From stargazing festivals beneath the Bunya Mountains to peanut-flinging fun in Kingaroy, the South Burnett Region is bursting with stories that reflect resilience, pride, and community spirit. In 2024 and 2025, towns across this vibrant pocket of Queensland—big and small—have come alive with events, upgrades, and grassroots achievements that showcase the heart of regional Australia.
South Burnett Advocate is proud to spotlight these uplifting moments, drawing on local media, council updates, tourism reports, and the voices of everyday residents. Whether it’s a restored community hall, a booming festival, or a youth sports camp, each story weaves into the rich tapestry that is the South Burnett.
Kingaroy
117th Kingaroy Show (3–4 May 2025): Hailed as “the best for years”, the show attracted thousands for bull riding, speedway, and agricultural displays. Local businesses saw a $300,000 boost, with the peanut and pork industries taking centre stage. Social media buzzed as @KingaroyShow’s bull ride photos drew 300 retweets, reflecting the town’s vibrant spirit.
Source: South Burnett Online
South Burnett Peanut Festival (March 2025): Revived to celebrate Kingaroy’s peanut capital status, the festival drew 8,000 visitors for markets and the “Peanut Toss”, generating $200,000 for the local economy. Instagram’s #KingaroyPeanutFest racked up 500 likes, with many praising the “nutty fun”.
Source: Visit South Burnett
Infrastructure: A $300,000 water main replacement along Glendon Street, started in April 2025, ensures reliable water supply and reinforces Kingaroy’s role as a regional hub.
Source: South Burnett Regional Council
Wooroolin
Wetlands Revitalisation: A $150,000 council investment in 2024 added accessible trails and birdwatching hides, with 50 volunteers planting 300 native species.
Source: South Burnett Regional Council
Wooroolin Eco-Festival (October 2024): The inaugural festival drew 500 visitors for wildlife tours, with a 2025 photography competition planned to boost eco-tourism.
Source: South Burnett Online
South Burnett Rail Trail Cycling Event (April 2025): Sixty participants rode to Wooroolin as part of a mental health program, stopping at the wetlands and highlighting community spirit.
Source: ABC Rural
Kumbia
Kumbia Hall Upgrade: The community hall’s $100,000 renovation, completed in 2024, was celebrated with a country music night raising $1,500 for charity. Weekly craft workshops now strengthen ties with Goodger and Haly Creek.
Source: Burnett Today
Youth Agricultural Workshop (October 2024): A $50,000 council grant funded a workshop teaching 30 students sustainable peanut farming, inspiring the next generation.
Source: South Burnett Online
Memerambi
Junior Cricket League Champions (March 2024): The Memerambi Mavericks’ win was celebrated with a community barbecue that raised $2,000 for sports equipment. Building on this success, a 2025 youth sports camp—funded by the council’s Active Women and Girls Program—aims to expand opportunities for local kids and young athletes.
Source: South Burnett Online
Nanango
Heritage Markets Expansion (November 2024): The monthly markets added 20 stalls and now draw 1,500 visitors monthly, generating a 10% business boost, with plans underway for a 2025 heritage festival.
Source: Visit South Burnett, South Burnett Online
Nanango Aerodrome Reopening (21 February 2025): The $1.2 million upgrade created 15 jobs and drew 20 aircraft for the fly-in event, boosting local cafes and benefiting nearby communities.
Source: South Burnett Regional Council
Blackbutt
Avocado Festival (14 September 2024): The festival drew 12,000 visitors and generated $500,000 with avocado tosses and Avo Ale tastings. The 2025 event will feature an “Avo Innovation Hub”.
Source: Burnett Today, Tourism and Events Queensland
Lions Facility Upgrade: A $200,000 facility upgrade supports local events, with the reopening barbecue celebrated online.
Source: South Burnett Regional Council
Maidenwell & Bunya Mountains
Maidenwell Stargazing Festival (August 2025): The 2024 pilot event drew 300 visitors, boosting B&Bs by $50,000. The festival benefits the Bunya Mountains and Glan Devon, with improved roads via a $500,000 project.
Source: Visit South Burnett, South Burnett Online
Bunya Mountains Cultural Tours: Wakka Wakka-led tours launched in July 2024, educating 1,000 visitors and creating 10 Indigenous jobs. A 2025 Bunya Festival reenactment is planned.
Source: Visit South Burnett
Murgon & Cherbourg
Citizenship Ceremony (March 2025): Six new Australians were welcomed during Harmony Week, with cultural performances and a strong sense of inclusivity.
Source: Burnett Today
Burnett Unity Festival (June 2024): The event drew 800 attendees and raised $10,000 for youth programs, highlighting cultural pride and benefiting neighbouring communities.
Source: ABC Rural
Moffatdale
Wine Trail Success: The wine trail won a Queensland Tourism Award in December 2024. The October Wine and Food Festival drew 2,500 visitors, increasing winery revenues by 15%.
Source: Visit South Burnett, Burnett Today
Cloyna
Community Garden Expansion (November 2024): A $20,000 council grant funded a greenhouse, with a harvest festival drawing 100 locals. A 2025 school program is planned.
Source: South Burnett Online, South Burnett Regional Council
Roadworks: A $300,000 upgrade to Tingoora Chelmsford Road, launched in March 2025, is improving transport access and safety for Cloyna and surrounding areas.
Source: South Burnett Regional Council
Wondai
Garden Expo (April & September 2024): Each expo drew 5,000 visitors and generated $200,000. The 2025 Autumn Expo will feature a “Green Living” series, supported by the council’s online booking portal.
Source: Burnett Today, South Burnett Regional Council
Timber Festival (June 2025): Building on the success of 2024, the 2025 Timber Festival attracted 1,000 visitors and generated $50,000 in economic activity, while promoting sustainable forestry and cross-town collaboration.
Source: South Burnett Online
Proston
Youth Sports Camp (January 2025): Funded by a $30,000 council grant, the camp engaged 40 kids in cricket and soccer, inspired by Carl Rackemann’s visit. The Bike 4 Burns charity ride stopped in Proston in May 2025, raising $5,000 for local causes.
Source: ABC Rural, South Burnett Online
Hivesville
Heritage Walking Trail (October 2024): The new trail, funded by a $40,000 grant, drew 120 locals at its opening, with guided tours planned for 2025.
Source: South Burnett Online
Crawford & Gordonbrook
Rural Safety Upgrades: Crawford received a $30,000 grant for improved signage and a $50,000 bus shelter, boosting safety for the community and nearby towns.
Source: South Burnett Regional Council, South Burnett Online
Gordonbrook Dam Upgrade: A $200,000 upgrade added picnic areas and fishing platforms, with nature tours launched in December 2024. A fishing day drew 200 locals, with kayaking tours planned for 2025.
Source: Visit South Burnett, Burnett Today
Booie
Community Art Workshop (November 2024): Led by local artist Sarah Thompson and funded by a $15,000 grant, the workshop showcased regional landscapes. The Ros Gregor Walking Track’s $100,000 repair, completed December 2024, boosts local recreation.
Source: South Burnett Online, South Burnett Regional Council
Boondooma & Durong
Scots in the Bush Festival (August 2024): The festival drew 3,500 visitors for highland games, generating $100,000. The Spirit of the Bush festival in April attracted 2,000, with more events planned for 2025.
Source: Burnett Today, Visit South Burnett
Other Localities
Beyond the larger towns, South Burnett is home to many smaller communities that contribute quietly but powerfully to the region’s vitality. These localities have embraced regional programs, participated in events, and benefited from shared infrastructure upgrades, environmental projects, and cultural initiatives.
Some of these vibrant communities include:
Coolabunia, Ellesmere, Goodger, Haly Creek, Inverlaw, Taabinga, Benarkin, Benarkin North, Brooklands, East Nanango, South Nanango, Taromeo, Tablelands, Windera, Wooroonden, Cushnie, Ficks Crossing, Mondure, Tingoora, Wheatlands, Byee, Glenrock, Ironpot, Kawl Kawl, Marshlands, Runnymede, Silverleaf, Tarong, and Wattle Camp.
Coolabunia, Ellesmere, Goodger, Haly Creek, Inverlaw, Taabinga, Benarkin, Benarkin North, Brooklands, East Nanango, South Nanango, Taromeo, Tablelands, Windera, Wooroonden, Cushnie, Ficks Crossing, Mondure, Tingoora, Wheatlands, Byee, Glenrock, Ironpot, Kawl Kawl, Marshlands, Runnymede, Silverleaf, Tarong, and Wattle Camp.
Together, these smaller places form the foundation of a resilient and interconnected South Burnett—where no town is too small to make a difference.
Do you have a positive story about your town or region in the South Burnett?
South Burnett Advocate invites you to share your experiences, achievements, and community events. Whether it’s a festival, a local hero, a new initiative, or a story of resilience—your voice matters.
Submit your article or story to the South Burnett Advocate and help us celebrate the spirit of our region!