Rivers and tributaries play important roles in the layout of the Boomi area. The headwaters of the McIntyre River system rise in the Great Dividing Range between Guyra and Stanthorpe, and flow north west towards Goondiwindi, then veering west. The Boomi region is situated on the New South Wales side of the McIntyre River between Goondiwindi, Queensland with Boggabilla adjoining and Mungindi downstream, straddling the border. In earlier years the MacIntyre River was known as the Barwon River at the source of the Boomi River, but now reference is made to the Barwon River after the confluence with the Weir River.