North Queensland then West

This was an amazing spot early in the morning. The first thing is the bird chatter and song. Then a one kilometre walk around, andthere are birds everywhere. From the majestic pelican to the tiniest fairy wrens in the shrubs. It is an great place to visit.

More About Roma (From an information sign).

Wicome to Romal The area surrounding Roma i traditionally home to the Mandantan Aboriginal people travelling throughout the region, the Mandandanji occupled an area of approximately 40,000 square kilometres. Following exploration to the region by Major Thomas Mitchell in 1846, the Mandandanji became known as the fish net people for their use of nets rather than spears for fishing. Today a wonderful exhibition of traditional tools (reated by the local Mandandanji people) is available for locals and visitors in appreciate at the Mandendanji Park on the easter entrance to town.

Roma was settled following exploration to the region by Sir Thomas Mitchell in 1846 Making his way north along the Balonne River and then west along the Muckadilla Creek, Mitchell stood atop a solitary hill and glowingly reported "I beheld the finest country I had ever seen in a primeval state a champaign region spotted with wood, stretching as far as human vision ar even the telescope would reach.

He named the hill Mount Abundance' (located between Roma and Mitchell and visible toward the south from the Warrego Highway near Muskadilla) and continued his journey west to the Maranoa River, just north of the present town of Mitchell. During the following year, Allan McPherson established Mount Abundance station, marking the beginning of a lang history of primary productions for the region.

The town of Roma took its name from the wife of Queensland's first Governor, the Countess Diamantine Roma and was one of the first gazetted settlements following Queensland's separation, from New South Wales in 1859. Today, approximately 8,090 full time equivalent residents live in the township of Roma

Roma can truly be regarded as being the cradle of Australia's Oil and Gas Industry. Like many western towns reliant on water in the late 19th century, Roma looked closely at the potential of underground water. In 1899, water was discovered at a bore sunk on Hospital Hill. In that year, a second bore spudded at the same site encountered natural gas. Today, Roma has strong links with natural gas production and is centrally located in an area of large reserves of petroleum gas and coal seam gas. The Big Rig Museum is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the history of the industry, including the Oil Patch self guided tour and the Night Show.

The local economy of Roma is based on the extraction of coal seam gas and its related industries, as well as agriculture (primarily beef production, with some sheep and broad acre farming), cypress milling and tourism. Australia's largest cattle selling centre is located at the Roma Saleyards with 300,000-400,000 cattle sold through the facility, annually. Visitors are welcome to attend sales every Tuesday and Thursday and even take i a tour with a local farmer.

The town of Roma has a range of cafés, specialty shops, restaurants and accommodation options that we are sure you will enjoy. Volunteers and staff at the Roma Visitor Information Centre look forward to welcoming you to their community and making your stay a most

enjoyable experience. Please relax, unwind and enjoy the country hospitality found in abundance in Roma.

About the Maranoa

Welcome to the Maranoa! With a stunning and diverse natural landscape, fascinating history and abundance of cultural experiences available, we are sure that you will love exploring and getting to know our region.

Spanning a geographic area c 58,834.5 square kilometres (a little smaller than Tasmania), the Maranoa region takes in the towns of Roma (the central hub), Injune to the north, Mitchell to the west, Surat to the south, Wallumbilla and Yuleba to the east. the communities of Amby, Muckadilla and Mungallala (west of Roma) and Jackson at the region's eastern most gateway.

The Maranoa is traditionally home to the Gunggari, Kooma, Bidjara, Mandandandji and Iman Aboriginal people. Today, the culture and traditions of the original people are proudly displayed throughout the region. Visitors are welcome to visit the Aboriginal Traditional Campsite in Surat, the Native Wells near Yuleba, Mandandanji Park in Roma, the Yumba in Mitchell and each of the inspiring National Parks to the north of Injune.

European settlement to the Maranoa region commenced following exploration to the region by Sir Thomas Mitchell in 1846.

Today, the Maranoa region is a dynamic and vibrant regional community, with a population of approximately 13,076 residents. The local economy is based upon coal seam gas extraction (and its related industries), agriculture, timber milling and tourism.

The Maranoa offers visitors a diverse range of experiences from tranquil natural environments with superb sandstone formations, to interpretive displays which celebrate the culture and history of the region. The residents of the Maranoa are proud to call this region their home and are thrilled to welcome you into their community. Please take the time to explore the region. We are sure you will make memories that will last a lifetime.Read more