Wondai
Wondai is a small town in the South Burnett region. The establishment of the town was the result of the arrival of the railway line and, in 1901, the resumption of large tracts of land which was subsequently subdivided resulting in more intensive land use. The town grew slowly (its importance was hampered by the proximity of Kingaroy which is only 30 km to the south) and it wasn't constituted as a shire until 1914. Today it is a typical rural centre servicing the surrounding properties where peanuts, wheat and cereal crops are grown, and dairy and beef cattle are raised.
Where is it?: Wondai is located 241 km from Brisbane, 197 km north of Toowoomba, 30 km north of Kingaroy and 109 km from Gympie, on the Bunya Highway.
South Burnett Regional Timber Museum
The Museum showcases the history of the South Burnett s timber industry, which underpinned the early settlement of the region and has continued to play an important part in its development. The traditional timber structure is flanked by life-size sculptures of a bullocky and his head bullocks, an old water-well and post-and-rail fence. On the eastern end of the building is the stainless steel silhouette of a timber cutter. Inside, the wagon camp diorama, complete with restored bullock wagon, effectively captures the spirit of those involved in the felling and logging of timber in the early 1900s. Set against authentic wooden slabs and shingles, are displays of South Burnett timbers, artifacts and photos pertaining to the early timber industry in the region.A well stocked Gift Shop, featuring locally produced woodcraft, forms part of the incorporated Visitor Information Centre. In the Woodcrafters Workshop, constructed beside the Museum in 2003, local woodworkers regularly demonstrate their skills. A display of over 100 wooden mushrooms highlights the variety of timbers available. Open seven days a week from 9.00am to 4.00pm, except for Good Friday, ANZAC morning, Christmas and Boxing Days. Location: (Wondai Visitor Information Centre), 80 Haly Street, Wondai. Ph (07) 4168 5652.
Wondai Heritage Centre
Extending over 1600 sqm and separated into several differently themed environments, the Wondai Heritage Museum offers an insight into the development, and people of the Wondai town and district spanning 120 years. Set in the heart of friendly Wondai there is easy access to refreshments, shops, hotels and the Art Gallery, Timber Museum and Woodcrafters workshop. Authentic buildings include the relocated 1910 Wondai Hospital operating theatre; a 1930's slab barn; a machinery shed and the 1920s Oddfellows Hall. Entry is gold-coin donation. The museum is open Tuesday to Friday 10.00am to 3.00pm. Weekends and outside hours by prior arrangement. Location: 80 Mackenzie Street, Wondai. Ph (07) 4169 0987.5 km south of Wondai (on the road to Kingaroy) is the little hamlet of Tingoora which has a solitary hotel and an automobile museum which boasts over 2000 items displayed. Contact (07) 4168 5295 for details.
Murgon
16 km north west of Wondai on the Bunya Highway, the township of Murgon is more famous for its proximity to the famous Aboriginal reserve, originally known as Barambah Aboriginal Reserve and today known as Cherbourg, than for any specific attractions it may have.
The Dairy and Heritage Museum at Murgon recognises the importance of dairying in the early development of Queensland and especially in the South Burnett. Look out for the colourful 'Cavalcade of Cows' - large paintings in the shape of cows affixed to the fence. The Museum's displays are housed in the former Bank of New South Wales building (circa 1920) which was moved to the site in 1986. A working three bail dairy with an original milk line (circa 1940) and a herringbone pipeline system are set up in the grounds and available for viewing. Trinity House (c. 1893), an original Burnett slab construction homestead, and Castra (c. 1904). the first home built in Murgon, have been relocated to the Museum grounds and clearly depict the conditions under which the early pioneers lived. An early 20th century church, recently moved from Hivesville, has been set up as a chapel.
The Museum is open to the public between 9.30am and 12.30pm daily, or by appointment. The Museum welcomes tour groups and is particularly popular with schools. Butter making can be arranged for a small charge. Lunches and morning or afternoon teas are available upon request for a nominal fee. Sommerville Street off Gayndah Road, Murgon. Ph (07) 4169 5001.
The Cherbourg Aboriginal Community is located 5 km from Murgon and clearly signposted. It was established in 1900 and over the next five years, as part of the Queensland Government's segregation policy, Aborigines from 21 different language groups were forced to live together, including the remnants of the decimated Aborigines of Fraser Island. It was officially gazetted and established as Barambah Aboriginal Reserve in 1904. It is a comment on the resilience of these abused and maltreated people that they have managed to work together so that now the town, with a population of nearly 2,000, is regarded as a genuine Aboriginal success story.
Murgon is significant as the only fossil site in Australia that records a diverse vertebrate fauna dating from the early Tertiary Period (55 million years ago), approximately ten million years after the extinction of the dinosaurs. The site includes some outstanding fossil records, including the world's oldest fossil songbirds, the oldest fossil marsupial remains in Australia, a placental mammal (Condylarth), one of the world's oldest bats, the only known fossil remains of leiopelmatid frogs, and the only known fossils of salamanders in Australia.
Bjelke-Petersen Dam
Bjelke-Petersen Dam, also known as Lake Barambah or BP Dam, is just 15 kilometres from Murgon, at Moffatdale. It is a popular and well-equipped area for recreational freshwater fishing, birdwatching, boating, picnicking and camping / caravanning. Picnic areas, barbecues, a general store, a caravan and recreation park and a boat ramp with a large car park make this the ideal place to relax for a day or extended stay. Koalas, wallabies and kangaroos can be seen around the lake while the birdlife includes black swans, ducks, pelicans and cormorants. Bjelke-Petersen Dam is also a popular fesh water fishing spot. Location: Lake Barambah, Murgon.Lake Barambah is a 2150+ hectare inland lake created in the early 1980s when the Bjelke-Petersen Dam was built across Barkers Creek to supply water to the upper areas of the South Burnett. It offers world-class water-skiing, boating, fishing and water sports facilities and is one of the two great lakes of the South Burnett (the other is Lake Boondooma, west of Proston).
