Tamworth

Settle into the cosy timber-panelled bar of the DECO Wine Bar & Restaurant at the CH Boutique Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection, for a pre-dinner cocktail or an intimate dinner. For a premium wine tasting of superb cool-climate wines and delicious dry ciders, visit the 150-year old rustic cellar door of Merilba Estate, one of the region’s top wineries.   An annual culinary celebration of local food and wine, the Taste Tamworth Festival brings the best of the region together, highlighting local growers, makers, and producers. Held each year in April, the epicurean event attracts foodies far and wide, with pop-up bars and festival favourites such as High Tea in the Gardens and The Long Lunch.

Experience the thrill and spectacle of a real rodeo in action and see trick riding, bullock roping and barrel racing at the Quirindi Rodeo, just outside Tamworth. For an authentic horseback adventure, Tamworth and Kootingal Horse Riding Adventures is a working cattle station 27 kms east of Tamworth, with trail and pony rides, station tours and a petting pen. The kids will have a blast at the Tamworth Regional Playground, an award-winning outdoor recreational space with giant slides, a flying fox and a 9m high skywalk. There’s also a cafe and restaurant onsite for lunch or a coffee pitstop while the kids run free in the green, open spaces. In the warmer months, fossick for gems and enjoy cool water fun at the Lake Keepit Water Park. One of Australia’s largest music festivals, the Tamworth Country Music Festival draws thousands of music lovers from around the country each summer. Wander down Peel St and enjoy vibrant buskers and street performers, as well as free concerts in Toyota Park. Visit the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame and take a family selfie in front of the Big Golden Guitar.

Set on 14 hectares of native bushland, the Tamworth Marsupial Park is free to enter and a perfect day out for nature lovers. Hand-feed Indian peacocks and get up close to kangaroos, wallabies and emus. Stroll through the free-flight aviary and follow the Kamilaroi Walking Track that winds through the park to the Oxley Lookout with views to Flagstaff Mountain. North of Tamworth, the Warrabah National Park is a tranquil and peaceful inland river park on the spectacular Namoi River. Enjoy shady riverside camping, fishing and canoeing or explore long meandering bushwalks and relax at one of many scenic picnic spots dotted along the river banks. You’ll spot kangaroos, plentiful birdlife and maybe even the occasional goanna.

Tamworth is a 5 hour drive north of Sydney, 3.5 hours west of Port Macquarie and 1hr and 20 mins southwest of Armidale. You can also catch a train or bus from Sydney with the trip taking just over 6 hours. Tamworth also has a regional airport with flights connecting to Sydney and Brisbane, as well as hire car services available.