Seventy-five days after leaving Bendigo, we finally crossed the border into Queensland. After stopping for a lunch break at the Nindigully Pub, we arrived at St George, a town where Jack worked as a woolclasser and woolbuyer for a number of years.

Explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell noticed the natural rocky ford across the Balonne River on St George’s Day, 23 April 1846, thereby naming the site St George’s Bridge, from which the town of St George derived it’s name. The township of St George which now has a population of about 3000 was gazetted upon a portion of the Burgorah run in March 1864.

St George is a service center for the local cotton, wheat and livestock farmers and graziers. In more recent years, as the wool industry declined, cattle numbers have increased and farming has been extended to include more fruit, table grapes and vegetables.

As well as being a famous fishing destination, during the winter months St George is also a very popular stopover for tourist travelling in caravans. During our stay we were very fortunate to be invited to look around a cattle property.