Roma QLD

It was just over an hours drive to Roma this morning where we began with filling up on fuel ($1.80) the cheapest around these parts. Then filled up Busters’ fridge with goodies from Woolies. 

We passed along the way the largest commercially operational Southern Cross windmill at 15m high with blades spanning 9m.

We walked along the Avenue of Heroes where 140 Queensland bottle trees remember the men of Roma who died in WWI.

We learnt about the history of Roma with the audio/light presentation at the 18m2 three dimensional mural.

There were some nice looking buildings in town. (In Europe it’s churches, in Australia it’s primarily pubs hahah).

We had a look at Roma’s biggest bottle tree at 9.15m diameter, 6m high and 20m crown.

The 40m Big Rig tower reflects the regions oil and gas exploration industry which began here in 1900.

The Lenroy slab hut was built in 1893 and reminds us of the harsh conditions of the early settlers. 

As we head out of town we stop to have a look at the Roma Saleyards that are the largest cattle selling facility in the Southern Hemisphere, processing over 400,000 cattle a year. 

From here we headed 78km south to Surat where we stopped on the banks of Balonne

 River at the Fisherman’s Park campsite. 

We strolled into town where the last Cobb & Co Coach left from here in 1924. 

We admired the lovely timber Shire Hall built in 1929.