A father-of-four fired a rifle at his estranged wife and her children during a terrifying gun rampage before he was shot dead by police.

Ben Freear was fatally shot at about 7am on Sunday morning after officers spent more than 10 hours searching for him.

The 40-year-old, who was known to police, had been in a domestic dispute with his estranged wife at their home in Tiaro, south of Maryborough in Queensland, at about 8.30pm on Saturday.

Ben Freear, who was shot dead by Queensland Police, fired a rifle at his ex-partner and her children

Police were advised of a domestic dispute at a home in Tiaro, south of Maryborough, about 8.30pm Saturday. The 40-year-old, who was known to police, had been in a dispute with his former partner at the property

Police say Freear shot at the woman, her children and her car.

Further reports were made that the same man had fired shots at a neighbour.

The 40-year-old, who was known to police, had been in a domestic dispute with his estranged wife at their home in Tiaro

Specialist police officers who had travelled from Brisbane located Freear at another house in Tiaro on Sunday morning.

When they arrived, he fired further shots at another vehicle and police cars.

'Multiple police units, including specialist officers and PolAir, searched for the man throughout the night and at around 7am this morning police located the man at a house in Glenbar Road, Tiaro,' a police statement read.

Superintedent Craig Hawkins said Freear shot at police from an elevated position when they arrived, and charged at them with a weapon.

The 40-year-old man was fatally shot in return fire and declared dead at the scene.

It is unclear how many shots he fired. No one else was injured.

Queensland Police Union secretary Mick Barnes said the actions of officers at the scene were appropriate.

'The offender, who was ­earlier involved in a domestic violence incident, was armed with a firearm and was shooting at both members of the public and police which meant police were left with no other option than to act in self-defence and to also protect the public,' he told The Courier Mail.

'We are extremely lucky that police and members of the public were not killed or seriously injured by the offender,' he said.

'We know all police acted appropriately and as such the Ethical Standards Command of the police service are undertaking a routine investigation of the matter and will report to the Coroner.'

The incident is being investigated internally, under the supervision of the Crime and Corruption Commission.