South Burnett Regional

South Burnett combines a landscape shaped by agriculture and rolling hills with national parks, museums and wineries. The region lies in south-east Queensland, about two hours north-west of Brisbane, between the Bunya Mountains and the Burnett River. Whether you prefer to explore the Rail Trail, discover regional history, or enjoy wine and scenery, you’ll gain a different perspective on South Burnett.

Scenery and trails around the Rail Trail

The sealed section of the South Burnett Rail Trail passes through agricultural country and goes by numerous small towns along the way. If you’re interested in the region’s cultural landscape, you’ll experience more than just a trail here: you’ll also see the transition between farmland and the towns along the route. In 2019, six signposted and mapped loop rides were opened around the Rail Trail. As well as the trail section, these loop rides offer another starting point for planning an outing in the area.

The landscape stretches from the Bunya Mountains to the Burnett River; farmland, rolling hills and national parks are all part of its character. This mix gives South Burnett its regional identity and offers a range of themes for a stay. You can focus on the scenery or combine nature with insights into the region’s history and way of life, without planning all your experiences as one continuous route.

Museums, history and discoveries

Cedarvale focuses on both First Nations history and the history of early settlers in the Bunya Mountains. Collections and displays about the flora and fauna complement these themes. Cedarvale thus offers a way to explore natural history and the region’s past. The Wondai Heritage Museum is dedicated to the development and people of Wondai and its district over a period of 120 years. Covering more than 1,600 square metres, it offers an extensive insight into this history.

In Murgon, the Dairy and Heritage Museum combines local history with insights into the dairy industry. At the site, you can visit a working three-stand dairy with its original milk pipeline and herringbone pipe system. By arrangement, the museum also offers butter-making for a small fee. The “55 Million Years Ago” Museum and Art Gallery in Murgon comprises a fossil museum and a local art gallery. The Murgon Fossil Site offers another glimpse far back into Earth’s history: it documents a diverse vertebrate fauna from more than 55 million years ago.

The Roy Emerson Museum also preserves and shares the history of the surrounding South Burnett region. If you’re travelling with children, you can choose from nature topics, regional history, art and fossil finds from the distant past, depending on their interests. Each museum focuses on different subjects rather than retelling the same story from different angles.

Wine and regional food and drink

South Burnett offers award-winning wineries, boutique cellar doors, relaxed long lunches and beautiful views over vineyards. It’s an appealing complement to active outings or museum visits: you can focus your trip more on regional wine culture and leisurely dining, or combine these experiences with the scenery and history. When looking for a holiday rental, it helps to first consider which experiences you want to define your stay. Murgon’s museums, Wondai’s regional history, Cedarvale’s themes, the Rail Trail and the wineries offer different points of reference when choosing a suitable place to stay.

More destinations

More destinations on the portal: Longreach Regional, Isaac Regional, Toowoomba Regional, Western Downs Regional, Cloncurry Shire, Moreton Bay Regional, Mount Isa City and Gold Coast City.

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