My wife and I decided to make the trip back from Singleton to Brisbane a bit of a holiday, staying a couple of nights at different towns on the way. This is our experience with Goondiwindi.
Firstly, and very importantly - the people here are really friendly...I mean it...really friendly. Whether you're out running along the river trail early in the morning having to constantly say "G'day" to everyone going the opposite direction, or in the lounge at the Victoria Hotel with staff who can't do enough to help, or enjoying as flat white at a coffee shop on the main street - it's a friendly town.
The downside is that there's not a lot to do in Goondiwindi. Once you've been to the obscurely located visitors centre (staffed by very helpful older volunteers), seen the couple of glass cases at the "Gunsynd museum" (5 minutes), looked at the vandalised statue of Gunsynd (3 minutes), gazed at the ridiculous carved pillars set precariously on a traffic island on the approaches to the old bridge across the MacIntyre (30 seconds), visited the local Anglican church (lovely stained glass windows) and gone to the old customs house (only to discover it is closed from mid-December until 6th Feb!)...unless you've got a boat to put in the river and chase Yellow Belly or Murray Cod - that's almost it. Okay, I left out the botanic gardens which are quite well done as an authentic Aussie botanic gardens should be, and if you like looking at birds at the "historical" water park...that's really it!
So, if you're travelling through Gundy, plan to stay the night, have a look around at the attractions, stock up on supplies and buy a meal or two, but then plan to be somewhere else the next night.
Well, Sandsmere, I've seen a lot of the country and I'm just telling it as it is. But...thanks for the reply. Good to know people like yourself are reading my post and taking the time to respond.
Dick, thanks for your comments. FYI, I am still a worker, but we have a camper trailer and in the process of purchasing a van so we can actually visit the places we rushed through on postings over the years.
There are many outback towns like that. If you only travel short distances in the morning you have plenty of time in the afternoon to explore town. Some of them are quite interesting. Occasionally you will find one of these towns where there is something that catches your interest and you end up staying for two or three nights. Travelling short distances like that gives you time to talk to the locals and you get the feel for the bush. You will enjoy the outback that way.
John, next time you go through that way stop at Moree Gwydir Caravan Park. They have a selection of thermal pools (gratis.) If you are in season there is also some rural enterprises you can visit, this will keep you in town for several days.
__________________
PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Apologies for the VERY late response. I am just going through the posts on this sub forum in preparation for my first (after 20yrs) free camping expedition.
For towns like this I usually get out my push bike early in the morning & do a comprehensive tour of the place before breakfast.
Surprising what you find & I am well prepared to take SWMBO on a later car tour. (Just like we do in the Red Tourist Busses in large cities here & overseas)
A trip to the local river/weir is usually great along with one of my kayaks. Often see lots of wild life at dawn & dusk too. Always on the look out for a good picnic spot to take a bottle of wine & a BBQ dinner to watch the sunset too.
If all else fails go to the local pub to meet up with the locals & have a chat.
