Outdoor & nature
One hundred per cent natural.
Leave the great indoors behind, and explore our big skies, big country and big hospitality.
Let us show you our backyard.
Cast off at Lake Coolmunda
Looking for a dam-good time? Explore Lake Coolmunda, a 16.45 km2 man-made reservoir promising a winning trifecta of boating, camping and fishing. You’ll find this patch of water-paradise about 75 minutes from Goondiwindi’s CBD and 50 minutes west of Warwick. Want to spend the night? Cabins and lakeside caravan / camping sites are available.
Go Fish
Keen anglers, take note – the fish are always biting in the Goondiwindi Region. There’s a reason we are regarded as one of the best freshwater fishing areas in Queensland – the region is positively brimming with Yellowbelly, Silver Perch and Murray Cod in its inland waterways.
Before casting off, you’ll want to make note of fishing regulations regarding licencing, limits and seasons for both Queensland and New South Wales. To get you started, stop in at one of the service stations in the region to stock up on bait.
Looking for where you can put the boat in? All boat ramps offer toilets, drinking water, adjacent picnic areas and rubbish bins.
- Goondiwindi: Elizabeth Drive, Macintyre River
- Goondiwindi Natural & Heritage Water Park: 76 Johnston Road, Goondiwindi
- Coolmunda Dam: 13km east of Inglewood
- Glenlyon Dam: a 45-minute drive from Texas
There’s also river access at Goondiwindi Recreation Reserve, Rainbow Reserve, Yellowbank Reserve, Lees Reserve, Bengalla Reserve and Keetah Border Crossing, where a boat can be launched from the river’s edge.
Pack the binoculars and go birdwatching
It’s no surprise that the Goondiwindi Region is abundant with feathered friends – the town translates to ‘the resting place of the birds’ in the local Indigenous dialect. With rich fertile soil ripe with vegetation and a maze of perennial water systems, there’s enough food and shelter to support more than 200 species of birds identified in the Goondiwindi Region. Binoculars and a bird book are a must pack, or grab one of our Bird Watching brochures from the Visitor Information Centre!
Relax and unwind in the Goondiwindi Botanic Gardens
Looking for a place to unwind in nature? You’ll find a great picnic and birdwatching spot next to the water’s edge in the 25-hectare Botanic Gardens.
Wander the Olive Grove
With the walkway lined with olive trees, you could mistake your morning amble in Inglewood as somewhere in the Mediterranean. Expect a historical journey as you stride it out along the Inglewood Olive Walkway, with its series of signs detailing the history of the area. Whether you do the full walk (2.2 km) or a shorter variation (1.3 km), keep your eyes peeled for birdlife.
Take a scenic drive along the Coolmunda Trail
If you like your scenic drives to include coffee, art, history and nature experiences, point your bonnet for the Coolmunda Trail near Inglewood. Start the trail with a coffee at CC Café at Greenup Meeting Place before wandering Coolmunda Organic Olive Grove. This scenic drive trail finishes on the banks of Lake Coolmunda, where you can spend the night camping, in a caravan or in one of the onsite cabins. Pick up a trail guide at the Inglewood Visitor Information Centre for everything you need to know.
Get wet at the Goondiwindi Natural Heritage and Water Park
If you like to explore Mother Nature with some horsepower behind you, make tracks to the Natural Heritage and Water Park. This 210- hectare recreational water park was purpose-built for water sports including water skiing, wakeboarding, canoeing and boating. The banks of the water park are a great place to have a picnic, and you can also swim in the designated area. Afterwards, dry off along the 6.6 km of themed walking trails around the water park. Before organising your visit, please check the status of the Natural Heritage and Water Park’s waterways.
Tee off at one of these fairways
If you don’t travel without your clubs – good news – you can tee off at one of the Goondiwindi Region’s three golf clubs: Goondiwindi Golf Club (18 hole), Texas Golf Club (12 hole) and Inglewood Golf Club (9 hole). All clubs run social play as well as competitions, so you can meet locals as you work your way across the green.
Roll a bowl
No need to rest your bowling arm when you holiday in the Goondiwindi Region. One of the favourite spots is the Inglewood Bowls Club, which sits on the banks of the Macintyre Brook. Work up an appetite to enjoy a counter meal and cold beverage overlooking the view once you’ve played the green. Find yourself in Goondiwindi or Texas? Feel at home in their bowls clubs too.
Stretch your legs
Get a lay of the land the local way, taking to the Macintyre Riverwalk, the 3 km walkway following the majestic, tree-lined Macintyre River.
There are several mapped walks to choose from, each set to a soundtrack of birdsong that’s given the town its name.
Goondiwindi Botanic Gardens: Wander 25 hectares of native flora and fauna with 2 hectares specifically landscaped for your enjoyment - complete with BBQ facilities, a fenced playground, shelter sheds and toilet amenities.
If you find yourself in Yelarbon, try the Desert Jewel Biodiversity Walk. This 500 m circuit showcases various native vegetation including the Brigalow woodlands, unique salinity scrublands and fragile wetlands; all providing habitat, food and nesting sites for a large array of birds and animals.
Make a splash
It’s easy to make a splash in the Goondiwindi Region with three public swimming pools – Goondiwindi (an Olympic sized pool with a shallow toddler pool and shaded grass areas with picnic tables); Texas and Inglewood. Be sure to check our local Council page here for opening hours and timetables which are subject to change.