Start at Goondiwindi Botanic Gardens around sunrise, allowing roughly 45 minutes for native plantings, open lawns and views towards the Macintyre River. Early light is the best choice here: it gives the grasses and river-edge vegetation a warmer, more dimensional look, while the cooler air keeps the walk comfortable. Entry is free, and there is generally straightforward parking near the gardens; bring water, as shade can be limited. Leave Goondiwindi by about 7:00–7:30 AM for the drive south to Moree, allowing approximately 1 hour 15 minutes via the Newell Highway, with fuel and coffee worth sorting before departure.
Spend about an hour at Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre, using the warm artesian pools as both a photographic subject and a break from the road. Admission is typically around A$15–25, but check the centre’s current opening hours and photography rules before arrival, particularly if you plan to photograph around the pool areas. Afterward, head into central Moree for the Moree Railway Museum, allowing about 30 minutes to photograph the heritage railway buildings and displays. Opening hours can be limited or seasonal, so treat this as a quick exterior-and-interior stop rather than relying on a long visit. Have lunch at a local café in the town centre—allow roughly A$15–30 per person—and refill water and fuel before continuing west.
Drive from Moree to Narrabri in about 1 hour 20 minutes, then spend approximately 45 minutes at Narrabri Lake. The open water, shoreline vegetation and birdlife suit a longer lens, especially in the softer mid-afternoon light; keep some distance from birds and watch for uneven ground near the water. From Narrabri, allow around 1 hour 20 minutes to reach Siding Spring Observatory near Coonabarabran, with the final approach winding through Warrumbungle National Park. Check observatory access, road conditions and remaining daylight before leaving Narrabri—the site is remote, and the complex may not be freely accessible outside visitor hours. Allow about 1½ hours for the observatory and surrounding Warrumbungle landscapes, but be prepared for fading light and cool conditions. Depart Coonabarabran around 5:00 PM, refuelling there or at Dunedoo, then continue to Mudgee via the B55 and B84. The drive takes roughly 3½–4 hours; rural roads can be dark and wildlife-active after sunset, so expect arrival around 8:30–9:00 PM and avoid pushing on if fatigue becomes an issue.