Western Downs

Hook a fish, share a yarn with the locals over a cold beer and watch the sun set over the open plains of Queensland’s countryside.

Starting at Dalby, just an hour west of Toowoomba, and stretching from the border town of Goondiwindi in the south to Carnarvon Gorge, the Western Downs packs all the ingredients of a country holiday.

With locals as colourful as our legendary outback sunsets, the Western Downs region serves up an opportunity to re-connect with nature and the laid-back pace of rural community life.

For bush experiences, look no further than the fern and moss-lined walking tracks of Carnarvon Gorge, where Aboriginal rock art and native wildlife tells the story of the deep connection between man and nature in this semi-arid heart of our state.

Further south the systems of Murray Darling Basin and the Maranoa Balone catchment provide a freshwater feast for fishing enthusiasts looking to throw in a line or two. Ask the locals for the best tips on how to hook the local perch and make some new friends at the town pub.

Visit Roma in November for western Queensland’s largest race meet and join 10,000 punters in the celebration of one of the largest regional events of the year.