Chinchilla Tardis
A father’s love and devotion to his children set the backstory behind the legendary NEW Acacia Motel – More than a Bed experience. And, the Chinchilla Tardis completes the story.
In the heart of Chinchilla stands a testament to an extraordinary bond—a father and son united by their shared passion for Doctor Who. When young Isaac was just five, the BBC’s merchandise launch opened a magical gateway between us. Together, we’d lose ourselves for hours among Doctor Who figures and playsets, our fingers tracing the intricate details of different Tardis releases.
While I cherished unique connections with each of my four children, something truly special emerged between Isaac and me through our Doctor Who adventures. The show became our secret language, our shared universe where imagination knew no bounds. This FREE Public Photo Stand isn’t just a quirky roadside attraction—it’s a physical manifestation of those precious moments when a father and son discovered that sometimes the strongest connections are forged through the simplest joys.
A dad's promise...
When I unwrapped that miniature TARDIS—lights flashing, sounds whirring—I saw my son Isaac’s eyes ignite with pure wonder. In that magical moment, I made him a promise that would bind our hearts: “One day, I’ll build you a real one.” Yet between work and life’s endless demands, that sacred father-son pledge seemed impossibly distant.
Day Street, Toronto NSW Tardis...
The NSW lockdowns stripped away so much—school playgrounds, family gatherings, the simple freedom to explore.
For parents watching their children navigate this strange new world, every small joy became precious. When an anonymous local crafted a life-sized Tardis and placed it in a vacant block of land, he unknowingly became a beacon of hope for our community.
I call it the Toronto Tardis, NSW Australia. If it is still on display you will find it located at Day Street, Toronto NSW.
Within our permitted travel radius, this blue police box stood like a portal to better times.
Taking Isaac there felt magical—his eyes lighting up as he posed beside the iconic time machine. I got Isaac to pretend he had a key to enter the Tardis ready to explore the universe. The sun was in the perfect position for the photo on that day making it look like the Tardis light coming to life.
That unknown craftsman’s generosity put a smile on my boy’s face that I will always remember. And if the man who built it ever reads this, know I extend my deep gratitude to you in so many ways.
This selfless act reminded me that even in isolation, human kindness travels through time and space, creating connections that transcend the darkest times.
The NEW Acacia Motel – More than a bed
In 2023, the Four Children Trusts acquired the Acacia Motel in Chinchilla. Despite having no background in hospitality, this venture would become the most deeply meaningful business endeavor I’ve ever pursued—a treasure, a gift to my children that will endure long after I’m gone.
With 2 years of planning, I transformed a weary, weathered country motel into what has become one of Queensland’s most celebrated accommodations.
My vision was to reimagine the Australian motel experience, creating something extraordinary for guests of all ages. Every themed room draws upon cherished moments, memories and my precious bonds between a father and his children.
Each room designed with the contemporary traveler in mind to deliver an unforgettable stay in every dimension.
These spaces blend exceptional comfort with premium fixtures and cutting-edge technology, while each carries its own distinctive narrative.
Since achieving flawless guest reviews across all platforms from November 2024 onward, the time had come to introduce a completely new motel feature—something never before seen in Australia. It was finally time to fulfill the promise to my son Isaac and bring the overdue TARDIS to life.
The vision for the Chinchilla Tardis
After making a number of aesthetic and comfort changes to the motel, in early 2024 I had completed the first themed room named after my daughter Isabella. Despite major reconstruction of the motel due to a most unfortunate vehicular accident, I ambitiously continued my vision so that when the motel was to reopen it would be something deeply meaningful and extraordinary for future guests.
Having watched countless TARDIS build projects on YouTube over the years, I couldn’t find one particular build that truly resonated with me. This TARDIS was in my mind to be the crown jewel. And just as the Toronto TARDIS had brought my son Isaac such profound happiness to visit, my planned TARDIS would also bring delight to the public. A showstopper at the motel’s entrance on a designed concrete stand where visitors could come and enjoy a Whovian cosplay moment for free and create those treasured moments, just as Isaac and I did as father and son all those years ago. A complimentary TARDIS photo opportunity dedicated to my son, Isaac.
I had many quotes, I had several opportunities for home-built TARDIS projects, but only one truly captured my attention. Unlike the many builds on YouTube, the Peter Goodwin 1929 Real Police Box / Replica TARDIS was truly extraordinary to behold.
Most TARDIS builds are made of lightweight, removable panels that allow for easy ‘flatpack transport’.
Peter’s 1929 McKenzie Trench MK2 Police Box replica was built using authentic plans. Solid and robust, designed to be permanently positioned not easy to relocate. No panels for easy transport. With a weight of 280kgs, Peter’s attention to detail in the build is evident. The result is a sexy, magnificent blue box with painstaking labour of a true Doctor Who enthusiast. Peter Goodwin’s McKenzie Trench Police Box / Replica TARDIS was the only one that deserved dedication to my son.
Fun Fact: The closest representation of true McKenzie Trench 1929 style police box in the Doctor Who Universe is not actually found in the TV series but in the Peter Cushing Movies, Doctor Who and the Daleks and also Daleks Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.
Peter and I worked closely to organise the safe transport from Healesville Victoria to the Queensland regional town of Chinchilla. While discussions were underway of delivery the onsite preparation work of the Public Photo Stand concrete platform were undertaken by local building firm SK Watch.
The Arrival
As a devoted Doctor Who enthusiast, the instant that truck pulled up, I felt pure childhood joy bubbling up inside me—the same electric thrill I hadn’t experienced in decades. My mind drifted back to those treasured afternoons in primary school when my dear friend Galen and I would escape to our favorite climbing tree during recess. Perched high among the branches, we’d transport ourselves into our imaginary TARDIS, lost in endless adventures through time and space.
Watching that magnificent blue box being carefully unloaded became an indelible moment etched into my heart forever. What made it even more profound was knowing I was keeping a sacred promise to my son, while simultaneously strengthening the beautiful bond that this wonderful blue vessel of dreams had woven between us—father and son united by shared wonder and infinite possibilities.
The memory captures not just the fulfillment of a childhood dream, but the continuation of that magic into the next generation, creating a bridge of love and imagination that spans decades.
Modifying the Police Box...
“Looking back, the time we spent preparing our Police Box for her place of honor at the motel entrance holds such special meaning. Each modification we made – lowering her height, building the signage housing, preparing for that magical backlighting – was done with such love and anticipation. Brian Webster’s visit to restore and repaint her in Capaldi’s distinctive shade became one of those unforgettable moments you carry forever. Even ordering that Yale lock from across the ocean in the UK felt like part of something bigger than ourselves. These weren’t mere renovations; they were labor-of-love preparations for something truly extraordinary. SK Watch custom made a magnificent gal steel base for her to sit on and each day the promise made to my son was coming together before my eyes.”
Dedication to my son
Since completing the Chinchilla TARDIS FREE photo stand over 1000 people have visited in the first 3 months to enjoy their moment of Whovian indulgence. Each fan sports a smile and exudes the excitement that Isaac and I shared those years ago in Day Street Toronto NSW during lockdown together at the locally built TARDIS.
The Capaldi Comparison
“The TARDIS that shaped Isaac’s childhood was primarily from the Matt Smith and Capaldi years, which explains the design choices reflected in these modifications. This TARDIS will receive one final distinctive touch—a deeply personal tribute honoring Mr. Peter Goodwin and his dedicated recreation of the McKenzie Trench MK2 British Police Box design.”
Personal Tribute to Peter Goodwin
This extraordinary endeavor, which has brought immense happiness to countless people while honoring the commitment I made to my son, exists because of one remarkable individual. The exceptional skill and meticulous attention to detail demonstrated by Mr. Peter Goodwin in his faithful recreation of the McKenzie Trench MK2 British Police Box design made this dream a reality. As a deeply personal tribute to Peter, the beacon atop the Chinchilla TARDIS will feature an authentic scale glass replica lantern that stays true to the original 1929 McKenzie Trench MK2 British Police Box. This design is notably broader and more substantial than any version depicted throughout Dr. Who’s television legacy, ensuring the Chinchilla TARDIS project stands as both a tender tribute to my son and a daily recognition of the dedicated craftsman who brought it all to life.
