Banana, Queensland

Banana Queensland
Statue of the bullock "Banana", 2014
Banana
Coordinates	24°28′20″S 150°07′41″E / 24.47222°S 150.12806°E / -24.47222; 150.12806Coordinates: 24°28′20″S 150°07′41″E / 24.47222°S 150.12806°E / -24.47222; 150.12806
Population	377 (2011 census)
Postcode(s)	4702
LGA(s)	Shire of Banana
State electorate(s)	Callide
Federal Division(s)	Flynn
Localities around Banana: Kokotungo Woolein Orange Creek Baralaba Moura Banana Prospect Taramba Kianga Lonesome Creek Castle Creek

Banana is a small town and rural locality in the Shire of Banana, Central Queensland, Australia. In the 2011 census, Banana had a population of 377 people.

Banana is located at the intersection of the Dawson and Leichhardt highways, 46 kilometres (29 mi) west of the shire's administrative centre, Biloela.

The town was named in the early 1860s. The name derives from an old dun-coloured working bullock, called Banana, used by local stockmen to help them when herding some of the wilder cattle into the yards.

At the time of the Canoona rush, gold was found in Banana's Gully (as it was then called) and a town of at least 2,000 people sprang up there.

The post office at Banana was established on 1 September 1861.

Banana Provisional School opened on 18 September 1871 and was upgraded to Banana State School on 16 February 1874. The school closed in 1935, but reopened on 25 January 1960.

In 1880, the local government area Banana Division (later the Shire of Banana) was established with its headquarters in Banana (taking its name from the town). However, in 1930 the shire headquarters became Rannes and the shire offices were physically relocated from Banana to Rannes. Since 1946, the shire has its headquarters in Biloela.

The beef industry is still a mainstay of the town and area, along with coal and agriculture.

Banana State School is a government primary (P-7) school at 36 Bramston Street (24°28′09″S 150°07′52″E / 24.469134°S 150.131069°E / -24.469134; 150.131069 (Banana State School)). In 2012, there were 37 students enrolled with 3 teachers (2.5 full-time equivalent). There is no secondary school in Banana; the nearest are in Moura to the west and Biloela to the east.