Goomeri, Queensland - Heritage Streets, Country Bakery and Waterfall Adventures

Wander * Explore * Discover
Dec 21, 2024
3 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Goomeri, Queensland - Heritage Streets, Country Bakery and Waterfall Adventures

Tucked away in Queensland’s South Burnett region, Goomeri is a small country town with a big heart. Located 265 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, it’s surrounded by rolling cattle country and dairy farms, and is best known as the home of Australia’s only Pumpkin Festival, held on the last weekend in May. With its relaxed pace, historic streetscape and friendly community, Goomeri is the kind of place that invites you to slow down and explore.

A Town with Old-World Charm

Once a thriving timber town, Goomeri has retained much of its 1920s character, with many original buildings still in use today. Wandering the town centre feels like stepping back in time, with wide streets, heritage shopfronts and plenty of places to stop for a chat or a coffee.

During our visit, we wandered the main street, admired the town clock, sampled treats from the bakery, browsed the bookshop and discovered some of Goomeri’s fascinating historic buildings before heading out to nearby Kinbombi Falls.

The Heart of Town

Despite its small size, Goomeri’s town centre packs in plenty of character. You’ll find a traditional country hotel, a supermarket, cafés, specialty stores and one of the most talked-about bakeries in the region.

At the centre of town stands the striking ‘Lest We Forget’ clock, built in 1939 as a memorial to local residents who lost their lives in war. Instead of numbers, the words Lest We Forget form the clock face — a moving and meaningful tribute.

A Bakery Worth the Stop

The Goomeri Bakery is a must-visit. Open daily from 6.30 am to 3.00 pm, it offers an impressive selection of pastries, baked goods, local jams, fresh flowers and excellent coffee. The bakery gained its reputation after a local baker spent months in southern France learning traditional French baking and patisserie techniques — and it shows in every bite.

Just down the street, Wimberley & Co Bookstore is another local favourite, with a beautifully curated selection of books, gifts, puzzles and coffee, making it a lovely place to linger.

Walking Through History

Many of Goomeri’s historic buildings date back to the 1920s, and exploring them is easy thanks to information boards and small plaques detailing the town’s past.

Highlights include:

The Goomeri Bakery, originally Florence’s Store (1935–1948)
Osaka and Willow, once the Queensland National Bank, built in 1926
Phat Wag Butcher, on a site that has housed a butcher since the 1920s
Wimberley & Co Bookstore, originally C.A. Wimberley & Sons (opened 1923)
The Hall of Memory, a heritage-listed war memorial hall built in 1926
Several buildings rebuilt after fires in 1939, including the Post Office and Grand Hotel sites

Near the Big Pumpkin statue, an information board helps guide you through the town’s key historic sites.

Parks, Museums and Local Life

Goomeri’s Visitor Information Centre is open seven days a week and is located near a historic windmill and a pleasant park. Across the road from the Goomeri Emporium, another park features a playground, toilets and a fun Queensland alphabet trail — perfect for families.

The local Goomeri Museum, open on weekends, adds another layer to the town’s story, showcasing rural life and community history.

Kinbombi Falls – A Natural Bonus

Just 10 kilometres from Goomeri, Kinbombi Falls makes a great side trip. The area features a large car park that also doubles as an RV camping area, complete with toilets, bins and picnic tables.

A short 100-metre walk leads to Lookout 1, where you can see Kinbombi Creek cascading over steep rocky cliffs into the deep gorge below. For those wanting to explore further, a staircase of 225 steps descends to the base of the waterfall. Kinbombi Falls is best visited after good rainfall, as the creek can dry up during drier periods.

Why Goomeri Is Worth the Detour

Goomeri may be small, but it’s full of stories. From heritage buildings and heartfelt memorials to excellent food and nearby natural attractions, this charming South Burnett town offers a relaxed and rewarding travel experience.

Whether you’re visiting for the Pumpkin Festival or simply passing through, Goomeri is well worth slowing down for.