Parking

The Gympie region has free regulated parking which means parking is free, but there is a time limit. If you are parked longer than the time limit you may receive a parking fine.

Free regulated parking operates during the following hours:

  • Monday - Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm
  • Saturday 8.30am to 12pm

There are some locations around the Gympie CBD that allow free all-day parking:

  • Civic Centre, Mellor Street
  • IGA Complex, bottom carpark, Reef Street
  • Jaycee Way, below the skate park
  • Young Street
  • Lawrence Street, below the Central School

  • Loading zones are where commercial vehicles can park and unload.

    These zones are signed throughout Gympie with time limits.

    Who can park in a loading zone?

    • Commercial vehicles as defined under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995, for the purpose of loading and unloading goods safely
    • Owners of vehicles not defined as commercial vehicles under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995, holding a commercial vehicle permit issued by council, for the purpose of loading and unloading goods safely
    • Non-commercial vehicles to drop off and pick up passengers.
    • Emergency vehicles to deal with emergency situations.

    If your vehicle is for commercial use you can apply for a permit. There is a fee and you will need to display the permit when approved.

    Apply for a permit, complete the below form and submit to council.

  • These parking spaces are for Disability Parking Permit holders only.

    If you have a Queensland Disability Parking Permit (red permit) or a Total and Permanent Incapacitation (TPI) permit, you can park in these bays for up to two hours.

    If you do use these parks without a permit or park longer than the sign says, you will be fined.

    Applying for a disability parking permit

    If you think you might be eligible for a disability permit, please contact the Department of Transport here: Disability Parking Permit Scheme.

  • Location

    Details

    Gympie CBD

    Jaycee Way/River Road car park at Nelson Reserve

    Three long vehicle bays (approximately 12m in length).

    Follow directional signage off the Bruce Highway.

    No time limit (not for overnight stays).

    River Road, Gympie (opposite Calton Terrace)

    Two long vehicle bays (approximately 13m in length).

    Signed with a 4 hour time limit.

    Monkland Street (adjacent to the IGA uncovered car park)

    One lone vehicle bay (approximately 13m in length).

    Signed with a 4 hour time limit.

    Gympie Central Shopping Centre

    Perseverance Street

    Three long vehicle bays (approximately 13.5m in length).

    Signed with a 4 hour time limit.

Illegal Camping

Camping is only permitted in approved campsites around the region. It is illegal to camp on a street or carpark overnight in your vehicle.

In problem areas, council has installed '11pm - 4am No Parking' signage to curb illegal camping. If you park in a 11pm - 4am No Parking' zone within the restricted hours you may receive a parking fine.

Council conducts adhoc patrols around the region for illegal camping in councils' parks, streets and carparks.

Why does council have '11pm - 4am No Parking' zones?

Carparks, streets and foreshore areas aren't intended for camping, nor are they set up with suitable toilet, shower, cooking and waste disposal facilities. The 11pm - 4am No Parking Zone redirects campers to appropriate facilities that meet their needs.

Where are the '11pm - 4am No Parking' zones?

Griffith Esplanade, Rainbow Beach - Read the Griffith Esplanade FAQs

Griffin Esplanade Carpark FAQ's

  • In response to growing community frustration, Council is creating an 11pm - 4am No-Parking Zone at Rainbow Beach Griffin Esplanade carpark to curb illegal camping, which is having a significant impact on amenity, community safety and the environment.

    Over the past two years, Council has received in excess of 350 complaints about illegal camping, with the highest percentage of those complaints coming from Rainbow Breach.

    Carparks, streets and foreshore areas aren’t intended for camping, nor set up with suitable toilet, shower, cooking and waste disposal facilities. The 11pm - 4am No Parking Zone will redirect campers to more appropriate facilities that meet their needs but also enable more people who wish to get a parking spot near the beach a chance to do so.

    The overnight ‘No Parking’ strategy, which is in line with the approach other local government areas are adopting to address illegal camping, will give Regulatory Services Officers (‘Rangers’) additional avenues to gain compliance with local laws. Police will also be able to enforce the ‘No Parking’ signs if they are called to Rainbow Beach carpark to deal with anti-social behaviour during the night.

  • Signs will be installed in April 2025. Rangers will commence enforcement via illegal parking patrols in early June 2025, with an initial focus on education to allow the public time to adapt to the changes. These patrols will be carried out in conjunction with Queensland Police.

    Rangers and Police will also conduct patrols of other areas to ensure they’re not being used by campers that have relocated there from the beach carpark.

  • The focus of these changes is to target illegal campers who abuse the free parking areas. However, if you park in the areas signed ‘No Parking’ after the stated time, you may receive an infringement notice. We therefore encourage you to please use alternative parking as required.

  • These hours are consistent across other local government areas, including the Sunshine Coast and Noosa areas. It is also consistent with those used in other areas across Australia where illegal camping is an issue.

  • Rainbow Beach has various low-cost camping areas that cater for vans, tents and caravans and offer access to appropriate toilet and bathroom facilities as well as cooking facilities. Some close by alternatives include:

    • Rainbow Beach Holiday Village
    • BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks - Rainbow Beach
    • Inskip Peninsula camping areas (Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service), Permit required

  • People in genuine need due to housing issues who may be living in cars are not the target of this enforcement effort. Officers are trains to assist people in need with referrals to services that may be able to support them to find accommodation.

  • Council will review the results after two months, considering factors such as community feedback and the number of illegal camping/parking infringements issued.

    If you have any further questions or would like to provide feedback regarding this program, please contact Gympie Regional Council.

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