GOONDIWINDI
There can be no doubting what the locals reckon this town is famous for. Horse references abound in local naming, and a fine statue of Gunsynd, “The Goondiwindi Gray”, has pride of place at entrance to the town beside the river.
Gundi is 327km by road from Brisbane. The name is from aborigine for ‘resting place for the birds’. No doubt a reference to the plentiful water in the area supplied by the Macintyre River, although just now the area is in the grip of drought. Population of town is 6400, and it services another 5000 in the district. The town is nicely set out, with lots of gardens, wide streets, and the folk seem pretty house proud.
The local Information Centre has a fine museum about Gunsynd: lots of photos and records and other memorabilia including some of the cups and other trophies she won during her racing career. There is also a rodeo exhibit there, as that seems also to be a sport the locals relish. Nearby the Macintyre River is lined with nice parkland, and an historic bridge is still in use crossing into NSW, though the main highway bridge to Boggabilla is a little further along.
The main street especially has a row of tall palms down the median strip, giving character to the usual array of stores and services. No RSL, although the building still remains locked up. The club went bust a few years back. Lots of pubs and motels.
I had morning tea with Dulcie Rose (cousin) who turned 90 last November. She is in good health and very spry for her age. Caught up on family history from that branch of the Cliffes. She lives in a nice little home near town centre. Coming into Goondiwindi I had passed several very large grain depots. I didn’t find out if the train line is still in use, or if it is all trucked to port.
As I left town, I passes the showgrounds where they were cleaning up after their annual show which was on Friday/Saturday.
Photos here
YELARBON
East on the Cunnigham Highway, a 50km drive brings you to this small town. It is home to 500 people, with a minimalist shopping centre, couple of churches, post office, police station and State School. The rail station looked completely deserted. It did have a very nice rest area for those passing through. It was here that the first commercial tobacco crops were grown in Queensland; though today it seems that sheep and cattle have taken over. There is a still-operational sawmill at edge of town.
Photos here
TEXAS
A detour south for 65km brings one to the border town of Texas. Population is 1160. It used to be a tobacco farming area with a strong Italian presence. Now cereal crops and cotton have taken over. It has a pleasing main street with a combination of retail and service outlets. The Dumaresq River is just 1km away, and forms the Qld – NSW border. There is a spacious camping reserve on its Qld banks, and I was surprised at the number of caravans and mobile homes there. Many of them travel well equipped, with solar panels for electricity, portable showers, and attached living space. I gather the fishing just there is very good! A God-fearing town, Texas. Only the take-away was open on Sunday! Not much sign of life anywhere.
Photos here
INGLEWOOD
Turning north again, it is a 50km drive to Inglewood. It is 257km west of the Brisbane, and is home to 1100 people. It is a neatly set out town with very wide streets. 3 pubs that I counted; a very nice tea gardens; an historical centre (that was closed); all major churches as well as Catholic school. In the main street is a very modern looking medical centre. I wondered if it might be one of these super-clinics the government was going to set up around the country. It seemed to have all sorts of medical services housed together. A drive around town showed that homes were well kept and many quite modern in appearance. Gave the impression of being a rather thriving centre, even though Sunday saw everything closed pretty well. The local bowls club was well attended – the greens, I mean!
Photos here
The last leg for the day was to Millmerran where I had booked a motel room. 71km drive on a pretty winding road. About halfway, I topped a crest in the road and there before me was the panorama of the southern Darling Downs—a wonderful patchwork of ploughed fields, green crops, and fallow paddocks. Magic! Further on, I passed the huge Millmerran Power Station doing its bit to pollute the atmosphere. Dinner at the local pub, with good tucker. Next bed; and tomorrow, home.
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