South Burnett Regional: Museums, Wine and Landscapes

The South Burnett region is in southeast Queensland, about two hours northwest of Brisbane. Between the Bunya Mountains and the Burnett River, the landscape is shaped by farmland, rolling hills and national parks. In South Burnett Regional, different travel interests sit side by side: the Rail Trail through rural areas, museums with local and regional focuses, and wineries, cellar doors and leisurely lunches. For your stay, you can decide whether to focus on landscapes, history, fossils, or wine and food.

Rail Trail through agricultural landscapes

The sealed section of the South Burnett Rail Trail passes through agricultural areas and runs by numerous small towns. This defines the character of the route: a sealed surface, agricultural landscapes and small towns. In 2019, six signposted and mapped loop rides opened around the Rail Trail. This section describes the route of the sealed trail; the six loop rides are additional, separately designated routes around the Rail Trail.

Wine and regional food culture

South Burnett offers award-winning wineries, boutique cellar doors, relaxed leisurely lunches and beautiful views over vineyards. If you would like to visit a specific business, check the latest information beforehand, as individual operators and opening arrangements may change.

Museums: local history, nature and fossils

The Wondai Heritage Museum offers insights into the development and people of Wondai and its district over 120 years, across more than 1,600 square metres. The Roy Emerson Museum preserves and shares the history of the surrounding South Burnett region. The two museums therefore differ in their frame of reference: Wondai and its district on the one hand, and the surrounding region on the other. Before visiting the Wondai Heritage Museum, check the latest opening arrangements, as these may change.

Cedarvale is located in Dandabah in the Bunya Mountains. The museum tells the story of First Nations people and early settlers in the Bunya Mountains; collections and displays about the flora and fauna are also included.

The “55 Million Years Ago” Museum and Art Gallery in Murgon comprises a fossil museum and a local art gallery. In Murgon, the Murgon Fossil Site documents a diverse vertebrate fauna from more than 55 million years ago. The cultural offering therefore ranges from local art to palaeontological history. Opening hours and exhibitions may change, so check the latest information before visiting.

At the Dairy and Heritage Museum in Murgon, butter-making demonstrations are available by arrangement for a small fee; confirm the details before travelling. The site has a working three-stand dairy with original milk lines and a herringbone pipe system, which visitors can tour. As operating details may change, check the current status of the facility before your visit.

Choosing a hotel for your trip

When looking for a hotel in South Burnett Regional, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on during your stay. When making your specific choice, consider how the location of a hotel you are considering suits your own sightseeing plans.

Discover more destinations: Southern Downs Regional, Sunshine Coast Regional, Burdekin Shire, Livingstone Shire, North Burnett Regional, Gold Coast City, Longreach Regional, Gladstone Regional

For the main travel overview: Queensland.