From the purple canopy of jacaranda blooms in October to riverside heritage walks year-round, Goodna offers more for visitors than first-timers expect. Here’s the local guide to what to see, do and experience.
If you’ve only ever zipped past Goodna on the Ipswich Motorway or rolled through on the train, you’d be forgiven for missing what’s here. But pull off the highway, park near the heritage precinct on Church Street, and you’ll find a suburb with character to spare — and an annual festival that brings 10,000 people together under jacaranda trees planted nearly a century ago.
Top things to do in Goodna
Jacaranda Festival
South East Queensland’s most-loved community festival. Two days of music, market stalls, fireworks and fun in late October.
St Francis Xavier Church
Heritage-listed sandstone Catholic church (1880–81), designed by Andrea Stombuco. The architectural jewel of Goodna.
Brisbane River walk
Stroll along the riverbank — Goodna is one of the few suburbs with public boat-ramp access to the Brisbane River.
RJ Richardson Park
Steamboat-themed playground at 135–137 Brisbane Terrace. Perfect for families with young kids.
Goodna Aquatic Centre
Two heated pools and a splash pool at 137 Brisbane Terrace. Great for cooling off year-round.
Evan Marginson Park
The home of the Jacaranda Festival. Year-round, it’s a peaceful spot for a picnic under the jacaranda trees.
Diggers Rest War Memorial
On the corner of Queen and Church Streets. Dedicated in September 1921 — a place for quiet reflection.
Goodna Marketplace
The recently renovated heart of local shopping. Supermarkets, specialty stores, post office and medical centre.
Heritage walking tour
Self-guided walk past the old Catholic precinct, Penhelyg house (1896), the war memorial and Hotel Cecil.
The Jacaranda Festival — Goodna’s signature event
Held since 1968, the Goodna Jacaranda Festival has become a cultural institution. It’s a weekend in October when the suburb’s iconic jacaranda trees explode into purple bloom and Evan Marginson Park fills with market stalls, food trucks, sideshow alley rides, live music, cultural showcases, fireworks and the legendary Battle of the Bands.
The 2025 edition broke new ground by running across two full days — Friday 24 October and Saturday 25 October — with entry of just $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for teens and free for children under 13. Expect samoan cultural performances, Quest for Talent finalists, the Dance Party 360 ride, and dazzling fireworks shows.
Festival quick facts
Where: Evan Marginson Park, 6 Layard St, Goodna QLD 4300 (also known as Woogaroo St). When: late October each year. Phone: 07 3737 3529. Visit goodnajacarandafestival.com for the latest year’s program.
Heritage attractions
St Francis Xavier Catholic Church is the architectural highlight of Goodna’s heritage. Originally St Patrick’s, the foundation stone was laid in 1880 by Bishop James Quinn and the church opened in 1881. Designed by celebrated colonial architect Andrea Stombuco from sandstone quarried in Stuart Street, it sits at the heart of the historic precinct alongside the former Sisters of Mercy Convent (1911) and the original Catholic primary school (1910).
Just a few blocks away on Queen and Church Streets, the Diggers Rest War Memorial is the focus of every ANZAC Day dawn service in Goodna. Dedicated in September 1921, it remembers the local men who served in the First World War and the conflicts since.
Heritage-spotters should also walk past Penhelyg, the elegant 1896 Queenslander on William Street; the Hotel Cecil (formerly the Royal Mail Hotel) on the site of Joseph Broad’s 1857 store; and the old Goodna train station precinct, in operation since 1875.
This bike ride is a key part of the annual Ipswich Festival. Goodna is the major rest point — and you can join the event there.
River and outdoor adventures
Goodna sits right on the Brisbane River, and the Goodna Boat Ramp is one of the only public boat ramps on this stretch of the river — a magnet for fishing and waterskiing locals. Crews paddle past most weekends, and the riverbank is a peaceful spot for a walk or a quiet beer at sunset.
In April each year, Goodna also serves as the major rest stop for the Ipswich 100 bike ride — a 50+ km charity ride from Brisbane Mall to the heart of Ipswich, attracting around 1,000 riders and supporting the Ipswich Hospital Foundation and the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. Spectators line the streets cheering riders through.
A day in Goodna — sample itinerary
- 9:00am — Coffee at Goodna Marketplace, then a quick browse of the shops.
- 10:00am — Heritage walk: St Francis Xavier Church, the Diggers Rest, Penhelyg.
- 11:30am — Splash time at the Goodna Aquatic Centre or play at RJ Richardson Park.
- 1:00pm — Lunch at the Hotel Cecil or one of the diverse local eateries.
- 2:30pm — Riverside walk along the Brisbane Terrace and a stop at the boat ramp.
- 4:00pm — Sunset under the jacarandas in Evan Marginson Park.