About 155 kilometres south-west of Biloela along the Theodore-Eidsvold Road, you’ll find Cracow – a tiny ghost town packed with surprises.
There’s some dispute as to why pastoralist John Ross named the area Cracow back in 1851. Some say it was in reverence to the Polish who had fought valiantly for independence, while others say it was the sound of a cracking whip.
No matter though, because in 1875 the town became known for gold!
Sparking a century-long boom, at first prospectors came to try their luck in the fields. Then from 1931 to the mid 1970s when it finally closed its holdings, the Golden Plateau Mine kept the workers coming. In 2004, Newcrest Mine rekindled hopes for gold prospecting in the area but the fervour was short lived.
Now the shops are empty but the Cracow Hotel remains full of life.
Quick Facts
Cracow is a small Queensland Rural Location within the local government area of Banana, it is located approximately 363kms from the capital Brisbane covering an area of 692.896 square kilometres. Cracow has a recorded population of 89 residents and is within the Australian Eastern Standard Time zone Australia/Brisbane.
If you are planning a visit to Cracow we’ve put together some of the things nearby that you can see or do while you are here. These include, places to stay, tours and attractions, some upcoming events and places where you can grab a meal. Go ahead, try one of the buttons above. Every destination has something worth seeing so start exploring… If you know Cracow and think we’ve missed something, let us know and we’ll share it here.