The Big Orange - also the Tourist Information Office

Gayndah
Service centre in Queensland's premier orange growing area.
Gayndah is a pleasant rural township located on the Burnett River 366 km northwest of Brisbane, 144 km west of Maryborough and 104 m above sea level. It lies at the heart of Queensland's citrus area and proudly claims to be 'The Orange Capital of Queensland'. This claim to fame is given some added weight by the huge 'Big Orange' at the end of town.

In 1843 Henry Stuart Russell made his way into the Gayndah region and became the first European to see the Burnett River.

In 1847 James Burnett surveyed the river which was eventually named after him. The following year the first land settlement occurred in the Gayndah area and large holdings were established at Ideraway, Ban Ban, Wetheron and Mount Debateable. A tiny settlement known as Norton's Camp sprung up as a crossing point on the Burnett River. Its name was later changed to Gayndah which, according to local legend, was the Aboriginal word for 'thunder'.

By 1849 there were enough people settled on the banks of the Burnett to have Gayndah declared a township. It was an appropriate leap in status as it was that year that the first pub, the Corinth Arms, was opened and a Post Office was set up in the town. By 1850 the town had its own Police Courts.

It is claimed that Gayndah is the oldest town in Queensland but this is somewhat semantic. Both Ipswich and Brisbane are older but they are now cities not towns.

The town continued to grow. In 1861 the Burnett Argus was printed and the first regular coach arrived from Maryborough. Two years later the first school in the area was opened and in 1864 the town got its first bank.

It is entirely appropriate that the following year the town's one truly interesting moment occurred when the Queensland bushranger known as 'The Wild Scotsman' held up the town. He was presumably interested in the contents of the new bank.

1864 was also the year when the brick cottage, which is the centrepiece at the town's excellent museum, was built.

The turning point for Gayndah came in 1892 when local farmers realised that the soils along the Burnett River floodplain were rich enough for intensive agriculture. In that year a local farmer named William Seeney planted 106 orange and mandarin trees. This move to citrus fruits was hastened by the realisation that the area was unsuitable for sheep.

The town's most recent acquisition is a new bridge over the Burnett River which is a far cry from the ferry which once was the only way across the river. The ferry left from the bottom of Simon Street near where the Museum currently stands.

Things to see:  

The Gayndah & District Historical Museum

The Gayndah & District Historical Museum
The Gayndah & District Historical Museum is much more than just another rural folk collection of local memorabilia. It boasts an eighteenth century grandfather clock (which was made long before Australia was settled by Europeans), a Leyland truck which dates back to 1913, and the Ban Ban buggy which dates to 1896. As well there is a tractor dating from 1903 and a rich and interesting collection of memorabilia which is well displayed.

In the complex there is also the old Ban Ban Station which was removed from its original location and rebuilt in the town. One of the earliest buildings in the area it is a typical Queensland slab cottage. The museum is open daily from 9.00am - 4.00pm. Details: (07) 4161 1698

Thomas and Charles Archer Lookout
Visitors wanting to get a good overview of the town should drive or walk to the Thomas and Charles Archer Lookout on the top of the Duke and Duchess Mountain where a 360° view over the surrounding countryside puts Gayndah into a larger and more interesting perspective.

Buildings
In the town's broad and attractive main street is a very unusual building which combines The Council Chambers, The Soldiers Memorial Hall and the Town Hall Theatre (now the local cinema). It was built in 1935.

Beyond The Council Chambers, at the far end of town, is the old school house which has been in continuous use since 1861. It is reputedly the oldest school in Queensland.

Mellors Drapery Store, 28 Capper Street is one of the few buildings in Australia which still uses a 'flying fox' to deal with transactions. The system involves money being sent whizzing along wires to a central cash office. It is well worth a visit.

Ellendale Orchard
The Ellendale Orchard on the Old Mundubbera Road has free tours between mid April and mid July.

	Tourist Information
	Golden Orange Hotel-Motel Maltby Place Gayndah QLD 4625 Telephone: (07) 4161 1107
	Motels
	Gayndah Colonial Motor Inn 58 Capper St Gayndah QLD 4625 Telephone: (07) 4161 1999 Rating: ***
	Gayndah Motel 4 Mick Lutvey St Gayndah QLD 4625 Telephone: (07) 4161 2500
	Manda Inn Motel Capper St Gayndah QLD 4625 Telephone: (07) 4161 1911 Rating: *
	Hotels
	Burnett Hotel 1 Capper St Gayndah QLD 4625 Telephone: (07) 4161 1801
	Golden Orange Hotel/Motel Maltby Place Gayndah QLD 4625 Telephone: (07) 4161 1107 Rating: **
	Grand Hotel 2 Meson St Gayndah QLD 4625 Telephone: (07) 4161 1200
	Caravan Parks
	Manda Inn Caravan Park Hwy 17 Gayndah QLD 4625 Telephone: (07) 4161 1911 Rating: **
	Riverview Caravan Park 2 Barrow St Gayndah QLD 4625 Telephone: (07) 4161 1280 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Diamond Chinese Restaurant 1 Capper St Gayndah QLD 4625 Telephone: (07) 4161 1887
	Cafés
	Gayndah Cafe 15 Capper St Gayndah QLD 4625 Telephone: (07) 4161 1681
	Temptations Coffee Lounge 16 Capper St Gayndah QLD 4625 Telephone: (07) 4161 1033