Fraser Coast Tourist Information
Fraser Coast Tourist Information
Bunya Mountains
The majestic Bunya Mountains provide the backdrop for Queensland's Fraser Coast-South Burnett region, covering more than 11,700 hectares of the Great Dividing Range. Just 250km northwest of Brisbane, the Bunya Mountains National Park is one of the major attractions for visitors to the rich farming and grazing lands of Kingaroy, Murgon, Wondai and Cherbourg.
Long known to the Aborigines, who would travel hundreds of kilometres to feast on the nuts of the huge native pine tree or Bunya, the mountains are now a magnet for tourists and locals alike. Walking tracks throughout the rainforest, taking in waterfalls, streams, spectacular orchids, ferns and other rainforest flora, offer a truly memorable experience. The daily 4pm feeding of the king parrots, crimson rosellas, currawongs and other birds at the Dandabah picnic area is popular with adults and children. The Bunya Mountains' many natural wonders are easily reached from the towns of the South Burnett, which provide a comfortable base for exploring this fascinating region, centring on the meandering Burnett River and its tributaries.
Kingaroy is the capital of the South Burnett, set among the fertile farmland on which its economy is based and marked by its towering peanut silos. Peanuts have been a viable crop since 1924 and along with navy beans, commonly marketed as baked beans, play a significant part in the South Burnett's economy, with both crops producing the major proportion of Australia's requirements. Kingaroy's famous Peanut Van has the freshest peanuts you'll ever taste and every two years the town celebrates the harvest with the Peanut Festival, in March or April. Festivities include the Peanut Ball, a heritage day, art show, thanksgiving service, concerts, trade fairs, open days and much more. Other attractions include the Peanut Heritage Museum.
One of Queensland's oldest towns, Nanango, was first settled in 1842 as a sheep station. For more than 100 years, the town grew slowly, but the discovery of coal at Meandu Creek and the selection of Nanango as the site for the coal-fired Tarong Power Station in 1978, meant a sudden spurt of growth for the town. The Meandu mine and Tarong Power Station now number among the town's points of interest for visitors and free tours are available. For lovers of the outdoors, the East Nanango and Emu Creek State Forest Parks have picnic and barbecue facilities and a variety of off-road and 4WD tracks in the Nanango area provide visitors and adventurers with naturally beautiful scenic areas to explore.
