The Town of Thangool in the Banana Shire

Town map of Thangool — Click on map to view full
Click here to download pdf

More than 130 years in the making, Thangool first opened to settlers, who tried it as a sheep run in the 1850s. Soon to fail, beef cattle were introduced and later, dairy and cotton took hold. Based on the success of these industries, a make-shift town sprang up.

Today, the town is home to a sizable squab industry, providing Australia with 60 per cent of its squab supplies. As you travel through the district, you’ll see large paddocks of sorghum, wheat, sunflower, barley and mung bean crops, the mainstays of local food production.

Watch the destination video

Time: 1 minute

Thangool – horses and high places

The raised green lawns of Forde Park Racecourse come alive with colour for the running of the Thangool Cup. The track is the largest of the two courses in the region, the other at Taroom; and the Cup is a standout fixture during the Spring racing season in September.

The other seven race days held through the year are also a big attraction for punters who love to see country racing at its best.

There’s more horse riding action with the Dawes Hall RCI campdraft, held at Dawes Hall on the Australia’s Country Way (normally) on the 2nd weekend in April.

Thangool is a great place to fuel up the tank before pushing on to Callide Dam or spectacular natural features such as Kroombit Tops National Park and Mount Scoria – both found in the vicinity.

Changes over the years have also seen the town evolve from a busy commercial centre for local industries to what is now the region’s transport hub. Link Airway’s operate to and from the recently refurbished airport and on the ground, taxi transfers are available to Biloela for a set fare.

QUICK FACTS

Mount Scoria – 4.5 km (8 min) via Aerodrome Rd and Thangool Lookerbie Rd.
Kroombit Tops National Park via Valentine Plains Road is an unsealed road and for 4WD vehicles only.
Thangool means Possum in the language of the Gangulu People.

what do the locals say about thangool?

where can i stay in Thangool?

The Lawgi Hall is also just south of the township on Australia’s Country Way (A3). You can’t miss it! Just look for the bright sunset and bottle tree mural. There are plenty of grass areas to park behind the hall and a donation left in the honesty box would be much appreciated. Hotel Thangool and On Kariboe Cabins in Thangool also offer accommodation and Biloela (10 minutes drive) has affordable camping ground options available.

To find more accommodation in Banana Shire, check out our Accommodation Guide.

Other camping options in the Banana Shire.