There are so many attractions to see along the drive from Brisbane to Adelaide. Visiting the many regional towns along the highway you'll find museums, zoos and so much more.
If you are doing this drive, you might also want to check out the Silo Art that you can see. Read about where to find it in my blog here.
Goondiwindi, Qld Attractions
Goondiwindi is the border town between Queensland and New South Wales, there you have a couple of attractions to see before you cross the Macintyre River, which is the border.
In the Goondiwindi Information Centre, you'll find not only what's in the area, but a small Art Gallery and displays on the rodeo and their famous racehorse, the Goondiwindi Grey, Gunsynd.
The information centre from the car park off Bowen Street
The library is also housed here, and there is free Wi-Fi to use. You can get vouchers for 200Mb or 2hrs of free Wi-Fi (whichever is reached first).
The Art Gallery is small but showcases the local artists well.
Watercolours and clay sculptures are here for you to see
The Goondiwindi Grey, Gunsynd, was the most famous resident of Goondiwindi. This champion was such a great racehorse because he not only one won races carrying 60.2kgs, but in any conditions, and using his fighting tenacity.
Displays and artwork are on show here as you read Gunsynd's story
There is also displays and information on the rodeo history in Goondiwindi.
Hours
- Monday-Friday: 09:00 AM–05:00 PM
- Saturday-Sunday: 09:00 AM–01:00 PM
Customs House Museum
The entrance to the Customs House Museum
The Customs House Museum houses all types of memorabilia, dating back to the early days of settlement in the mid-1800s.
From the history of the wool industry, to how wars have affected the communities, it is here for you to discover and learn.
The exhibition of the wool industry has a timeline and utensils from the day
Rooms host exhibits on items from the past painting a picture of what early regional Queensland was like for these hardy people. Information and photographs add to the story, especially on the flooding in the area.
The complete histories of the Customs House and bridge to NSW are on display
Outside, sheds hold old machinery that was used to work the land through the generations.
Hours
- Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 09:00 AM–04:30 PM
The Bridge And Apex Park
Right next to the bridge in NSW, is parkland with a statue of the Goondiwindi Grey.
He is still racing in the hearts of the people from Goondiwindi
Here you can walk along the banks of the McIntyre River or enjoy a picnic in one of the many shelters along here.
The bridge to NSW over the McIntyre River
Tree Of Knowledge
The Tree of Knowledge is right next to the Goondiwindi Bridge, and it was here that people would gather when floodwaters were rising. The would watch and swap stories, hence the name Tree of Knowledge.
With so many attractions in Goondiwindi, it's an excellent place to stop and take a break for a day.
Accommodation
Goondiwindi has several options to spend the night, they are available here.
Coonabarabran, NSW
Coonabarabran has been dubbed the astronomy capital of Australia.
Whether you're coming in from the north or south, you'll find the Saturn model at the rest stops.
Stop and rest from your drive and read about Saturn
Here you can read up on Saturn when it was discovered and what it's made up of.
In the middle of town, you can find street art depicting a galaxy scene.
A hidden find next to the bakery in the main street
Accommodation
If you'd like to stay in Coonabarabran, a wide range of hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts is available.
Dubbo, NSW Attractions
You could easily spend two or three days here as there is so much to do. The Western Plains Zoo will take up one day by itself.
The Royal Flying Doctor Experience
The Royal Flying Doctor Service Experience building
New in 2019, the Royal Flying Doctor Service Experience is where you will find all about this vital organisation.
For remote communities, the Royal Flying Doctors are a welcome relief during times of sickness and accidents. Just a phone call away, they will either talk you through or fly out medical staff to take you to hospital.
It was started by Rev. John Flynn, who received a letter from Lt. Clifford Peel in 1917, but it took Flynn 10 years to see their dream come true.
Interactive touch stations give you an insight into families on remote communities as well as information on the history of the RFDS from the beginning.
The two huge rooms inside the experience
In the other room, you have displays of the services they offer as well as a film on the service and live information on the planes that are out helping people across the country.
The RFDS Experience is definitely a must-do for everyone, whether you're from Australia or overseas. It's located at the Airport Precinct on Judy Jakins Drive in Dubbo, and they also have a cafe available.
Hours
- Monday-Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm
- Saturday: 9:00am-4:00pm
- Sunday and Public Holidays: 9:00am-3:00pm
- Closed: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Anzac Day and Good Friday.
Western Plains Zoo
The Western Plains Zoo is the sister zoo to Taronga in Sydney, but this one is so much bigger.
Driving, cycling or walking if you're fit enough, is the best way to get around this vast 3 km² area. You can hire bikes or carts, and keep your car parked in the huge car parks at the entrance.
Cafes, eateries and picnic areas are dotted around the zoo to keep you refreshed on your day exploring.
The Sumatran Tiger is critically endangered, but hopefully, zoos like this will bring them back
The Western Plains Zoo has an emphasis on conservation and babies are born all the time.
Baby Rhinos and Elephants may be there to greet you as well as other young animals
You can also stay here and go to sleep to the sounds of an animal lullaby.
Hours
- Daily including Christmas Day: 09:00 AM–04:00 PM
- During NSW and Qld School Holidays: 08:30 AM–04:00 PM
Old Dubbo Jail
The entrance to the Old Dubbo Gaol down a laneway
If you want to take a look into Australia's criminal past, then you can't go past the Old Dubbo Gaol to enlighten you.
Dark times happened here in the past
The beautifully preserved buildings give you an insight into what life was like for the prisoners during their stay between 1847 to 1966.
There is plenty of information on the conditions that people had living there, as well as the guards' life. You can also learn how the end of life comes around for some at the end of the hangman's noose.
Hours
- Daily: 09:00 AM–04:00 PM
- Check out their website for Tour Times
- Closed Christmas Day
If you do these attractions and the Wellington Caves, you can get a Great Big Adventure Pass for added value.
Dubbo Regional And Japanese Garden
If you need a place to relax and smell the flowers, then the Dubbo Regional Gardens are the place for you.
You can walk through the tranquil Japanese Gardens
The gardens are broken down into areas, the Shoyoen Japanese Gardens, Oasis Valley, Sensory and the Biodiversity Gardens.
Take a seat under the weeping willow, beside the lake or next to the waterfall. Walk past fountains, sculptures, native plants and trees.
There are more gardens to explore here
There is also a large playground here to keep the kids happy on the other side of the car park.
After you've had your fill of tranquillity, the kids can play on the playground
Accommodation
If you'd like to spend the night in Dubbo, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from.
Parkes, NSW Attractions
The Dish
Only a short drive off the Newell Highway, and 20km north of Parkes, the Parkes Observatory is one of those attractions that will entertain the whole family or travellers.
The information centre in front of the Dish
Made famous by the movie "The Dish", the Parkes Observatory is where you will learn all about the part that the Observatory played in the moon landing.
Inside the information centre, you can learn all about the universe through a 3D-movie and information boards.
From the viewing area, you can see the Dish being moved around into position.
You can get up close to the Dish, and see it being moved into position to seek out life in the universe
Hours
- Daily: 08:30 AM–04:15 PM
- Extended during NSW School Holidays
Cafe Hours
- 10:00 AM–02:00 PM
- Closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Elvis Presley Festival
If you're an Elvis fan then this one of the attractions that you can't miss.
Held every second week in January, the Elvis Festival gets bigger every year with more than 200 events across the five days.
The Elvis statue is taking pride of place in the middle of Parkes
Now 29 years young, if you are a fan of Elvis, then this is the place to be during the festival. Dress up and join in the fun with over 25,000 other people, but remember to book early.
Forbes, NSW
Mcfeeters Motor Museum
The McFeeter's Motor Museum is packed full of cars and motorbikes from over the last hundred years to today. There are even old toys for the kids to explore.
The floor is full of cars and the mezzanine full of motorbikes and old toys including handmade
A great motor museum for the enthusiast or family, with mannequins dotted around the cars depicting the era that they are from.
The Morris 8, Chevrolet 1929 and Japanese Funeral car
The Morris 8 and Chevrolet 1929 are still in their original condition, including the dirt and dust from when they were bought in.
The Japanese Funeral car was used by politicians or bureaucrats only. It would be only driven at midday, so as not to cast a shadow on the public. It was thought you'd be cursed to die if the shadow fell on you.
There are so many cars and motorbikes on the floor and the mezzanine. There are also so many stories, too many for me to tell you. You'll just have to visit and find out for yourself.
There is plenty of parking here and also a cafe to fuel up for your drive ahead.
Hours
- Daily: 09:00 AM–05:00 PM
- Closed Christmas Day
