Special Interest - Tamworth Accommodation, Tamworth Visitor Information Centre, Touring, Events, Activities, Country Music Festival, Activities attractions, tours

FOOD AND WINE

The Tamworth region is bursting with an abundance of local produce to temp gourmands. Boutique wineries do wonders for the palate with many varieties available to taste. Visitors will also find meat, chicken, trout and barramundi farms across the region. Local operators are also producing into olives, honey and assorted condiments, berry liqueur, coffee and pasta plus there is a eucalypt and a lavender farm. Numerous touring options are available to many of these local produce operators or alternatively, you can sample the produce that is used at a number of restaurants across the region. Contact the Visitor Information Centre for further information.

Relax as you escape to the Tamworth Regional Botanic Gardens; be swept away by its small chapel located on the grounds and beds of roses waiting for you; a little further up the hill you will find Marsupial Park where you can spot a Grey Kangaroo or two, as well as some friendly peacocks plus a huge Aviary where you can see many bird species found in the area.

Look-out over the blanket of stars or jacaranda tree-lined streets at Oxley’s Lookout and gaze at the breathtaking view over the slopes and plains showcasing how extensive the region is. While at the top, take a bushwalk through the hills around Tamworth and follow the Kamilaroi Walking Trail. The greenery and bushland lines the CBD with Bicentennial Park and the Peel River Foreshore extending across town. Tamworth contains many other well established and maintained parks many of which incorporate children’s play areas making them ideal for that family stop-off.

Tamworth is bursting at the seams with the range of things for you to see and do. The city has become a well-known arts and cultural hub with the Tamworth Regional Gallery acting as a regular venue for national touring-art exhibitions. Weswal Gallery at the top of town offers art and giftware from local and national Australian artists coupled with a great café while the Gamilarart Gallery showcases local aboriginal and contemporary art pieces. All of this culture is in addition to a number of smaller art and craft boutiques around the area.

The city is rich with history to be seen and explored. The Powerstation Museum is a unique tribute to the area as Tamworth was the first municipal shire to have electric street lighting; the museum also offers an extensive look back at the changes and advancement in electronics and other technologies. Wander along the heritage walk through the city’s CBD precinct or undertake the heritage drive extending across the North, East and South suburbs to immerse yourself in the heritage of the town.

THE OUTDOORS

When you get out into the region a bit further you can really let loose at any of the numerous dams and reserves. Drop into Lake Keepit State Park or Split Rock Dam; both of which are great for boating activities from skiing to sailing to canoeing. The region is also well known for its inland fishing where you can throw a line in at any of the dams or rivers found on your travels; and while you there don’t forget to take a dip in the cool water yourself! If you don’t want to catch your next meal, pack a picnic lunch out for the day or if you feel like staying a while longer then you are able to camp overnight. There is also a range of State and National Parks in the vicinity allowing you to explore many bushwalking trails. For further information about the Mount Kaputar National Park or any other National Parks in this region, please visit the National Parks and Wildlife website.

GOLF

Tamworth boasts two (2) uniquely different golf courses. The Tamworth Golf Club is a sterling Par 70 test that embraces tree-lined narrow fairways and unforgiving rough in the traditional Australian golfing mould. The Longyard Golf Club is a 72 par Greg Norman Links style Golf Course that presents undulating wind swept panoramas with deep fairway bunkers and ‘hidden’ hazards. Between them that satisfy the tastes of the most discerning golfer.

Barraba is a famous bird watching region and was the first area to produce its own Bird Routes in Australia. The Bird Routes utilise old droving roads now known as travelling stock routes and all 14 are signposted. Over 190 species of birds have been seen in the Barraba region, with the endangered Regent Honeyeater the most sought after by twitchers as well as the Turquoise Parrot. Barraba is also the home of the endangered Boronia Ruppi, a rare plant species only found in the Barraba district and is also home to some of the most westerly Remnant Rainforest in the state.Click here to download the Tamworth Regional Bird Routes brochure or to obtain a hard copy of this brochure, drop into the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre (cnr Peel and Murray Streets), Manilla Visitor Information Centre (Manilla Street) or the Barraba Information Centre (Queen Street).

Manilla is a popular fishing spot, large catches of Cod, Catfish and Golden Perch (yellow belly) are regularly reported to locals, try your luck at Lake Keepit or in both the Manilla and Namoi Rivers. One very popular fishing spot is to be found right in the centre of town just below the Manilla Weir, but shhh don’t tell everyone!

A short drive away from the township of Manilla are two major water reservoirs; Split Rock Dam and Lake Keepit. Both dams offer excellent fishing and are great recreational areas for water sports. Spend a weekend out at the dam with camping facilities available at both locations.

The region is also well known for its inland fishing where you can throw a line in at any of the dams or rivers found on your travels; and while you there don’t forget to take a dip in the cool water yourself! If you don’t want to catch your next meal, pack a picnic lunch out for the day or if you feel like staying a while longer then you are able to camp overnight. There is also a range of State and National Parks in the vicinity allowing you to explore many bushwalking trails.

The Fossickers Way, from Nundle to Warialda, and through to Inverell and Glen Innes is a tourist drive through country NSW, through wheat and grazing lands, the Northern Slopes and country towns built on the rush of gold and metals and is considered among some of the world’s richest gem areas and landscapes.

Gold and other precious metals including sapphires, green crystal and jasper can still be found in creek beds and visitors are welcome to try their hand at fossicking at many various sites in and around the Nundle or alternatively, head further north and explore the fossicking reserves established at Ironbark Creek and Woodsreef, open for camping and bushwalking daily. Part of the reputable ‘Fossickers Way’ touring route, the area, like many parts of the Tamworth region is rich in garnets, rhodenite, zeolite, quartz, fossilised wood, jadelite and jasper, where locals and visitors alike can take part in a little fossicking of their own!

Drop into your local Visitor Information Centre for a copy of The Fossickers Way magazine or click here to visit the Fossickers Way website

PARAGLIDING AND SKY SPORTS

‘Feel the Freedom’ in Australia’s aero-sports capital situated only 30 minutes drive west of Tamworth; Manilla is a charming country town with a big reputation.

For further information about this adrenalin pumping sport in Manilla or to try your hand at paragliding contact Manilla Sky Sailors or the Manilla Tourist Information Centre on 02 6785 1207. Click here to check out details about the 10th FAI World Paragliding Championships.

As one of the best paragliding, sky sailing and hang-gliding sites, Mount Borah at Manilla annually hosts Australian and International Paragliding and Hang-gliding competitions; in fact, Manilla and Mount Borah will play host to the world’s best at the World Paragliding Championships during February/March 2007.