Newcastle to Rockhampton road trip: Distance, time & best stops
Newcastle to Rockhampton road trip: Narrabri to Goondiwindi
It’s another 100km from Narrabri to Moree, although you may wish to detour to Mount Kaputar National Park for the views and walking trails.
Things to do in Moree include birdwatching at the Waterbird Lagoon bird hide in the Gwydir Wetlands State Conservation Area, visiting the Bank Art Museum and swimming at the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre.
What’s the best Moree accommodation?
Moree makes a logical overnight stop on many road trips. These are the best accommodation choices.
- For exclusive artesian spa pools: Artesian Spa Motel.
- For great reviews & a restaurant: Albert Motel.
- For solid, well-priced apartments with a pool: Jackaroo Apartments.
From Moree, the Newell Highway heads towards border town Boggabilla, then over into Queensland. The first town you’ll reach is Goondiwindi. There’s a nice mix of history and culture here, with attractions including the Customs House Museum and Goondiwindi Art and Sculpture Trail.
Goondiwindi accommodation picks
Hotel booking site Wotif offers Goondiwindi accommodation for from $97 a night. Check the options here.
The following, however, are particularly good choices.
- For central location: Macintyre Motor Inn.
- For cheapish rates and a pool: Binalong Motel.
- For character: O’Shea’s Royal Hotel.
- For family cabins: Freedom Lifestyle Parks Goondiwindi.
Newcastle to Rockhampton drive: Goondiwindi to Miles
From Goondiwindi, you need to head north along the Leichhardt Highway. You’re deep into agricultural territory here, and the first stop of any note is the Monte Cristo Rest Area in Billa Billa.
Push on, and you’ll pass through Booroondoo State Forest. There are no visitor facilities here, so you may as well keep going to Moonie. Here, you can take a fuel stop and admire the wonderfully silly Big Yabbie.
If you fancy free camping overnight, then you can pitch a tent at the Rocky Water Hole just north of Moonie.
Further north on the Leichhardt Highway, the Gums Roadhouse is somewhere to pick up supplies before reaching Condamine. There’s a petrol station and caravan park here.
If you can, however, keep going to Miles. There are several good Miles accommodation options, which makes it a good spot for an overnight stay on a road trip. Highly-rated Miles motels include the Western Downs Motor Inn and the Starlight Motor Inn.
Miles, QLD, is one of those small towns that’s surprisingly appealing. Here, the Miles Historical Village and Museum recreates a turn-of-the-century town’s main street.
Miles is also home to Chinamans Lagoon by the side of the Leichhardt Highway. Ordinarily, this would just be a pleasant place for a picnic or barbecue. But visit in summer or early autumn, and the lake is covered with extraordinarily rare pink water lilies.
Click through to the next section: Miles to Wandoan.