Gayndah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids GayndahQueensland |
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Gayndah, seen from the town lookout
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 Gayndah
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 1,949 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 28.620/km2 (74.13/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1849 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4625 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 106 m (348 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 68.1 km2 (26.3 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | North Burnett Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Callide | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Flynn | ||||||||||||||
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Gayndah is a friendly town in the North Burnett Region of Queensland, Australia. It is the main town for this region. In 2021, about 1,949 people lived in Gayndah.
Contents
Discovering Gayndah's Location
Gayndah is located right on the Burnett River. The main road, the Burnett Highway, also goes through the town. Most of the land around Gayndah is used for farming and raising animals.
Just south-west of the town is Duchess Mountain. It stands at 190 meters high and offers amazing views of Gayndah. The town itself is about 100 meters above sea level.
Gayndah is about 366 kilometers north of Brisbane, Queensland's capital city. It is also about 145 kilometers west of the city of Maryborough.
Farming and grazing have always been very important here. Gayndah is especially known for growing citrus fruits. It is Queensland's biggest area for citrus farming!
A Look Back at Gayndah's History
The name Gayndah comes from an Aboriginal language. It might mean "thunder" or "place of scrub." Another idea is that it comes from the Wakawaka language, meaning "range" or "bushy land." The Wakka Wakka people are the traditional owners of this land. Their language region includes towns like Gayndah, Cherbourg, and Murgon.
European explorers like Thomas Archer and James Charles Burnett first explored the Gayndah area in 1847. The first European settlers arrived in 1848. The town of Gayndah was officially started in 1849. A post office opened in Gayndah in 1850. This makes Gayndah one of Queensland's oldest officially recognized towns.
In the early days, Gayndah was a center for sheep farms. Many Chinese men came to work as shepherds in the area. They often traveled from China to Maryborough, then to Gayndah. By the late 1860s, there was a large Chinese community in Gayndah.
Schools and Churches in Gayndah
Gayndah State School first opened its doors on 12 October 1863. This was an important step for education in the town.
The first Catholic church in Gayndah opened in 1870. Later, a new, larger church was built. It was opened in 1915 and is located on Meson Street. St Joseph's Catholic School also opened in 1919.
Transport and Development
The railway line reached Gayndah on 16 December 1907. This helped the town grow and connect with other places. By 1923, Gayndah was a busy town with nearly a thousand people. It was a hub for farmers, fruit-growers, and graziers.
On 8 September 1919, the Gayndah War Memorial was officially opened. It honors those who served in wars.
During World War II, Gayndah was home to a special fuel depot for aircraft. This depot helped supply fuel for the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) and the US Army Air Forces.
Gayndah State High School opened in 1963. It later changed its name to Burnett State College in 2006.
In 1969, a Catholic church from a nearby town, Byrnestown, was moved to Gayndah. It became the church hall for St Joseph's Catholic Church.
Gayndah on the Big Screen
The movie The Mango Tree was filmed in Gayndah in 1977. The filmmakers chose Gayndah because many of its old buildings were still standing. This helped them create the look of the 19th century for the movie.
People of Gayndah
The population of Gayndah has stayed fairly steady over the years.
- In 2006, about 1,745 people lived in Gayndah.
- In 2011, the population was 1,789 people.
- In 2016, it grew to 1,981 people.
- In 2021, the population was 1,949 people.
Places of Interest in Gayndah
Gayndah has several places that are important for their history. These are called heritage-listed sites. Some of them include:
- The Gayndah Bridge Remnants
- The Gayndah War Memorial
- The Gayndah Court House
- The Gayndah Shire Hall
- The Gayndah Racecourse
- Gayndah State School
- Brick Cottage (now the Gayndah Museum)
Gayndah's Climate
Gayndah has a warm and humid climate. Summers are hot and wet, while winters are mild and dry with cool nights.
Community Life and Services
Libraries and Arts
The North Burnett Regional Council runs the Gayndah Library on Capper Street. You can use the internet there with free Wi-Fi.
The old St Joseph's Convent building was turned into an arts and cultural center in 2011. It is now called The Gayndah Arts & Cultural Centre and also has the Gayndah Art Gallery.
Community Groups and Churches
The Gayndah branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) meets on Pineapple Street. This branch started in 1923 and is one of the oldest QCWA groups.
The Central Burnett Uniting Church is on Meson Street. There is also the Gayndah Wesleyan Methodist Church on Dalgangal Road.
Outdoor Activities
Claude Wharton Weir is a popular spot for outdoor fun. It has two boat ramps, picnic areas, barbecues, and public toilets. It's a great place for fishing, and the Gayndah Anglers and Fish Stocking Association helps keep the weir stocked with fish. Camping is not allowed here.
Education in Gayndah
Gayndah has several schools for students of all ages.
- Gayndah State School is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It is located on Meson Street. In 2017, about 145 students attended this school.
- St Joseph's School is a Catholic primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It is also on Meson Street. In 2017, it had about 86 students.
- Burnett State College is a government high school for students from Year 7 to Year 12. It is on Pineapple Street. In 2017, about 249 students were enrolled here.
Fun Things to See and Do
The town's information center is inside a giant orange! It's called The Big Orange and is a fun landmark.
Every two years, Gayndah holds the Gayndah Orange Festival. It's a big celebration of the town's important citrus industry.
Famous People from Gayndah
Some well-known people have connections to Gayndah:
- Jessica Anderson, a famous writer who won awards for her books, was born in Gayndah.
- John Plath, a rugby league player, was also born in Gayndah.
Gayndah's Sister City
Gayndah has a special connection with a town in another country. Since 1989, Gayndah has been a sister city with:
Zonhoven, Belgium
Images for kids
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Court house
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Town hall
