Qld and Texas now sister states

Queensland the Sunshine State has reached out to Texas, the Lone Star State.

Premier Campbell Newman has travelled from Australia's far north to America's deep south to meet with Texas Governor Rick Perry - a former Republican presidential contender - to formalise a sister state agreement.

The pair also opened the Queensland government's new North America Trade and Investment office in Houston, the largest city in Texas.

"This new office is the beginning of a new era for the state's business relationship with the US," Mr Newman said in a statement on Thursday.

It's hoped the new relationship will boost Queensland-US trade, which is valued at $6.4 billion.

"Texas shares many similarities with Queensland's four pillar economy of resources agriculture, tourism and construction industries - so the opportunities for increased trade are enormous," Mr Newman said.

Mr Newman was also due to meet with energy companies to discuss shale gas extraction technology.

The Queensland premier also headed to the United States's largest rodeo on the final leg of his US tour, which has also visited Los Angeles and New York.