Quiet rural service town in the North Burnett district
Biggenden is a small rural service town which lies below the granite cliffs of Mount Walsh. It is surrounded by mixed farming with citrus orchards, timber logging, piggeries, beef and dairy cattle and peanuts being the main products. Many of the more interesting features of the district are located some distance from the town - notably the Biggenden Mine, Coalstoun Lakes and Mount Walsh National Park.
Location
Biggenden is located 286 km north of Brisbane and 107 km west of Maryborough via Childers.
^ TOPOrigin of Name
It is likely that the town's name is the local First Nation word for stringybark trees.
^ TOPThings to See and Do
Biggenden Museum
Originally the Paradise Police Station and Court House, the Biggenden Museum is located at 8 Edward Street. It is a large low set single-storey timber structure on stumps with a corrugated iron clad hipped roof and exposed framework. Amusingly it was originally the top floor of the Paradise Court House. A number of ancillary buildings and structures are located to the southeast of the main building.
The Museum promotes the history of Biggenden and the surrounding district with displays of historical items and contains photographs and memorabilia collected since its opening. A new shed houses farming implements and items pertaining to life on the land.
The Biggenden Museum building functioned as the Biggenden Court House until the latter half of the twentieth century. The Biggenden Historical Society was formed in June, 1980 and the former courthouse building was donated to the Society by the Queensland Department of Works and Housing on the 5th of August, 1980. For more detailed information check out http://old.northburnett.qld.gov.au/res/file/Local%20Heritage%20Register/AE/Biggenden%20Museum.pdf. The museum is open from 9.00 am - 3.30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, tel: (07) 4127 1198.
The Pioneer Sculpture
"The Pioneer" metal art sculpture can be viewed in Beiers Park in Edward Street. It was created in 2009 by Bundaberg artist Dave Machen. The text accompanying the sculpture points out that it represents "Industries past - timber, cattle, mining. They were men of iron who battled for survival and shaped our modern development." The sculpture alludes to the remnants of old work sites. The old barrow is a common find throughout the Biggenden area around closed mines, cattle properties and old timber yards.
The Biggenden Rose
In 2016 the Biggenden Apex Rose Festival saw the unveiling of the Biggenden Rose in Edward Street. The local paper reported "Thanks to RADF funding, which is provided by the Queensland Government and North Burnett Regional Council, Biggenden will have a new permanent street art feature unveiled in Edward Street during the Rose Festival. The Biggenden Rose, created by local artist Craig Nelson, weighs in at close to two tonnes and will make visitors turn their heads for surely they have never seen a rose quite like it."
Biggenden Arts and Crafts Centre
Located at 17 Edward Street, and now operating as the town's Visitor Information Centre, the Biggenden Arts and Crafts Centre is a Community Shop run by volunteers which has a wide range of locally produced handcrafted dolls, bears, hand towels, chutneys, hats, artwork, plants, baby clothes, jewellery, metal art, bags, cards, honey, garden ornaments, soap, knee rugs. It also has a cafe and a "Green Room" where garden-related goods are sold. The shop is open Monday to Saturday. Check out https://biggendenartsandcrafts.simdif.com for more details. Open Monday to Friday 9.00 am – 3.00 pm. Saturday 9.00 am – 2.00 pm. Sunday 8.30 am- 12.30 pm.
Other Attractions in the Area
Biggenden Mine
Biggenden Mine is located 8 km out of town and is clearly signposted 4 km from Biggenden off the Isis Highway. The Biggenden Mine has been operating since 1888 with the production of bismuth and gold starting in 1890.
No one knows the exact quantities of minerals extracted from Biggenden Mine but the approximate figures give some indication of the changing focus of mining: approximately 6000 ounces of gold (1888-1901), 200 tons of bismuth (1901-1938) 330 000 tonnes of magnetite (1966 -1990), used in the treatment of export coal.
The excellent Crocoite site notes that in recent times it has become a popular place for mineral collectors because it contains excellent specimens of:
* large magnetite crystals
* secondary calcite crystals generally on primary calcite. The primary calcite fluoresces red but the secondary crystals do not fluoresce. There are commonly 2 or more generations of calcite present
* well-crystallised siderite
* fine crystals of epidote and actinolite
* crystals of arsenopyrite (some as cyclic twins), pyrite and chalcopyrite
* large quartz crystals, many of which are sceptred
* fine crystals of bismuthinite often found by leaching the primary calcite from vughs in the ore.
In addition, during the 1980s, crystals of the zeolites heulandite and laumontite were found, and recent examination of one specimen collected in 1984 by Keith and Margaret Brown of Echuca resulted in the discovery of sprays of colourless prismatic natrolite crystals." Remarkably over 80 minerals have been found in the mine.
There is a very detailed history and overview available from Crocoite, see http://www.crocoite.com/d/doku.php?id=biggenden_mine. Also Mindat.Org is well worth visiting at http://www.mindat.org/loc-42920.html. A recent visitor has noted: "The Biggenden Mines are not accessible to the public. The quarry business has blocked access."
The Chowey Bridge
Located 18 km north west of Biggenden via the Gooroolba-Biggenden Road, the Chowey Bridge was constructed for the railways and opened in 1905. This concrete bridge is supported by a main 27m concrete arch and a number of smaller arches. The last section of the route to the bridge is down a gravel road. The bridge itself is a beautifully proportioned concrete arch over a deep pool. This is an ideal place to experience the quietness of the bush whilst enjoying a picnic in the facilities nearby.
Mount Walsh National Park
Mount Walsh National Park covers an area of 5240 hectares, featuring a rugged undeveloped landscape of granite outcrops in a mountainous park of forested slopes and a diversity of vegetation from nine different plant communities, including some of the best subtropical vine forests in Queensland, which can be found in sheltered gullies. This habitat diversity is complemented by a range of fauna and birdlife which includes rare species such as the powerful owl, the grey goshawk and the peregrine falcon.
Bushwalking can be enjoyed at Mount Walsh but it is a challenging landscape and is only recommended for the fit and experienced hiker. Access is via the Maryborough-Biggenden Road. 2 km east of town, turn into the National Park Road and follow the signs for 5.4 km to a picnic area with tables, a barbecue, drinking water and pit toilets. Further along the road is Utopia Road which leads to a track which goes to Waterfall Creek Rock Pools. For more information check out http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-walsh/about.html. There is a downloadable map of the walks and the 4WD route to Coongara Rock at https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-walsh/pdf/mt-walsh-np-map.pdf.
Coalstoun Lakes National Park
Located 25 km south west of Biggenden via the Isis Highway, the Coulstoun Lakes are two old volcanic craters inside Mount Le Brun which fill with water after heavy rains. There is a 4.4 km (2-3 hours and quite difficult) walking track from Crater Lakes Road (it runs off the Isis Highway). There is an excellent downloadable map (https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/coalstoun-lakes/pdfs/coalstoun-lakes-map.pdf) which offers the description of the walk as "Walk up the steep, northern side of the crater to the crater rim for stunning views of the surrounding area. Descend to the first shallow lake and bird hide. Continue around the edge of the lake through dry rainforest, over a ridge with landscape views, and down to the second crater lake and bird hide. From this point, return on the same track back to the carpark."
History
* Prior to European settlement the area was occupied by the Waka Waka First Nation people.
* Biggenden came into existence in 1889 as a service centre to the goldrush towns of Paradise and Shamrock.
* The Paradise goldfield was formally proclaimed in 1890.
* The railway reached the town from Maryborough in 1891. The town was surveyed the same year.
* Biggenden Post Office opened in 1891.
* By 1892 Paradise had a population of 2,000 and seven hotels.
* Biggenden State School opened in 1900.
* The town's Capitol Theatre opened in the 1920s.
* A hospital was opened in 1921.
* By 1958 the town had a Secondary School.
* Paradise was drowned under the waters of the Paradise Dam in 2005.
^ TOPVisitor Information
Biggenden Arts and Crafts Centre, 21 Edward Street, tel: 0460 503 693
^ TOPUseful Websites
The official local website, with useful information about accommodation and things to see, can be found at http://northburnett.org/destinations/biggenden.
^ TOP
Grand Hotel is the best pub in town
The Commercial Hotel Motel is far superior. Cheers
Now let’s not have a fight about it. I am sure that both are very good.
No fights at the Grand….very much a family pub
Biggenden Arts and Crafts Centre Inc. is a Not-for-Profit community gift shop run entirely by volunteers. There is a huge variety of locally handmade merchandise available at very reasonable prices. No visit to Biggenden would be complete without a trip to this beautiful art and craft centre
The Biggenden Mines are not accessible to the public. The quarry business has blocked access.
My Great Grandfather, William Henry Walsh , a Pastoralist and a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly settled Degilbo in the 1840s (Degilbo is Obliged spelt backwards. Hence Walsh Bluff and Mount Walsh National Park. Remember Queensland did not become a separate state until 1859. At the time Degilbo station covered almost 3,000 square miles. The original homestead was burnt down but the remains of the stone kitchen are still there. A MAGNIFICENT MEMORIAL TO WILLIAM HENRY WALSH , MLA BUILT AT THE TOOWONG CEMETERY, BRISBANE, BY THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY STILL STANDS IN HIS APPRECIATION!! I THINK THERE IS MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HIM IN A BOOK CALLED “BIGGENDEN’S BEGINNINGS “!!!!! Phone No. 0416 587735
Hello my name is Ann-Marie Allan and I am the grand daughter of Robert and Moorie Archer former proprietors of the Capitol Theatre in Biggenden. My grand parents owned 34 George St which they sold to the Whites when they left Biggenden and came to Brisbane. I’m curious about the history from 1920 – I know J Archer had the Theatre before my grandfather. Can you help me with more history?
Biggenden Arts and Crafts Centre Inc has now relocated to 17 Edward Street, Biggenden. There is no cafe or Green Room in the new premises at this stage.
Wall of Fame and Pioneer Walk in Beiers Park is a photographic display of 104 early settlers, incudes a short biography of each settler.
So very interesting and informative too! I live in Queensland but knew very little of the history of any areas here! So this helps me see different areas in a different light and a greater connection to the place and its history and people too! Thank you for all of this information!
Hi, I’m trying to find information about Bloomfield 1870 ?
Flood maps would be good for people wanting to move out there. Thanks
Biggenden Arts And Crafts Centre Inc
A must visit for all Arts And Crafts Lovers. Open Monday to Friday 9 am – 3 pm. Saturday 9 am – 2pm. Sunday 8.30 am- 12.30 pm. Address 15- 17 Edward Street Biggenden.