TOURS ATTRACTIONS BILOELA

Beautiful Betsy is a World War II B-24D Liberator Bomber aircraft which tragically crashed in Kroombit Tops National Park in 1945, its whereabouts unknown until it was discovered in 1994. The Beautiful Betsy Walk leads to the crash site of the bomber, on the drier western side of the plateau. Read the signs along the walk to learn more about this tragedy and how the crash site was discovered many years later.

Greycliffe Homestead was originally built in the 1870s and constructed of slabs cut with adze and a pitsaw, rafters were crafted from round bush timber and it featured a shingle roof. The homestead was owned by the Nott Family, who, whilst residing in the home along with their seven children, renovated it in the 1920s and the shingled roof replaced by a pyramid shaped iron one. The Greycliffe Homestead was in the Nott family for 100 years, but after the last of the Notts died in 1974, it was apparent that the old homestead could not be sustained in its current location. In 1979, it was relocated by the Banana Shire Historical Society (in two sections) to where it now resides, some 37kilometres away on Gladstone Road in Biloela. Greycliffe has been listed by the National Trust of Queensland as an essential element of the National Estate, worthy of preservation at all costs! As well as the homestead, there is a blacksmith shop, slab kitchen and a shed housing the bullock dray, tip dray.

Lake Callide is located 12 kilometres from Biloela via sealed road and approximately 90 kilometres south-west of Gladstone via the Dawson Highway. While compact, the lake provides visitors with rewarding fishing - especially for golden perch (yellowbelly) and has in recent times been well stocked with barramundi. Red-claw is abundant and it's well worth placing (tagged) traps for a catch of the tasty crayfish. A variety of other freshwater species are available to you and anglers report good success from bank fishing though the boat ramps make this an ideal spot for to launch a boat and follow the fish with a sounder. The lake also attracts a wide variety of birdlife and the local region includes some spectacular scenery at nearby Kroombit Tops National Park. It is a comfortable drive from the major cities of Gladstone, Rockhampton and popular costal areas. Camping is available along the lake, which also has toilets, picnic tables and a playground.

Rising 150 metres above the cultivated plains, Mount Scoria is a striking local landmark. Formed by volcanic activity 20-26 million years ago, this volcanic plug features many-sided basalt columns. Mount Scoria is the only mountain like it in Australia. From this short cultural trail in Mount Scoria Conservation Park walkers get a good view of the unusual columns. Interpretive signs explain the significance of the mountain to the Gangulu people and describe how the landscape formed.