The Wide Bay Burnett region’s economy is focused in the agriculture, manufacturing and renewable energy sectors. As the gateway to the southern Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island, tourism is also important. The region encompasses the major regional centres of Bundaberg, Gympie, Hervey Bay and Maryborough.

With a vibrant tourism industry and growing service sector, Wide Bay’s economy continues to diversify as it builds on its traditional strengths in agriculture and manufacturing.

Mineral exploration activities continue in the region, with resources including gold, coal (coking and thermal), silica sand, ilmenite, bauxite, copper, manganese, molybdenum, magnetite, kaolin, limestone, apatite, scandium, feldspar, siltstone, black granite and clay.

Maryborough has the Downer train manufacturer and is gaining a defence artillery-shell factory being built by a partnership between Germany’s Rheinmetall and Brisbane small-arms company NIOA.