Nanango is a moderately large country town and has a very friendly and informal
atmosphere.
The CBD features impressive
chainsaw sculptures and
murals
which reflect the town's historical connections with timber-felling, farming
and mining. Nanango has a low-humidity climate (cool summers and brisk winters)
and is surrounded by vine scrublands and eucalypt forests. The massive
Tarong Power Station and
Meandu Coal Mine are located 16km
to the south of the town and the
Bunya Mountains are located about
53km to the south-west.
Nanango has a very long history and a great deal of it is preserved in its
buildings - especially Ringsfield House, a wonderfully restored circa
1908 Queenslander developed by architect Robin Dods and now the headquarters
of the Nanango Historical Society (Ringsfield is open to visitors
most days of the week).
Nanango also has a vigorous cultural and sporting life and is host to an
art gallery, several potteries and many craft outlets. The town also has
many clubs and a range of sporting facilities including an RSL, bike, darts,
golf, bowling and archery clubs. The are 13 well-maintained parklands in
the Shire which naturalists believe are home to 250 different bird species.
Nanango also has several museums and a number of live entertainment
venues which regularly host performances by local theatre and musical groups.
The Lee Park race track - not far south of the CBD - hosts around
8 meetings each year; and in recent years several vineyards and cellar doors
have been developed close to Nanango as well.
Major annual events include the international Criterium Bike Race
(held in Nanango's CBD in February); the Nanango Show (held at the
Nanango Showgrounds in April); the Nanango Arts Festival (held over
a week in June); the Nanango Country Music Muster (held at the Showgrounds
in September); the week-long Pioneer Festival (in October) and the
Christmas Carnival (in December).
