There are so many attractions to see along the drive from Brisbane to Adelaide on the Newell Highway. 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 Silo Art off the Newel Highway, Brisbane – Adelaide.
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If you plan on travelling around Australia, the best way to get around is by car. You get to see more, and you will find hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.
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The Start of the Newell Highway
Goondiwindi, QLD Attractions
Goondiwindi is the town bordering Queensland and New South Wales. Before you cross the Macintyre River, the border, and start down the Newell Highway, you will have a couple of attractions to see.
Information Centre Goondiwindi
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 library is also housed here, and there is free Wi-Fi. You can get vouchers for 200Mb or 2 hours of free Wi-Fi (whichever is reached first).
The Art Gallery is small but showcases the local artists well.
The Goondiwindi Grey, Gunsynd, was the most famous resident of Goondiwindi. This champion was an outstanding racehorse because he won races carrying 60.2 kgs in any condition, using his fighting tenacity.
There are also displays and information on the rodeo history in Goondiwindi.
Hours
Monday-Friday
- 08:30 am–04:30 pm
Saturday
- 09:00 am–01:00 pm
Sunday
- Closed
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.
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.
Outside, sheds hold old machinery used to work the land through the generations.
Prices
- Adults $5.00
- Children (5-15): $2.00
- Concession: $3
CASH ONLY
Hours
Monday to Saturday 9 am–1:00 pm
Sunday closed
The Bridge and Apex Park
Next to the bridge leading into NSW is a parkland with a statue of the Goondiwindi Grey.
Here you can walk along the banks of the McIntyre River or enjoy a picnic in one of the many shelters.
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. They 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 from your drive.
Coonabarabran, NSW
Coonabarabran, on the Newell Highway, has been dubbed the astronomy capital of Australia for its out-of-this-world attractions.
You’ll find the Saturn model at the rest stops, whether you’re coming in from the north or south.
Here you can read up on Saturn when it was discovered and what it’s made of.
You can find street art depicting a galaxy scene in the middle of town.
Dubbo, NSW Attractions
There are so many attractions to see in Dubbo on the Newell Highway that you could easily spend two or three days there. The Western Plains Zoo will take up one day by itself.
The Royal Flying Doctor Experience
New in 2019, the Royal Flying Doctor Service Experience is where you will learn all about this vital organisation. It is one of the most informative and inspiring attractions in Australia.
The Royal Flying Doctors are a welcome relief for remote communities during sickness and accidents. Just a phone call away, they will either talk you through or fly out medical staff to take you to the 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 in remote communities and information on the history of the RFDS from the beginning.
In the other room, you can see displays of the services they offer, a film on the service, and live information on the planes that are out helping people across the country.
The RFDS Experience is 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.
Hours
Monday-Friday
- 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Saturday
- 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Sunday and Public Holidays
- 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Closed: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Anzac Day and Good Friday.
Prices
- Adult (16+) $23
- Child (4-15) $15
- Under 4 free
- Concession (senior, pensioner, student) $20
- Family (2 Adults, 2 Children) $58
- Family (1 Adult, 2 Children) $38.00
- Additional Children $13
Western Plains Zoo
The Western Plains Zoo is the sister zoo to Taronga in Sydney, but this one is much bigger.
If you’re fit enough, cycling or walking 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 vast car parks at the entrance.
Cafes, eateries, and picnic areas are dotted around the zoo to refresh you during your day of exploring.
The Western Plains Zoo emphasises conservation, and babies are born all the time.
From February 2024, you will have the chance to see a Platypus in a purpose-built new enclosure.
You have a chance here if you’re after an Animal Encounter with your favourite animal. Go behind the scenes with a keeper to various African Animals and Sumatran Tigers to learn and have an experience of a lifetime.
I have been to the Billabong Camp twice and stayed overnight for the first time. I have had tours, breakfast, dinner, bike hire, and also driven around the zoo.
The second time I visited, I parked at the entrance and walked around the whole park, which isn’t something that I’d recommend unless you’re fit. Even if you drive around, there are plenty of opportunities to get a good walk-in, going from enclosure to enclosure from the car parks.
You can also stay here and fall asleep to the sounds of an animal lullaby.
You can choose from three types of accommodation: Zoofari Lodge, Savannah Cabins, or the Billabong Camp.
Tours
Go behind the scenes on these tours that give you a closer look at your favourite animals. You can choose from the following to make your time here even more special and informative.
Wildlife Hospital Tour – See the great work here keeping animals healthy.
Pride Lands Patrol – Take a ride on the purpose-built patrol truck to see Lions up close safely.
Early Morning Walk – See the zoo come alive at dawn and see animals without the crowds on this under 4km walk.
Hours
- Daily, including Christmas Day
- 09:00 am–04:00 pm
Prices
Click here to view the prices and buy your tickets for 20% off the gate price.
Old Dubbo Jail
If you want to look into Australia’s criminal past, you can’t go past the Old Dubbo Gaol to enlighten you.
The beautifully preserved buildings give an insight into what life was like for the prisoners from 1847 to 1966.
There is plenty of information on the conditions that people lived in there, as well as the guards’ lives. 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–05:00 pm
Check out their website for Tour Types and Times
Closed Christmas Day
Prices
- Adult $24.50
- Pensioner/Student $20.50
- Child $9
- Family 2 Adults & 2 Children $59 + $7.50 extra child
Dubbo Great Adventure Pass
The Great Adventure Pass is for the following attractions:
- Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Experience (1 entry ticket)
- Western Plains Zoo (1 entry ticket valid for two days)
- Old Dubbo Gaol (1 entry ticket)
- The Wellington Caves
Prices
- Adult 16+ $98.50*
- Child 4-15 $54*
- Family 2 Adults 2 Children $268.50*
*123 Tix booking fee of $1
** Plus 1.47% Credit Card payment fee – calculated at checkout
Dubbo Regional Botanic and Japanese Garden
If you need a place to relax and smell the flowers, then the Dubbo Regional Gardens are the place for you.
The gardens are divided into areas: the Shoyoen Japanese Gardens, Oasis Valley, Sensory Gardens, and Biodiversity Gardens.
Sit under the weeping willow, beside the lake or beside the waterfall. Walk past fountains, sculptures, native plants and trees.
On the other side of the car park, there is also a large playground to keep the kids happy.
Parkes, NSW Attractions
The Dish
Only a short drive off the Newell Highway and 20km north of Parkes, the Parkes Observatory is an attraction that will entertain the whole family or travellers.
The Parkes Observatory, made famous by the movie “The Dish,” is where you will learn about the role the Observatory played in the moon landing.
You can learn all about the universe inside the information centre through a 3D movie and information boards.
You can see the Dish being moved into position from the viewing area.
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
Prices
- Free entry to the visitors centre, telescope viewing area and astronomy and space science exhibition.
- $4.95 to join the AstroKids Scavenger Hunt (pre-booked school groups receive a discounted rate).
3-D Theatre
- $9.50 adults
- $8.00 for students and concession card holders
- $35.00 for families (2 adults and 2 or more children)
- Free for children under school age
Please note that dogs are only allowed outside the visitor centre building. They must always be on a lead and accompanied; companion dogs are permitted inside.
Turn off your gadgets to help us listen to whispers from space.
The ‘noise’ created by our modern gadgets can overwhelm the weak signals from space that our telescopes try to detect. You can help us listen to whispers from space by switching your phone to airplane/flight mode and turning off other WiFi and Bluetooth-enabled devices before you arrive. We welcome photography and digital video when you visit; however, please ensure your device is in aeroplane/flight mode.
Elvis Presley Festival
If you’re an Elvis fan, this is one of the attractions you can’t miss.
Held every second week in January, the Elvis Festival gets bigger yearly, with more than 200 events across the five days.
Now 29 years old, if you are an Elvis fan, this is the place to be during the festival. Dress up and enjoy the fun with over 25,000 other people, but remember to book early.
Forbes, NSW Attractions
McFeeters Motor Museum
The McFeeter’s Motor Museum is packed with cars and motorbikes from the last hundred years to the present. There are even old toys for the kids to explore.
It is an excellent motor museum for enthusiasts or families, with mannequins dotted around the cars depicting the era they are from.
The Morris 8 and Chevrolet 1929 are still in their original condition, including the dirt and dust from when they were bought.
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. 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 have to visit and find out for yourself.
There is plenty of parking here, even if you have a caravan.
Hours
- Daily
- 9 am–4 pm
- Closed Christmas Day
Prices
- Adults $15
- Seniors $14
- Children 5-15 years $5
- Family 2 Adults 2 Children $35
Conclusion
I hope that you enjoy these attractions and more when you drive up or down the Newell Highway. There is so much to see in regional NSW, and hopefully, you’ll find the time to travel to this part of Australia.
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Links
If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on the following links: Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art. If you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or Photography, you can click on their links.
Travel Resources
- Flights & Accommodation—You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Tripadvisor, and WayAway, which offers 5% cashback.
- Car Hire—Take to the open road with great deals from EconomyBookings.com, RentalCars.com and DiscoverCars.
- Train & Bus Tickets UK & Europe—Use Trainline to plan and book your rail and bus travel in the UK and Europe.
- Travel Insurance is the number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master, and Insubuy provide insurance coverage during your travels..
- Attractions—buy before you leave home with these great sites: Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
- House Sitting is a great way to save on accommodation, and Trusted Housesitters offers house sittings worldwide.
- Photo Editing is a great way to bring your photos to life, and you can try Luminar Neo, which I use.
- Visa Applications—apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
- Sim cards—Try Airalo, the world’s first eSIM store, which solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).
If you want more, try my Travel Links and Resource page.
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