Gayndah, Queensland

Gayndah (postcode : 4625) is a town located on the Burnett River in Queensland, Australia. It is 366 kilometres north of the state capital, Brisbane, and 145 kilometres west of the regional city of Maryborough. The Burnett Highway passes through the town. Gayndah is the administrative and major population centre of the Gayndah Shire, which has a population of 2944 persons (ABS 2004).

[edit] History

Exploration of the Gayndah area began in 1843. The first European settlers arrived in 1848, and the town was established in the following year. Agriculture and grazing have been the dominant industries of the area. The town is now the centre of Queenslands largest citrus growing area. The Gayndah Orange Festival is held every two years to celebrate this industry.

Gayndah was considered for the capital of Queensland, but lost to Brisbane because the river was not deep enough, thus making it impossible for large cargo ships to unload near the city.^{[citation needed]} Gayndah is also the oldest official town in Queensland. The explorers Archer and Burnett establishing it in 1849.^{[citation needed]}

Gayndah is Aboriginal for thunder.^{[citation needed]}