Things to See and Do
There are lots of things to see and do during your visit to Murgon and the South Burnett.
We have had a video done showing not only what you find at the Murgon City Motor Inn but also showing a drones view of Murgon, Boat Mountain, Wineries plus Bjelke-Petersen Dam, Dairy Museum, Timber Museum and more.
You can find lots more information about things to see and do during your stay in the articles below.
Bjelke-Petersen Dam, also known as Lake Barambah or BP Dam, is just 15 kilometres from Murgon, at Moffatdale in the South Burnett. It is a popular and well-equipped area for recreational freshwater fishing, birdwatching, boating, picnicking and camping / caravanning. Picnic areas, barbecues, a general store, a caravan and recreation park and a boat ramp with a large car park make this the ideal place to relax for a day or extended stay.
Bjelke-Petersen Dam covers 2,500 hectares, and holds 1,450,000 megalitres of water, which is used for irrigation and water supply to the towns of Murgon and Cherbourg.
Koalas, wallabies and kangaroos can be seen around the lake while the birdlife includes black swans, ducks, pelicans and cormorants.
Bjelke-Petersen Dam is a popular fresh water fishing spot. A permit (obtainable from the kiosk) is required. The dam is routinely stocked with Golden Perch (or Yellowbelly), Australian Bass and Silver Perch and you can also catch red claw (no permit required).
The Wondia Timber Museum showcases the history of the South Burnett’s timber industry, which underpinned the early settlement of the region and has continued to play an important part in its development.
The traditional timber structure is flanked by life-size sculptures of a bullocky and his head bullocks, an old water-well and post-and-rail fence.
Inside, the wagon camp diorama, complete with restored bullock wagon, effectively captures the spirit of those involved in the felling and logging of timber in the early 1900s. Set against authentic wooden slabs and shingles, are displays of South Burnett timbers, artifacts and photos pertaining to the early timber industry in the region.
We use the Ration Shed as a space to tell our stories and we would like visitors to see and experience what life was like for our people living under the Aboriginal Protection Act during the first half of the 20th century, as well as show them the many wonderful aspects of Aboriginal culture and contemporary Cherbourg life.
We hope 2016 is going to be a good year. We have lots of projects and improvements planned for this year. We are adding another historical building to our site – The Domestic Science building. This is where we were sent to be trained as domestic workers and house maids. The building is being restored and renovated and we will be running the HIPPY project there (Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters) and the Many Threads group (a craft initiative) will be housed there.
Take a leisurely drive up to the Tableland district justoutside Murgon. You can enjoy a picnic at the neat and well maintained Kapernick Park which overlooks the South Burnett valley. On a clear day you can see the Bunya Mountains to the south-west. Easily accessible by car and a nice option for those who might find the walk up Boat Mountain too difficult.
Best to access the Kapernick Lookout picnic area from the Murgon - Gayndah Road.
Explore Jack Smith Scrub
Jack Smith donated this small patch of softwood scrub in hilly country north-west of Murgon. Go bird watching perhaps..... more than 40 species of birds have been seen in the park including the black-breasted button-quail which leaves circular depressions on the track as it spins around feeding on the forest floor. See brush-turkey mounds beside the walking track.
If you visit in spring, you will see the creamy flowers of the wonga vine which twists around the tree trunks. Camping is not allowed in the park. Jack Smith donated this small patch of softwood scrub in hilly country north-west of Murgon. Jack Smith Regional Park preserves a valuable remnant of the once vast dry rainforests that have since been largely cleared for agriculture.
This distinctive flat-topped ridge shaped like an upturned boat is covered in dry rainforest and open eucalypt woodland. At 589m, Boat Mountain is a local landmark in the Murgon area and the headwaters of four creeks. Most of the vegetation was originally hoop pine rainforest but now is a mixture of softwood scrub and vine thicket following logging. More than 130 plant species grow here including rare plants. Common trees include the small-leaved tuckeroo, white tamarind, leopard ash and native holly. The park also contains grassy open eucalypt woodland with stringybarks and grey gums.
Exploring Boat Mountain:
Relax and enjoy nature in this small park. Have a picnic with a view on the edge of the park. Only picnic tables are provided. Walk to two lookouts for views over the surrounding countryside. Go bird watching. The park has at least 46 species of birds including rufous whistlers, black-faced cuckoo-shrikes, double-barred finches, red-backed wrens, honeyeaters, fantails, doves and pigeons. You might also see black-striped wallabies and echidnas by day or pygmy-possums and sugar gliders at night. See the dish-shaped depressions on the track made by the black-breasted button-quail as it spins around feeding. Bandicoot diggings can be seen along the track. See the vine forest and great views along the walking track. Wear protective clothing to avoid being scratched by prickly shrubs. The full circuit includes Braithwaites Lookout and the vine scrub walk. Camping is not allowed in the park.
Please note: It is quite a long and gradual climb to the top then it flattens out as you walk to the lookouts. A fair degree of fitness would be required to climb to the top and there are many steps which do help. If you're not up to a walk in the Conservation Park, we recommend you still take a drive up that way through the Tableland district and take in the magnificent views from Kapernick Park which can be easily accessed by car.
Clovely Estate is a leading Queensland winery from the South Burnett region, approximately three hours drive north-west of Brisbane.
We pride ourselves on producing premium estate-grown and alternate varietals that are generous in quality, flavour and occasion. As a family-owned business with long standing ties to the South Burnett, we are passionate for championing the quality of Queensland wine and sustainable, local produce.
“Moffatdale Ridge” draws it’s name from the heart of the south Burnett’s wine growing region Moffatdale. A name brought to the region by the early German settlers.
Jason and Susan Kinsella and their three children have a long family association with the region, dating back four generations.
Moffatdale Ridge is situated on a 360 acre property, selected by Susan’s grandfather almost a century ago.
The first vines were planted in 1996 with wine production commencing in 2001.
Jason is a self taught winemaker who makes his wines and liqueurs in a distinctive style, designed to suit local Queensland growing and drinking conditions. The wines are refreshingly different: crisp and light whites, soft and delicious reds and amazingly tasty fortified wines and liqueurs.
While in Murgon, pop out and visit The Queensland Dairy & Heritage Museum located on the edge of town off Gayndah Rd at 2 Sommerville Street.
Times have certainly changed since the early days of hand churned butter and cheese. There was a time when most of us knew someone in the family who had a dairy farm. The Murgon Dairy Museum documents and reflects the progress of the dairy industry in Murgon and the South Burnett and has a lot to offer in the way of interest for visitors.
The Museum caters for Tour Groups of all ages. Guides are available for you to enjoy the experience and learn about the history of dairying (somedays they'll even start up the old McDonald Milking Machine engine). Audio Boxes are also set up in some of the buildings. You will also see other aspects of how life was for the early settlers.
Admission is by donation of $5 for adults & $3 for children...which will help towards future development of the complex. Butter making can be arranged for a small charge. Lunches and morning or afternoon teas are available upon request for a nominal fee.This is a community museum project, totally run by volunteers.
Open daily: 9.30am - 12.30pm (Closed some public holidays). Other times for groups can be booked by prior arrangement.
Special events are held at times throughout the year. PH. (07) 4169 5001
 is required. The dam is routinely stocked with Golden Perch (or Yellowbelly), Australian Bass and Silver Perch and you can also catch red claw (no permit required).){kind=link}
 and the Many Threads group (a craft initiative) will be housed there.){kind=link}
. Audio Boxes are also set up in some of the buildings. You will also see other aspects of how life was for the early settlers. Admission is by donation of $5 for adults & $3 for children...which will help towards future development of the complex. Butter making can be arranged for a small charge. Lunches and morning or afternoon teas are available upon request for a nominal fee.This is a community museum project, totally run by volunteers. Open daily: 9.30am - 12.30pm (Closed some public holidays). Other times for groups can be booked by prior arrangement. Special events are held at times throughout the year. PH. (07) 4169 5001){kind=link}