Karl left Brisbane on May 1st and arrived in Gympie on May 20th. According to the local papers, the roads Karl travelled between these two locations were the worst he had encountered so far.
As for me — it also took some time to reach Gympie, but for a very different reason. I was happily sidetracked, taking advantage of travelling through Australia’s famous “Sunshine Coast.” A prime tourist destination offering pristine beaches, subtropical forests, and endless sunshine, the Sunshine Coast stretches for more than 60 km (40 mi) along Queensland’s coastline. It’s as vast as it is varied: white-sand beaches and pristine waterways sit alongside lush rainforests and Heritage-listed national parks, with charming historic villages sprinkled throughout.
Although I was sorry Karl’s journey to Gympie was rough, I turned my attention to more pressing matters — like visiting the Big Pineapple.
Dear reader, do you recall Chronicle #201, Go Big or Go Home, where I shared my fascination with massive roadside oddities across North America? During that trip, I marvelled at giant attractions — from towering axes to massive cows — and lamented missing out on the world’s biggest pistachio. I also mentioned my hope of one day seeing the Big Pineapple in Australia… and indeed, I did!
The Big Pineapple, a 52-foot-tall fibreglass structure, is a famous Australian landmark located in Woombye, Queensland. It opened in 1971 as part of the Sunshine Plantation and served as a proud symbol of the region’s pineapple industry. Once upon a time, the Big Pineapple drew over a million visitors a year, making it one of Australia’s most popular tourist attractions.
While exploring the Sunshine Coast, I based myself in the town of Noosa — a place where friendly locals and slow beach days make it one of Australia’s most beloved beachside destinations. Noosa is surrounded by stunning beaches, shimmering lakes, and the Noosa National Park. Noosa is also home to resident populations of grey-headed flying fox bats and black flying fox bats. Their numbers increase locally with food availability, mainly when Eucalyptus trees are flowering.
When it was time for me to leave my accommodation in Noosa to travel to Gympie, I made a mandatory stop at the historic town of Eumundi to visit the Saturday market. What an experience!
Originally launched with just three stalls and eight customers, it’s now one of Australia’s biggest and most famous markets, boasting over 600 stalls. And this wasn’t your typical flea market full of knick-knacks. This market showcased products crafted by local artisans, growers, bakers, and makers. There was everything from original artworks, fashion, jewellery, and homewares to intricate woodwork — all accompanied by live music and an endless variety of food options.
Honestly, the food alone could take a full day to explore! I needed a supplementary stomach to properly enjoy it all, but settled for one too many Portuguese custard tarts, a large Brazilian-style fresh fruit bowl and a new skirt, two tops and three pairs of pants which would lead to inevitable familiar packing problems.
So, when I finally arrived in Gympie — still full and slightly poorer from my successful shopping in Eumundi — I figured I'd try my hand at gold panning to recoup my losses at the Gympie Historical Museum.
You see dear reader, long before Karl and I arrived, Gympie had already made its mark on history: in 1867, James Nash discovered 72 ounces of gold in just six days, sparking a gold rush that famously saved Queensland from bankruptcy.
Over the years, Gympie has seen it all — the rush for alluvial gold, deep reef mining, and even the reopening of mines in the mid-1980s. Although mining has largely ceased, the lingering lure of gold remains, and some believe more discoveries may still be hidden in its soil.
Alas, I didn’t find any gold in my pan, but I was still thrilled to think I struck proverbial gold getting to see the Big Pineapple. Join me next week dear reader as we head further north to Maryborough.
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