20 Best things to do in Tamworth
Tamworth is a mid-sized city in New South Wales’s North Western area which hosts the second-largest country music festival in the world, after Nashville.
Tamworth, which is known for its equine livestock and horse-related events, is the ideal location for the ten-day country music extravaganza that takes place there every January. The festival features thousands of live performances, an awards ceremony, and a ton of side events, including amusement rides and rodeos.
If you visit at any other time, you can explore the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame and the Big Golden Guitar, which is easy to spot due to its 12-meter size in front. There are actually so many things to do in Tamworth that you might wish to extend your trip by one or two days! In this article, we have listed 20 things to do in Tamworth.
Best things to do in Tamworth
1. Tamworth Marsupial Park
There is a bush oasis in the hills above Tamworth where you can interact with New South Wales wildlife. You and your family get the chance to be familiar with a variety of wildlife such as kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and Indian peacocks at the 14-hectare Tamworth Marsupial Park.
The park features two age-appropriate play zones, a vast adventure playground, and a beautiful free-flight aviary in addition to walking trails through beautiful bushland.
Address: Endeavour Dr, East Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia
2. Tamworth Country Music Festival
From mid- to late January, hundreds of thousands of country music enthusiasts from all over the world converge to Tamworth for this renowned event. This is the biggest music festival in the southern hemisphere, and the town is completely booked up, with many hotels taking reservations up to a year in advance.
In a typical year, 2,800 events with 700+ performers each will be scheduled, yet Peel Street transforms into a single large stage with up to 600 buskers performing at once. The Golden Guitar Awards, the most esteemed awards show for Australian country music, are approaching. While the Regional Australia Bank Family Zone hosts rides and entertainment for families, the FanZone allows you to get up and personal with your favorite performers.
Address: 400 Peel Street, Tamworth
3. Australian Country Music Hall of Fame
This is one popular tourist destination, loved by both residents and visitors. The Australian Country Hall of Fame was inaugurated in 1992.
Fans of the genre can pay respects to early Australian country music greats like Tex Morton, Buddy Williams, Slim Dusty, and Smoky Dawson as well as more modern artists like Beccy Cole, Amber Lawrence, and Adam Harvey here.
Address: 561 Peel St, Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia
4. Walk a Country Mile Museum
This interactive exhibit, debuted in 2001 and relocated into the previous visitor information center in 2014. On your visit to this museum, you’ll find a fascinating timeline of Australian country music, from its early beginnings in late-18th-century folk ballads and prison songs to the 1920s and 1930s development of Americanized modern country to the thriving present market.
Along with display cases stuffed with instruments, recordings, posters, and other artifacts, there are videos that go into great detail about each milestone and the story behind the music.
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5. Capitol Theatre Tamworth
Capitol Theatre Tamworth is one of the most iconic venues in Tamworth, Australia. Located in the heart of the city, this historic theatre has been entertaining audiences for over 90 years.
Capitol Theatre Tamworth hosts several events, from live music performances and stand-up comedy shows to classic movies and plays. The main stage is mind-blowing having a lovely ornate proscenium arch and plenty of seating. The theatre is also equipped with classic sound and lighting systems, ensuring that every performance gives a lovely experience. The Theatre also has a smaller studio space, which is perfect for intimate performances and workshops. This space is often used for community events, as well as smaller-scale productions.
Address: 374 Peel St, Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia
6. Tamworth Regional Playground
If you don’t visit Tamworth Regional Playground to have fun and feel good with your friends and family, your trip to Tamworth won’t be complete.
There are too many amenities to name here, but they include an outdoor gym, splash pad, cafe with free Wi-Fi, a small “play town” for younger kids, junior and senior play areas, a flying fox, bike track, an embankment slide, a giant swing, and a sand play area.
One of the major attractions here is the record-breaking “Skywalk,” which is over nine meters high and features four towers and three large slides, one of which is 13 meters long.
Address: 89 Kable Ave, Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia
7. Oxley Scenic Lookout
The Oxley Scenic looks of series of beautiful west-facing lookouts standing high above the town and Peel River just a short stroll from the Tamworth Marsupial Park along the Kamilaroi Track.
You can check out the town’s past and history by reading the information boards located directly beneath the decks. The best time to visit the Oxley Scenic Lookout is just before sunset, when you can see the Liverpool Range’s ridge dressed in gold. You can leave the viewpoint along the walking trails for the marsupial park and Tamworth Botanical Gardens. It has barbecues, parking, and public restrooms.
Address: East Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia
8. Powerstation Museum
Powerstation Museum was founded in 1988 to commemorate 100 years since Tamworth became the country of Australia’s first town to have electric streetlights.
You should visit the Municipal Electric Showroom building (1907) where you get to learn about the development of electricity as a public resource and to see a sizable display of electric home equipment from the 20th century that were used for cooking, heating, cleaning, cooling, and entertaining.
The only two John Fowler steam engines in existence are found in the next-door copy of the 1888 power plant, which also features copies of the 1888 Crompton Patter No. 15 Dynamos. These steam engines are fired up throughout the year on special occasions like the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Address: 216 Peel St, Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia
9. Lake Keepit State Park
Located in the heart of New South Wales, Lake Keepit State Park is a wonderful attraction you shouldn’t miss especially if you are looking for an adventurous outdoor experience.
Lake Keepit State Park gives you opportunity to participate in water-based recreation activities such as kayaking, water skiing, and fishing. The lake is stocked with different variety of fishes such as golden perch, Murray cod, and silver perch, and several others.
One of the most popular things to do at Lake Keepit State Park is camping. Having over 200 campsites, including the ones having electric power supply and the unpowered options. You get to explore the beautiful trails that wind through the surrounding bushland. You can also rent a mountain bike and explore the park on two wheels.
Address: 234 Keepit Dam Rd, Keepit NSW 2340, Australia
10. Big Golden Guitar
You may come across a “huge statue” when traveling in Australia on occasion. More than 150 of these structures, each with a connection to its location, were built beginning in the 1960s as tourist attractions.
The Golden Guitar Awards, given to musicians during the Country Music Festival, were appropriately built up for Tamworth’s big occasion in 1988. This iconic structure, which stands in front of the Great Golden Guitar visitor center and is 12 meters tall and 4 meters wide, is located directly on the Goonoo Goonoo Road.
You should visit the Gallery of Stars Wax Museum and Australia’s National Guitar Museum while you’re inside. There’s also a cafe and a gift shop.
Address: 2 The Ringers Rd, Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia
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11. Powerhouse Motorcycle Museum
More than 50 motorcycles from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s are crammed into one museum. All of these machines are spotless, neatly arranged in rows, and come from a wide range of manufacturers, including Norton, Triumph, Ducati, Honda, Laverda, and Velocette.
The incredibly uncommon MV Agusta F4 Serie Oro from the late 1990s is a true standout during its discovery. The 1956 Ducati 125cc Sport, the 1959 Velocette Viper 350, and the 1974 Norton 850cc John Players Special are all worthy of note.
Each bike has an educational factfile at the front wheel, and if you have any questions, you can speak with one of the knowledgeable attendants.
Address: 250 Armidale Rd, East Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia
12. Tamworth Regional Gallery
The Tamworth Regional Gallery is a historical institution that dates back to 1919 when Australian landscape painter John Salvana donated 100 paintings and works on paper to start it up.
The gallery relocated to a brand-new, cutting-edge structure in 20004. Over the years, it has received significant donations and bequests, including early Australian silverware, Aboriginal artwork from Utopia in Northern Australia, and fiber textile art created by some of the top artisans in the nation.
The Tamworth Textile Triennial, Australia’s major textile art show, was founded in 1975 as a result of the place.
Address: 466 Peel St, Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia
13. Bicentennial Park
Bicentennial Park is best known as the location of the previously mentioned multimillion-dollar regional playground, which opened in 2015. It is situated on the east bank of the Peel River, grazing Tamworth’s Central Business District. When we wrote this article in 2020, construction was already underway on a number of outdoor monuments to honor the genre’s most illustrious artists. The park is transformed into a live stage during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Apart from that, there are two duck ponds, grassy spaces, meandering trails, views of Flagstaff Mountain to the east, and a lot of trees that are home to a large number of bats who come out of their roosts at dusk.
Address: Kable Ave, Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia
14. Tamworth Botanical Gardens
Tamworth botanical gardens were established in the middle of the 1990s at Victoria Park, but they also extend into Oxley Park across the street.
This attraction, which spans slightly under 30 hectares and includes a Japanese garden, water gardens, various beds planted with native arid-climate species, a New Zealand garden, a bush chapel, and open grassy area, is maintained by an active community group.
You can also go inside to see displays of Aboriginal artifacts and botanical shows.
Address: East Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia
15. Calala Cottage Museum
This unique historical artifact was built in 1875 by Philip Gidley King, the town’s first mayor, and is now maintained by the Tamworth Historical Society. Calala Cottage is filled with collections, mostly from the late 19th century, thanks to gifts over the years. These collections include painted portraits, clothing, pictures, furniture, pre-electric kitchen equipment, household appliances, and Aboriginal artifacts.
Visit the shepherd’s hut that was constructed in 1840 at the same location to see Tamworth’s oldest still standing structure.
Address: 142 Denison St, Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia
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16. Chaffey Dam
This remarkable dam, which was built in the late 1970s and rises more than 55 meters above the Peel River, controls the water supply for Tamworth.
The bell-shaped “morning glory” spillway, which can release more than 900 cubic meters of water per second, and the reddish rock wall can both be seen from the main overlook.
The reservoir is a popular destination for outdoor enjoyment since it has paths, a campsite, barbecues, showers, and restrooms
You may kayak and canoe on the water, fish for trout, yellowbelly, and catfish, and try to locate numerous duck types and other waterbirds including pelicans, plovers, cormorants, and ibis.
17. Hands of Fame Park
One of Tamworth’s most popular tourist destinations is Hands of Fame Park, which showcases a magnificent collection of bronze plaques recognizing the area’s top artists.
You can stoll in the park and take in the serene atmosphere. You will undoubtedly be stunned by the luxuriant vegetation and the lovely blooms.
You can also stroll among the sculptures in the park and take in the distinctive works of art that are on show. Don’t forget to snap a few pictures with your favorite sculptures!
Address: Cnr Bridge and, Kable Ave, Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia
18. Tamworth War Memorial
As you step inside the Tamworth War Memorial, you’ll be transported back in time to the heroic efforts of the men and women who served their country during wartime. The Memorial is a tribute to the brave soldiers who fought for their nation, showcasing their stories through a collection of artifacts, displays, and interactive exhibits.
One of the highlights of the Tamworth War Memorial is the extensive collection of military uniforms, medals, and weaponry. You can get up close and personal with history, exploring the various uniforms and equipment used in battle. You can even try on a uniform for yourself!
Another must-see exhibit is the audio-visual presentation, which features footage from some of the most significant battles in history. The presentation is a moving tribute to the sacrifices made by those who fought for their country.
The Memorial also hosts regular events, including talks and presentations from experts in military history. These events offer visitors a chance to learn more about the stories behind the exhibits and to engage with the history of the Tamworth region.
19. Australian Railway Monument and Rail Journeys Museum
The isolated Werris Creek lies at a significant railway intersection where the Main Northern, Mungindi, and Binnaway-Werris lines all converge, some 30 minutes south-west of Tamworth.
The third-largest station in all of New South Wales was built here in 1880, and it has been magnificently preserved. There is also a large-scale museum that would take an aficionado hours to explore.
The exhibit includes a stunning model railroad set in addition to historical equipment, uniforms, paperwork, tickets, images, posters, and footage.
Your time would be well spent visiting the outdoor Australian Railway Monument, which honors the railroad workers who have died in accidents over the past 170 years.
Address: Railway Station, Werris Creek NSW 2341, Australia
20. Weswal Gallery
This awesome gallery is a must-visit for art lovers and those who appreciate creativity.
As you step inside, you’ll be greeted with an array of beautiful art pieces, each one carefully curated to offer a unique experience. The gallery features works from local and international artists, and it is clear that a lot of thought has gone into each display.
One of the outstanding features of the gallery is its commitment to showcasing works that celebrate the beauty of the natural world. Whether you’re drawn to landscapes, wildlife or still life paintings, there’s something here for everyone.
Aside from viewing the art, visitors can also participate in art classes and workshops. The gallery hosts several events throughout the year such as exhibitions and artist talks.
Address: 192 Brisbane St, East Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia
Final thought
Tamworth offers a wealth of experiences for visitors to enjoy. Tamworth is a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside, with its beautiful parks and gardens, picturesque villages, and stunning natural landscapes. Whether you’re a history buff, an adrenaline junkie, or simply looking for a relaxing break, Tamworth is well worth a visit. So why not plan your next trip to this delightful town and discover all that it has to offer?
