Your ultimate guide to Glen Innes - Australian Traveller

The Celtic capital of Australia, Glen Innes is a town where you can hear bagpipes in the streets as you explore charming shops and cafes in heritage buildings.

At 1062 metres above sea level in the New England High Country of NSW, Glen Innes is a cool climate town and a gateway to the wonders of the Gibraltar-Washpool World Heritage Walk and Gibraltar Range National Park.

Discover local gins, mead and craft beer, visit the Australian Standing Stones, go fossicking for gemstones and crystals, and get back to nature on a Glen Innes getaway.

When to visit Glen Innes

Glen Innes has four very distinct seasons, each with its own individual charms.

In autumn you can walk down streets lined with rich red and gold trees, and have leaves gently fall around you as you picnic in the parks. The first weekend of May is one of the most popular times to visit Glen Innes; when the Australian Celtic Festival attracts visitors from across the country and further afield.

Poplar trees in the autumn season at Glen Innes in NSW, Australia — In autumn you can walk down streets lined with rich red and gold poplar trees.

Crisp and brisk are the words in winter, when the temperatures can easily drop below freezing overnight before reaching an average maximum of 14°C. Expect sparkling frosts and the chance of snow, and enjoy warming up beside the fire with a pub lunch or hearty dinner.

Spring brings pink and white cherry blossoms and bright golden wattle. Sit beside flowerbeds full of lavender as you have lunch or a coffee on the main drag, Grey Street, before a spot of shopping or sightseeing.

With an average maximum of 26°C, Glen Innes summers tend more towards the wonderfully warm than uncomfortably hot. But you’ll still want to bring your swimmers so you can take a dip in the local pool or a natural swimming hole.

How to get to Glen Innes

At the crossroads of the New England and Gwydir Highways, Glen Innes is around seven hours drive and 570 kilometres from Sydney, and four and a half hours and 366 kilometres from Brisbane.

Qantas and Rex fly to Armidale airport, which is around a 75-minute drive away, while Link (formerly Fly Corporate) flies from Brisbane to Inverell, just under an hour away.

If driving up from Grafton, consider the road less travelled. The Gwydir Highway will get you there a lot faster, but Old Grafton Road is a winding scenic drive that was considered an engineering feat when it opened in 1867. The road includes sections carved by bullock drays in the 1840s, and a 20-metre hand-cut tunnel through solid rock. Just keep in mind this route is not for larger vehicles: the tunnel has a 3.3-metre clearance and there’s no easy way to turn around.

The Tunnel in Old Grafton near Mann River in Glen Innes, NSW, Australia — The Gwydir Highway will get you there a lot faster, but Old Grafton Road is a winding scenic drive.

Glen Innes accommodation

A romantic castle, family-friendly stays, rustic fishing cabins and historic farms are just some of the ways to stay in and around Glen Innes.

Glen Innes motels and guest houses

New England Motor Lodge

After being fully renovated in 2021, this four-star property now boasts 43 deluxe rooms, suites and studios. Every room comes with a microwave, toaster and fridge, as well as a smart TV with a Netflix connection. The New England Motor Lodge is also home to The Highlands Restaurant, where you can sit by the fire in the cooler months, and has a pool for when the temperatures rise.

Bedroom interior at New England Motor Lounge in Glen Innes, NSW, Australia — The New England Motor Lounge was fully renovated just last year. (Image: New England Motor Lounge)

Central Motel

In the centre of town next to the Great Central Hotel, Central Motel offers classic country accommodation with a few extra touches. Every room has a fully equipped kitchenette, including a full-size fridge/freezer, and cots can be added for younger guests. The 50" flat screen TV comes with eight Foxtel channels, and there’s an undercover BBQ for those who’d like to whip up their own lunch or dinner.

Nuallen House

New to the Glen Innes Airbnb list in 2022, Nuallen House is a spacious five-bedroom, two-bathroom guest house that can sleep up to 13 guests. With a mix of queen, single and sofa beds, this family-friendly home can also be used for mixed groups of adults and has a dedicated workspace with Wi-fi for those who need to work on the road.

The Bank Guest House

In a historic bank building at the top of Glen Innes’ high street, this boutique guesthouse hosts three queen bedrooms, along with guest lounges and dining rooms. The Bank Guest House also has a game room for the children (and everyone else who loves board games!) and a garden area. And while cafes and restaurants are just outside your front door, you can use the shared kitchen for cooking your own meals.

Glen Innes caravan parks

Fossicker Caravan Park

As well as powered and unpowered sites for RVs and caravans, Fossicker Caravan Park has fully self-contained one and two-bedroom villas. Each villa has a lounge and kitchen area complete with a stove, microwave and cooking utensils. There’s even an on-site fossicking park, where you can try your hand at finding sapphires with the kids.

Poplar Caravan Park

Another popular Glen Innes option, Poplar Caravan Park offers spaces for your BYO home on wheels, as well as ensuite cabins. The powered and unpowered sites come with a camp kitchen and clean facilities with nice hot showers, while the cabins can sleep up to five people. And you won’t have to go far for some of the best burgers and fish and chips in town: the caravan park’s cafe has locals coming back for more.

Glen Innes farm stays

Kings Plains Castle

You don’t have to fly to Europe for a romantic castle stay; just drive half an hour from Glen Innes and check into Kings Plains Castle . Built as a 28-room Scottish Baronial-style castle in 1908, it’s now an 11-room B&B. Go bushwalking, play tennis or snooker, or just relax on one of the seven balconies in this adults-only escape.

Kings Plain Castle in Glen Innes, NSW, Australia — Built as a 28-room Scottish Baronial-style castle in 1908, Kings Plain Castle is now an 11-room B&B. (Image: Kings Plain Castle)

Waterloo Station

There are six ways to stay on this historic working farm, including the luxury Waterloo Homestead, the Schoolhouse, Shearer’s Lodgings and Creek Shack. Waterloo Station has hosted writers’ retreats and other group getaways and is perfect for reconnecting with family and friends, while the slow combustion fireplace, soft linen sheets and secluded location make the off-grid Creek Shack a romantic getaway for two.

Bens Falls Retreat

Pack the fishing rods and a sense of adventure for a stay in the rustic Cod Cabin at Bens Falls Retreat . Built from slabbed timber, this off-grid cabin has six single beds and a double bed, all in the same room. Only accessible by 4WD vehicles, the cabin is right on the banks of the Severn River, where you can catch and release Murray cod and yellowbelly. You can also arrange to have a massage or join a yoga class overlooking the beautiful Bens Falls.

A man holding up a fish he caught fishing — Cod Cabin at Bens Falls Retreat, right on the banks of the Severn River, is the perfect fishing spot.

Glen Innes camping

Bellbird campground

Nature lovers should keep an ear and eye out for lyrebirds, satin bowerbirds and other rainforest creatures in the Bellbird campground in Washpool National Park. Book ahead to secure one of 17 campsites for tents, camper trailers and caravans in this World Heritage-listed rainforest that’s about a 45-minute drive from Glen Innes.

Azure Kingfisher spotted in Glen Innes, NSW, Australia — Azure Kingfishers are only one of many bird species to be spotted at Bellbird Campground.

Glen Innes Showground

As an RV-friendly town, Glen Innes has free potable water and dump points, as well as a range of places to camp, including the Glen Innes Showground . Sleep among heritage buildings in shaded camping areas for tents, caravans and motorhomes. There are toilets and hot showers, including one with disabled access, and pets that are kept under control are welcome.

Glen Innes restaurants and pubs

From quality pub grub to traditional Thai, there’s a dish waiting to hit the spot when you get a hankering for a good meal in Glen Innes.

The Highlands Restaurant

One of the world’s best marbled-beef producers is found just outside Glen Innes, and while you can find Rangers Valley meat on the menu in Japan, Dubai, the USA and more, in Glen Innes you can dine on a locally raised premium cut. At The Highlands Restaurant your options include a 360-day, 400-gram Rangers Valley Wagyu-Angus cross with an MB 5+. Other local fare includes New England smoked trout and lamb, along with local wines, gins and craft beers.

The Local

The map on the wall says it all about where the ingredients on your plate came from. At The Local , the focus is on showcasing the best produce in New England, while at the bar next door, The Local After Dark , you can sip regional spirits and enjoy the best cocktails in town. The hand-crafted cocktail list includes twists on old favourites, including peanut butter coladas and a rhubarb spritz.

Glen Innes Railway Tavern

Old pub in the front, new bistro in the back: Glen Innes Railway Tavern is where you can find more of that Rangers Valley beef, along with gourmet pizzas, pastas, risotto and more. The salted caramel apple crumble with caramel popcorn is a decadent must, while all kids’ meals come with free ice cream.

Yim Thai

Have a drink on the balcony at the New England Club while admiring the King Edward Park views, then head into the club’s restaurant, Yim Thai . Here you can enjoy a wide selection of delicious Thai dishes, including a mix of the classics and chef specialities.

Sweetie Pie’s Bake Shop

You won’t find Glen Innes’ newest bakery in the main street; instead, Sweetie Pie’s Bake Shop is opposite Glen Innes High School on Edward Street. One for the foodies, pastry chef Nicole Hyde slow cooks the meat, using some vegetables from her own veggie patch in her pies. The menu includes a surf and turf chunky beef and garlic prawn pie, as well as a vegetable satay pie with peanuts piled on top.

Things to do in Glen Innes

Forest bathing, gem hunting, art viewing and cellar door hopping are just a few of the activities you can enjoy on a visit to Glen Innes.

Australian Celtic Festival

Thousands of people flock to Glen Innes on the first weekend in May for the Australian Celtic Festival , when the sounds of bagpipes fill the streets and echo around the Australian Standing Stones. Every year up to 20 clans representing the six Celtic nations march in a street parade, joining the festivities that include almost 200 individual events over four days. There are live bands, jousting and medieval re-enactments, Celtic dancing, and a marquee full of children’s activities. You can even try your hand at highland games and test your strength in the strongman competition.

Australian Standing Stones

Like the Celtic stone circles before them, the Australian Standing Stones are arranged as a calendar, with the Celtic cross and Southern Cross incorporated into the design. Find the solar noon shadow marker at midday to see how long winter shadows compare to shorter summer ones. Let the kids try to pull Excalibur from the stone before lunch or coffee at the replica taigh dubh, Crofters Cottage.

Minerama

A rockhound’s delight, the Minerama festival is held on the second weekend of March and is the largest annual fossicking gem and jewellery show in NSW. As well as browsing more than 100 stalls at the Glen Innes Showground, you can enjoy entertainment, gem cutting, beading displays and more. You can also join workshops at The Makers Shed , where you can learn how to make your own piece of jewellery.

Fossicking around Glen Innes

Pop into the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre to hire fossicking equipment and get tips on some of the best places to hunt for sapphires, emeralds, crystals and more gems. Or cheat a little and buy a bag of sapphire wash at Fossicker’s Caravan Park and watch the kids find their sparkly surprises. You can also learn about the history of local mining and see more than 4000 gem and mineral specimens at the Emmaville Mining Museum.

A family fossicking — Hunt for sapphires, emeralds, crystals and more when you go fossicking around Glen Innes.

Get into nature

Go forest bathing beneath the world’s largest group of coachwood trees at Washpool National Park, or hike through huge granite boulders in the Gibraltar Range National Park, where you might even spot flowering waratahs in October and November. Both national parks are around a 45-minute drive from Glen Innes, making them an easy day trip; they also have camping options for overnight stays. Closer to town, picnic among impressive granite boulders at Stonehenge Recreation Reserve, just 12 kilometres south of Glen Innes.

Boundary Falls in the Gibraltar Range National Park in Glen Innes, NSW, Australia — Gibraltar Range National Park has amazing views for communing with nature.

Take a self-guided history tour

Download the Glen Innes Heritage app for a free self-guided walking or driving tour of more than 50 of the town’s heritage buildings. If you’re in town on a Friday, be in Grey Street at midday when a bagpiper plays in front of the Town Hall. For more history lessons, visit Land of the Beardies History House Museum , where children can win an iceblock if they spot all the cute Beardies around the museum.

Entrance to the Land of the Beardies History House Museum in Glen Innes, NSW, Australia — The Land of the Beardies History House Museum is an excellent place to bring the kiddos for history-centred playtime.

Do a cellar door tour

Discover local gin, mead and beer on a 140-kilometre tourist drive loop. Start at Glen Gowrie Distillery , just outside Glen Innes, to try small batch gins and liqueurs (including Australia’s first beer liqueurs), then travel to Torrington for a tasting at 2Wild Souls , where chemical-free native timber honey is used to make sparkling meads the méthode ancestrale way. Continue to Deepwater for ‘brewed with altitude’ craft beers at Deepwater Brewing before heading back to base. Be sure to book ahead for gin and mead tastings.

Bottle of beer liqueur from Glen Gowrie Distillery in Glen Innes, NSW, Australia — Glen Gowrie Distillery has Australia’s first beer liquers. (Image: Glen Gowrie Distillery)

Visit an Aboriginal art gallery

Local Aboriginal artist Lloyd Gawura Hornsby has had work displayed in European galleries, including the Louvre Museum, but closer to home you can see his art at Gawura Gallery . You can also take part in a cultural tour, which includes a visit to the Mann River Nature Reserve. The tours must be booked ahead of time.

Interior of Gawura Gallery in Glen Innes, NSW, Australia — Take in the artwork by local Aboriginal artist Lloyd Gawura Hornsby. (Image: Gawura Gallery)

See a show at Glen Innes Chapel Theatre

Home to the oldest continuously running Arts Council in NSW, the Glen Innes Chapel Theatre was originally built as a Methodist church in 1885. These days it’s where you can catch movies or live shows, including local arts council productions and touring shows.

The Glen Innes Chapel Theatre in NSW, Australia — The chapel was originally built as a Methodist church in 1885, but now functions as a charming theatre. (Image: Glen Innes Chapel Theatre)

Discover garagenalia

This is one for car lovers and anyone who enjoys stepping back in time, as John and Josie Ellis display more than 100 vintage petrol bowsers from around the world in an incredible collection of ‘garagenalia’. Bookings are by appointment on 0419 030 222. You’ll never look at petrol bowsers the same way again.

An example of — Garagenalia: the ultimate man cave decor.

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.