Oxley Scenic Lookout, TamworthCredit: Destination NSW
Man enjoying the scenic views overlooking Tamworth from the Oxley Scenic Lookout.
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Tamworth is set to host another big music event in 2024, with live music venues welcoming acts for Great Southern Nights from 8-24 March. If you didn’t make it for the annual country music festival, plan a trip to the home of the Golden Guitar and soak up the live music atmosphere.
Great Southern Nights Gigs
West Tamworth Leagues Club will be the town's hottest venue during March with Havana Brown (16 Mar) boasting dance floor anthems with fresh beats and Australia's celebrated rapper 360 (14 Mar) rawing his loyal following to the regional town. Hugely talented Jessica Mauboy (21 Mar) will also share her signature infectious sound while The Church (8 Mar) and The Whitlams Black Stump (9 Mar) will belt out some the nation's favourites tunes.
Great Southern Nights 2024 - Jessica Mauboy Credit: Morse Code
Great Southern Nights 2024 - Jessica Mauboy
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Great Southern Nights 2024 - Jessica Mauboy Credit: Morse Code
Great Southern Nights 2024 - Jessica Mauboy
Great Southern Nights 2023 Taster Series Credit: Morse Code
Great Southern Nights 2023 Taster Series
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Great Southern Nights 2023 Taster Series Credit: Morse Code
Great Southern Nights 2023 Taster Series
Eat and Drink
The Pig and Tinder Box
Occupying a grand 1848 building, Pig and Tinder Box is one of the first pubs in the New England region. Today it’s a casual yet classy eatery, serving modern Australian fare with Asian overtones – there’s a menu section dedicated to share plates, so bring your friends.
Spilt Milk Bar
Expect to leave with a smile on your face after devouring a more-ish range of gelato flavours made using all natural, and all Australian, ingredients. There are all the usual hits, as well as indulgent blends like peanut butter waffle, and Bailey’s coffee cream. If you’re after something more substantial – but great value for money – head to Burger Bulls, where fillings range from beef, chicken and lamb to vegetarian and vegan, plus specialty burgers for the kids.
Hissy Fits
When it comes time to refuel and start your heart in the morning, it’s hard to look past Hissy Fits. This unpretentious café makes the classics well, but mixes things up with specials like Vietnamese coffee, bulging breakfast burritos and half-a-dozen burgers.
Camp Grounds Coffee
Located in Dowe St, Camp Grounds is the destination for specialty coffee and tea in Tamworth, NSW. Their experienced team of ‘Happy Campers’ are excited to be serving up quality, sustainably sourced specialty coffee. Pair your drink of choice with loaded bagels and toasties, muffins and cake – there are also treats for pooch on the menu.
Sonny’s Bakery
Sonny’s Bakery approach to food is fairly traditional. They prefer the classic to the trendy, they prioritise sourcing local over imported, and their goal is always to make simple food taste great. Sonny’s is the local place we love to go. A place where you know the coffee will be great, the bread fresh and the breakfast delicious. They hope you enjoy it as much as they do!
The Welder’s Dog
Touring Tamworth can be thirsty work. Thankfully, there are plenty of places to whet your whistle. Start at The Welder’s Dog, a craft brewery that began in nearby Armidale and now has a popular outlet in Tamworth. The range of beers and hard lemonade on tap is impressive, and you can add on a bite from the grab-and-go fridge.
The Pig & Tinder Box, Tamworth Credit: Destination NSW
Boutique bar food available from The Pig & Tinder Box, Tamworth.
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The Pig & Tinder Box, Tamworth Credit: Destination NSW
Boutique bar food available from The Pig & Tinder Box, Tamworth.
Streetscapes, Tamworth Credit: Destination NSW
Morning sun rising over the local post office on Peel St, Tamworth.
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Streetscapes, Tamworth Credit: Destination NSW
Morning sun rising over the local post office on Peel St, Tamworth.
Play
Capitol Theatre Tamworth
Located right in the heart of Tamworth, the Capitol Theatre is Tamworth's main performance venue. It is a regular stop on the national touring circuit and a well-occupied theatre for local and regional events and productions.
Tamworth and Kootingal Horse Riding Adventure
For a unique adventure, stop by this fully working cattle station located just 27 kilometres east of Tamworth. Tamworth and Kootingal Horse Riding Adventures offer two-hour trail rides departing three times per day, seven days per week. Join their famous trail ride exploring over 1400 acres of the property along Mulla Creek with spectacular views taken in at a leisurely relaxing pace for all.
Arc-en-Ciel Trout Farm
Take home another taste of the region by catching your own rainbow trout at the Arc-en-Ciel Trout Farm. The farm provides visitors a tranquil get-away where they can experience their award winning products and impressive scenery, and is also home to delicious venues such as the Nundle Smokehouse and The Drunken Trout Café.
Explore
Enjoy local produce
With the Liverpool Plains around Gunnedah and Quirindi, and New England High Country vineyards around Uralla, the Tamworth region is one of Australia’s richest agricultural areas. Local produce is showcased at farmers markets around the district and the 10-day Taste Tamworth Festival in April is a drawcard. You can also visit gourmet and specialty stores, such as Odgers and McClelland and Nundle District Craft Inc, where you can purchase unique cooking supplies and homemade cakes, pies and preserves, alongside farm-fresh produce.
Follow the wine trail
Tamworth is part of the acclaimed New England Wine Region. About 20 minutes outside of Tamworth is Blickling Estate, which covers 1,800 hectares of beautiful vineyards, lavender farms and eucalyptus plantations. Further northeast in Uralla, drop into cellar doors and vineyard restaurants at Merilba Estate and Eastview Estate. Linger longer in the region and head north to the Glen Innes area where you can try a number of exciting alternative varieties at Topper's Mountain Wines.
Tamworth & Kootingal Horse Riding Adventures, Tamworth Credit: Destination NSW
Family on a guided tour with Tamworth & Kootingal Horse Riding Adventures, Tamworth.
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Tamworth & Kootingal Horse Riding Adventures, Tamworth Credit: Destination NSW
Family on a guided tour with Tamworth & Kootingal Horse Riding Adventures, Tamworth.
Merilba Estate Wines, Uralla Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset at Merilba Estate Wines, Uralla.
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Merilba Estate Wines, Uralla Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset at Merilba Estate Wines, Uralla.
Stay
Goonoo Goonoo Station
This impressive refurbishment of a 19th century heritage-listed and pastoral village has been turned into luxury accommodation. The seven private cottages have been beautifully restored and capture the history of the working cattle station while still providing guests with all the luxuries they need – heated swimming pool, tennis court, guest lounge, luxurious beds and linen, WiFi and even heated floors in the bathroom.
DAG Sheep Station
Set across 30 hectares on the outskirts of Tamworth, DAG Sheep Station was once part of a larger estate, and it still retains many of the historic buildings including the original woolshed, worker's cottages, shearer’s quarters and mess hall. Accommodation across the buildings ranges from shared quarters to private cottages, each with every creature comfort you could want. There’s also a licensed bar with open fires and spit-roast catering available.
Plumes Boutique Bed & Breakfast
When your stay is all about location, location, location, it’s hard to beat Plumes – check in here and you’re just 200 metres from The Golden Guitar Visitor Information Centre in the heart of Tamworth. This boutique bed and breakfast provides accommodation with access to beautiful gardens and a shared lounge; some rooms have a private patio or veranda, all have air conditioning and a seating area. If you’re a golf fan, look no further – rooms here overlook the Longyard Golf Course.
Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges
Tamworth’s only five-star hotel caters to groups of all sizes, thanks to being comprised of a range of rooms, suites, and one-and two-bedroom apartments. Spacious rooms are an earthy combination of natural wood and jewel tones, while larger accommodations come with kitchens and living areas, for those looking to linger and self cater. Facilities range from multiple restaurants to a gym, outdoor pool, sauna, guest laundry and barbecue area.
CH Boutique Hotel
If you love a little art deco flair, look no further than CH Boutique Hotel, located in the heart of Tamworth’s CBD. Overside rooms and suites are pared back but classy in design, with perks like private balconies so you can watch Tamworth go by – some also come with spa baths. For those wanting a little extra space, opt for the two- and three-bedroom apartments kitted out with kitchens. There’s a restaurant on the premises, but you’re also only a five-minute walk from a variety of shops, dining options and Tamworth’s cinema.
Studio 367
Enjoy a stylish stay in supreme solitude at Studio 367, which offers just two open-plan accommodations, each with timber flooring, hand-crafted furniture and plenty of natural light – think elements of timber and glass, concrete and steel to create a modern clean space that feels warm and luxurious. Every amenity you could wish for is available: a king bed, kitchenette, a unique curved shower and garden surrounds, providing a little leafy oasis within easy reach of Tamworth’s CBD.
Best Western Sanctuary Inn
This stylish hotel features design-driven rooms that could be featured in a glossy magazine – think ultra-plush mattresses, crisp white linens and oversized fluffy towels. This is all complemented by a dreamy saltwater pool, spa and barbecue area, where you’re welcome to hang out with your pooch – just get in early, as there are only two pet-friendly rooms. And you’re in the heart of Tamworth, so walking is the best way to get around.
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For more information on Great Southern Nights and to purchase tickets go to greatsouthernnights.com.au. Start planning your Great Southern Nights road trip and learn more about New South Wales’ diverse destinations and experiences at sydney.com and visitnsw.com.
Share your Feel New moments with #FeelNSW and #FeelNewSydney.
Goonoo Goonoo Station, Tamworth Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over the Glasshouse Restaurant at Goonoo Goonoo Station, Tamworth.
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Goonoo Goonoo Station, Tamworth Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over the Glasshouse Restaurant at Goonoo Goonoo Station, Tamworth.
CH on Peel Boutique Hotel, Tamworth Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a glass of wine at DECO Wine Bar & Restaurant at CH on Peel Boutique Hotel, Tamworth.
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CH on Peel Boutique Hotel, Tamworth Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a glass of wine at DECO Wine Bar & Restaurant at CH on Peel Boutique Hotel, Tamworth.
More Inspirational Stories
Mulwala Water Ski Club, MulwalaCredit: Destination NSW
Mulwala Water Ski Club located in the Riverina Murray region in Mulwala, offers an outdoor bar and casual relaxed dining overlooking Lake Mulwala. Learn to water ski on a world-class, private, twin lake the Max Kirwan Ski Park.
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Cool off with an adventure: NSW is a watersports playground
Mulwala Water Ski Club, Mulwala Credit: Destination NSW
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Hot sands, wild rivers, bays with towers of coral and waves that curl like a rockabilly quiff – NSW is a paradise for adventure on and under the water. For adrenaline-chasers, there are world-class waves and whitewater runs, foils and jet boats built for speed, and reefs home to sharks and turtles. For the quiet adventurers, try paddleboard expeditions, fishing for rainbow trout and bass in pristine rivers, and colourful snorkelling spots.
Your next adrenaline hit
Surfing may be the famous action-hero of the NSW watersports scene, but the state’s rivers, lakes, bays and beaches also host a huge diversity of aquatic adventures to get the heart racing. Take in Sydney Harbour’s icons, while spinning, splashing and thundering past in a jet boat with Oz Jet Boating or Thunder Jet Boat. In Western Sydney, Penrith is a hub for adventure. Penrith Whitewater Stadium, purpose-built for the 2000 Olympics, is uniquely set up for both beginner paddling and intense raft adventures, as well as kayak courses where you can test yourself against Olympic times; Cables Wake Park teaches you to wakeboard via zipline (jumps and obstacles included); and Jet Pack Adventures lets you feel like a water-powered Iron Man.
In Brooklyn, on the Hawkesbury River, Jet Ski Safaris will take you around the bends of the river at 30 knots, while Fliteschool Manly and OzFoiling (with multiple locations on the Mid North Coast) will teach you how to cruise the coastline via eFoil, a motorised surfboard that glides above the water like an elegant seabird. Outside of Sydney, on the Murray River, encounter one of the greatest and oldest waterski clubs in the world at Mulwala Water Ski Club.
Find a wave
With reliable breaks on some of the world’s most picturesque beaches, NSW is a premium spot on the international surf circuit. Surfers with their own board and years of experience behind them can find world-class waves all up the coast while newbies can join in on a surfing lesson, all you have to do is choose which one and which beach. You can also practice on a perfectly shaped, perfectly reliable wave (with multiple options suitable for beginners or experts) at URBNSURF, Olympic Park’s surf park, and finish off with a meal at RAFI, the onsite Applejack-run restaurant and bar that overlooks the waves.
URBNSURF Sydney Credit: Applejack_Sandy’s_URBNSURF Sydney
URBNSURF Sydney
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URBNSURF Sydney Credit: Applejack_Sandy’s_URBNSURF Sydney
URBNSURF Sydney
Oz Jet Boating, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Experience the incredible speed of the red shark boats as they blast across Sydney harbour at high speed with Oz Jet Boating.
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Oz Jet Boating, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Experience the incredible speed of the red shark boats as they blast across Sydney harbour at high speed with Oz Jet Boating.
Explore NSW’s coral reefs
The pristine, ecologically rich seas of NSW have seen the development of 10 protected marine parks covering more than 100,000 square kilometres, offering a haven to wildly diverse range of sea life. Beyond those areas, in the harbour and the bays of the coastal cities, there are also vibrant ecosystems ripe for snorkel or scuba dive trips. Self-guided snorkelling can be done in most places along the coast and, provided you have the equipment and training, so can diving. Or learn the ropes with a tour. Woebegone Expeditions and Courses will teach you how to explore the reefs of the South Coast with safe, freediving techniques; Region X Snorkel Tours has you jumping off a kayak with a snorkel around Batemans Bay; and Ecotreasures fits in a headland walk between time in the aquatic reserve around Manly. For new divers, you can explore the lower North Coast with Jetty Dive Centre or the tropical far North Coast with Cooly Eco Adventures. While Sydney Underwater Scooters will set you up with a handheld swim-assister and show you the clear waters and underwater fauna of Sydney’s Gordon’s Bay.
Paddling sunrise to sunset
Every river, bay and lake has a different scene and a different story, and cruising on a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) lets you discover at your own pace. NSW is also full of explorers and local experts ready to guide you along the way. In Sydney, Sydney Harbour Kayaks and Sydney by Kayak will introduce you to the harbour at its multicolour best with dawn and dusk paddles. Manly Kayak Centre has both hire and guided options for kayaks and SUP, as well as giving you the opportunity to try your hand at SUPBALL, which is like polo but replaces the horse with a SUP. Cronulla SUP and Balmoral Paddlesurf let you explore less famous, but no less beautiful, beaches of Sydney’s south and north respectively.
On the Sapphire Coast combine your next river adventure with a story, like on Navigate Expeditions’ Aboriginal Culture Tour, where you journey into the land’s Indigenous heritage, or a Kayak and Shuck Tour where you visit the oyster farms. On the North Coast, social enterprise and SUP tour guides Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours offers cultural eco-tourism on a paddleboard around the pristine waters of Solitary Island Marine Park. Not far away in The Tweed, Watersports Guru offers SUP lessons and hire, allowing you to cruise the waters Cudgen Creek while taking in the local birdlife – if you’re lucky you may even see a pod of dolphins.
Reel in a new experience
With pristine rivers and wild oceans, NSW is a dream for fishing for both newbies and those looking for the next big catch. Out on the oceans of the South Coast Kiama Charter Service will help you pull in your first deep-sea fish (go for blue-eye trevalla, gemfish or hapuka). While Port Macquarie Fishing Charters, Reel Ocean Adventures (in Tuncurry) and Evans Head Deep Sea Fishing Charters, provide the boats, deep-sea equipment and vibes on the North Coast. Inland, learn traditional yabbying in the bush at Narrabri Fish Farm, or set up your own line on NSW’s most epic jetties at Coffs Harbour, Lake Macquarie and Lake St Clair in the Hunter Valley. If you know the ways of a fly fisher, the Snowy Mountains and Blue Mountains are the hot spots.
Kayaking, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a day of kayaking on Sydney Harbour.
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Kayaking, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a day of kayaking on Sydney Harbour.
Navigate Expeditions, Kalaru Credit: Destination NSW
Guests on a walking tour with Navigate Expeditions in Kalaru
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Navigate Expeditions, Kalaru Credit: Destination NSW
Guests on a walking tour with Navigate Expeditions in Kalaru