. It’s a quaint little township surrounded by an immense wilderness playground perfect as a weekend getaway for casual travellers and a base town for adventure seekers to start exploring the spectacularly vast Great Sandy National Park. (More on the national park later.)
13. Get Some Ocean Experience.
Rainbow Beach.
One of the first things you’ll probably want to do when you get to town is head down to the beach and frolic in the ocean. After all, that is the essence of every coastal vacation. There are plenty of places you can do just that, given the sandy shoreline goes uninterrupted for miles from Inskip Point to Double Island Point. That’s a lot of foreshore real estate, so you’re spoilt for choice.
That said, most of the beachfront is unpatrolled. But if looking for a safe oceanside swimming spot where experienced lifeguards are on the look out, you needn’t head further than the strip of beach just in front of the tiny township.
Go for a swim, build a sandcastle, or build up a tan. If you’ve got some skill, pull out the surfboard or skip board and see how well you ride the water. Even if you aren’t that great, give it a go. Everyone’s there for a great time.
14. Dine In A Picturesque Park.
Lawrie Hanson Park & Phil Rogers Park.
Eating out can be expensive. Sure it’s nice to have a delicious sit-down meal you don’t have to create yourself, and there’s no cleaning up afterwards, but the more you chow down on restaurant food, the more your bank account frowns upon you.
Besides, sometimes it’s nice to find a spot for yourself and eat outside. If that’s the vibe you’re going for, a great place to fire up a BBQ or crack open a picnic basket is at Lawrie Hanson Park or Phil Rogers Park.
Both are just outside the Rainbow Beach township and have plenty of shelters to dine at and shady areas if you’d rather sit in the grass.
Then, after chowing down on your grub, drop by the scenic lookout, and gaze at the ocean, before carrying on with the rest of your day.
15. Explore The Headland.
Double Island Point.
Stepping out onto the beachfront outside Rainbow Beach, the sand goes on and on. What’s out there? Well, a lot, but for the most part, the Cooloola Section of the Great Sandy National Park requires a 4WD to explore.
But if you don’t have one and don’t want to rent one either, your options to explore it are pretty limited.
However, if you’re still looking for a way to venture further than your feet or a 2WD will allow you, you can take a tour to the end of the foreseeable landscape and explore Double Island Point.
Drive past the seemingly endless coloured sands Rainbow Beach is famous for before exploring the spectacular headland by land, then by water in a kayak, where you may come across dolphins, whales, turtles and manta rays.
16. Island Hop.
K’gari/Fraser Island.
Why stop at just visiting the mainland when you can also head across the ocean because waiting over there is another fantastic place to see at Rainbow Beach: the world-renowned K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island.
While getting to the island yourself requires a lot of pre-planning and a 4WD kit out for beach driving, you can skip all the forethought without missing out on the adventure by joining a tour.
On the tour, you’ll see many of the island’s iconic attractions, such as the gorgeous Lake McKenzie, the seemingly endless 75 Mile Beach, and the snorkelling haven, the Maheno Shipwreck.
While exploring, you may also encounter some of the islands’ wild pure-bred dingos who call this island home.
Given that K’gari, meaning “paradise” in Butchulla/Aboriginal, is frequently listed on many must-visit places to see in Australia, hopping across there for a tour is a fantastic way to fit in a quintessentially Australian experience while at Rainbow Beach.
National Parks & Conservation Areas & State Forests.
Have you really visited Gympie if you haven’t visited its national parks, state forests and conservation areas?
Between the coastal wilderness of Great Sandy National Park, the rockpools at Woodum National Park and the picturesque creeks of Amamoor State Forest, much of Gympies’ charm lies in these beautiful natural spaces.
Great Sandy National Park. (Mainland.)
The most prolific of Gympie’s national parks is, without a doubt, Great Sandy National Park. It’s a massive expanse of untouched wilderness that has a plethora of incredible nature-based things to do.
As you can imagine, a park that big has a long list of adventures to seek. And because most of them are only accessible by 4WD, boat or long days of trekking trails, they’ll be in another post
But for this list, here are some of the best places to visit in the Great Sandy National Park for folks in a conventional 2WD vehicles.
17. See The Rainbow.
Coloured Sands.
One of the most spectacular things to see in Great Sandy National Park, hell, all of Gympie, is the famous coloured sands Rainbow Beach is named after.
These incredible, naturally coloured cliffs extend almost the entirety of the 15km to Double Island Point, but you needn’t walk that far to see these epic geographical features.
From the end of Griffin Esplanade, it’s a gentle 1km stroll down the beach before you start seeing the different shades of red, yellow, orange and grey sands colouring the towering wind-carved cliffs.
Make visiting the coloured sands even more special by walking the beach before daybreak and watching the sun illuminate the cliffs as it rises above the horizon.
18. Walk, Ride or Paraglide A Barren Landscape.
Carlo Sandblow.
Another fantastic place to see in the Cooloola Section of Great Sandy National Park is the Carlo Sandblow. There are a few ways to go about experiencing this beautiful windswept landmark. Walk it, ride it, or launch from it.
Walking across it takes in three spectacular views. The lookout is a lovely spot to observe the sand blow and Double Island Point in the distance while venturing towards the ocean rewards you with visuals of the breathtaking cliffs of the coloured sands.
On the other side, there are more picturesque views, with Tin Can Bay and the Great Sandy Strait visible in the distance.
For those keener to experience it more thrillingly, take a sandboard and ride the high sides or pack a parachute and parasail off the sand blow to get the most epic visuals of the stunning landscape.
19. Snorkel A Crystalline Creek.
Searys Creek.
Adding to an already-packed list of awesome things to do in Great Sandy National Park is taking a trip to the underworld. The underwater world. (Ha! I’ll let myself out.)
Seary’s Creek is a small, crystalline yellow/red creek just outside Rainbow Beach, and the stunning shallow waterway is the perfect place to go wild swimming in.
But don’t just stop at taking a dip. Bring along some goggles or a snorkel and explore what lies beneath. The close quarters, the fish, the eels, the yabbies, the fallen logs and tree roots make going “full fish” a fun micro-adventure.
Better yet, you needn’t do much work to get the most out of it. Letting the current take you gently down the stream allows you to become fully immersed in the experience, although you will have to walk back to where you started. But it’s very much worth it.
20. Discover A Hidden Lake.
Poona Lake.
While the above are all fantastic natural attractions, they don’t offer much in the way of walking. Taking in a bit more of the forest-y atmosphere, the walk to Poona Lake from the 2WD-accessible Bymien Picnic Area is a lovely one.
At the end of the moderate 4.2km return walk-in, you’ll come across a gorgeous freshwater lake. It’s the perfect way to cool off on a humid day walking the rainforest and there’s a lot less foot traffic than at Searys Creek, allowing you to take in the fresh air and picturesque scenery peacefully.
Amamoor State Forest.
Amamoor State Forest is better known as the place where the Gympie Music Muster is held.
While the festival is an epic gathering of Australian artists and a must for all country music fans during August, for the rest of the year, the state forest is a beautiful, tranquil place to get lost in nature. Better yet, you can also bring your doggy friend.
21. Go Wild Swimming.
Amamoor Creek.
One of the loveliest things to do in Amamoor State Forest is to go wild swimming. Luckily, it’s super easy to get access. Just head to the camping areas and enjoy the beautiful fresh waters of Amamoor Creek.
22. Get Back In Touch With Nature.
Cedar Grove Hiking Trail. (4.6km circuit. Grade 4.)
If it’s a walk you’re looking for, Amamoor has a handful to select from, but the prettiest one to take is the Cedar Grove Hiking Trail.
It’s a bit steep in sections, but it’s a beautiful way to get in touch with nature. It’s also a good workout making it the perfect prelude to wild swimming in Amamoor Creek if it was too cold to get into before.
23. Attend Australia’s Most Iconic Music Festival.
Gympie Music Muster.
One of the most iconic things to do in Gympie takes place in Amamoor State Forest. The Gympie Music Muster gathers over 100 artists in 6 venues over four days in August for Australia’s most iconic country music festival.
If camping in the forest and waking up to amazing music is your kind of scene, planning a trip to Gympie around the Music Muster is essential.
Things To Do At Woodum National Park.
24. Rock Hop And Wild Swim.
Mothar Mountain Rock Pools.
Tucked away between some mountains in the southern-eastern part of the region lies a picturesque landscape of tall trees and rock pools and one of the best things to do around Gympie.
Residing in Woodum National Park, the Mount Mothar Rock Pools is a fantastic place to explore.
As the rocks are large, navigating them is a fun and exciting micro-adventure, especially for families with young children. And if it’s hot out and you’re looking to cool off, the larger pool at the base of the falls is a stunning place to do some wild swimming too.
More Things To Do Around Gympie. (Regional.)
25. See The Commonwealth Games Mascot.
Matilda, The Kangaroo.
Australia loves its “Big Things“. There’s the Big Banana, the Big Pineapple and the Big Poo, just to name a few. Yeah, no, that’s an actual thing. What the hell, Kiama?
Gympie doesn’t technically have a “Big Thing”, but Matilda, the Kangaroo, is close enough.
This giant statue was the beloved mascot of the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games and, after moving around a few times, it now resides at the Traveston Service Centre.
Even if you aren’t pulling into the centre to fill the tank, fill the belly or empty the pipes, it’s worth dropping by to see this iconic piece of Australiana.
Accommodation: Where To Stay In Gympie.
Gympie is a beautiful region filled with a colourful history and numerous beautiful scenic attractions. It’s not the kind of place you just pass through, and you’ll definitely require more than a few days to explore it comfortably, so where to stay?”
Gympie and Rainbow Bay have numerous accommodation options to choose from while scattered throughout the region, camping is a great, outdoorsy option, while several rest areas provide the ultimate budget-friendly stay.
Great Sandy National Park. (Mainland.)
Setting up the tent and sleeping under the stars more your beat? Thankfully Gympie caters to those who like to sleep a bit rougher and live a little more authentically.
The expansive Great Sandy National Park has a plethora of camping grounds to suit every adventurer, but this list will focus on the 2WD accessible ones.
➡️ Inskip Point.
Lying at the tip of the Inskip Peninsula, Inskip Point north of Rainbow Beach is a fantastic campground. Many people come here to explore the Great Sandy National Park or hop over to Fraser Island.
There are numerous campgrounds to pick from, but most are soft and sandy, suitable for those with capable 4WD.
However, for the everyday traveller in a conventional vehicle, there are a couple where they can stay too.
M.V Sarawak West, for e.g, is one such campground at Inskip Point where a 2WD can go without getting stuck, making a trip to this area of spectacular beauty available for campers of all kinds.
Free Overnight Rest Areas.
Gympie is fantastic when it comes to free overnight rest areas. Along the Bruce Highway, there are three fantastic options where you can hole up for the night.
They are for self-contained vehicles and caravans and provide super basic amenities (toilets at all stops), allowing you to catch up on some sleep before heading off to your next stop.
➡️ Chatsworth Rest Area.
Starting north of the city, the Chatsworth Rest Area is a few kilometres outside the urban areas. Although it’s right by the Bruce Highway, it’s the darkest and quietest of the three rest areas, although it’s still subject to road noise.
It’s not suitable for big rigs and buses as it’s a one-way in, dead-end road, but for smaller set-ups, it’s a good spot, but it can get busy, so if you’re anything larger than a car, get there early to get a spot.
➡️ Six Mile Creek Rest Area.
Sitting the closest to the city, the Six Mile Creek Rest Area sits on the southern side of Gympie. It’s also next to the Bruce Highway and has a better turnaround area than the Chatsworth Rest Area, but it’s still not massive, so people with bigger set-ups beware.
➡️ Traveston Service Centre.
With all the driving that’ll be happening as you make your way through Gympie, sometimes just stopping the car, having a break, chowing down on some food, or filling up the tank is a great way to break up a trip.
Luckily on the south side of Gympie lies the Traverston Service Centre, where you can do that. It’s also an overnight resting area, so use it to catch up on sleep or extend your stay in Gympie. It’s a great way to save a lot of dough.
Not only is it the classiest and most inviting of the three, but the modern facility is also open 24 hours, so you needn’t worry about coming in late and being able to get petrol or use the toilets. And don’t forget to see Matilda, the Kangaroo either. You can’t miss her.
Visiting Gympie: Frequently Asked Questions.
Where Is Gympie?
The city of Gympie is located centrally within the Gympie region approximately 170km north of the Queensland capital of Brisbane along the Bruce Highway.
What Is Gympie Famous For?
Gympie came to prominence thanks to profitable gold deposits discovered in the region.
Today, the city still pays homage to its gold mining heritage, while greater Gympie is famous for its annual music festival, historic train rides, gentle landscapes and breathtaking coastal attractions.
Is Gympie Worth Visiting? What Does It Have To Offer?
At first glance, Gympie may not seem like it has the lengthiest list of things to do to warrant a visit. But digging a little deeper, the region unveils a spectacular array of exciting activities that’ll have you adding more and more days to your itinerary, especially if you’re outings-of-choice are nature-based.
Think picturesque hikes, off-road adventures, wild swimming, paragliding, beach driving, beautiful lookouts, stunning rivers, and staggering cliffs, Gympie offers all that and so much more.
What To Do In Gympie On A Rainy Day?
While most of Gympie’s attractions are outdoors, there are still a couple of fantastic indoor places to visit when it’s raining.
The Gympie Gold Mining Museum is a great choice, as is the Woodworks Museum And Interpretive Centre and the Australian Institute Of Country Music.
Conclusion: What To Do In Gympie.
“What is there to do in Gympie?” you ask. Turns out, a lot. There’s something for the history buffs, the thrill-seekers, the adventurers and so many other types of travellers. It’s not just a city with a mining past or the gateway to a boating destination. It’s also packed with endearing charm and spectacular beauty. So next time you’re planning on heading this way, never forget there are so many things to do in Gympie you might want to book a few extra days to make the most out of this incredible region.