Length:

22 km

Termini:

Northern: Leichhardt Hwy (A5) and Gore Hwy (A39), Goondiwindi

Southern: NSW-QLD Border, Goondiwindi

Miscellaneous:

Continues as A39 in New South Wales

Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:

Goondiwindi

Current: 39

Multiplexed with: A5

Former: 85 85

Forthcoming Alphanumeric: A39

Road Authority Internal Classification: ¹

17D (Goondiwindi (from National Route 42 junction to NSW-QLD Border))

26C (Goondiwindi (from A5 junction to National Route 42 junction))

28B (Millmerran to Goondiwindi)

General Information:

National Highway 39 is a major highway route linking the Darling Downs farming area, and the city of Toowoomba with Goondiwindi and New South Wales.

Consisting of mostly rural highway standard, the route passes through mostly farming, residential and commercial zones.

The Gore Highway is named after two brothers, George & Ralph Gore. They established Yandilla station between Pittsworth and Millmerran, which the highway passes through. ²

Correspondence with the Darling Downs office of the Department of Transport and Main Roads between May 2024 and July 2024 confirms that the route signposted as National Highway 39 is officially numbered A39, and signs will be updated as they are replaced during routine maintenance. However, there are several mentions on tourist route signs directing motorists to "Follow A39" to stay on the touring route that passes through Goondiwindi.

A5, for 15 km, Goondiwindi.

State Route 82, for 15 km, between Millmerran and Pampas.

1990: Construction commenced on a 2 km deviation which included 2 new bridges over the Macintyre River and nearby floodplain. ³

October 1992: The Goondiwindi Bypass and bridge over the Macintyre River was completed. This resulted in bypassed a poorly aligned, flood-prone alignment, and also removed vehicles from the Goondiwindi town centre. As part of this realignment, an existing local road skirting the northern edge of the Goondiwindi urban area was improved and a new road was constructed along the eastern edge of town to link the new river crossing with the Cunningham and Leichhardt Highways. ³

1993: National Route 39 replaced by National Highway 39 between NSW Border and the intersection with Leichhardt Hwy (NR39) and Gore Hwy (NH85, formerly SR85).

February 1993: Main route for Goondiwindi to Brisbane traffic moved from Cunningham Hwy to Gore Hwy, providing a more superior alignment.

NSW Border to Goondiwindi

Queensland Border:

The NSW-QLD border at Goondiwindi, where the Newell Hwy becomes Cunningham Hwy, April 2005.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign for Leichhardt Hwy, Goondiwindi, April 2005.

Image © Rob Tilley

Tourist Welcome Sign:

Tourism based advance directional sign for the tourist information bay at Goondiwindi, April 2005.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Marshall St (former NH39) and Kildonan Rd (TD3) at Goondiwindi, April 2005.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the roundabout with Marshall St (former NH39 and ALT-NH39) at Goondiwindi, January 2004.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign on Cunningham Hwy (NH39) at Goondiwindi, May 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Leichhardt Hwy (Boundary Rd) (NH39) and Cunningham Hwy (NR42) at Goondiwindi, May 2011. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Michael Greenslade from January 2004.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign sign at the junction with Leichhardt Hwy (Boundary Rd) (NH39) and Cunningham Hwy (NR42) at Goondiwindi, May 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign sign at the junction with Leichhardt Hwy (Boundary Rd) (NH39) and Cunningham Hwy (NR42) at Goondiwindi, May 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign on Leichhardt Hwy (NH39) at Goondiwindi, May 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Barwon Hwy (SR85) at Goondiwindi, May 2011. The SR85 shield for the right-hand turn should be coverplated with A5.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign assembly at the junction with Barwon Hwy (SR85) at Goondiwindi, May 2011. NH39 turns right here and picks up the A5 duplex.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Barwon Hwy (SR85) at Goondiwindi approaching Leichhardt Hwy (Boundary Rd) (NH39), April 2005.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign assembly at the junction with Barwon Hwy (SR85) at Goondiwindi, April 2005.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

RD sign with erroneous SR85 shield on Leichhardt Hwy (NH39 / A5) at Goondiwindi, May 2011. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from April 2005.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

RD sign without route numbers on Leichhardt Hwy (NH39 / A5) at Goondiwindi, April 2005.

Image © Rob Tilley

Rest Area Distance Sign:

RD sign for rest areas on Leichhardt Hwy (NH39 / A5) at Goondiwindi, October 2005.

Image © Paul Rands

Goondiwindi to NSW Border

Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign on Leichhardt Hwy (NH39 / A5) at Goondiwindi, May 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Road Conditions Sign:

Road conditions sign on the outskirts of the Goondiwindi town centre, May 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Entering Goondiwindi:

Leichhardt Hwy (NH39 / A5) as it enters the Goondiwindi town centre, May 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Road Train Prohibition Sign:

Sign prohibiting road trains in the Goondiwindi town centre, May 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Barwon Hwy (SR85) at Goondiwindi, May 2011. NH39 turns left and the A5 duplex ends at this junction.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at the junction with Barwon Hwy (SR85) at Goondiwindi, May 2011. NH39 turns left and the A5 duplex ends at this junction.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign on Cunningham Hwy (NH39) at Goondiwindi, October 2004.

Image © Jamie Scuglia

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Marshall St at Goondiwindi approaching Cunningham Hwy (NH39) and Kildonan Rd (TD3), May 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley