The town of Roma, in western Queensland, has taken out the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s Top Tourist Town Award for 2024. And it’s not hard to see why.
The biggest ticket in town and certainly the tallest tourist attraction in town is the Big Rig. Learn all about how Australia’s gas and oil exploration started in Roma and climb or take the talking elevator up 40 metres to take in the EMSCO rig and the surrounding Maranoa region. It’s also the best spot to see the country sunset. The Roma Saleyards are the biggest saleyards in the southern hemisphere with around 400 thousand head of cattle passing through it each year. Tuesdays are sale days where you can experience the hustle and bustle of live auctions but every other day you can visit the interactive centre and learn about the industry from retired cattlemen.
A stroll through town reveals historic architecture and solemn tributes along Heroes Avenue to the area’s World War One heroes. You’ll also find Roma’s largest bottle tree at a staggering 9 metres wide. The cafes like the Tasting Co are a country delight and a trip to cattle country wouldn’t be complete without a steak at a cracking pub like the Club Hotel or the Queens Arms.
Roma will now automatically be entered into the national Australian Top Tourism Town awards. Coming second in the QTIC Top Tourist Town awards was Redcliffe with it’s calm seaside and family friendly dining precinct. While Bowen, best known for it’s big mango and blue waters took out bronze.
If you want your town to be in the running for the Top Tourism Town Awards next year head to the QTIC website.
