Where to eat, stay and play in Tamworth

From unforgettable station stays and a long list of top-notch eateries, to the picturesque countryside in Australia’s Country Music Capital: here is our guide to the best of Tamworth for a weekend or week-long stay.

The spiritual home of Australia’s country music scene and a stronghold of equestrian culture, Tamworth is regarded as a poster child for rural life. But although denim, R.M. Williams and Akubras are almost standard issue at birth, this New England city also has a thoroughly cosmopolitan side. A vibrant arts scene, incredible dining and a worldly outlook blend with wide, open spaces and natural beauty to make Tamworth a destination that will draw you back time and again.

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Tamworth Regional Gallery

This historic gallery has been displaying works since 1919, impressively making it the second-oldest regional gallery in NSW. Exhibiting both local and international artists, the absorbing collections are well worth the devotion of some solid hours.

Weswal Gallery

Showcasing contemporary works from local, regional and national artists, this long-running commercial gallery is a must-visit for the dabbler in fine art appreciation.

Len Waters Aboriginal Cultural Tours

Tamworth is Kamilaroi country and there’s no better way to discover the lore and culture of this vast region than on a tour with an Aboriginal custodian. Join local Kamilaroi man Len Waters and experience the beauty of Tamworth through an indigenous lens.

Discover this vast region on a Len Waters Cultural Tour. (Image: Tamworth Regional Council)

Nundle Woollen Mill

Australia has woven a woolly heritage during its history and one of the best ways to connect with the cool side of wool is on a tour at the Nundle Woollen Mill . Take a spin around the mill, hear some yarns and find a ball or two to take home.

Barraba Silos

Settled in the 1800s, Barraba was a town known for little else than cattle grazing until 2019, when the Barraba silo mural was completed. Now a destination for both art appreciators and the curious, the 40-metre-tall painting by artist Fintan Magee, The Water Diviner, has become an icon of the region.

The Water Diviner: a 40-metre-tall painting by artist Fintan Magee. (Image: Barraba Silo Art)

National Guitar Museum

Of course, no trip to Tamworth is complete without the requisite Big Golden Guitar selfie, so while you’re at the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre, scoot your boots along to the newly opened National Guitar Museum. Celebrating the instrument and many of its esteemed players, you’ll find signed guitars from legends such as Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Keith Urban.

Boutique shopping on Peel Street and beyond

Take a stroll down Peel Street and explore Tamworth’s boutique shopping. Stop by The Magic Pudding, The Lemon House, Mae & Jeune, Bungalow G and The Herd Store for a distinctly country curation of homewares and fashion.

Snow spotting

New England can shiver through the winter and, at the right time of year, you’ll even glimpse snow. Take a daytrip to Hanging Rock (near Nundle) or Bendemeer (north of Tamworth) and explore the bush in all its icy beauty.

Eat

The Pig & Tinder Box

Taking up digs in an original, grand-old 1848 bank, this Tamworth gem is now a refined casual restaurant and bar. Modern, seasonal and inviting, the menu will please all comers, all day.

Sonny’s Bakery & Cafe

With an intent to make good coffee and bread, Sonny’s has entirely fulfilled its brief. But you can also grab delicious croissants and pastries, as well as Aussie classics of sausage rolls and scones.

Hopscotch Restaurant and Bar

This sleek establishment is all about seasonal and local produce and, understandably given its New England location, the beef is superb. Stop by for beautifully prepared food in lovely surroundings.

The Glasshouse Restaurant at Goonoo Goonoo Station

The Glasshouse is the very definition of destination dining. You’re here for the setting almost as much as the food at this contemporary restaurant that has been recognised for its excellence at stunning Goonoo Goonoo Station . Impeccable food and a breathtaking location unite to make this an unmissable Tamworth treat.

Workshop Kitchen at Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges

The Workshop Kitchen makes the five-star Powerhouse Hotel a go-to for stylish dining in town. Fresh, local produce and fantastic wines break the mould of the typical hotel restaurant to become an excellent all-day eatery.

The Press 2340

End the evening with a well-made cocktail or warming whisky at this speakeasy-style bar in town.

Campgrounds

You won’t find watery campsite coffee here . The beans are sourced from Australian roasters and the coffee is made to perfection, while tea is infused with native flavours.

Stay

Goonoo Goonoo Station

Classic country style gets a touch of the luxe at this beautiful working farm just south of Tamworth. You’ll find a range of elegant accommodation options, from the homestead to the shearers’ quarters, and an award-wining restaurant and bar all set in soul-enriching surroundings.

Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges

After recently undergoing an impressive renovation, the Powerhouse Hotel received a five-star rating: it remains renowned for its well-polished and welcoming country hospitality.

powerhouse hotel room tamworth rydges — This five-star hotel is renowned for its welcoming country hospitality. (Image: Inward Outward Photography)

CH Boutique Hotel

Stay close to the action in the centre of town at this Art Deco-inspired hotel where you’ll find stylish, modern rooms within a quick stroll to Tamworth’s shops and restaurants.

Jenkins Street Guesthouse, Nundle

Agrarian charm colours this beautiful boutique guesthouse set in a 1938 bank branch on the main street of Nundle. Cosy and eclectic, it’s the perfect base for exploring the gems of this adorable town.

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole — See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast — Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery . Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda , and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey ‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines .

The Sebel Kiama exterior — Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast — Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk , one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines , where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital — Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala . Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie , right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie — Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk , an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast — Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park . Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast , a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery , where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm . Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal , which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores , between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast — Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple — Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch . Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong . A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery , which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park — Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen . It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach , right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.