Gympie

If you're looking for some warm country hospitality you'll find it in Gympie - the heritage and cultural centre of the Cooloola region. With a rich mining history, the town was founded in 1867 after prospector James Nash discovered gold at the site now occupied by the town hall. Back then Queensland was facing bankruptcy due to the drought and a fall in wool prices. Nash's discovery and the gold rush that followed resulted in Gympie gaining a reputation as the 'Town that Saved Queensland'.

These days Gympie is a popular place for travellers to stop for a cup of tea or a ride on the Mary Valley Rattler. There are a range of heritage walks in the area and it's also a handy overnight stop for those heading to K'gari (formerly Fraser Island).

Gympie is 160 kilometres, or about two and a half hours' drive north of Brisbane.