🔍

Banana

QLD 4702 • Queensland

348
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
939.67 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoric
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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 Banana Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Flynn, while state elections fall under the Rockhampton electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4702
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Banana
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
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4702

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4702, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$49,286
Median 2023–24
$61,737
▲ 25.3% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$72,932

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4702; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 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)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Banana Local Government Area, which contains Banana. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
460.8 / 100k
2yr Down 46.3% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
210.7 / 100k
2yr Down 21.4% 10yr Up 241.0%
Non-FV assault
1,000.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 255.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
13.2 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
197.5 / 100k
2yr Down 57.3% 10yr Up 43.9%
View all offence categories for Banana →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

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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.

Is Banana a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Banana is part of the Banana LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

What is the population of Banana? +

Banana had a population of 348 at the 2021 Census.