St George

St George lies on the Country of the Kamilaroi and Mandandanji peoples, on the banks of the Balonne River in south-west Queensland. Explorer Thomas Mitchell crossed the river here on St George's Day, 23 April 1846, giving the town its name. Today St George is the main town of the Balonne Shire, a service centre for cotton, grain and grape growers, and a relaxed riverside stop on the way west into the outback.

Things to do in St George

• Balonne River walks. A riverside walking path runs through town, with picnic areas and birdlife.
• Jack Taylor Weir. The weir creates a long pool upstream, popular for fishing, boating and waterskiing.
• Fishing. The Balonne is known for golden perch (yellowbelly) and Murray cod. Queensland rules apply, including a Murray cod closed season and size and bag limits.
• Beardmore Dam (Lake Kajarabie). North of town, a large lake for boating, fishing and camping.
• Unique Egg. A collection of intricately carved emu eggs. Check opening hours locally.
• Local produce. The irrigation district grows grapes, and some local businesses offer tastings.

Day trips

• Nindigully Pub. About 45 km south-east, this historic pub on the Moonie River claims to be one of Queensland's oldest continuously licensed hotels. It is a popular stop with travellers.
• Thallon silo art. South of St George, painted grain silos depict local scenes.
• Dirranbandi and Hebel. Small towns towards the NSW border, with historic hotels.

Gateway to the south-west

St George sits at the junction of the Carnarvon, Balonne, Moonie and Castlereagh highways. Head west on the Balonne Highway to Cunnamulla and the Adventure Way to Thargomindah, or north to Roma and Mitchell. It is a stop on the Great Artesian Spa Tour and the Adventure Way.

Where to stay

St George has motels, caravan parks (some on the river) and hotel accommodation.

Suggested day

Walk the riverfront in the morning, fish or picnic at Jack Taylor Weir, visit the Unique Egg, then drive to Nindigully for a late lunch and back via the river for sunset.

When to visit

April to October is the most comfortable time. Summers are hot, and heavy rain can cause flooding on the Balonne and surrounding roads.

History in brief

The Balonne River has always been central to life here. Aboriginal peoples fished, hunted and camped along its banks for thousands of years. After Mitchell's 1846 crossing, pastoralists took up land along the river, and St George grew as a river crossing and service town. In the second half of the 20th century, dams and weirs on the Balonne supported irrigated farming, especially cotton, which transformed the local economy. Water management in the Balonne and the wider Murray-Darling Basin remains an important issue for the region.

Fishing tips

• Know the rules. Check Fisheries Queensland for closed seasons, size limits and bag limits before you fish.
• Target species. Golden perch and Murray cod are the main native targets. Introduced carp are common; rules may require you not to return them to the water.
• Fish responsibly. Take rubbish home and handle released fish carefully.
• Watch the river. Water levels can rise quickly after rain upstream.

Tips for visiting

• Check road conditions. Floods can close roads around St George for days; check QLDTraffic.
• Fill up here. St George has supermarkets and fuel, so stock up before heading west.
• Book ahead in winter. Caravan parks are popular with travellers escaping southern winters.
• Watch for wildlife. Kangaroos are common on roads around dawn and dusk.

A stop on the inland routes

St George is a natural overnight stop for travellers driving inland between Brisbane and outback Queensland or NSW. It is also a common stop for those heading west to Cunnamulla on the way to Thargomindah, Innamincka and the Strzelecki Track, or north to Roma and Carnarvon Gorge. If you are heading south into NSW, the road to Mungindi and Lightning Ridge passes through cotton and grain country before reaching the opal fields. Whichever direction you take, St George is a good place to stock up and check the car before the longer distances begin.

Where to eat

The town has cafés, a bakery, pubs and clubs. Opening hours can be shorter on weekends, so plan ahead if you arrive late.

Events

Local events include fishing competitions and race days. Check the Balonne Shire Council website for current event dates before you travel.

Fuel, phones and medical help

St George Hospital on Victoria Street, part of South West Hospital and Health Service, provides emergency, surgical and maternity services.

Travelling with kids

The riverbank and parks along the Balonne River are good for families, and fishing can be a good way to keep older kids busy.

More things to do in St George

The Explore St George Region site lists:

• Balonne Artesian Thermal Hot Springs (BATHS), at the St George Aquatic Centre on Victoria Street. A warm (34 to 38°C), mineral-rich artesian bath, plus a 50 m lap pool and a children's splash park. The site lists change rooms, a canteen and free gas barbecues, which need to be booked, making it an easy place to spend a hot afternoon.
• Riversands Vineyards, about 3 km from town. It's described as Queensland's most western winery, family-owned and operated.
• The Unique Egg, at 108 Victoria Street. A collection of carved and illuminated emu eggs.
• E.J. Beardmore Dam, on Thungaby Road. A riverside recreation and fishing spot.
• The St George River Walk, the Giant Murray Cod sculpture in Cavanough Park, the Bush Tucker Garden, the art trail and the Cotton Self-Drive Trail.
• Cotton Farm and Vineyard tours, run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May to September.

The region also covers Nindigully, Dirranbandi, Thallon, Bollon, Hebel and Mungindi. Check current times at the St George Region Explore Centre on St Georges Terrace.

Practical information

• Distance: about 500 km west of Brisbane.
• Best time: April to October.
• Related: Cunnamulla, Roma, Adventure Way, Great Artesian Spa Tour, Outback Queensland.

Further reading

• Millmerran