Shire of Balonne

Situated along the interstate border with New South Wales, the Shire of Balonne is a Local Government Area in the South West Region of Queensland, roughly 527 kilometers west-south-west of Brisbane, the state capital. The Shire sparsely populated with an estimated population of 4,847 residents in a 31,150.3-square-kilometre area. It is named after the Balonne River, which flows through the town of St George.

The Shire of Balonne was first established as the Ula Ula Division under the Divisional Boards Act of 1879 in November 1879. Renamed as "Balonne" in March 1901, it was proclaimed a Shire in March 1903 with the passage of the Local Authorities Act of 1902. The Local Government Area is composed of the towns of Bollon, Dirranbandi, Hebel, Mungindi, St George, and Thallon.

With the town of St George as its Council Seat, the Shire of Balonne is represented within the Legislative Assembly of Queensland by the Electoral District of Warrego, and by the Federal Division of Maranoa in the Australian House of Representatives. Its neighbouring Local Government Areas are Goondiwindi, Maranoa, Paroo, and Western Downs, as well as the Brewarrina, Moree Plains, and Walgett LGAs of New South Wales.

Largely a rural region, the Shire of Balonne exudes its country ambiance through many of its attractions that locals and visitors alike can appreciate. Some of its most notable locales of cultural, historical, and natural significance include Beardmore Dam, Bollon Heritage Centre, Cacti Garden, Culgoa Floodplains National Park, Dirranbandi Centennial Walk, History of Cotton Mural, History of Thallon Mural, History of Transport Mural, Miniature Car Collection, Nindigully Pub, Nullawokka Aboriginal Tours, One Tone Post, Racecourse Hotel, Riversands Vineyards, St George Heritage Centre, St George Pilots Memorial, Thallon Railway Station, The Hebel Hotel, The Unique Egg, and Thrushton National Park.