Country Life

There’s a lot to love about the Banana Shire and even more to see and do.

The people of the region are salt of the earth types. Genuine and open, they tell you how it is, usually with dry wit and a wry smile. You can find yourself chuckling for days over something someone said. It’s just that kind of place.

GET SET TO BE BOWLED OVER!

Hard work goes with the territory. Agriculture and mining are the big industries, in that order too. The region was built on the sweat and toil of pioneers, pastoralists, food growers, geologists, engineers and miners.

The lifestyle is laid back. Family and community orientated, most activities centre around fishing and camping, sports and social clubs, festivals and events.

The seasons govern what goes on and everything fits around them.

That makes for a busy events calendar, with festivals, carnivals and competitions scheduled between March and October.

Most events happen in late winter and early spring. In fact, the coming of spring is the biggest event of the lot. Everything is new – native flowers blossom, carpeting the valleys in colour, birds sing, butterflies appear, crops are right for the picking and the weather is perfect.

With valleys, rivers and creeks and high mountain ranges, the Sandstone Wonders are not just a fantastic attraction – getting there is half the fun. You can spend days exploring Isla, Expedition and Kroombit National Parks and the waterways of the Dawson River. Take your time, no rush.

what do the locals say?

WHAT EVENTS CAN I GO TO IN THE BANANA SHIRE?

Arts, Craft And Agricultural Events

  • Agricultural shows
  • Biloela Indoor Markets
  • Moura Sunday Markets
  • Rotary Arts and Craft Fair

Horse Events

  • Horse racing
  • Campdrafts
  • Rodeos
  • Polocrosse

Motor Events

  • Old Wheels in Motion Rally
  • Wowan Observation Rally
  • Biloela Auto Fest
  • Classics by the Dawson Classic Car and Bike Show

Festival Events

  • Brigalow Arts Festival
  • Coal and Country Festival
  • Dawson River Festival

Fishing Competitions

  • Great Baralaba Saratoga Classic
  • Moura Muddy Water Classic Family Fishing Competition
  • Taroom Fishing Competition
  • Lake Callide Family Fishing Classic
  • Theodore Family Fishing Competition
  • View fishing competitions page

WHAT ARE THE NATURAL ATTRACTIONS?

As the eastern gateway to the Sandstone Country, Banana Shire is home to its fair share of sandstone wonders and nature reserves of rare features and astounding beauty. Banana Drive Trails and Loops will take you to these special places, so you can discover and experience Banana Shire’s natural treasures.

National Parks and Conservation Reserves

WHERE CAN I GO FISHING?

CAN I VISIT THE COAL MINES? ARE THERE COAL MINE TOURS?

Coal was discovered in the Banana region in the 1940s and several mines operate in the north based at Baralaba, Moura and Callide, 20 km outside Biloela.

The mines do not operate tours.

View the Callide Coal Mine in action from the Callide Mine Lookout. Check out the Scenic Way Drive Trail for directions to Callide Mine Lookout, Callide Dam and Callide Power Station Lookout.

HOW MUCH COAL DOES THE REGION PRODUCE?

Callide Mine opened in 1945 and now has one of the world’s largest walking draglines at 128 metres. Moura’s coal mining interests followed in 1950, when mining was established in the Dawson Valley. Together, Callide Valley and Dawson Valley coal production in 2014-15 totalled more than 17.7 million tonnes.

WHERE DO I GET VISITOR INFORMATION?

The Visitor Information Centres of the Sandstone Wonders will be able to help you!

Banana Shire Council Office
62 Valentine Plains Road, Biloela Qld 4715
P: (07) 4992 9500
E: enquiries@banana.qld.gov.au
www.banana.qld.gov.au

Biloela Visitor Information Centre
Callide Street, Biloela, 4715
P: (07) 4992 2405
E: biloelainfocentre@bigpond.com

Rural Hinterland Visitor Information Centre
Exhibition Avenue, Biloela Qld 4715
P: (07) 4992 2400
E: qldheritagepark@bigpond.com

Theodore Visitor Information Centre
60 The Boulevard, Theodore QLD 4719
E: theodoreinfocentre@gmail.com

Taroom Visitor Information Centre
10 Yaldwyn Street, Taroom Qld 4420
Open Mon–Fri 9.00am–4.00pm
P: (07) 4628 6113
E: hottaroom@hotmail.com

Moura Administration, Tourism Visitor Information Centre
43 Gillespie street, Moura Qld 4718
P: (07) 4992 9500
E: enquiries@banana.qld.gov.au

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