Most of the towns of the south-west thrived through the early years of century on the back of Australia's booming wool, beef and wheat industries. Despite drought, flood and even fire, people were drawn to the area to make their fortunes, either on the land or in the scores of opal mines that began to appear as big discoveries were made. But inexorably, the tide began to turn. The past decade, however, has seen another extraordinary swing, with towns reinventing themselves as tourist centres with a history, landscape and natural attractions to boast. Tourist trails like the Major Mitchell Trail chart the steps of explorers and pioneers, and routes like the Matilda Highway and the Kidman Way link areas of cultural significance.
Most centres have a museum recording unique histories and personalities.
Many have joined forces to give tourists a plotted route through several areas, all similar in some ways and very different in most. Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd, except where otherwise specified. Reproduction in any form, or storage other than during normal Internet use, is forbidden without express permission of Queensland Newspapers. Queries to the Online Editor .