Biloela accommodation from AU$153

Biloela was first settled in 1924 and its name is believed to come from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘white cockatoo'. It’s the main town in the Banana Shire and even though Queensland is famous for its bananas, the shire was named after a huge bullock named 'Banana' that was used for luring wild cattle into a holding area. Lake Callide, just outside of town, is the place to go to catch barramundi, swim or get involved in a range of water sports. The Callide Lookout is nearby and offers spectacular views across the valley and the lake. Take your binoculars and you’ll even be able to see what’s happening at the Callide Power Stations or the region’s coalmines!

Mt Scoria is well worth a visit. ‘Musical Mountain’, as it is called, is in the Mt Scoria Conservation Park, only a 15-minute drive south of Biloela near Thangool. It is a rare rock formation that makes musical sounds when you tap on its 150m-high columns. Strangely, they are not made of scoria at all, but basalt, formed by volcanic activity about 25 million years ago. The park has a picnic area, nature walks and a Visitors’ Centre with heritage displays and a café offering local produce. You can go off-road and take a 4WD tour of Kroombit National Park – just 35km from Biloela. There are tall timbered forests, great views over Kroombit Gorge and lots of wildlife. You definitely wouldn’t want to forget your camera! One hour’s drive south of Biloela you’ll find Cania Gorge National Park with its beautiful caves and rainforest and cliffs. This is a must-go place for bushwalkers.

Find out about early pioneer life at the Greycliffe Homestead and Museum, or visit a local cattle station. Go to an arts or cultural festival, or see one of the regular rodeo events that are held during the year. Or perhaps you prefer a ‘ghost town’. It’s all within easy reach. Cracow, a little further out of Biloela is an old gold mining settlement with historical displays and a great pub. Nearby, at Cracow Beach, you can see some very rare Livistona Palms.

There are so many things to do and a fantastic choice of places to stay. Book your cheap flights to Biloela and your Biloela hotel with us below so you can experience an outback holiday with a difference!

Image credit Lungfish83