Cities & Towns, Published 26 May 2026
Ever been to a town that’s literally named after a bullock?
If you’re driving through Central Queensland and find yourself in the town of Banana, don’t go looking for fruit plantations - you probably won’t find many!
Instead, you’re standing in a town named after a 19th-century legend: Banana the bullock.
According to local tradition, back in the 1860s Banana was a famous “decoy” bullock - a large dun-coloured beast with a yellowish tinge that earned him the nickname “Banana.” Stockmen reportedly used him to help lure wild cattle into yards where they could be captured.
When the old bullock eventually died, the nearby creek became known as Banana Creek. Later, the township and eventually the entire Shire took on the same name.
Fun facts about Banana:
There’s a life-sized statue of the legendary bullock in the middle of town.
Banana is the administrative centre of Banana Shire - a huge region covering thousands of square kilometres.
Despite the name, the area is far better known for beef, coal and agriculture than bananas.
So next time you peel a banana, spare a thought for the famous yellow bullock who became one of Queensland’s most unusual place names.
Have you visited any other Aussie towns with strange or funny names? Let us know below
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