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 are travelling around Australia, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.
Need A Car?
If you are travelling around Australia, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.
If you want to book a car, you can try using one of these car rental websites, EconomyBookings.com, DiscoverCars, Expedia or RentalCars.
Need Accommodation?
Try using these accommodation websites to find a comfortable place to sleep after your day exploring, Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia.
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All prices and times were correct when this was written or updated, but please check the websites when you wish to visit.
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The Start of the Newell Highway
Goondiwindi, QLD Attractions
Goondiwindi is the border town between Queensland and New South Wales. You have a couple of attractions to see before you cross the Macintyre River, the border and really start down the Newell Highway.
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 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.
The Goondiwindi Grey, Gunsynd, was the most famous resident of Goondiwindi. This champion was such a great racehorse because he not only won races carrying 60.2kgs, but in any conditions, and used 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
- via the Goondiwindi Cinema – lunchtime till late.
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
CASH ONLY
Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday
- 9 am–1:00 pm
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 for a day.
Coonabarabran, NSW
Coonabarabran, on the Newell Highway, has been dubbed the astronomy capital of Australia for its out-of-this-world attractions.
Whether you’re coming in from the north or south, you’ll find the Saturn model at the rest stops.
Here you can read up on Saturn when it was discovered and what it’s made up of.
You can find street art depicting a galaxy scene in the middle of town.
Dubbo, NSW Attractions
You could easily spend two or three days at Dubbo on the Newell Highway, as there are so many attractions to see. 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 find all about this vital organisation and is one of the most informative and inspiring attractions in Australia.
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 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 have displays of the services they offer and 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.
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 so much bigger.
If you’re fit enough, driving, 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 keep you refreshed on your day exploring.
The Western Plains Zoo emphasises conservation, and babies are born all the time.
I walked around the whole park, which isn’t something that I’d recommend. 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 go to sleep to the sounds of an animal lullaby.
Hours
- Daily, including Christmas Day
- 09:00 am–04:00 pm
Prices
| TICKET TYPE | GATE PRICE* | ONLINE PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $51.00 | $45.90 |
| Concession | $39.00 | $35.10 |
| Child (4-15 years) | $30.00 | $27.00 |
| Infant (under 4 years) | FREE | FREE |
*Tickets can only be purchased online as part of Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo’s COVID-Safe plan.
For more prices, click here.
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 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–05:00 pm
Check out their website for Tour Types and Times
Closed Christmas Day
Prices
- Adult $22.50
- Pensioner/Student $18.50
- Child $8
- Family 2 Adults & 2 Children $55 + $7.50 extra child
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 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 is also a large playground here to keep the kids happy on the other side of the car park.
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.
Made famous by the movie “The Dish”, the Parkes Observatory is where you will learn about the part that 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 around 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 student 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’s centre building. They must be on a lead and accompanied at all times; 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 our telescopes are trying 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 that your device is in airplane/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 every year, with more than 200 events across the five days.
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 Attractions
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.
It is an excellent motor museum for the enthusiast or family, 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. 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, even if you have caravans.
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 get to enjoy these attractions and more when you are driving up or down the Newell Highway. There is so much to see in regional NSW and hopefully, you’ll find the time to travel in 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, or 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 has 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 train travel in the UK and Europe.
- Travel Insurance – is your number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master and Insubuy are invaluable in keeping you insured 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 has house sits all around the world for you to try.
- 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 is the world’s first eSIM store that 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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