The area is noted for its cattle grazing, cotton farming, opal mining and oil and gas deposits.

The South West region of Queensland was the primary source of the traded plant Duboisia hopwoodii,[2] from which a traditional chewing tobacco was made.

The Kamilaroi language region includes the local government area of the Shire of Balonne, including the towns of Dirranbandi, Thallon, Talwood and Bungunya as well as the border towns of Mungindi and Boomi extending to Moree, Tamworth and Coonabarabran in New South Wales.

[6] In 1860, Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills began an expedition from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria to explore large areas of inland Australia which remained completely unknown to the European settlers.

After failing to reach the northern coastline due to the mangrove swamps of the Flinders River delta the party of four set off for the return journey short on supplies.

[7] It also became the resting place for Burke who died of malnourishment after they ran low on supplies amid controversial and tragic circumstances.

The expedition's journals and maps inspired pastoralists and opened up of vast tracts of Queensland to pastoral settlement.

Cobb & Co was Australia's most famous historical coaching firm and once provided passenger and mail services across the country.

[9] The northern extent of the Sturt Stony Desert lies within the region around the location known as Cameron Corner.

[13] The Eromanga Basin, also located in South West Queensland has been explored and developed for petroleum production.

Major towns of South West Queensland include Quilpie, Charleville, Roma, Thargomindah, St George and Cunnamulla.

[15] Smaller towns in the region include Amby, Injune, Jackson, Mitchell, Muckadilla, Mungallala, Surat, Wallumbilla, Yuleba, Alton, Bollon, Boolba, Dirranbandi, Hebel, Mungindi, Nindigully, Thallon, Coongoola, Eulo, Humeburn, Tuen, Wyandra, Yowah, Bakers Bend, Morven, Nive, Sommariva, Thargomindah, Hungerford, Noccundra, Nockatunga, Adavale, Cheepie, Eromanga and Toompine.

Cooper was described in 2021 as new genus and species of Titanosauria, Australotitan cooperensis Historical geographical records have suggested changes in the flow of local tertiary sandstone springs have occurred since the 1880s.

[17] Waterways coursing through South West Queensland include the Warrego, Maranoa, Merivale, Balonne and its tributary the Bokhara River, Culgoa, Wilson and Cooper Creek.

The northern tip of the Castlereagh Highway passes through the south east of the region, terminating at St George.

Mulga is a shrub or small tree native to arid outback Australia which has developed extensive adaptations to the dry conditions.