Welcome to New England – the enormous beating heart of country NSW. There are tablelands rich with cool breezes and cellar doors, as well as rolling plains dotted with hot springs, pastoral countryside and over two dozen national parks.
Sounds like a lot? Here’s your to-do list: pop on your Akubra and crank up the country radio as you drive intoTamworth. Wander the colonial-era streets ofArmidale, and read up on the bushranger history of Uralla. Tiptoe in bushland to see drowsy wild koalas at Gunnedah. Fish at one of Gurya’s many trout farms, be entranced by Glen Innes’ Celtic standing stones and exploreWalcha’s Open Air Gallery.
Next, head out west to the Gwydir Valley to soak in Moree’smineral-rich hot springs. Marvel at the Sawn Rocks near the town of Narrabri on your drive up north. Before crossing the QLD-NSW border, stop at the historic towns of Tenterfield and Inverell, and fossick for precious sapphires.
New England is divided into two main regions: New England High Country, home to Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, Tenterfield, Uralla and Walcha; and New England North West Region with Tamworth, Gunnedah, Moree and Narrabri.
Tamworth is known as Australia’s ‘country music capital’, but there’s plenty else to do here other than strum your banjo. For example, head to the scenic Oxley Lookout or spot wild koalas at nearby Gunnedah.
The ‘Cathedral City’ of Armidale is one of the main towns of New England. Admire its colonial buildings and close-by natural wonders – like those found on the Wollomombi walking track, or at Washpool National Park and Gibraltar Range National Park – and get a taste of Celtic culture at the town of Glen Innes.
Out west awaits a natural spa getaway, courtesy of the Great Artesian Basin. Aside from soaking at the spas, visitors can undertake remote activities likebush camping by Yarrie Lakeand hiking the volcanic Mount Kaputar National Park.
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TheTamworth Country Music Festival在late January is a major draw for fiddle fiends. By the time you’ve evicted the tunes of Lee Kernaghan from your head,Moree on a Plateis around the corner, showcasing the best of the region through cooking classes, food and wine stalls and long lunches.
At Glen Innes, theAustralian Celtic Festivalis in full swing in late April and celebrates one of the Celtic nations each year.
New England is filled to the brim with incredible art. In Armidale, visitors to theNew England Regional Art Museum(NERAM) can admire a mix of contemporary artists, as well as heritage, works by Australian Impressionists like Arthur Streeton and Tom Roberts.
Visitors who want a greater understanding of Indigenous culture are in luck. TheArmidale and Region Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Placepreserves and promotes Aboriginal arts and culture, with art galleries and workshops onsite.
Moree is more than worth the trip for its spectacular natural hot springs. Soak in the mineral-rich waters at theMoree Artesian Aquatic Centre, soothing tired muscles after a long drive.
Feeling refreshed? Then it’s time to explore the many national parks, with the drive into the region on Waterfall Way covering five alone! Eat a picnic lunch at Wollomombi Falls, the highest waterfalls in the state, at Oxley Wild Rivers National Park; or Ebor Falls at Guy Fawkes River National Park. And take your time walking among the Gondwana Rainforests in New England National Park.
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Staying in Tamworth?BIG4 Paradise Tamworthon the Peel River andAustin Tourist Parkhave cabins, unpowered and powered sites for camping and caravans, as well as a pool.
If you’re travelling out west to Moree, options likeGwydir Thermal Pools Motel & Caravanparktempt you to stay in with their onsite hot springs, along with powered and unpowered sites, cabins and rooms.
Goau naturelwith a free camping spree in one of the region’s national parks. Near Armidale, theDangars Gorge campgroundin Oxley Wild Rivers National Park can be booked. Near Moree, the free Gum Flat Reserve camping site is on the sandy banks of the Gwydir River.
As you’d expect from a destination firmly on the road trippers to-do list, New England has plenty in the way of basic and low-cost motels and roadside inns. For a touch more luxury, try a night atPetersons Guesthouse and Winery, attached to a cellar door. Historical hotels like those at the atmospheric early 20th centuryLindsay Houseand the restored art-deco styleTattersalls Hotel Armidaleare also available to book in town.
In Tamworth, the five-star and family-ownedPowerhouse Hotel by Rydgesis a gorgeous stay, with impeccable jewel-toned interiors throughout the rooms, restaurant and bar. Alternatively, there are also countless cottages, farm stays and other eclectic properties to discover on Airbnb in New England.
Vibrant, welcoming and kitted out with funky artistic wall designs, theGoldfish Bowl Bakeryin Armidale makes for a solid breakfast or lunch stop, eating in its vine-covered outdoor courtyard area. At Uralla, snuggle down with a coffee next to the fireplace of an old general store at The Alternate Root cafe.
You could also start your day, bleary-eyed, but eager to shop, at theArmidale Farmers Market. Taking place on the second Sunday of each month (except for July and August) on the grounds of the EdwardianSaumarez Homestead, fresh veggies are in abundance.
Want to discover more about New England’s wines, with food to match?Merilba Estate WinesandPeterson’s Winesboth serve up winery lunches.
When it comes to country pubs, this region has got options on tap. As well as being a stylish overnight stay, theCommercial Boutique Hotelin Tenterfield has a pet and family-friendly restaurant that pours local drops from the surrounding wineries and has a cosy fireplace for those laid back winter nights. Other pubs of the region include the freshly renovated heritage塔姆沃思酒店. It dates back to the thirties, and has pub favourites like steak, sourced from the local Jack’s Creek farmers. At Uralla, theCoachwood and Cedar Hotel(commonly known as ‘Top Pub’) has a gorgeous outdoor beer garden.
Located inland in northern NSW, New England is best visited by road trip. While it’s a six-hour drive straight fromSydney,we’d recommend hanging left from the Pacific Highway beforeCoffs Harbour.From there, take the lushWaterfall Wayfor just over two hours to get to thetown of Armidale.
Alternatively, you can explore it as part of the inlandBrisbane to Sydney route. Flights come into Tamworth and Armidale, andCountrylinktrains have services between Sydney and Tamworth.
One of the best times to visit is in autumn when the foliage begins its magical costume change in preparation for winter. An autumn trip also means avoiding the baking summer months, where temperatures on average reach 36°C in the western parts of the region.
Get yourself acquainted with a historic centre on theArmidale Guided Heritage Tour, departing the Visitor Information Centre by bus. Over two and a half hours, a tour guide will tell you the stories of the town. Admission is free – although a donation is appreciated.
Take the time to hear the Indigenous history of the region. On Kamilaroi country, near Tamworth,Len Waters Aboriginal Culture Tourshas a series of experiences that will see you looking at the land anew.
