Fancy a road trip to Goondiwindi? A visit to this historic border town takes you through some stunning SE QLD scenery, and there are plenty of sights awaiting you at your destination.
Whether you are travelling from Brisbane to Goondiwindi or from another town, this article will give you information about the trip, some Goondiwindi accommodation options, as well as things to do in Goondiwindi!
Brisbane to Goondiwindi
Before you can enjoy the sights, history and attractions of Goondiwindi, you need to get there!
Goondiwindi is 350km away from Brisbane, taking you roughly 4 hours to travel via car.
To take the trip to Goondiwindi through Toowoomba, you need to jump onto the M3 heading towards Toowoomba, until you come to a lane that turns off onto M7 Ipswich Motorway towards Ipswich/Toowoomba. You then need to continue on the M2 until you come to the left than that takes you towards M2 Warrego Highway towards Esk/Toowoomba.
You then follow this for about 70km all the way into Toowoomba, once here you need to follow the signs for Warrego Highway/A2, this will take you to a left turn to get onto the Gore Highway, where you follow it for about 70kms and it will lead you straight to Goondiwindi.
Click for the Google maps link to go to Goondiwindi via Toowoomba
You can also take the trip via Warwick, rather than going through Toowoomba. To go this way, jump onto the M3 and follow it along the signs that direct you to M7 Ipswich Motorway exit towards Ipswich and Toowoomba. You then will find yourself continuing along National Highway 15, this will take you to Warwick.
Once here, follow along National Route 42 until you see the right turn onto Leichhardt Highway/A39/A5. Follow along this highway and it will take you to Goondiwindi.
Click for the Google maps link to go to Goondiwindi via Warwick
History of Goondiwindi
Goondiwindi is a rural town with a current population of roughly ten thousand people. It is located right along the northern side of the Macintyre River which forms part of the New South Wales border. This town began as a stopping place for teamsters transporting supplies in the early 1800’s, and it developed into settlement in 1858. Before that the area was settled by the Bigambul Aboriginal people.
Its first major buildings were a court house and a public school; these buildings confirmed it’s identity as a town. In 1878, the first of several bridges that connected either side of the Macintyre River was opened.
Due to its location along the river, the town was commonly subject to severe flooding that would engulf not only the bridge but the township too. In 1914, a bigger steel structure was built to ensure there was a bridge sturdy enough to withstand the floods.
The growth of Goondiwindi
A railway connection from Warwick to Goondiwindi was established in 1908, and while this was important for population and visitor growth, it was motor-vehicles that bought the most attention to the rural town.
Given it’s location, Goondiwindi became a key stopping point and hub for inland routes between Brisbane and the southern capitals. Goondiwindi is the home to the beginning of the Cunningham, Barwon and Leichhardt highways, making it a busy thoroughfare for all types of vehicles.
Due to this traffic through the town, from the 1920s to the 1960s Goondiwindi acquired better access to water and sewerage, levee banks were created to protect the town from flooding, and a civic centre, swimming pool and a state high school were built.
Goondiwindi today
Goondiwindi was a popular stop over for both truck and car drivers, however a local champion horse, Gunsynd, also bought attention to the rural community.
Today, Goondiwindi has an airport, a visitor information centre, motels, a race course, golf course, swimming pool, showground, botanic gardens, a hospital and shops a-plenty along the main street.
A key part of Goondiwindi is the cotton crops, with Goondiwindi cotton being available in over 150 stores across Australia. The trucks that bought so much traffic to the town still pass in this direction, however they now bypass the township.
Goondiwindi Accommodation
Country Roads Motor Inn
This inn has a range of rooms on offer, including deluxe queen roomd, deluxe twin roomd, a queen room with disability access, and a family suite. It has a licensed restaurant and bar, air conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi and Foxtel, room service, and a swimming pool with a barbeque area. It is located on the outskirts of town in close proximity to a service station and McDonalds.
See photos and find out more here.
Best Western Ascot Lodge Motor Inn
This inn offers deluxe queen rooms, deluxe twin rooms and family suites. Each room has a TV, a fridge and access to free internet. The amenities include a swimming pool and an onsite restaurant and cocktail lounge. It is located just inside the town perimeter, off the main street.
See photos and find out more here.
Macintyre Motor Inn
Macintyre Motor Inn offers free Wifi, a range of air-conditioned suites, and a pool. It is located in close proximity to the town centre and is situated next door to a Chinese restaurant.
See photos and find out more here.
The Town House Motor Inn
This inn is located in the heart of the town centre, and has a range of rooms including deluxe queen rooms, deluxe twin rooms, family rooms and standard double or twin rooms. It is adjoined to the Town House, a restaurant that offers an indulgent culinary experience.
See photos and find out more here.
O’Sheas Royal Hotel
This hotel has a range of rooms available including shared bathroom and private bathroom options. All rooms have air conditioning, free-wfi and a TV. This hotel is located in the town centre and on the main street, and is attached to one of the towns best pubs.
See photos and find out more here.
Binalong Motel
This motel offers air-conditioning, a pool and they are pet friendly. They have queen rooms, double or twin rooms, and then pet friendly queen and twin rooms. It is located right in the heart of the town within close walking distance of all the cafes and shops in the town.
See photos and out more here.
Goondiwindi Caravan Park / Goondiwindi Holiday Park
This park offers standard cabins, family bungalows and one bedroom cabins with free Wi-F, air-conditioning and access to a pool. It is located just 2.5 kilometres from the town centre. This park also offers camping and caravan sites and they are pet friendly.
See photos and find out more here.
Border Motel
This motel offers single, double, twin and queen rooms that have free wi-fi, air-conditioning, and access to a pool. It is located right on the main street and close to all the restaurants and cafes.
See photos and find out more here.
Goondiwindi rentals and other accommodation
Further than the ones states above there are many other hotel, motel and inn options available in Goondiwindi, with different price points to suit your needs. A simple search on websites like booking.com provides many accommodation options.
Top 3 things to do in Goondiwindi
Border Bridge
You might be thinking, a bridge? That doesn’t sound all that fun. But the border bridge is a historical landmark for the town of Goondiwindi, connecting the Queensland and New South Wales borders.
Don’t forget to visit the big tree on the right just before you go over the bridge on the Goondiwindi side, it has a fantastic story and the information plaque will give you more information on this bridge.
Customs House Museum
This was once a border customs point before Federation and has been preserved authentically to stand as a museum. It displays the history of wool and agricultural farming the in area, with a range of tools, a blacksmiths workshop and the story of the Chinese in the town.
Address: McLean Street, Goondiwindi
Open: Everyday 10am – 4pm except Tuesdays
Phone: (07) 4671 3041
Website: Custom House Museum
Gunsynd Museum and Statue
Gunsynd was a champion thoroughbred racehorse and was listed in 2004 as one of Queensland’s top 12 icons. He was known as the Goondiwindi Grey, and the owners of this talented racehorse were from Goondiwindi. Gunsynd lives on in the town through the museum that is set up in the Goondiwindi Visitor Information Centre and through the statue of him that stands in Apex Park.
Other things to do in Goondiwindi
Goondiwindi has lots of historic buildings, attractions, and parks. It’s worth dropping in to the Visitor Centre to make sure you find all the things to do in Goondiwindi including the local festivals.
