Whether you’re visiting Goodna for the first time, hosting out-of-town family, or you’ve lived here for years and just need a fresh weekend plan, this is your local-insider list of the best things to do in Goodna, Queensland.
Goodna often gets overlooked — it’s the kind of suburb people zip past on the way to somewhere else. Their loss. With a 150+ year history, a heritage-listed sandstone church, a steamboat-themed playground, riverfront walks, and one of South East Queensland’s most-loved festivals, Goodna packs a remarkable amount into 7.9 square kilometres. Here’s our pick of the top 10.
1. Catch the Jacaranda Festival in October
If you only do one thing in Goodna, time your visit for late October. The Goodna Jacaranda Festival at Evan Marginson Park has been running since 1968 and now spans two big days — Friday evening and all day Saturday — with live music, market stalls, sideshow alley rides, food trucks, cultural performances, fireworks and more. Adults $10, kids under 13 free. Read more on our events page.
2. Walk the Brisbane Terrace heritage trail
The historic jacaranda trees lining Brisbane Terrace were planted in 1932 by Depression-era work gangs, and they remain one of Goodna’s most photogenic features. Pair the walk with a stop at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church — the heritage-listed sandstone church designed by Andrea Stombuco in 1880–81 — and the Diggers Rest War Memorial at Queen and Church Streets.
3. Play at RJ Richardson Park
The reimagined steamboat playground at 135–137 Brisbane Terrace is a hit with toddlers through to early primary kids. The boat-themed structure offers climbing nets, ladders and slides, with a colourful soft-fall base, accessible facilities and accessible car parking. Right next to the rugby league fields and the aquatic centre.
4. Swim at the Goodna Aquatic Centre
Two heated pools, a 25m lap pool with diving blocks, a splash pool and a fully enclosed pool for aqua aerobics — all at 137 Brisbane Terrace. Open 7 days, run by JUST Sports & Fitness, with on-site kiosk and shade sails. Phone (07) 3381 8240 for current entry rates and class schedules.
5. Take a picnic to Evan Marginson Park
Outside festival weekend, Evan Marginson Park is a peaceful, leafy neighbourhood park ideal for a Sunday picnic, kids’ kickabout or a quiet afternoon under the historic jacaranda trees. It’s just a short walk from the train station — making it a great low-effort outing if you’ve come in from Brisbane or Ipswich.
6. Launch the boat at Goodna Boat Ramp
Goodna has one of the only public boat ramps on this stretch of the Brisbane River — popular with fishing locals, recreational boaters and the occasional waterskier. Even without a boat, the riverbank itself is a peaceful spot for an early morning walk.
7. Eat your way around the world at Goodna Marketplace
The recently renovated Goodna Marketplace reflects the suburb’s beautiful diversity. From traditional Australian fare to Vietnamese, Filipino, Samoan and broader Pacific Islander cuisine, you can eat your way around the world without leaving the postcode.
8. Watch the rugby league at Goodna RLFC
The Goodna and District Rugby League Football Club at RJ Richardson Park has been a cornerstone of the local community for decades. Saturday afternoon games during the season are a quintessential Goodna outing — bring chairs, snacks and a willingness to cheer.
9. Discover the heritage precinct on Church Street
Goodna’s main civic precinct runs along Church Street — the heritage-listed Catholic church, the former Sisters of Mercy Convent (1911), the old Catholic primary school (1910), the war memorial and (until controversially demolished in 2006) the Presbyterian Church. A short walk takes you through the architectural heart of old Goodna.
10. Have a beer at the Hotel Cecil
Sitting on the site of Joseph Broad’s original 1857 store and formerly known as the Royal Mail Hotel, the Hotel Cecil is the historic Goodna pub. Pub meals, cold beer, and a sense of continuity with the suburb’s earliest commercial life. The perfect last stop on a Goodna day.
Goodna is a fantastic place to live, work or invest — a major financial and medical hub having not only a major shopping centre but also a great local train station.
Made it through all ten?
If you’ve ticked off every item on the list, you’ve genuinely done Goodna properly. We’d love to see your photos — tag us on social or send them through our contact page and we’ll feature the best of them in future posts.