GOONDIWINDI, QUEENSLAND

'Goondiwindi' is an Australian town of approximately 5,023 people (Census 2004) with an annual population growth of 1.3% over the year. The name Goondiwindi (pronounced "Gundiwindi") derives from a local Aboriginal word meaning "the resting place of the birds".

Contents

Geography

Transport

Farming

Attractions

History

Media

See also

Geography

The town is situated on the MacIntyre River in Queensland near the New South Wales border, 350 kilometres south west of the Queensland state capital, Brisbane. The twin town of Boggabilla is located a short distance away on the New South Wales side of the border.

Transport

The town is a major transport nexus for trucks and other traffic travelling between the southern states and Queensland. The Newell, Leichhardt, Gore, Cunningham, Barwon and Bruxner Highways all merge at Goondiwindi or close by. The town is also the administrative centre for the Waggamba Shire. Goondiwindi is also a popular stopping point for interstate travellers with an abundance of well appointed motels and restaurants.

Farming

Goondiwindi is also a major centre for agricultural production with the district producing and growing a diverse range of crops and fibres. The mainstays of the local economy are anything from wool and beef production through to the growing of cotton, sorghum and corn in the summer period. The winter crop growing season sees the planting of wheat, barley and chickpeas. Average rainfall for this region is 525 millimetres per annum.

Attractions

The town of Goondiwindi also boasts a large man made water park which is fast becoming a major tourist attraction for the locals as well as people in the surrounding districts. The park can be used for water skiing, boating, swimming and general outdoor recreational pursuits. Goondiwindi also boasts a very active sporting community which has active participants in such diverse sports as, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Cricket, Golf, Tennis, AFL, Netball, Swimming etc. The Town has also recently built a large indoor gymnasium for use by the general public and school groups. One of the major sporting highlights is the annual hell of the west triathlon which is run in February of each year and is supported by competitors from all over Australia.
Boobera Lagoon is a permanent water hole to the west of the town.

History

Goondiwindi was first proclaimed a Municipality on the 20 October 1888. The town boundaries have not altered to this day.
The most famous resident of Goondiwindi was Gunsynd, a Thoroughbred race horse known as "The Goondiwindi Grey." A statue of Gunsynd is located in a park in the town centre. [1]

Media

Goondiwindi publishes a weekly newspaper called 'The Goondiwindi Argus'.

See also

★ Goondiwindi Town Council

★ Yelarbon