Biggenden
Biggenden is a small rural service town which lies below the granite cliffs of Mount Walsh. It is surrounded by mixed farming with citrus orchards, timber logging, piggeries, beef and dairy cattle and peanuts being the main products. Many of the more interesting features of the district are located some distance from the town - notably the Biggenden Mine, Coalstoun Lakes and Mount Walsh National Park.
Where is it?: Biggenden on the Isis Highway 339 km north-west of the state capital Brisbane, and 84 km west of Maryborough.
"The Pioneer" metal art sculpture can be viewed in Beiers Park in Edward Street. It was created in 2009 by Bundaberg artist Dave Machen. The sculpture alludes to the remnants of old work sites. The old barrow is a common find throughout the Biggenden area around closed mines, cattle properties and old timber yards.
Originally the Paradise Police Station and Court House, the Biggenden Museum promotes the history of Biggenden and the surrounding district with displays of historical items and contains photographs and memorabilia collected since its opening. A new shed houses farming implements and items pertaining to life on the land.
Biggenden hosts the annual Apex Rose Festival. The Biggenden Rose sculpture in Edward Street was created by local artist Craig Nelson.
Biggenden Mine is located 8 km out of town and is clearly signposted 4 km from Biggenden off the Isis Highway. The Biggenden Mine has been operating since 1888 with the production of bismuth and gold starting in 1890. Remarkably over 80 minerals have been found in the mine.
Coalstoun Lakes National Park
Rising 200m above a broad cultivated valley, Mt Le Brun contains two large craters which occasionally fill with shallow lakes. The crater lakes are protected in Coalstoun Lakes National Park. Formed more than 600,000 years ago, the mountain is one of the youngest volcanic formations in Australia. Coalstoun Lakes National Park is located 25 km south west of Biggenden via the Isis Highway,
Mount Walsh National Park
Mount Walsh and The Bluff Mount at the northern end of the park are prominent landmarks in the Biggenden area. Steep forested slopes, sheltered gullies, rugged ridge lines with spectacular exposed granite outcrops and cliffs support an amazing diversity of vegetation. The park is a wildlife refuge for a large variety of wildlife including amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds. There is no formal camping area at Mount Walsh National Park. Bush camping is available in remote areas. The Bluff has a shelter shed, toilets, barbecue and tank water for picnics and bushwalking.The northern tip of Mount Walsh National Park is approximately 5km due south of Biggenden township. Turn off the Maryborough-Biggenden Road 2km east of Biggenden or 80km west of Maryborough. Travel a further 5.3km along the signposted National Park Road to the picnic area.
Utophia Falls
Waterfall Creek rock pools and Utophia Falls are part of the Mt Walsh National Park. Locals slide down over the waterfalls and swim in the rock pools. From Biggenden travel along the Maryborough-Biggenden Road for 22km, turning right at Innooroolabar Road. Follow this road for about 2.5km and then take the first right at Utophia Road (no street sign). Follow Utopia Road until you reach the car park. Utophia Falls is a 2.4km walk from the Mount Walsh picnic area.
Paradise Dam Recreational Park
Paradise Dam, about 30 minutes north-west of Biggenden on the Burnett River, was opened in 2005. The 300,000ML dam submerged the former gold mining town of the same name. Artefacts and buildings removed from Paradise before the dam wall was built are now on display by the Biggenden Historical Society. The Dam is renowned fresh water fishing. Other water sports include boating, skiing, tubing, sailing and swimming. Facilities at Paradise Dam include non powered camping sites, environmentally friendly toilets (no showers), covered gas barbecues, concrete boat ramp, fish cleaning stations, information centre and kiosk.There are some very interesting walks including a hike along the five kilometre Finney Creek walking trail, a shorter walk around the Heritage Trail, a walk down Campbell Road to the historic Paradise Cemetery or a short drive to view a kiln which was built for burning agricultural limestone to make cement powder. Experience a walk along the Bicentennial National Trail which runs along the edge of Paradise reserve. Location: 363 Campbells Road via Biggenden.
The gold mining town of Paradise once stretched for more than a kilometre along the southern bank of the Burnett River in Central Queensland. Founded in 1889 and abandoned by 1898, Paradise was an entirely new settlement. Like most gold towns, it had no pre-existing buildings, roads or infrastructure. Paradise presented to its inhabitants a perfect blank slate which they might shape into whatever form they chose.
The name is derived from the Kabi word bigindhan meaning a place of stringybark. Biggenden was founded in 1889 as a service centre to the short-lived goldrush towns of Paradise and Shamrock; and for coach passengers travelling west from Maryborough. The township, including the intriguingly named Live And Let Live Inn, moved to a new location alongside the railway station when the rail line arrived in 1891. Biggenden Post Office opened on 16 May 1891.
Mount Walsh
