Biloela - Queensland

[Guest The Pom Queen]

Biloela

We had three different routes to choose from on our journey home and we decided to do the Burnett Highway with an overnight stop at Biloela. 

It is a rural service centre located 594 km north of Brisbane, 127 km from Gladstone and 173 metres above sea-level. Due to its location at the intersection of the Dawson and Burnett Highways, the town is well supplied with accommodation and eating facilities for the locals, grey nomads and tourists.  

 

Biloela's economy is driven by pastoral and agricultural enterprises and by the local coalmines, although, mercifully, it could never be described as a mining town. Specifically, local income is generated by annual livestock slaughtering, cotton production, dairying, wheat, sorghum, lucerne and other grains and cereals.

 

The population in Biloela CBD currently stands at around 7,000 with a similar number Living in the surrounding area.

 

History

The Gangulu tribe, inhabited the region prior to European settlement and named the area Biloela after their totem: the white cockatoo. 

The first European to explore the area was Ludwig Leichhardt in 1844. This was during an exploration expedition from the Darling Downs to open up a route to Port Essington. His reports encouraged the settlement of the area by pastoralists.

In 1851 Thomas Archer, a friend of Leichhardt's, selected the region that is now known as Eidsvold.

Charles Archer moved further north and settled in the Biloela/Callide area. Other early landholders were the Leith Hay family, the Browns, H.C. Corfeild, James Reid, John Ross, Alex McNab and Frederick Barton. 

The town was not gazetted until 1924 and the railway arrived the following year.

Coal was discovered in the area in the 1890s but it was not developed until 1942 when an open-cut mine was established on the site of the old Callide station.

In 1861 the first white child was born in to the Valley, Margaret O'Reilly.

There are few old buildings apart from Grevells which looks like it was once an old picture theatre. The Big Valley Story, an interesting account of the history of the area, was published in 1974 to celebrate the town's fiftieth birthday. In 1994, a routine burn-off at Kroombit Tops uncovered a B-24 Liberator Bomber, which had been lost in 1944 (I will do a seperate article on that at a later date as it is very interesting)

 

What is there to see? 

To be honest I could have spent a week there and not been bored. There were 4 x 4 tracks everywhere. We would have loved to have done the Powerhouse tour, gone to see the uncovered B24 Bomber, spent time in the numerous national parks and just relaxed by the Lakes.

 

Callide B Powerhouse Tour

The Callide Power Station is located in the Callide Valley north of Biloela and provides power to the national electricity market. The site comprises 3 stations - Callide 'A', Callide 'B' and Callide 'C'.

 

Collectively they produce about 1700 megawatts of electricity which is enough to power 2 million homes.

 

They burn approximately 6 million tonnes of coal each year, which is sourced from the nearby Callide Coalfields. C.S. Energy conducts guided tours through the Callide B Powerhouse. Contact them on (07) 4992 9202 for more details. All visitors on tours are required to wear closed-in footwear. 

 

 

Turn east off the Burnett Highway at Biloela onto the Dawson Highway (signposted to Calliope and Gladstone). Travel 6 kilometres. turn right onto Callide Dam Road, travel 9.5 kilometres then turn left where it is signposted to Callide 'B' Power Station. 

 

Callide Dam and Lookout

The catchment area of Callide Dam covers an area of 518 square kilometres and the spillway is 80 metres long. The dam which is also known as Callide Lake is a very popular fishing spot. It is kept well stocked with as many as ten different species of fish including red claw crayfish. Water skiers also make good use of the dam. A good time to visit is at sunrise when you may be lucky enough to see hundreds of white cockatoos take off screeching across the dam, a truly remarkable sight. There are many other birds that frequent the lake including pelicans and swans. The picnic area is popular with locals and visitors alike with picnic tables, barbecues, toilets and boat ramp. Take a drive to the Callide Lookout where there are spectacular views overlooking the mining operations of the coal fields, see the enormity of the power station and of course the dam.

To get to the dam, turn east off the Burnett Highway at Biloela onto the Dawson Highway (signposted to Calliope and Gladstone). Travel 6 kilometres then turn right onto Callide Dam Road. Travel 7.5 kilometres then turn right where it is signposted to Callide Dam. Travel 2 kilometres and you will reach the picnic and recreation area. 

To get to the lookout, turn east off the Burnett Highway at Biloela onto the Dawson Highway (signposted to Calliope and Gladstone). Travel 6 kilometres then turn right onto Callide Dam Road. Travel 12 kilometres, cross the grid then immediately turn left onto Ian McCauley Drive (signposted to Scenic Lookout) .This turnoff is 1 kilometre passed the Callide A Power Station turnoff. The road to the lookout is not suitable for caravans.

 

Mine Tours
The Callide Mines offer tours of the Dragline, which is one of the largest in the area.

 

 

Greycliffe Homestead

The Greycliffe homestead was built in the 1870’s and constructed using pit sawn and adze cut slabs and round bush timber for rafters. It originally had a shingle roof that was replaced by an iron roof in the 1920’s. In 1979 the homestead was relocated from Greycliffe Station to its present location to ensure it’s ongoing preservation. This original well preserved slab home houses an interesting variety of memorabilia and relics of the past that tell the story of life in the pioneering days. The homestead is open for public inspection by appointment through the Visitors Information Centre.

Turn east off the Burnett Highway at Biloela onto the Dawson Highway (signposted to Calliope and Gladstone). Travel 1 kilometre then turn right onto Lawrence Street which is directly opposite State Farm Road. The homestead is on the left as you turn into Lawrence Street.

 

Lions Park

In the park and visible from the highway is the 'Bille Brown Directors Chair' which was erected in honour of him. Born in Biloela, Brown went on to become a playwright, actor and director both in Australia and overseas. Also in the park are picnic tables, barbecues, children's playground, toilets and rubbish bins. 

Turn east off the Burnett Highway at Biloela onto the Dawson Highway (signposted to Calliope and Gladstone). Travel 1.5 kilometres then turn left onto Cooper Street. 

 

Queensland Heritage Park

The Queensland Heritage Park complex is full of historical buildings, machinery, photographs and memorabilia and is well worth a visit. Stop for a coffee and cake at the Post and Rail Café and take a stroll through the museum while you are there.The Heritage Park is open every day from 9.00am - 4.00pm.The Rural Hinterland Visitor Information Centre is located here. 

From the north as you enter Biloela along the Burnett Highway, veer left at the intersection, where it is signposted to Biloela and Gladstone. Take the first left after the 'Welcome to Biloela' sign onto Exhibition Avenue (signposted to Queensland Heritage Park and The Silo).Travel 300 metres then turn left and the entrance is directly ahead. 

From the south, as you enter Biloela along the Burnett Highway. veer left at the intersection, where it is signposted to Banana and Rolleston. Follow this road for 1 kilometre then turn right onto Exhibition Avenue (there is a blue and white information sign at the turnoff). 

 

The 'Silo'

Biloela's biggest attraction is 'The Silo'. It is more than 28 metres high and within the silo there is an array of displays about primary industries such as cotton production, stud and dairy cattle, redclaw and ostrich farming, grain production and landcare. The Silo is located within the Queensland Heritage Centre. 

From the north as you enter Biloela along the Burnett Highway, veer left at the intersection, where it is signposted to Biloela and Gladstone. Take the first left after the 'Welcome to Biloela' sign onto Exhibition Avenue (signposted to Queensland Heritage Park and The Silo).Travel 300 metres then turn left and the entrance to the Heritage Park is directly ahead.

From the south, as you enter Biloela along the Burnett Highway. veer left at the intersection, where it is signposted to Banana and Rolleston. Follow this road for 1 kilometre then turn right onto Exhibition Avenue (There is a blue and white information sign at the turnoff). Travel 300 metres then turn left and the entrance to the Heritage Park is directly ahead.

 

The Spirit of the Land Mural

This huge mural is a 100 metre long artwork wrapped around one of the town’s large water tanks. With information plaques, it gives an insight into Aboriginal life before European settlement and stories of Europeans who left their country of birth and adapted to the Australian way of life. If you do nothing else on your visit to Biloela, you should make a point of seeing this magnificent mural.

Turn east off the Burnett Highway at Biloela onto the Dawson Highway (signposted to Calliope and Gladstone). Travel 1 kilometre then turn left onto State Farm Road. After 300 metres the water tank with the mural is on the left just before Prairie Street. 

 

Accommodation 

We stayed at the Palm Motel on the Burnett Highway. We managed to secure the last room as everywhere was booked with workmen either from the mines or main roads.

Our room was nice, nothing special but was clean and the bed was comfy.

 

Motels

Apollo Motel
Cnr Gladstone Rd & Rainbow St
Biloela QLD 4715
Telephone: (07) 4992 1122
Rating: ***1/2

Biloela Centre
52 Grevillea St
Biloela QLD 4715
Telephone: (07) 4992 2622
Rating: ***1/2

Biloela Palms Motor Inn
69 Dawson Hwy
Biloela QLD 4715,br />Telephone: (07) 4992 1552
Facsimile: (07)4992 5551
Rating: ****

Countryman Motel
Burnett Hwy
Biloela QLD 4715
Telephone: (07) 4992 1488
Rating: ***

Settlers Inn
Dawson Hwy
Biloela QLD 4715
Telephone: (07) 4992 2933
Rating: ****

Silo Motor Inn
75 Dawson Hwy
Biloela QLD 4715
Telephone: (07) 4992 5555
Facsimile: (07) 4992 3841
Rating: ****

Sun Valley Motel
Dawson Hwy
Biloela QLD 4715
Telephone: (07) 4992 1281
Rating: **1/2

 

Hotels

Biloela Hotel
60 Callide St
Biloela QLD 4715
Telephone: (07) 4992 1514

Commercial Hotel
64 Kariboe St
Biloela QLD 4715
Telephone: (07) 4992 1603

 

Caravan Parks

Biloela Caravan Park
Dawson Hwy
Biloela QLD 4715
Telephone: (07) 4992 1211
Rating: ***1/2

Boomerang Caravan Park
Dunn St
Biloela QLD 4715
Telephone: (07) 4992 1815
Rating: ***

Kroombit Tourist Park
Lochenbar Valentine Plains
Biloela QLD 4715
Telephone: (07) 4992 2186
Rating: ***

White Cockatoo Accommodation Park
235 Valentine Plains Rd
Biloela QLD 4715
Telephone: (07) 4992 2618
Facsimile: (07)4992 2211
Rating: ***