Goondiwindi, Queensland

Goondiwindi is often described as the gateway to the Western Downs. It is a rambling settlement and typical rural Queensland town on the Queensland-New South Wales border. Goondiwindi is also a popular stopping point for interstate travellers with an abundance of well appointed motels and restaurants.
Location: 368 km west of Brisbane at the junction of the Cunningham, Newell, Bruxner, Barwon and Leichhardt Highways.
Brief history: Goondiwindi was first proclaimed a Municipality in October 1888. The town boundaries have not altered to this day, and before Federation the town served as one of few border crossings between QLD and NSW. The customs office which was used in that era stands today and is open for tourists. The twin town of Boggabilla, which is located a short distance away on the New South Wales side of the border, held a similar function as a customs office for the NSW government.
Goondiwindi was the birthplace of a famous racehorse named Gunsynd which became known as the Goondiwindi Grey. In the late 1960s and early 1970s the horse had 29 wins including the 1971 Epsom Handicap and the 1972 Cox Plate. It came third in the 1972 Melbourne Cup.
Places of Interest: Isla Gorge National Park; Expedition National Park; Macintyre Cotton Gin; Gunsynd memorial; BHP coal mine (town of Moura); Customs House (1859); Victoria Hotel (1898); Dawson Folk Museum