Roma is located in the Western Darling Downs of Southern Queensland at the junction of the Warrego and Carnarvon Highways. Established in 1867 and named after Lady Diamantina Bowen (nee Roma) the wife of Queensland’s then Governor Sir George Bowen. It was the first Queensland town to strike oil and gas and today beef, grain and wheat are its core industry.
ROMA SALEYARDS: At fifty hectares the Roma saleyard is the largest cattle selling country in the whole of Australia and the Southern Hemisphere trading up to 428,000 cattle during a good season. The yard houses cattle from the Northern Territory, Barkly Tableland in Central Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia depending on the season. There are fifteen breeds of cattle in Australia including the traditionally popular Hereford, with Brahman, Angus and cross breeding having also gained recent popularity. So if you’re looking for something different to do you’re more than welcome to visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays to have a cuppa and observe the auctions.
Hours: Open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Price: Free
Find us: Warrego Highway, Roma Qld 4455
Phone: 07/ 4624 0402
Web: http://www.romasaleyards.com.au/
DOGWOOD CROSSING, MILES: A spectacular façade and all-encompassing structure designed by local architects, Dogwood Crossing is the leading cultural facility of the Western Downs Regional Council showcasing an Art Gallery, hub library service, social history displays and IT centre all under one roof. Home to an intriguing regional and local artist exhibition and the unique water walls representing the areas social history as well as an outdoor barbecue and playground facility, it is the quintessential cultural pit stop. With its unique and eye catching landscaping and focus on education, arts and the community the award winning building has become a local icon. Centrally located in the heart of Miles it is situated at the intersection of Leichhardt and Warrego Highways.
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Weekends and public holidays 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Price: Free
Find us: Cnr of Leichhardt and Warrego Highways, Miles Qld 4415
Phone: 07/ 4679 4430
Web: http://www.dogwoodcrossing.com/
POSSUM PARK: Just 20km North of Miles is a caravan and camping park with an explosive twist. Possum Park was a top secret military destination in World War II, storing the largest bomb and ammunition dump on the Brisbane line. It was called Kowguran back in those days and it held up to 2,500 tons of explosive bombs and ammunition, all hidden in twenty well protected underground bunkers. The bunkers have now been developed into unique motel style units. The bunker units are totally self-contained, with en-suite bathroom, kitchen and private outdoor barbecue. They are well ventilated and also equipped with air-con. Possum Park offers caravaners powered and even en-suited sites and there is plenty of room to pitch a tent. All you have to do is turn up and bunker down.
Hours: Year round
Price: Contact David or Julie on 07/ 4627 1651
Find us: 36865 Leichhardt Highway, Miles Qld 4415
Phone: 07/ 4627 1651
Web: http://www.possumpark.com.au/
ROMAVILLA WINERY: The Romavilla winery is the oldest in Queensland. Along with new equipment they have adapted old equipment to use in a state of the manner, such as the old crusher and press from 1949 which is still working. Their basket press is sought after due to its gentle nature. The new stainless steel fermenters are used to reach exact temperatures. Picking starts around 20 January while it’s still quite hot at up to 40 degree days. With a reputation for old wines the emphasis is on quality utilising non-irrigated fruit. The 140 year old winery is a small boutique producer, annually crushing 25 tonnes during drought periods and up to 60 tonnes during a good season. Try owner Don Francesco’s favourite red, a unique and unusual wine made of Zinfandel grapes. One kilometre out of Roma, you can access the winery via the Carnarvon Highway.
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Mon-Fri, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm & 2:00pm – 4:00 pm Sat, Closed on Sun
Find us: 77-83 Northern Road, Roma Qld 4455
Phone: 07/ 4622 1822
Web: http://www.romavilla.com/content/home.asp?
BIG RIG: Roma is considered the cradle of Australia’s oil and gas history with the Big Rig still Roma’s main attraction. Gas was discovered in the late 1800s while drilling for water. On 15 December 1927 the first commercial sale of oil was officially announced and marked by a parade of motor vehicles powered by Australian fuel. There are equipment displays a multimedia night show interactive information panels a café and more. Peter Keegan is a resident oil industry buff who features in the book “As We Were”, a collection of bush tales. Keegan’s grandfather built the Slabhut Museum just outside the Rig alongside a children’s playground and picnic area. The complex also features a mini train service which is a fun way to see all of the Big Rig.
Find us: Tourist Park, 4 McDowall Street, Roma Qld 4455
Phone: 07/ 4622 2538
Web: http://www.bigrig.net.au/
MILES HISTORICAL VILLAGE: The historical village and museum have been operating since 1970 and in 2011 won the Western downs Regional Business Excellence Awards. It features authentic and original buildings from the 19th Century alongside some very interesting items. A tourist destination with historical importance there are over thirty buildings and countless displays, so be sure to pack a pair of comfy shoes and lots of time to soak up the intricate detail.
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, 7 days.
Price: Adults $14, School Age Children $6, Family $35 (2 adults & school children), Concession $12
Find us: 141 Murilla Street, Miles Qld 4415
Phone: 07/ 4627 1492
Web: http://www.mhv.org.au/
