17 Fun Things to do in Roma Qld

Looking for fun things to do in Roma?

While you might not initially think of Roma when you are considering a Queensland vacation, don’t rule this rural town out yet! There are plenty of Roma attractions that will appeal to even the fussiest of Roma tourism- whether you have kids, are on a romantic couples vacation or a group trip – here are the best activities to enjoy in Roma.

If you are planning a trip, make sure you check out the 11 best Roma Qld Accommodation including hotels, motels and caravan parks.

Where is Roma in Qld?

Roma is located around 400 km from the city of Brisbane in Queensland. Only around 6,000 people currently live in Roma making it the perfect QLD country town to visit if you are looking to experience the Queensland country culture.

17 Fun Things to Do in Roma Qld

Tour the Roma Saleyards

Dubbed as the biggest cattle selling place in Australia, the Roma Saleyards have over 40,000 cattle per year and on average, about 12000 cattle are bought and sold in one day.

It may have started as a place to sell cattle but now it has turned to something even more. It’s a place where people can gather to socialize, see farm animals and the inner workings of a cattle farm.

The interpretive centre was recently built and it’s open from 8:00am to 5:00pm every day all year round. The tour will take you around the saleyards and the guide will also show you the animals.

Visit the Roma Bush Gardens

Another fun activity in Roma is the Roma Bush Gardens. If you are looking for a free adventure for the whole family this is a good choice.

The garden is 14 hectares wide and it contains around 11 of the vegetations that Roma is famous for like the Mulga, Coolibah and Brigalow.

If you like to bird watch, the gardens are a good place to go. Here you can often spot some unique Australian wildlife. Rainbow Lorikeets and Kookaburras fly high and rest on the tall trees while swamp hens and pacific black ducks hunt in the water. Definitely one of the best Roma Qld attractions for sure!

Watch a Big Rig Night Show

Roma is the first place in Australia where natural gas was discovered. If you are interested in the history of this small country town, the Big Rig Night Show will take you on a journey through time.

The tour lasts for 60 minutes and it will take you on a sound and light journey. During the tour, you will be told about the industry men and women of old – the problems they had to face and how they came put victorious.

The tour starts from 5:00pm from April to October. From November to March, the tour starts from 5:30pm and is only held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only.

Outback feast at the Roma Explorers Inn

While exploring Roma, don’t forget to visit the Roma Explorers Inn for an Outback feast.

The restaurant is open all week and is a fan favourite with locals and tourists alike.The restaurant serves country fare like rissoles and traditional pies and they even have kid friendly meals like chicken nuggets and ham and cheese pizza just for children.

Aside from lunch or dinner, you can even have breakfast there but breakfast time ends on 9:00am on weekdays and 10:00am on Saturday and Sunday so visit before bright and early for a filling meal.

Find Aboriginal Art Sites at the Carnarvon Ranges

Aboriginal Art Sites in Australia give us a glimpse of how Indigenous Australian culture. Some of the best aboriginal art sites in Australia are located in the Carnarvon Ranges although they are not easy to find.

First you will have to drive to the site of the gorge and then hike for 6km to reach the Art Gallery & Cathedral Cave, where you will be able to see rock art in flesh.

The symbols and drawing show pictures of the weapons, animals, tools and other ceremonial objects that belonged to the people who first settled in Queensland. The beauty of the rock art makes the trip well worth the time.

Wander down Hero’s Avenue

This Avenue in Roma was planted with bottle trees to honour the brave soldiers who fought in World War I. The Heroes Avenue showcases 140 bottle trees to honour those men and the first tree is said to have been planted in 1918 and the rest in 1920.

Outside the post office, a cairn and that has the 93 names of the soldiers etched on it. For the brave souls who fought in World War II, an Honour Board was built on Bungil Street and in Queen Park, there is a memorial to honour them. Nine pine trees reside behind the memorial adding to the greenery on the avenue.

Go to the Roma Picnic Races

Picnic races have been going on in Roma since 1901 and these races are a 99-year-old long standing tradition there.

In 2020, these took place in March from 27th to the 28th. The Roma Picnic Race this year had five race programs that started from 1:30pm while the gates for entry opened around 11:00am. The Inky & Moss Fashions Fields and Art & Tea in the Wool Court were included.

There was also live entertainment presented by “Groove Elements” and the dancing continued till late night to mid-night. Every year, it becomes more spectacular than the last so mark up next year’s date on your calendar.

Check out Roma’s Biggest Bottle Tree

The biggest tree in Roma is thought to have been around since the 19th Century and it was transplanted in 1927 to where it currently is.

At the time of transplant, the tree was quite big and well grown and since then has grown even more to become the biggest bottle tree in Roma. It is 6m tall in height and as an astounding girth of 9.51m while its crown reaches to 20m. The tree has become a Roma tourist attraction and people flock to see if it really is the biggest bottle tree EVER!

Admire St Paul’s Anglican Church

Located in 41/47 Bungil Street in Roma, St Pauls is an architecture masterpiece that is worth visiting.

The current building of St Paul’s Church is its second one that was built in 1913 while the first one had been around since 1876. The Church is beautiful inside and out and it has two distinct features: the 11 lead light glass plus the 39 coloured or stained glass windows and a 576 pipe organ that is situated at the rear of the Church.

Three-Dimensional Clay Mural

This artistic depiction of Roma’s culture, history and industry is located at the Roma Cultural Centre and was created by John and Maureen Morrison, two native artists of Roma.

The awe-inspiring clay mural is made up of 17 elements that are local and the overall picture gives the viewers a glimpse into the history, culture and industry of Roma.

The mural is 8m large and it is showcased using an audio and light presentation. If you are an art lover at heart, you’ll love this mural.

Roma’s Annual Easter Extravaganza

Every year, Roma has its own Annual Easter Extravaganza, a popular and family-friendly event which has something for the entire family.

The main highlight is the Easter Egg Hunt where children look for coloured and decorated eggs. Kids will love the street parade and there is a market for mothers and other people to explore.

Events can differ slightly from year to year and activities are versatile and may include bull rides, art show, goat races and motocross. The Extravaganza happens every year in the Easter season so be on the lookout for it if your trip to Roma falls during Easter.

Heritage Listed Courthouse

Located in 141 McDowall Street in Roma in the Maranoa Region, the heritage-listed courthouse was first put in use in 1873 a cattle duffer’s trail.

His name was Harry Redford and he had an alias, Captain Starlight and he has stolen 1000 cattle and drove with them to South Australia. The courthouse was opened again in 1901 in a new building, which replaced the structure used in 1873.

The courthouse is impressive and is still currently used even today to hold trials. It’s a historic building in Roma and worth visiting if you are in the neighbourhood.

The Roma Express Train Ride

The Roma Express Miniature Train is a good way to go around Roma on land and see the sights up close. The train covers a distance of 1.4km and travels through the Big Rig Complex, across the Bungil Street and into the nearby parklands.

Usually the Roma Express is open for business from 8:30am to 5:00pm all week but currently its is open from 9:00am to 1:00pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday. It’s also opened every second Monday of the week with the same timings and every Saturday from 9:30am to 2:00pm.

Tickets cost $2 for every individual except those under 3 years old and the train only operational from November to March.

Lenroy Slab Hut

Nestled on Riggers Road in Roma, the Lenroy Slab Hut was first built in 1893 using rough hewn cypress pine. Later, it was moved to its current site and was used as a Visitor Information Centre till the new one was constructed.

The hut has since then been reformed and has a galvanised iron roof (the box tree bark about a year after it was constructed from what the inscriptions on the ceiling states. The Hut includes a carpark, public telephone, a picnic area and even coach parking.

It’s a great place to visit while in Roma since it’s a landmark building that pinpoints to the bush life in the 19th and 20th century.

Adungadoo Trail

Considering what to do in Roma qld for fit and active travellers?

The Adungadoo Trail is a 1.7km pathway paved with concrete that follows the calm waters of the Bungil Creek. It’s a good place to visit if you are a walker, jogger or a cyclist – the relic river gums are a great place to walk.

The walk starts from the back of the Big Rig at the Warrego Highway on Riggers Road. If you want to do birdwatching too, you can head over to the watercourse. The trail is riddled with signs for ease of walkers.

Up the Creek Garage

Located on 14 George Street in Roma, Up the Creek Garage is a vintage cars family-owned museum.

The vintage car collection and relic cars showcases at the museum that is open from Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and on the weekend, you need to make an appointment to visit.

Aside from the cars, there are games like Cornhole for kids and they can also try patting the cows there called Jack and Tex. Tickets costs $15 per single adult (18+) and $25 for two adults.

Hospital Hill Heritage Walk

This walk is a 2km tour that is self-guided and it will take you through Australia oil and gas industry since Roma is the place where natural gas was discovered.

The Heritage Walk transverses through 12 sites that are prominent in the gas and oil industry. This walk will help you to better understand the history of gas and oil exploration since the 1900. 1900 was also the time when natural gas was first discovered when people were drilling an artesian water bore. Oil was drilled in 1908 after the people realised that oil and gas are found together.

Looking for More Fun Things to do in The Sunshine State?

If you are visiting Qld and are looking for more fun places to visit for your trip, you might also like to check out:

Alternatively, if you’re heading to Victoria next you might like to check out Melbourne, where there is lots of night activity!

Note: If you are a backpacker and want to work in Roma, you may want to do an RSA Course. Here’s the full backpacker guide on how to get an RSA Certificate.

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