Sydney to Cairns inland road trip: Distance, time & best stops
Sydney to Cairns inland driving route: Moree to St George
The next leg of the Sydney to Cairns inland road trip takes you out of New South Wales and into Queensland. It’s a 429km drive from Moree to Roma.
The quickest route is along the Carnarvon Highway, initially heading north-west and crossing the New South Wales/ Queensland border at Mungindi.
The highlight here is the Mungindi Hot Pool, which is fed by an artesian spring and heated to a constant 38 degrees Celsius.
The next town to the north is Thallon, where you can admire the enormous murals painted on the grain silos.
A little further north is Nindigully, home to the legendary Nindigully Pub. This, allegedly, is the oldest pub in Queensland.
Otherwise continue to St George on the Balonne River. St George has a golf course and a small airport, but visitors are more likely to be interested in wine-tasting at the Riversands Winery, walking along the banks of the river or taking a scenic drive through the surrounding cotton fields.
Where to stay in St George
The top St George accommodation choices are:
- For a good motel with a pool and gardens: Jacaranda Country Motel.
- For great value: Balonne River Motor Inn.
- For a four star with restaurant and pool: Riverland Motor Inn.
St George to Roma on the way north to Cairns
Between St George and Roma, the only settlement of any size is Surat, a fairly uneventful agricultural hub town. It has a racecourse, sports ground and a couple of places to stay. These include the Cobb and Co Country Motel and Surat Cabins and Caravan Park.
The Surat New Royal Hotel will do the job for food and a couple of beers, while the Surat Riverwalk makes for a nice stroll along the Balonne River.
Continuing north along the Carnarvon Highway, you’ll go past the Yalebone State Forest and Brucedale State Forest.
That’s pretty much your lot until you reach Roma, a town that effectively forms the last frontier between country Queensland and the outback.
Things to do in Roma include seeing the Three Dimensional Mural inside the Roma Cultural Centre and walking the 1.7km Adungadoo Pathway through the gum trees along Bungil Creek.
You can also visit the Big Rig, a museum devoted to Australia’s oil and gas industry – of which Roma was the birthplace.
The most memorable Roma experience, however, is watching the bewildering cattle auctions at the enormous Roma Saleyards.
Where to stay in Roma, Queensland
- Accommodation in Roma, Queensland, costs from $80 a night.
- The Best Western Bungil Creek is the best bet for business travellers. The Mandalay Motel has the best central location.
- For best overall quality, the winner is arguably the Roma Explorers Inn. And the Roma Motel hits the sweet spot of convenient location, good value for money and a pool.
Click through to the next section: Roma to Rolleston.