The Maranoa is an eastern part of the larger, mostly arid South West region of Queensland.

To the east is the agricultural region of the Darling Downs and in the west is the dry Channel Country.

The traditional agriculture is sheep and cattle grazing suitable for the rangeland landscape and sub-tropical climate of the region.

[4] The region is associated with the resources sector, being the location of Australia's first oil and natural gas discoveries.

[4] The expansion of coal seam gas mining has seen rapid infrastructure development and population growth in the region.