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.

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. 

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.

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.

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