Gin Gin, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gin Gin Queensland
Bruce Highway passing through Gin Gin
Gin Gin Location in Queensland
Population	1,139 (2021 census)
• Density	33.60/km2 (87.0/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4671
Area	33.9 km2 (13.1 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	49.4 km (31 mi) WSW of Bundaberg CBD 347 km (216 mi) NNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Bundaberg Region
State electorate(s)	Callide
Federal Division(s)	Flynn
Localities around Gin Gin: Monduran Damascus Mardoondan Moolboolaman Gin Gin McIlwraith Tirroan Redhill Farms McIlwraith

Gin Gin is a small town and area in the Bundaberg Region of Queensland, Australia. It's a rural place, meaning it's mostly countryside with farms. In 2021, about 1,139 people lived in Gin Gin.

Discover Gin Gin's Location

Gin Gin is found along the Bruce Highway, a major road in Queensland. It's about 51 kilometers (32 miles) west of Bundaberg. The state capital, Brisbane, is about 370 kilometers (230 miles) to the south-east.

This town is important because it's roughly halfway between Brisbane and Rockhampton. Many drivers stop here for a break when traveling long distances. Two other main roads, the Bundaberg–Gin Gin Road and the Gin Gin–Mount Perry–Monto Road, also connect to the town.

Gin Gin's Past: A Look Back

Aboriginal Heritage and Name Origin

The land around Gin Gin has a rich history with the Aboriginal people. The Gureng Gureng people are the traditional owners of this area. Their language region includes towns like Bundaberg, Gin Gin, and Miriam Vale.

The name Gin Gin might come from an Aboriginal word. It could be from the Kabi language, like "kwin kwin" or "chin chin," meaning a type of scrub. Another idea is "gwin gwin," which means red soil.

Early European Settlement

European settlers first arrived in this region in 1848. Gregory Blaxland Jnr and William Forster brought their sheep from New South Wales. They set up a large sheep farm called Tirroan. The town of Gin Gin is now near where their original farm was.

Early settlers faced challenges, including conflicts with the local Aboriginal people. In 1851, Arthur and Alfred Henry Brown bought the Tirroan farm. They renamed it Gin Gin, after another property they owned in Western Australia.

Later, Sir Thomas McIlwraith bought the Gin Gin farm. He was a very important person in Queensland's history, serving as the Premier of Queensland three times.

The Wild Scotsman and Town Growth

The Gin Gin area is sometimes called Wild Scotsman Country. This is because a famous bushranger named James Alpin McPherson was caught here. He was known as the "Wild Scotsman" and was captured near the town in 1866.

The Gin Gin Post Office opened in 1875, helping people send and receive mail. The town itself was officially mapped out in 1880.

Education in Gin Gin

Gin Gin's first school, Gin Gin Provisional School, opened in 1882. It became Gin Gin State School in 1890. In 1956, the school started offering classes for older students too. A separate Gin Gin State High School was built in 1972. The town's library opened in 1992.

Gin Gin's Economy: What They Do

Gin Gin's economy relies a lot on the sugar industry, just like Bundaberg. You'll see many sugarcane farms around the area. There's a big network of special train tracks, called sugar cane tramways, to move the cane.

Raising cattle is also a big part of the local economy. In recent years, some farms have also started growing different kinds of crops.

Learning in Gin Gin

Gin Gin State High School, 2023

Gin Gin State High School outdoor area, 2023

Gin Gin has two main schools for young people:

• Gin Gin State School is a primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located on May Street. In 2023, about 252 students attended this school. It also has a special education program for students who need extra support.
• Gin Gin State High School is a secondary school for students from Year 7 to Year 12. You can find it on High School Road. In 2022, around 464 students were enrolled here. Many students from nearby towns and farms travel by bus to attend this high school. It also offers a special education program.

Community Life in Gin Gin

Local Services and Groups

The Bundaberg Regional Council runs a public library in Gin Gin on Dear Street. It's a great place to find books and learn new things.

The Gin Gin branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) meets at the Kenmore Library. The QCWA is a group that helps women and communities in rural areas.

Places of Worship

Gin Gin has several churches for people of different faiths:

• Gin Gin Seventh Day Adventist Church on Mulgrave Street.
• Gin Gin Community Church on Rieck Street.
• Gin Gin Baptist Church on English Street.

Local Facilities

The Gin Gin General and Lawn Cemetery is located on Tirroan Road.

Fun Events in Gin Gin

The Wild Scotsman Festival used to be held in Gin Gin every March. It celebrated the capture of the bushranger James MacPherson. Today, the Wild Scotsman Markets are held every Saturday morning. You can find them next to the historical grounds.

Images for kids

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  Bruce Highway passing through Gin Gin

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  Gin Gin State High School, 2023

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  Gin Gin State High School outdoor area, 2023