[4] The town takes its name from the Calliope River, which in turn was named after HMS Calliope by the Governor of New South Wales, Charles Augustus FitzRoy, on 18 April 1854, after travelling from Sydney to Port Curtis on board that ship.

[11] Lake Awoonga is arguably one of the most important near-coast bird refuges on the East Coast of Australia.

The Gladstone Area Water Board operates a fish hatchery which breeds barramundi and mangrove jack for release into Lake Awoonga.

In addition, the mangrove jack breeding program has resulted in Lake Awoonga holding the largest stocks in Australia with over 13,000 released.

The town also has a swimming pool, racecourse, sports fields, Hazelbrook Park and a skateboard ramp.

Recent years have seen the introduction of a child care centre, supermarket shopping, specialty stores, doctors surgeries and other essential services.

A large number of new homes and town houses have been built in Calliope due to its proximity to Gladstone Port and associated industries such as LNG.

The Calliope Library is on Don Cameron Drive; it is operated by the Gladstone Regional Council.

The Calliope branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the CWA Hall at 2 Bloomfield Street.