WOODWORKS MUSEUM & INTERPRETIVE CENTRE

8 FRASER ROAD, GYMPIE QLD 4570  |  07 5483 6535 |  OPENING HOURS: MONDAY – FRIDAY: 10AM – 3PM |  CLOSED PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

WOODWORKS MUSEUM ENTRY FEE: $10 PER PERSON – CHILDREN UNDER 5 FREE

FAMILY PASS – $25 INCLUDES 2 ADULTS AND 3 CHILDREN

Re-defining forestry through live demonstration, science-based education and state-of-the-art interpretation. Managed By Private Forestry Service Qld Inc.

Museum featuring exhibits on the history of regional forestry, along with live demonstrations.

The Woodworks Museum officially received its name at the grand opening on March 23rd 1984. It was established to provide a refuge for the history of the forest and timber industries. Built in 1984 as a joint venture between what was then known as the Department of Forestry and the Queensland Museum, its development was largely due to continuing concern by forestry officers for preservation of the artifacts and traditions associated with: forest development and conservation, production and distribution of timber, and timber products.

The buildings on the site are of architectural and cultural significance and are a reflection of the great ‘timber and tin’ tradition of Queensland architecture, purpose built to showcase the hardwood timbers of the Gympie and Burnett Region. The grounds evoke further memories of days gone by; in keeping with the old world atmosphere of the Museum, traditional post and rail fences, typical of those used by early settlers, are built around the site.

The site was first suggested for a Museum by former Gympie District Forester, the late Reg Doggrell, whose wife’s grandfather, James Fraser, took it up as a forty acre selection in 1873. He chose a location in a district rich in forest history, as the first sawmill established in the Gympie area (in the 1860’s) was within a hundred metres of the Museum site.

When you walk into the Woodworks Museum and Interpretive Centre you will see the information panels that have been installed to illustrate the history of the Museum itself and of Queensland’s Timber Industry. Static and working exhibitions at the Woodworks Museum trace the development of the forest and timber industries, which historically ranges from often dangerous manpower-intensive operations to mechanised and safer processes.

The Museum was granted to the Gympie Regional Council by the Qld Government in 2009.  In 2011 the Museum was leased to Private Forestry Service Queensland Inc. under a 10 year Management Agreement.  All those now working on the site are either volunteers or paid employees of Private Forestry Service Queensland.

The Museum building is notable in and of itself. Built chiefly from rough-sawn tallowwood and spotted gum, the construction reflects the bush-style architecture that follows the rolling topography of the site, resulting in a multileveled building with a sunken demonstration pit and exhibition areas. Mezzanines above the pit provide excellent vantage points for visitors to watch demonstrations.

As the centre is run by volunteers we have set aside Friday as our main demonstration day but can organise other times for large tour groups. If you would like to see the large saw in action please phone before coming to avoid disappointment.

Tour groups are welcome. We can organise demonstrations with our tools demonstrator, our blacksmith and the steam boiler crew. We have a BBQ onsite if you wish to use it for your group.

Morning Tea and/or Lunch Available For Group Bookings – Minimum 8 people

Morning Tea @ $10.00 per person

  • A lovely selection of fresh cakes, scones, slices and sweet or savory nibbles. 
  • All served with tea and coffee. 
  • Gluten Free option available $2.50 extra per person

Lunch available for $17.50 per person

  • A selection of freshly made sandwiches, wraps and rolls. 
  • Fruit in season and cake or slices
  • All served with tea, coffee and juice.
  • Gluten Free option available $2.50 extra per person

Phone 5483 7691 to book a tour group or arrange catering

INTERPRETIVE CENTRE

Australians use forest products every single day and in just about every aspect of our daily lives. The products that we buy from the supermarket, the houses that we live in, the buildings that we work in, are all made with products that come from forests. In fact, modern Australia would be a vastly different place without the on-going supply of high quality, durable forest products. When you switch a light on, or turn on the TV, in most cases, the electricity that you are using has been transported to your house via power lines carried on strong, durable and renewable timber poles.

The wonderful thing about all of these forest products is that they come from a renewable resource. This means that, unlike metals, fossil fuels, glass and concrete, the trees that produce these products can be managed in a way that helps them to grow again or they can be re-planted, ensuring an endless supply of renewable and sustainable timber.

Inside the Museum is a section devoted to understanding today’s timber industry the vital role organisations such as , Private Forestry Services Queensland play in monitoring and looking after forests used for construction of necessary items, such as power poles.

WOODWORKS MUSEUM

8 FRASER ROAD, GYMPIE QLD 4570
07 5483 6535
Email: woodworkmuseum@pfsq.org.au

ENTRY FEES
$10 PER PERSON
CHILDREN UNDER 5 FREE

OPENING HOURS

MONDAY – FRIDAY: 10AM – 3PM

CLOSED SATURDAY & SUNDAY

CLOSED PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

CLOSED EASTER WEEKEND