🔍

Banana

QLD 4702 • Queensland

348
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
939.67 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoric

About Banana

Banana is a small rural town and locality in Central Queensland, situated approximately 130 kilometres west of Rockhampton within the Banana Shire. The town had a population of around 348 people at the 2021 Census and covers a vast area of nearly 940 square kilometres of pastoral country. Its unusual name dates to the 1860s and is attributed to a beloved, yellowish dun-coloured bullock named Banana who was a favourite of local stockmen and helped yard wild cattle in the district. The town sits along the Dawson Highway and serves as a service centre for surrounding cattle stations and agricultural properties.

Life in Banana revolves around the land — the beef cattle industry remains the economic backbone of the area, alongside coal mining and cropping on the rich black-soil plains of the Dawson Valley. The community is tight-knit, with the Banana State School, local pub, and the Banana Hall forming the social heart of this remote outback town. The area is popular with grey nomads and road-trippers travelling the Dawson Highway between the coast and outback Queensland, and the Zamia Theatre — a unique open-air cinema — adds a touch of unexpected charm. Residents enjoy a low cost of living, wide open spaces, and the authentic character of Queensland's pastoral interior.

Banana falls under postcode 4702 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Rockhampton electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4702
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Flynn
State Electorate
Rockhampton
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-23.28°, 150.89°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
939.67 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Greyhound / Queensland Bus — Rockhampton / Taroom Approx. 2 hrs to Rockhampton

Commute to Rockhampton

Distance
130 km
By Train
No direct rail service; nearest station is Moura (freight only)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 30 min

🛣️ Accessible via Dawson Highway; no passenger rail service to the town

Walkability Car-Dependent

Remote rural town; car essential for all travel beyond the town centre

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
348
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
N/A
Income 2021
N/A
▲ 0% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the town called Banana? +

The town of Banana is named after a bullock from the 1860s known for its yellowish, dun-coloured coat. The animal was a favourite of local stockmen and played a key role in herding wild cattle on the Dawson Plains.

What is the population of Banana QLD? +

According to the 2021 Census, the locality of Banana had a population of 348 people.

What is the main industry in Banana? +

The beef cattle industry is the primary economic driver in Banana, alongside coal mining and agriculture across the Banana Shire's black-soil plains.

How far is Banana from Rockhampton? +

Banana is approximately 130 kilometres west of Rockhampton via the Dawson Highway, about a 1.5-hour drive.

Is there a school in Banana? +

Yes, Banana State School serves the local community and surrounding rural properties in the area.