NEW TRAVELLER'S GUIDE SET TO SUPPORT TOURISM GROWTH
Published on 26 March 2025
The new St George Region Traveller’s Guide is now available, showcasing the region’s experiences, landscapes and stories to better support the growth of tourism in South West Queensland.
With over 15,000 tourists visiting the region’s St George Explore Centre last year, this new guide is a fresh and inspiring resource for visitors looking to explore our unique Outback destination.
The exponential growth of St George Region’s social media presence is indicative of how much tourists love the area with followers rising from 644 in 2019 to over 13,300 followers today.
It’s not hard to see why tourists are coming in droves to experience the St George Region with:
- the township of Thallon recently winning the Best Grey Nomad Friendly Town and Best Grey Nomad Experience in Queensland;
- the St George Explore Centre awarded Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award for the fourth consecutive year; and
- multiple awards in recent times with the You’ll be Hooked campaign!
Balonne Shire Mayor Samantha O’Toole was delighted with the look and feel, and level of exciting adventures detailed in the new St George Region Traveller’s Guide.
"The new Travellers’ Guide isn’t just about places to visit — it’s about the experiences that make the St George Region so memorable," said Mayor O’Toole.
"This new Traveller’s Guide captures the essence of our landscapes, wildlife, culture, stories and welcoming communities in a way that will truly inspire travellers and is sure to further improve the experience for our visitors.
“Tourism is such a welcome and important feature of our local economy and having a source of local knowledge like this one will help to guide travellers through the range of experiences on offer in the St George region.
“Last year alone, tourism brought in around $17million in revenue and $9million in value add to our local rural economy and this new guide is aimed at increasing that for the Shire.”
With a contemporary design, stunning professional photography, and updated recommendations, it showcases not just the region’s well-loved attractions but also its deep cultural heritage and evolving visitor experiences.
The front cover, featuring a playful pair of Major Mitchell Cockatoos, it captures the beauty and colour of the region, setting the tone for a guidebook that highlights both iconic and unexpected adventures.
Meanwhile, the back cover showcases a breathtaking night-time camping scene, taken by local photographer Jacque Hemming, offering a personal perspective on the Outback’s magic.
The launch event for the Traveller’s Guide brought together community members, industry leaders, and local artists, with speeches and a chance for tourism operators to connect, share insights, and test their knowledge in a fun regional trivia competition.
The 2025 St George Region Travellers’ Guidebook will now be distributed throughout visitor information centres, tourism hubs, and online platforms, ensuring that potential travellers have access to the very best the region has to offer.
To access the new St George Traveller’s Guide, go to: https://www.stgeorgeregion.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/St-George-Region-Travellers-Guide-25-26.pdf
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