450 km west of Brisbane on the Warrego Highway. Small town with a population of 6,500 in the centre of cattle-and-sheep-grazing country. Almost 100 years ago gas was discovered here – but not enough to start a gas rush. (The outback has witnessed every kind of rush, from gold to tin.) Nowadays, it still supplies Brisbane with gas, by way of a 450-km-long pipeline through the mountains. Thirty years later they struck oil here, but this proved another disappointment – though a small local refinery still supplies the town with its own petrol.

Pre-dating both these finds was the discovery that the local terrain was ideal for vineyards. The best local wine comes from the Roma Villa just north of town. The wine produced here has been winning prizes since the 1860s. Call in if you feel like tasting (or buying) some. They’re open 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday 8 am – 5 pm, Saturday 9 am – 12 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm; www.romavilla.com; +61 (0)7 4622 1822; off the Carnarvon Road.

Some 150 km north up the Carnarvon road, you come to the spectacular Carnarvon National Park and Central Queensland Outback, Inland from Rockhampton.