Goondiwindi, on the Macintyre River, on the border of Queensland and New South Walkes has a wonderful history – but being some 350 kms from Brisbane and much more from Sydney, unless travellers take that route on their drive, they will miss this place.
While it is a long drive there's a lot to see - including the impressive large properties that grow cotton, pulses and canola.
What is
Goodiwindi most known for? Well, a few years ago, in the 1970's everyone had heard of the town because of the great racehorse
Gunsynd, the Goondiwindi grey, and an impressive horse that was owned by a syndicate in Goondiwindi, hence the name.
In the Gunsynd Museum
Between 1969 and 1973, the horse had an impressive race record. Legendry Tommy Smith was one of the trainers.
More in the Museum
According to Wikipedia, it is regarded as "one of the best grey horses in the history of Australian racing." Roy Higgins, also a legend in Australian horse racing, who rode the horse more than any other jockey, was also remembered for the excitement of that time.
The Old City Council Meeting Room
If you visit the
Goondiwindi Visitor Information Centre, you will see an impressive record of the horse's history in the Museum there, which also has recreated the old council chambers with furniture and memorabilia from that time in history. There is also an Art Gallery in the precinct, currently featuring some of the acquisitions by the council over the years. There's plenty to see and learn there.
Art Gallery Goondiwindi
Something else that the area is gaining fame for is the large number of cotton growing properties.
There are other things to see in Goondiwindi too. There is a grand levee to protect the town from floods when the Macintyre River's water level rises, and it makes a good walk along the top of the levee, with beautiful gardens on the town side of the levee.
The
Old Customs House, is open to the public at advertised times, and is a great place to learn about the history of the early days. Read about it
here.
Near the Customs House is the statue of Gunsynd, and the Tree of Knowledge, which has information on how it was used by the locals to determine the possibility of flooding of the river.
Customs House Museum at Goondiwindi
There is also a delightful Botanical Gardens too. So next time you pass this direction, take some time out to see What Gundi has to offer for tourists. Check out the Visitor Information Centre for details about these and other interesting places.
Goondiwindi Botanical Gardens
There are also tours around the town and to cotton growing places – time didn't permit me to explore them, but perhaps I will return when the cotton is ready for harvest, as it is quite spectacular.
Goondiwindi Levee Bank
It is always a good idea to drop into the local
Visitor Information Centre to get the latest news on an area's tourist spots.
Places to visit:
Visitor Information Centre
Botanical Gardens
Customs House
Tree of Knowledge
Macintyre River levee
