Roma

Explores what this major cattle and gas town has to offer. It's one of those quintessential outback Queensland centres where agriculture and resource industries keep the place ticking along.

The Big Rig is Roma's signature attraction - a museum dedicated to the oil and gas industry that's been central to the region's economy for decades. The "big rig" itself is an actual drilling rig on display, giving you a sense of the scale of equipment used to extract gas from the fields around Roma.

The giant bottle tree (not related to the Boab Tree of WA) is another of those oversized regional attractions Queenslanders seem to love. These distinctive trees with their bulbous trunks are native to the area, and seeing one blown up to massive proportions makes for the obligatory photo stop. It's the kind of thing that makes you smile even as you're taking the predictable tourist shot.

The outback sculpture exhibit was more interesting than expected. A collection of sculptures dotted around town that blend art with the harsh beauty of the surrounding landscape. Some work better than others, but overall it shows Roma's making an effort to add cultural elements beyond the standard outback town offerings.

Roma's not going to be anyone's primary destination, but if you're travelling through inland Queensland on the Warrego Highway, it's worth a quick stop to stretch the legs and see how these resource towns have developed. The combination of cattle, gas, and attempts at cultural tourism gives you a snapshot of modern outback Queensland economy and identity.Læs mere