'Euston Barn' at the Gin Gin Museum

Gin Gin
Stopover point on the road from Brisbane to Cairns.
Located 371 km northwest of Brisbane and 51 km west of Bundaberg, Gin Gin is the perfect example of a town which has survived and flourished solely because of its location on the main road from Brisbane to Cairns.

The Gin Gin area was originally settled by Europeans in 1847 when Gregory Blaxland and William Forster moved into the area. The site where the town now stands was once part of the huge Gin Gin Station which was owned by Sir Thomas McIlwraith (three times Premier of Queensland between 1879-93).

The town's one brush with notoriety occurred on 30 March 1866 when one of Queensland's few bushrangers, James Alpin McPherson, known as the 'Wild Scotsman', was captured on Monduran Station 13 km north of the town.

Although McPherson is reputed to have rampaged through the Wide Bay area for nearly four years prior to his arrest he managed to rob without violence. He was sentenced to 20 years gaol, served 15, and subsequently became a law abiding citizen. This has not stopped the town from capitalising on his infamy. Each year, in the third week of March, the 'Wild Scotsman' Festival is held.

Today Gin Gin is basically one large street (with plenty of trees, flowers and picnic benches in the median strip) surrounded on either side by takeaway shops, hotels, and service stations which rely on the passing trade.

Things to see:  

Gin Gin Museum
The one thing of interest in the town is the impressive Gin Gin Museum (just off the highway at the southeastern end of town) which consists of a delightful old slab barn called 'Euston Barn' and a building which houses local memorabilia and is called, rather impressively, 'The Residence'. It was actually the police sergeant's residence and, at various times, had to serve as the local lockup and casualty centre. It has been moved from its original location to become the centrepiece of the Museum. The Museum is open on Wednesdays and Sundays between 2.00pm-4.00pm but can be opened on request by contacting (07) 4177 2239.

Boolboonda Tunnel
To the west of Gin Gin on the road to Mount Perry is the Boolboonda Tunnel - the longest unsupported man-made tunnel in Australia. See Mount Perry for more details.

	Motels
	Gin Gin Central Motel 61 Mulgrave St Gin Gin QLD 4671 Telephone: (07) 4157 2444 Rating: **
	Gin Gin Motel 4 Mulgrave St Gin Gin QLD 4671 Telephone: (07) 4157 2260 Rating: **
	Gin Gin Village Motor Inn 44 Mulgrave St Gin Gin QLD 4671 Telephone: (07) 4157 2599 Rating: ***
	Wild Scotsman Motor Inn 5 Mulgrave St Gin Gin QLD 4671 Telephone: (07) 4157 2522 Email: wildscotsman@bigpond.com Rating: ****
	Hotels
	Gin Gin Hotel 64 Mulgrave St Gin Gin QLD 4671 Telephone: (07) 4157 2106
	Highway Hotel 73 Mulgrave St Gin Gin QLD 4671 Telephone: (07) 4157 2131
	Caravan Parks
	Gin Gin Caravan Park 2 Mulgrave St Gin Gin QLD 4671 Telephone: (07) 4157 2192
	Restaurants
	The Wild Scotsman Restaurant 61 Mulgrave St Gin Gin QLD 4671 Telephone: (07) 4157 2007