Gympie GourMAY: Gympie Gears Up For Month Of Local Food
Matt Golinski uncovers nuggets of goodness just north of Noosa as the Gympie region gears up for a month celebrating local food.
In 1867, James Nash reported the discovery of gold in the Gympie region, an announcement which dragged Queensland out of a severe economic depression and quite possibly saved the state from bankruptcy.
Now, 152 years later, Queensland benefits from a different type of gold coming out of the region.
Its fertile soils, temperate climate and consistent rainfall, its proximity to pristine and abundant fishing catchments, and a lot of very hard-working, passionate food producers, make Gympie one of the most productive, accessible and diverse food areas in Australia.
From the fruit and vegetables of the stunning Mary Valley, to the vast pasture land of Kilkivan and Woolooga, and the calm waters of Tin Can Bay, Gympie offers memorable culinary experiences to all visitors no matter what part of the region they find themselves in.
Over the month of May your taste buds will come alive as Gympie Regional Council presents ‘Gympie Gourmay – Eat Local Month’, a celebration of the food, the towns and the people who make this place so special.
Starting with CC’s famous Big Rosella Festival at the beginning of the month, and wrapping up with the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival at the end, GourMAY! is full of foodie experiences to suit all age groups and budgets.
As the food ambassador for the Gympie Region over the past four years, I have seen a vibrant food scene develop, driven by tireless producers who are proud of where they live and what they grow. ‘Eat Local Month’ is the culmination of all of that hard work and a credit to them all.
So whether it’s riding the historic Mary Valley Rattler steam train, picking your own berries or rosellas or rolling a pumpkin down a hill, be sure to make the journey out to the country and get involved in all the culinary adventures that GourMAY has to offer.
Bon appetit!
Matt
To find out more, visit www.gympie.qld.gov.au.
