UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ROMA

The Heroes Avenue of 93 Queensland bottle trees (Brachychiton rupestre) creates a uniquely outback boulevard, remembering the men of Roma who died in WWI. The first tree was planted in 1918 supposedly in honour of Lieutenant Corporal Norman Saunders who was killed in France in 1916. That tree, outside the Post Office, near the corner of McDowell and Wyndham streets, is locally known as the Tree of Knowledge. The rest of the avenue, extending from the railway station into Wyndham Street and along Bungil Street to the intersection with Hawthorne Street, was planted by 1920. Originally each tree bore a brass name plate. Only one survives and it has become part of a cairn outside the Post Office, displaying all 93 names. A WWI Honour Board is located in the Roma-Bungil Cultural Centre in Bungil Street. In 1938, Colonel Sir Donald Cameron unveiled a cenotaph in the town's Queen's Park the end of the avenue of bottle trees. It too honours the WWI fatalities. It has since added the names of 39 men who died in WWII. Behind it stand nine pine trees, said to have been grown from seeds collected at Lone Pine, Gallipoli.

Kings Motor Inn and Steakhouse, situated in the vibrant town of Roma, offers comfortable, affordable accommodation and great meals. With 25 motel rooms of various styles they can accommodate singles, couples or families. All rooms have quiet reverse cycle air conditioning, television with free Foxtel channels and free wi-fi to make your stay more comfortable. Ensuites in each room have a full selection of body and hair care products. Kings Steakhouse, the on-site licensed restaurant is open for dinner and drinks Monday to Saturday nights, excluding public holidays. It is the perfect venue to relax after a long day. Meals can be delivered if you prefer to dine in your room. The secluded saltwater pool and barbecue area is also popular. The pool has a slide which the children can enjoy while mum and dad cook on the barbecue. Most rooms also have kitchenettes with microwave....

The Heroes Avenue of 93 Queensland bottle trees (Brachychiton rupestre) creates a uniquely outback boulevard, remembering the men of Roma who died in WWI. The first tree was planted in 1918 supposedly in honour of Lieutenant Corporal Norman Saunders who was killed in France in 1916. That tree, outside the Post Office, near the corner of McDowell and Wyndham streets, is locally known as the Tree of Knowledge. The rest of the avenue, extending from the railway station into Wyndham Street and along Bungil Street to the intersection with Hawthorne Street, was planted by 1920. Originally each tree bore a brass name plate. Only one survives and it has become part of a cairn outside the Post Office, displaying all 93 names. A WWI Honour Board is located in the Roma-Bungil Cultural Centre in Bungil Street. In 1938, Colonel Sir Donald Cameron unveiled a cenotaph in the town's Queen's Park the end of the avenue of bottle trees. It too honours the WWI fatalities. It has since added the names of 39 men who died in WWII. Behind it stand nine pine trees, said to have been grown from seeds collected at Lone Pine, Gallipoli....

Roma's Easter in the Country festival is a five-day celebration of all things country. Now entering its 40th year, it is widely recognised as one of southwest Queensland's premier Easter events, and brilliantly showcases the history and lifestyle of regional Queensland. The festival offers a range of activities for the thrill-seeker, the cultural buff, and for those that like to take things a little more leisurely. The event gives an opportunity for the residents of Roma to invite their relatives and friends to spend a long weekend in the country to enjoy the atmosphere and friendliness that Roma and the Maranoa has to offer....

Only 350 kilometres north-west of Toowoomba, Roma Outback Queensland is home to the southern hemisphere's largest sale yards. Visitors can get a feel for the outback by perching on a fence or taking a coveted possie on the viewing platform to watch the action at Roma Saleyards. Be sure to time your visit for a Tuesday or Thursday and you can witness the sale of up to 12,000 head of cattle in a single day. To get a real feel for the town itself, take a walk along the heritage-listed Heroes' Avenue, which is planted with more than 100 bottle trees. Each tree is a memorial to a local soldier who lost their life in WW1. For a dose of history, head to the Mount Abundance Homestead, built in 1860, which is the site of the region's first settlement. The homestead has important links to early explorers Sir Thomas Mitchell and Ludwig Leichhardt. Don't miss the Big Rig Oil and Gas Interpretative Centre and Night Show for an interactive insight into the hardships and heroic stories of oil drilling and exploration. Visit the 'Oil Patch' to get up close to impressive rigs and one of the first diesel powered rigs ever used in Australia. There's a varied calendar of events from Picnic Races, the Roma Cup and Easter in the Country to the multicultural Santos Food and Fire Festival and all the fun of the Roma Show....

Roma and the Maranoa offers a big outback adventure just half-a-days drive, or one hour flight from Brisbane. Join an authentic tour of the biggest saleyards in the southern hemisphere, wrap your arms around the biggest bottle tree, and learn all about the discovery of oil and gas in Australia at The Big Rig. Carnarvon Gorge N.P. has truly spectacular ancient landscapes and unique flora and fauna with fully guided eco tours available. Plan your trip around one of their big events including Easter in the Country, Mitchell Camel and Pig Races or the Roma Cup or relax at the Mitchell Artesian Spa and enjoy the wide open outback skies....

Bring your Oil Patch Museum experience to life with one of our experienced "Roma Rigger" guides. Hear all the crude stories and gritty details of an industry that history almost forgot. Drill deeper into understanding the modern Australian gas and learn how the industry today works with with community and local landholders. Tours depart weekdays at 2pm, excluding public holidays....

They invite you to explore even more of their region with this series of eight exciting drive trails. Each suggested itinerary has been created by theme, though they encourage you to mix and match according to your interest, location and length of stay. Please note that total distances for each drive should be used as an approximate indication only....

Lenroy Slab Hut was built from rough hewn cypress pine in 1893. It was later moved to this site where it served as the Visitor Information Centre until the present one was built. It gives a reminder of the reality of bush life in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The hut now has a galvanised iron roof which replaced the original Box tree bark just a year after it was built, according to an inscription on the ceiling. ...

Join them on a sunset tour to the EMSCO Rig and enjoy some 'really' good regional Port whilst hearing the stories of yesteryear. As the sun sets relax under the outback skies as you are taken on a 35 minute sound and light journey to learn of the entertaining trials and triumphs of early industry men and women in Roma. Tour Duration: 60 Minutes. Monday, Wednesday and Friday March to November 5pm. December to February 5.30pm. ...

The Heroes Avenue of 93 Queensland bottle trees (Brachychiton rupestre) creates a uniquely outback boulevard, remembering the men of Roma who died in WWI. The first tree was planted in 1918 supposedly in honour of Lieutenant Corporal Norman Saunders who was killed in France in 1916. That tree, outside the Post Office, near the corner of McDowell and Wyndham streets, is locally known as the Tree of Knowledge. The rest of the avenue, extending from the railway station into Wyndham Street and along Bungil Street to the intersection with Hawthorne Street, was planted by 1920. Originally each tree bore a brass name plate. Only one survives and it has become part of a cairn outside the Post Office, displaying all 93 names. A WWI Honour Board is located in the Roma-Bungil Cultural Centre in Bungil Street. In 1938, Colonel Sir Donald Cameron unveiled a cenotaph in the town's Queen's Park the end of the avenue of bottle trees. It too honours the WWI fatalities. It has since added the names of 39 men who died in WWII. Behind it stand nine pine trees, said to have been grown from seeds collected at Lone Pine, Gallipoli. ...

Be inspired by the exhibitions on display in the Roma on Bungil Gallery and the Walk of Art Gallery. Exhibitions vary with works from local and well renown travelling artists. See artisans at work in the various adjoining studios or just relax with a book in the adjacent modern library. ...

Following the peaceful waters of Bungil Creek, this 1.7 kilometre shared concrete paved pathway is ideal for walkers, joggers and cyclists. Ancient river gums are a beautiful feature of the walk, whist the watercourse is a must for any birdwatchers. Adungadoo which was the name given to Bungil Creek by the Mandandanji tribe, is further enhanced by interpretative signs, graceful rest shelters and a striking "meeting place" area. There are also opportunities to leave the walkway and return via the Central Business District or the largest Bottle Tree, to the Big Rig Parklands....

This striking mural containing 17 local elements is interpreted by means of an audio and moving light presentation, which gives a concise and interesting overview of the history, industry and culture of Roma and its district. The large 18 square metre clay mural was created by local artists, John and Maureen Morrison as a Bi-Centennial project. Located in the Roma Cultural Centre. ...

The largest commercially operational windmill manufactured by Southern Cross can be viewed at close range on the grounds of Pumps and Solar. Built in 1950 by the Toowoomba Foundry, the windmill has a 9 metre diameter wheel and is 15 metres high. A great location to get up close to a integral part of rural lifestyle. ...