Toowoomba to Dubbo road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
The best stops on a Toowoomba to Dubbo road trip itinerary are Goondiwindi, Moree and Coonabarabran. The distance from Toowoomba to Dubbo is 712km, with a driving time of eight hours.
This expert-researched guide is designed to help travellers plan a perfect road trip itinerary from Toowoomba to Dubbo in New South Wales.
To just book Dubbo accommodation, head here. Dubbo is also home to the safari-style Dubbo Zoo – for which skip-the-queue tickets are best booked in advance.
For Toowoomba accommodation, book here.
Toowoomba to Dubbo distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Toowoomba to Dubbo is 712km. That makes for a driving time of around eight hours.
The best stops on a Toowoomba to Dubbo road trip are Goondiwindi, Moree and Coonabarabran.
Top Toowoomba accommodation recommendations
The best Toowoomba accommodation options are:
- For central location and undercover parking at a 4.5 star with a pool: Oaks Toowoomba.
- For well-equipped apartments: Athena Motel Apartments.
- For a holiday park with plenty for the kids: Big4 Toowoomba Garden City.
- For a surprisingly good motel at cheapish rates: Applegum Inn.
Toowoomba to Dubbo road trip: The Gore Highway
Top attractions in Toowoomba include the DownsSteam railway museum, Japanese Garden and Cobb & Co Museum.
The first leg of the drive is from Toowoomba to Goondiwindi along the Gore Highway.
It passes through the Darling Downs region of Queensland, skimming the edge of uneventful towns such as Athol and Southbrook. It then goes through the slightly larger Pittsbrook and Millmerran.
Of these two Gore Highway towns, Millmerran is arguably more appealing. There are some lovely views from the Commodore Peak Lookout, while a series of murals painted throughout the town tell Millmerran’s history.
After Millmerran, you can explore the Domville State Forest near Captains Mountain. The Western Creek State Forest is to the north of the Gore Highway, while the Bulli State Forest and Wondul Range National Park are to the south. None of these are must-sees, but you can get a pleasant walk out of them.
Toowoomba to Dubbo drive: Across the NSW border
Shortly before entering Goondiwindi, the Gore Highway merges into the Leichhardt Highway, which continues into the border town.
Goondiwindi has a nice mix of history and culture. Top attractions include the Customs House Museum and Goondiwindi Art and Sculpture Trail. You can also go on intriguing cotton farm tours.
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.
Want to push on? Then it’s about an hour and a quarter from Goondiwindi to Moree.
The quickest route from Goondiwindi to Moree crosses the Macintyre River into New South Wales, and immediately joins the Newell Highway.
Click through to the next section: Boggabilla to Moree.