A Three Day Guide to St George Region

Day 1 St George to Nindigully

MORNING Begin your exploration of Qld’s Inland Fishing Capital on foot along the shady 2km-long Balonne Riverbank Walkway. After, make your way to the Unique Egg where you’ll find emu eggs transformed into hand-carved pieces of illuminated art by a local artisan. Continue your tour of town by taking the St George Heritage Trail.

AFTERNOON Grab a coffee for the 46km journey south to Nindigully, home of Qld’s longest continually licensed pub. Set up camp on a shady spot of the Moonie River, then take in the Gully Walk before checking out the iconic Boomerangs – memorabilia from Hugh Jackman’s first feature film, ‘Paperback Hero’.

EVENING Head to the pub for happy hour, followed by dinner. Come hungry and tackle the pub’s famous Road Train Burger, known to feed up to 10 people.

Day 2 Nindigully to Dirranbandi

MORNING Journey 33km south to Thallon where you’ll be greeted by the breathtaking 30-metrehigh painted grain silos, featuring the spectacular ‘Watering Hole’ mural. Head to the Francis Hotel to grab some breakfast and your copy of the self-guided town history trails and discover Thallon’s early European history. Don’t leave town without getting a selfie with the giant ‘William the Wombat’ sculpture.

AFTERNOON Head 67km west to Dirranbandi which marks the end of the Southwest rail line. Call into Railway Park to find the old waiting room, the original parcels office and the 1913 Station Master’s residence, now the Dirranbandi Rural Transaction Centre.

EVENING Join the locals for a good feed and a great yarn at the Dirranbandi Pub before bedding down for the night.

Day 3 Dirranbandi to St George

MORNING Make your way back to St George where you can sip your way through a personalised tasting at Qld’s most western winery, Riversands Vineyard, and hear the stories about the characters whom their wines are named after.

AFTERNOON Cruise down the Balonne River onboard the ‘Balonne Baroo Andoo’ with Sandytown River Cruises and learn about the flora and fauna which includes over 240 species of birds.

EVENING Celebrate the end of another glorious St George Region day with dinner at one of the local pubs or motels.

STAY A FOURTH DAY … Learn to throw a boomerang, discover bush medicine, historical scar trees and taste gourmet bush tucker with a descendant of the local Gwamu/Kooma people on a Cultural Walk in Bollon.

BALONNE SHIRE Population: 4,500 BALONNE SHIRE

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

114 St George’s Terrace, St George P 07 4620 8877 E vic@balonne.qld.gov.au stgeorgeregion.com.au

Top Tips

▶ Best Ride – Take a town tour aboard the St George Bakery’s classic 1917 T-Model Ford Bakery truck.

▶ Cotton On – Find out the real story behind the development of cotton on a Cotton Farm and Vineyard Tour in St George.

▶ Make Tracks – Set up your own bush camp and experience untouched nature at Thrushton or Culgoa Floodplain National Park.

▶ Touch a Piece of History – Place your hands on the One Ton Post, JB Cameron’s survey peg marking the Qld/NSW border near Mungindi.

▶ Russian Treats – Take your tastebuds on a journey with delectable treats like Pryanick (traditional Russian honey bread), Turkish delight and baklava at Dirranbandi Bakery.

▶ Outback Art – Don’t miss the Hebel Hotel with its rusted red roof and artworks adorning the front of the pub by Australian realist painter, John Murray