A tiny town in south-western Queensland wants to build a big 'camp oven' as a new tourist attraction, to highlight a part of the nation's inland history.

The Bedourie camp oven was developed in the 1920s when locals found cast iron camp ovens were easily damaged.

Diamantina Council CEO Scott Mason says the community has decided to ask the council to back its plan to build the giant oven.

"The plan is to construct a giant camp oven of steel, a replica of the current design of camp oven on the northern approach to Bedourie, on the left-hand side of the road," he said.

"Size we are not sure at this stage, but probably around the vicinity of a diameter of 30 to 40 metres, set on a side profile to give it a real magnitude when it is viewed by travellers."

He says locals are passionate about the camp oven's history.

"It shows the pioneering wisdom or ingenuity of bush people," he said.

"I think the camp oven goes right back to English history but it was an important part of any travellers or workers' kit in those early days.
"The original concept was around two billy cans, one sitting inside the other, and it sort of has morphed into what it is today."