Location
NANANGO
What it is?
Nanango is an average small country town located approximately 200km NW of Brisbane. It has all of your basic needs including: a good sized IGA; 3 caravan parks; bakeries and cafes; pubs; fuel (one even has Autogas); post office with parcel lockers and more. The Burnett Highway (A3) starts at Nanango and travels N to Rockhampton, passing through the North Burnett (add link to our NBRC page) and Banana regions. The Burnett Highway forms part of Australia’s Country Way (more information can be found here for ACW).
What it offers?
A good sized small country town. There are various historical sites of interest and one of the best markets that I have ever attended. The markets are held the first Saturday of the month and the Nanango market is recognised as the largest rural market in SE Queensland. If you are planning on being in the area close to the first Saturday of the month, it is definitely worth hanging around for the markets. They literally have everything, except ready to eat food and coffee, for some reason there are no coffee vans or the like, you can only purchase this from the show society kitchen, so if you don’t want to be in a crowded area grabbing food, do what I did and grab the food first. When we start our farm we will definitely return to these markets to stock up as the range of items for sale is vast and includes: massive range of food plants; animals including ducks, chickens, guinea fowl, dogs, cats; linen; locally grown produce; sculptures; metal laser cut signage; and lots lots more (see photos).
There are plenty of State Forests to explore if you like 4WDs, but not a lot in the way of waterholes for swimming.
There is a 5.8km community walk/run every Saturday at the Ros Gregor walking circuit. The new South Burnett Rail Trail is a cycle and horse riding trail that is 55kms and connects Yarraman, Nanango and Kingaroy; this is an extension of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail track for cyclists (Horses are not allowed to go past Murgon due to the tick line, please obey this).
There is also 18kms of mountain bike track at the nearby Bunya Mountains to explore.
Wheelchair Access?
May require assistance.
What we did?
We visited the Visitor Information Centre and walked around the Energy Centre display and into the Engine Room Museum; Michael even hopped on the bike and peddled away to see the lights show how energy is formed and stored. He stopped before it released a gobstopper, there to encourage kids. There was a QR code there to download the Heritage Trail information, It was raining so we drove the trail around town. It is spoken by local people who were alive/attended/or worked in the various location and they recount a story about their time at the 14 different locations. After driving the historical sites we followed the Historical Mural walk (again in the car due to rain) and found the chainsaw sculptures as well (you can find a list of the murals and locations HERE). Coomba Falls is a local swimming hole that we visited twice: the first time there was no water flowing and the swimming area was stagnant water, which other people didn’t mind swimming in, but we choose not to; the second time was after a bit of heavy rainfall to see if the falls were flowing. It was flowing and the stagnant water was much cleaner and clearer. The area has a really nice chill vibe to it and we sat for a bit and just people watched and chilled.
Highlight?
Without a doubt, the monthly markets!
Would I do it again?
Nanango was our base for the three months we were in the region. It is a nice little town with everything you need.
I will definitely return to the markets to buy plants etc. when we get our farm.
What do you need?
As a couple: Pre-downloaded maps on your phone (reception is patchy between towns); water bottles; stainless steel coffee cup; healthy snacks; wide brim hat: sunscreen; bug spray; good sturdy shoes; umbrella for sun/rain; jacket; picnic and picnic blanket.
With Kids: water; snacks; wide brim hat; sunscreen; bug spray; good sturdy shoes.
With Pets: Pets were allowed at the van parks in town. Water, bowls and lead.
Yearly Events
Nanango Heritage Country Music Muster – September
Waterhole Rocks – October
Nanango Campdraft
Nanango Races – Quarterly events throughout the year
Arts Festival
Pioneer Festival
Nanango show and shine – second weekend in April
Dead Cow Gully: an ultra-marathon race held on a cattle property – runner complete a 6.7km loop every hour until the last runner is left standing – April
Nanango Markets – recognised as the largest rural market in SE Queensland – first Saturday of the month (6am -12noon).
Nanango Church Yard OP Shop Markets – 110 Burnett St – firth Sunday of the month (7am-11:30am)