Situated around 100km west of Maryborough, Biggenden is a rural shire with a major focus on the growth and selling of beef cattle. The area also grows grain, peanuts and citrus fruit, as well as producing dairy products.
Wide Bay/Burnett
A feature of the area is the Burnett River, flowing over 320km on a circuitous course first south and south-west to Munduberra, then east to Gayndah, and finally north-east to Bundaberg. The Wide Bay/Burnett area is the catchment for this river system.
Biggenden
Boondooma
Boondooma is located on the Warrego Highway to the north west of Brisbane and west of Kingaroy, in the Wondai Shire. In 1847, Brothers Alexander and Robert Lawson, along with Robert Alexander, established the Boondooma Homestead, a popular local attraction.
Bundaberg
Average summer day temperature: 30.1°C
Average winter day temperature: 22.0°C
Average annual rainfall: 1140.9mm
Average clear days: 128.0
A rural city on the lower reaches of the Burnett River, about 390km north of Brisbane. Primarily a sugar growing area, with very fertile soil where almost anything grows. A rum distillery makes good use of sugar by-products, and distillery tours are available for most of the year.
Bundaberg is famous as the home of Bert Hinkler, the famous aviator who flew his tiny plane from England to Darwin in a little under 16 days in 1928. In 1931 he flew from New York to London by way of Jamaica, Brazil and West Africa. In January 1933 he set out in his 'Puss Moth' in what proved to be a fatal attampt at regaining his England-Australia record.
Burrum Heads
Camboon
Eidsvold
Fraser Island
Fraser Island is deemed to be of such significent ecological importance, it is world heritage listed. Often called the Great Sandy Island, it is far from being a desert island. The area contains unique rain forest areas, crystal clear lakes, mangrove swamps, and beautiful beaches.
For many years Fraser Island's timber was milled and mineral sands were mined, but environmentalists, and publicpressure, put a stop to these industries. The island's main industry now is tourism, and features the ecotourism resort of Kingfisher Bay.
Gayndah
A small town approximately 340 kilometres north west of Brisbane.
Gayndah is famous as a citrus growing area - with the bi-annual Orange Festival held on the Queen's Birthday weekend in June.
Gin Gin
Goomeri
Goomeri is situated on Highway 17 at the junction of the Burnett and Wide Bay Highways and is approximately two and a half hours drive from Brisbane. It is noted for its excellent antique, collectables and craft shops. By following the heritage walking trail you can discover Goomeri's fascinating past and visit the unique war memorials, the community quilt, the Heritage Centre and many fine old homes and churches.
The district surrounding Goomeri includes unspoilt forest areas, vineyards and olive groves, historic homesteads and native flora and fauna.
Gympie
Located about 2hrs drive north of Brisbane on the Mary River, Gympie is a gold mining town that brought much needed wealth to Queensland. Visitors to Gympie can still inspect an area of preserved mining relics. Gold mining is still a profitable industry in the town along with farming and tourism.
To raise money for rural charities, the Gympie Apex Club present one of Australia's largest music festivals called the National Country Music Muster. It is held on the last weekend of August each year in the Amamoor Creek State Forest, attracts around 70 thousand visitors from around Australia and beyond, who enjoy country music in a bushland setting.
Hervey Bay
A sprawling holiday resort area about 30km east of Maryborough, Hervey Bay comprises many delightful and sheltered beaches, such as Pialba, Torquay, Scarness, and Shelley Beach. Urangan offers a boating harbour as a kick-off point to Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island.
Whale watching in Hervey Bay attracts many thousands of visitors each year.
Sage sheltered beaches makes Hervey Bay an ideal holiday location for families.
Howard
Kilkivan
Kingaroy
Average annual rainfall: 777.0mm
Situated on the Bunya Highway around 220km north-west of Brisbane, Kingaroy is the centre of Australia's peanut growing industry. If you travel about 70km to the south-west of Kingaroy, you will find the beautiful Bunya Mountains National Park. During rainy weather, huge earthworms (some 2-3 metres long) can be spotted in the area.
Lady Elliot Island
Maryborough
Average summer day temperature: 30.0°C
Average winter day temperature: 15.0°C
Average annual rainfall: 1200.0mm
This charming town has an abundance of beautiful 'Queenslander' homes. It is situated on the Mary River and is only a short drive from Hervey Bay. Timber has been the main industry, but sugar cane, and fruit and small crops are also grown in the region.
Monto
Moore Park
Mundubbera
Located 390 km north-west of Brisbane the small, relatively modern township of Mundubbera is situated on the Burnett River. Claims that it is the Citrus Capital of Queensland are reinforced by the 'Big Mandarin'. Mundubbera produces over one third of Queensland's citrus fruit, and has the largest single citrus orchard in the Southern Hemisphere.
Murgon
Murgon is located on the Bunya Highway around 50km noth east of Kingaroy and 100km west of Gympie. The Cherbourg Aboriginal community is located nearby.
Nanango
Nanango is the 4th oldest town in Queensland. It is endowed with many areas of genuine natural beauty including the world-famous Bunya Mountains. Annual events include bush races, agricultural shows and local festivals.