WITHIN the landscaped grounds of the Gympie Forestry Complex on the northern outskirts of Gympie, the roots of Australia’s timber history are being kept alive.

WoodWorks The Forestry and Timber Museum is a Queensland Museum campus managed as a joint venture by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Queensland Museum to preserve and interpret the social history of the industry.

The museum’s focus is the forestry and timber industry right back to its colonial beginnings. Discover how the pioneers worked the timber and how the industry changed in the intervening decades up to the 1950s. Nostalgia and history combine to make a visit to WoodWorks a memorable experience.

This insight into the timber industry of yesteryear is provided through displays and demonstrations. Features include a large selection of pioneering handtools, 1925 republic truck, bullock wagons, blacksmith shop, timber-getters hut, 619-year-old Kauri pine tree section and a replica of an 1860s steam-driven bush sawmill.

WoodWorks can provide a traditional hand tools demonstration tour for groups by prior arrangement. Tour groups are given a window into the past as old time timbermen demonstrate the use of felling, sapping, broad and morticing axes, shingle froes, crosscut saws and adzes, explanations of the springboards display and the fully restored 1925 republic truck with winch attachment and log trolley. Group members can enjoy participation in cross-cut sawing, visit the blacksmith shop, hear an explanation of the bark hut camp and living conditions then round off the tour with a visit to the bush sawmill.

The museum grounds have many shady trees as well as picnic tables and a shelter shed (built in true period style with shingle roof) which provide a relaxing place for a picnic lunch. The museum’s TimberCraft Shop offers locally made wood-crafted items and other unique souvenirs for that gift with a difference.

WoodWorks is open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm and Sunday 1.00pm to 4.00pm. WoodWorks is located at the corner of the Bruce Highway and Fraser Road, Gympie.