Location

Biloela is the major rural town in the hinterland of the Capricorn Region. It is located 650 km north-west of Brisbane, 145km south-west from Rockhampton and 120 km south-west from Gladstone.

The town is found in the Callide Valley. The Dawson and Burnett Highways pass through the town and give access to Gladstone, Rockhampton and Brisbane as well the Central Highlands and Darling Downs. The Thangool Airport is located 15km from Biloela with two flights per day to Brisbane.

History

Biloela is an indigenous word said to mean ‘cockatoo’ or ‘white cockatoo’.
The first European to explore the area around Biloela was Charles Archer in 1850. Two years later the Prospect station was established, but it was not until 1924 that the town was gazetted. The railway arrived the following year.

Coal was discovered in the area in the 1890s but it was not developed until 1944 when an open-cut mine was established on the site of the old Callide station.

Business and Economy

There are coal mines near the town and a large agricultural industry based around the growing of sorghum, wheat and cotton.
There is a substantial cattle grazing industry.

The Callide Coalfields are a major Queensland coal mining operation with a production capacity of more than 4.3 million tonnes a year. The nearby Callide B Power station uses about 2.5 million tonnes of Callide coal per year.

The Callide C Power Station is currently under construction.

Climate

Biloela has an average maximum temperature of 36°C and an average minimum temperature of 3°C with an average rainfall of 42mm.

(The Australian Bureau of Meteorology)

Places of Interest

• Mount Scoria Environmental Park is 16km from Biloela and is home to the "singing" rocks. These basalt columns ring like a xylophone, when struck with metal objects.


• The House of Dolls displays dolls and bonsai trees.


• The Greycliffe Homestead , a timber slab house listed with the National Trust.


• The "Silo", is similar to a pavillion at the Brisbane World Exposition in 1988 displays local history and agriculture.


• The Callide Dam, near the city supplies water to the nearby power stations. It is tourist and recreation centre with fishing an dwater sports including sailing and water-skiing.


• The Callide Mine Lookout gives views of the mine, power station, the lake and the Callide Valley.


• The Kroombit Tops National Park and Tourist Park allows 4 wheel drive guided tours, cattle drives and camping.