Tamworth is more than ready for its biggest event of the year this week – and it’s offering more than country music to keep visitors entertained.
The rollicking nights of the Country Music Festival are spectacular fun but if you’ve missed your chance to attend this week (April 18-24), there’s plenty of reasons to make the trip to Tamworth, even when guitars aren’t strumming.
The town and surrounding region’s tourism offering has blossomed with foodies, families and friends visiting for its art, activities, culture and culinary experiences.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet, cosy getaway or an action-packed escape, we’ve got you covered with where to stay, eat and spend your time on your wonderful New England excursion.
What to do
The Great Nundle Dog Race
If you happen to be in the New England region on May 1, the Great Nundle Dog Race draws crowds for a day of canine craziness. There are a series of events at the Nundle Recreation Ground for pups, including high jumpy, doggy derby and prizes for best dressed, and the day culminates in a dog race for working dogs from the region.
Explore more: nundle.com.au
Tamworth Marsupial Park
This 14-hectare park in East Tamworth lets you and your little ones get up close with kangaroos, wallabies, emus and more, you can even hand-feed the peacocks. And, it’s free to enter. There are two adventure playgrounds for kids big and small, and the Kamilaroi Walking Track passes through the park and on to Oxley Lookout.
Explore more: tamworth.nsw.gov.au
Pinot and Picasso
Paint and Sip isn’t just a city-slicking activity; Pinot and Picasso now has a studio in Tamworth. Sip on a glass of local wine and being your painting, anything from cartoon characters or the kids to a more advanced recreation of a starry night. Whether you want wholesome family fun or to get a little tipsy and hit the town afterwards, it’s guaranteed fun.
Explore more: pinotandpicasso.com.au
Taste Tamworth Festival
If you want to head to Tamworth this spring, keep your eye out for the announcement of the dates for the Taste Tamworth Festival and schedule your trip around them. The event involves a coming together of all the best local producers and chefs, with your tastebuds ready to reap the benefits.
Explore more: destinationtamworth.com.au
Tamworth Regional Gallery
For over 100 years, since its opening in 1919, Tamworth Regional Gallery has been showing off the creativity and vision of Australia artists. It’s the perfect space to not only immerse yourself in contemporary art, but also to have a history lesson on the gallery, the surrounding area and Australian art.
Explore more: tamworthregionalgallery.com.au
Where to eat
Deco Wine Bar & Restaurant
Foodies passing through Tamworth will want to stop in at Deco Wine Bar & Restaurant. Whether it’s time for breakfast, lunch or dinner, get comfortable in the al fresco dining area and look forward to local delights and modern-Australian dishes such as Nundle trout, flame-grilled rib eye with Paris mash, or crispy-skin salmon with wasabi sesame dressing.
Explore more: chboutiquehotel.com.au
Hissy Fits Cafe
This kid-friendly cafe earns rave reviews, with everything from a Philly cheesesteak to Vietnamese iced coffee up for grabs. It sits right on the main street of Tamworth and as a staple of the community, is also a great place to seek recommendations on the local area.
Explore more: hissy-fits-cafe.business.site
The Workshop Kitchen
The Powerhouse Hotel’s onsite restaurant, the Workshop Kitchen, is known for its all-day dining and a highly acclaimed wine collection, which picked up 2 glasses in the 2021 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards. Whether you want buttermilk cornmeal pancakes with La Stella ricotta to start the morning off right or a Jack’s Creek wagyu steak from the wood-fired grill to replenish you after a big day, the Workshop Kitchen delivers.
Explore more: rydges.com
Where to stay
Powerhouse Tamworth by Rydges
In late 2020, after a multimillion dollar renovation, the Powerhouse Tamworth become the first five-star property in the region. For those seeking luxury, one of the 61 rooms must have your name on it. If your travel is often guided by the grapes, you can look forward to the 800 bottles of wine that you’ll find in the hotel’s onsite restaurant, the Workshop Kitchen.
Explore more: rydges.com
Mercure Tamworth
Part of the West Tamworth League Club and next to Scully Park sports complex, the contemporary Mercure Hotel has a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and views of Flagstaff Mountain.
Explore more: all.accor.com
Stagecoach Inn Motel
For the budget conscious, the Stagecoach Inn Motel is a good option. It has positive reviews for its price and is just 2 kilometres from Tamworth’s CBD. You’ll be well placed to hit all the main attractions and the hotel has a barbecue area and a complimentary laundry facility to keep you comfortable.
Explore more: stagecoachmotetamworth.com.au
Getting there
Tamworth is about a five-hour drive from Sydney or three-and-a-half hours from Port Macquarie, Dubbo or Coffs Harbour.
