Things to see and do
Tamworth is Australia’s Country Music Capital but it also offers visitors much, much more.
Tamworth is well known as the home of the largest annual country music festival in the southern hemisphere. In January each year, the population swells, as the cream of Australian country music and their fans descend upon the Tamworth region for the annual event.
The country music fixation does not end in January, year-round visitors can take in a number of country music attractions including the award-winning Walk A Country Mile interpretive exhibit at the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre, the Australian Country Music Foundation Museum featuring some of Australia’s best-loved artists, or the Gallery of Stars Wax Museum to see favourite stars immortalised in wax. No visit to Tamworth is complete without stopping for a photo in front of the Big Golden Guitar.
Many visitors are attracted to the city to explore its heritage and culture. Take a stroll through the heritage areas or visit the landmarks the city has to offer.
Exploring the city’s heritage is easy, it’s on every corner and at every turn from the King George V Avenue of English Oaks, Tamworth’s first residence Calala Cottage, the railway station built in 1878 or the War Memorial Hall in Fitzroy Street.
Must see attractions include:
The Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music in Marius Street - formerly a Dominican convent, it it’s now a training ground for budding musicians from throughout the district.
The PowerStation Museum recognises Tamworth's status as the first municipal shire to turn on electric street lighting in 1888.
The Australian Light Horse Memorial in Bicentennial Park, a bronze sculpture created by nationally renowned artist Tanya Bartlett, pays homage to the Waler horse's important role in the Great War.
Tamworth has positioned itself as a major business hub. The Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre (TRECC) is the largest regional entertainment centre in regional Australia coupled with the impressive Australian Equine and Livestock Centre which has become a regular hive of activity and Tamworth's new performing arts centre, The Capitol Theatre located in the heart of the city regularly hosts major and local theatre productions as well as conferences.
Tamworth is an arts and cultural hub. The Tamworth Regional Gallery regularly hosts national touring-art exhibitions as well as collections of local and recognisable art. Weswal Gallery, at the top of town, offers art and giftware from local and national artists. The Gamilarart Cooperative operates a gallery showcasing local and contemporary indigenous treasures. The Tamworth Regional Craft Centre specialises in all creative craft from painting to quilting, embroidery, woodturning, even blacksmithing and bonsai.
Tamworth comes alive with entertainment every week at its numerous clubs, pubs and hotels to entertain any visitor and to satisfy the party-goer. Families can keep the kids entertained for hours in recreational areas, indoor play-centres, cinemas, skate-parks, swimming pools or ten pin bowling, to name a few.
Escape to the Tamworth Regional Botanic Gardens adjacent to the Endeavour Marsupial Park and Bird Aviary. The gardens have been described as 28 hectares of paradise. Take time to visit the chapel located on the grounds, smell the roses and be educated in the fragile friendships of the environment.
Romance under the blanket of stars or the jacaranda-lined streets at Oxley’s Lookout to gaze over breathtaking views of the Liverpool Ranges. At the top of the lookout, bushwalk through the hills around Tamworth and stretch your legs on the Kamilaroi Walking Trail designed to offer a range of different walks over varying lengths and terrain.
For the light at heart see the Noses of Fame at Joe Maguire’s Pub, or follow the Stars of Fame along the Peel Street footpath and set your hand alongside some of Australia’s most famous artists at Hands of Fame Park. For the more daring, rev up for a visit to the Powerhouse Motorcycle Museum.
For information on all attractions in Tamworth and the region, visit the Tamworth Information Centre - relax, unwind, get excited and ready to treat yourself in this internationally renowned city.