| Taroom Queensland |
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Taroom
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| Population: | 629 (2006 Census)[1] |
| Postcode: | 4420 |
| Location: | |
| LGA: | Shire of Banana |
| State District: | Callide |
| Federal Division: | Flynn |
Taroom ( /təˈruːm/) is a town on the Dawson River in Queensland. Australia in the Shire of Banana. The town is located on the Leichhardt Highway, 485 kilometres (301 mi) north west of the state capital, Brisbane, 302 kilometres (188 mi) from Rockhampton and 341 kilometres (212 mi) from Toowoomba. At the 2006 census, Taroom had a population of 629.[1]
Prussian explorer Ludwig Leichhardt passed through the district in 1844, carving his initials and date on a coolibah tree that now stands in the centre of town. Leichhardt's carving is no longer visible following an alleged attempt to remove bark growing over the initials that removed the initials as well. Reporting the rich soils in the area, settlers began taking up land in 1845 and by 1850 a town had been established at a popular camping spot near the Dawson River.
Originally named Bonners Knob the town was officially renamed Taroom, possibly after the nearby Taroom cattle station, on completion of the first post office in 1856. The name Taroom is said to be an aboriginal word for native fruit trees in the area. Situated 40 km west of Taroom is Hornet Bank Station which was the site of the 1857 Hornet Bank massacre, the reprisals for which led to the extinction of the Yeeman Indigenous language group and people.
Taroom is a major centre for the Queensland beef industry. Other industry includes prime hard wheat and forestry.
Taroom has a rare windmill of unusual design located on the banks of the Dawson River. The windmill was produced by the Steel Wings Company, in North Sydney between 1907 and 1911, one of only six models ever erected. The windmills comprise a steel frame and fan which turns to the wind between a bearing at the bottom and a swivel at the top, all supported by guy-wires. Along with a windmill in Jerilderie in the Riverina, the fully restored windmills are the only two known working examples in the world designed so their fan is contained and spins within the fully pivoting frame.
Isla Gorge National Park, Precipice National Park and Expedition National Park are all nearby.