Tamworth
Discover Tamworth, a thriving regional centre…
Located 405km north-west of Sydney, 280km from Newcastle and 570km south of Brisbane, Tamworth is easy to get to regardless of whether you’re driving, or sitting back to let someone else do the hard work on a plane, bus or train.
Home to the Kamilaroi/Gamilaroi/Gomeroi people for thousands of years, Tamworth is a regional city perhaps best known as the Country Music Capital, home to the Big Golden Guitar, and Mecca to fans of the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival.
If you want to see the current weather in Tamworth, you can view a live image here (updated every 60 seconds).
Choose your experience in Tamworth
Though the locals really do love to support live music (especially Australian music!), there are a few other tricks waiting to be discovered up Tamworth’s sleeve. It’s a destination for family fun, outdoor adventure, foodie delights, the arts and heritage, plus so much more!
Think award-winning playgrounds, wildlife and outback experiences, lookouts, walking and biking tracks, galleries and unique museums, and over 120 restaurants, pubs and cafes. With accommodation options ranging from 5-star luxury, cosy, country escapes and B&Bs through to modern caravan parks, beautiful campgrounds and quaint pub rooms, you’re guaranteed to feel right at home when you make Tamworth your base to explore this incredibly diverse region.
But that’s not all. Thanks to world-class venues, Tamworth’s got a full-to-the-brim events calendar that’ll bring you back again and again!
If your trip is a little longer, Tamworth is also the perfect base for adventures in regional New South Wales. It’s just down the road from awesome recreation reserves, State Forests and National Parks for those who love to get outdoors. You can climb the Moonbis to the New England (Uralla, Armidale, Guyra, Walcha) to the north-east, or jump on the Oxley Highway to explore the north-west (Gunnedah and Narrabri). You’ll discover NSW’s food bowl on the Liverpool Plains (Quirindi, Willow Tree) to the south-west, or head south to cross the Great Diving Range for the Upper Hunter (Murrurundi, Merriwa and Scone).
Top 10 Tamworth Experiences
1. Tamworth Regional Playground
The seriously exciting and award-winning Tamworth Regional Playground regularly gets rave reviews from visiting families. It features multiple play zones catering to different age groups, interests and abilities including a mammoth swing, carousel, senior and junior play zones, sand play area, flying fox, embankment slide, skywalk, outdoor gym, bike track, splash pad, miniature play town, picnic and BBQ areas, toilet access and free WIFI. Need something else to get you over the line? You can grab a coffee, snack or meal at Hopscotch Restaurant & Bar whilst supervising the kids burn that excess energy. If heaven was a place on Earth…
2. Tamworth Marsupial Park and Adventure Playground
Previously named by Budget Direct as one of the “Best Attractions for Kids”, Tamworth Marsupial Park & Adventure Playground is an awesome family experience. Explore the Marsupial Park where kids can get up close to native Australian animals before taking them for a run around the Adventure Playground (which is split into two age-specific areas). Entry is free, but donations that assist in the running of the park are welcomed.
3. Oxley Scenic Lookout
Though it’s just 2km from the Tamworth CBD, the Oxley Scenic Lookout feels like it’s a world away from the hustle and bustle. It’s a popular destination for walkers and runners, and with magnificent views of Tamworth and the Peel River Valley plus toilet and picnic facilities, it’s a lovely spot for a BYO lunch.
4. Big Golden Guitar
If you didn’t get a photo at the Big Golden Guitar, did you even visit Tamworth? Though the iconic attraction is what draws many visitors to the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre at the Big Golden Guitar, they are often thrilled to find that the complex also houses the Country Music Wax Museum, National Guitar Museum, Golden Guitar Café and a souvenir store alongside friendly and informative visitor services. Set aside a bit of time here to ensure you don’t miss anything!
5. Tamworth & Kootingal Horse Riding Adventures
Explore the Great Outdoors at Swamp Oak Station with Tamworth & Kootingal Horse Riding Adventures, for a truly memorable bush experience suitable for the whole family. It’s a beautiful spot where you can take a trail ride, pony ride or station tour while breathing in that fresh country air. Ahhhh!
6. Tamworth Powerstation Museum
Did you know that in 1888, it was the first city in Australia to be lit by municipal electric street lighting? This moment in history is celebrated at Australia’s only dedicated electrical museum – the Tamworth Powerstation Museum where you’ll discover unique exhibits including two John Fowler steam driven engines (the only two of their type operating in the world). It’s a great morning or afternoon out for families and lovers of science.
7. Australian Country Music Hall of Fame
Whether you’re a dedicated country music fan, getting your first taste of the genre or somewhere in between, you’ll uncover stories and artefacts that’ll fascinate you when you visit the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame. The museum showcases the Australian Country Music Industry and Tamworth’s part in it, and features rotating displays of its extensive collection alongside the permanent Walk A Country Mile interactive exhibition.
8. Tamworth Regional Gallery
Located conveniently in the Tamworth CBD, Tamworth Regional Gallery is the second oldest regional gallery in New South Wales and regularly hosts nationally significant exhibitions, showcases regional artists, and schedules workshops, artist talks, lecture, events and other public programs. Entry is free and there’s a great giftshop inside too!
9. Tamworth Mountain Bike Park
Get down and dirty at the Tamworth Mountain Bike Park which offers tracks for riders of all abilities including 14km of International Mountain Bike Association guideline-graded trails. There’s also picnic facilities, toilets and a playground for the kids when you need a breather.
10. Len Waters Cultural Tours
Walk in ancient footsteps and explore the Tamworth region through a Kamilaroi lens with Len Waters Cultural Tours. Len offers packaged tours ranging from half-day to two-day experiences, where he’ll take you on a journey to discover the stories and culture of our region’s first inhabitants. It’s the perfect way to slow down and get off the beaten track.
