Recreational Activities in the Tamworth Region

Touch history at the Hands of Fame Park
Touch history at the Hands of Fame Park

Tamworth is renowned as Australia’s Country Music Capital, hosting the largest Country Music Festival in the Southern Hemisphere. But don’t let the music steal the entire spotlight—there’s so much more to discover in this vibrant region!

Beyond its legendary country music scene, the Tamworth Region offers a diverse range of attractions. From breathtaking natural landscapes to rich cultural, and artistic experiences, the region has something for everyone. Sport enthusiasts will delight in its exceptional facilities, showcasing the best of regional sporting venues and competitions.

There is plenty to see and do throughout the year in the Tamworth Region. There’s a full calendar of local festivals, fairs and events to keep the whole family entertained. The Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC) and the Capitol Theatre are two of Tamworth's red carpet venues. Both venues host touring shows and musical productions all year round from Powderfinger to Keith urban to the Wiggles; the Sydney Theatre Company to Bell Shakespeare to the Sydney Symphony orchestra. 

The Tamworth Regional Art Gallery hosts touring shows such as the annual Archibald prize as well as permanent display of stunning regional art works. Museums throughout the region provide a sense of heritage and history and display a range of memorabilia.

The state of-the-art Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre hosts over fifty events a year, ranging from agility dogs to dressage and showjumping to rodeos. As well as the Tamworth Agricultural Show, Cattle events, Motorcycle Rallies, Rodeos and Corporate Events.

The Tamworth region has a stable climate, with average temperatures of 16 to 34 degrees in summer and 3 to 18 degrees in winter. The average annual rainfall is 673mm. A reliable and well stocked town water supply provides for wonderful civic gardens and parklands.

The city is rich in history and has a rich diversity of cultures that are celebrated by the community. Along with the Tamworth city, there are more than 17 towns, villages and rural localities within the region. Some of the richest agricultural country in the nation supports beef, sheep, poultry, fish, egg and dairy farms, cropping, olives, fruit, vegetables and vineyards. Rolling hills, beautiful valleys and open skies provide a natural backdrop to the many national parks and reserves, state forests, parks, dams, rivers, creeklands and farming country that make up the Tamworth region.

Major Annual Community Events

Tamworth Country Music Festival
Tamworth Country Music Festival

Tamworth Country Music Festival - January

With over 40,000 people attending each year, this is the biggest music festival in the southern hemisphere. Featuring hundreds of performers and thousands of shows across the region, this event has something for everyone.

Renewable Manilla - April

This two-day event promotes strong, vibrant and sustainable regional communities by providing education and spaces to be creative and have fun. It includes workshops, community group stalls and the popular 100 mile dinner.

Taste Tamworth - April

Tantalise your tastebuds while enjoying local produce at this must-visit foodie celebration. This ten-day celebration of food attracts visitors from across NSW.

The Great Nundle Dog Race Family Day Out - May

Established in 1979, this unique day out with your dog is the place for fun and absolute mayhem as your dog has a chance to race for gold and glory. All funds raised support the Nundle Public School P&C.

Hats of to Country - July

This mid-year celebration of all thing's country music runs for four days and includes a hub for songwriters, the Bush Balladeers Awards and the Cowboy Crawl - a fun way to see up to five artists across multiple venues in one evening.

Frost Over Barraba - September

This four day art festival run by the Barraba community includes an art show from local artists,  markets, live music and more. Partake in the many art and craft workshops during the event with options for beginners to advanced artisans.

Fiesta La Peel - October

Celebrate and immerse yourself in Tamworth's vibrant cultural diversity at this community focused festival. This family-friendly event, including an international food fair, artisan marketplace and cultural exhibits.

Discover more events, including shows and workshops on the What's On Listing on the Tamworth Tourism website.

Featured Outdoor Activities

Tamworth Regional Playground

The award-winning Tamworth Regional Playground in the heart of Tamworth is the ideal place to let the kids run off their energy and enjoy a family barbeque or a coffee from the cafe. Multiple play zones cater for different age groups, interest and abilities, including a mammoth swing, carousel, sand play, flying fox, embankment slide, skywalk, outdoor gym, bike track, splash pad and miniature play town.

Tamworth Mountain Bike Park

The Tamworth Mountain Bike Park offers tracks for riders of all abilities and ages. The park includes 14km of International Mountain Bike Association graded trails as well as a pump track. Enjoy a family day out in the fresh air at the picnic facilities, toilets and playground for the kids. The Tamworth Mountain Bikers club hosts the Tamworth Mountain Biking Festival at the trails each year.

Tamworth Marsupial Park and Adventure Playground

Enjoy a family day out where kids can get up close to native animals and take a walk through the free-flight bird aviary at the Tamworth Marsupial Park and Adventure Playground. Watch the kids play on the Adventure Playground, while having a barbeque or a picnic. Later, take a walk along the Kamilaroi Walking Track to the Botanic Garden, Oxley Lookout and Flagstaff Mountain.

Sheba Dams

At 1150m above sea level on the Great Dividing Range, the Sheba Dams Reserve is a popular picnicking, swimming, kayaking and fishing area. Spend the day using the picnic and barbeque facilities, or camp for the night in the natural bushland. Stop along the way to take in the breathtaking views of the Peel Valley at Hanging Rock lookout.

Featured Arts and History Activities

Tamworth Regional Gallery

Located in the Tamworth CBD, Tamworth Regional Art Gallery is the second oldest gallery in New South Wales. It regularly hosts nationally significant exhibitions as well as regional artists. The gallery also hosts regular workshops for all ages, including masterclasses with visiting artists in the adjoining art studio. Entry to the galleries is free.

“The Water Diviner” on the Barraba Silos

Barraba’s iconic grain silos display one of Australia’s most striking examples of silo art. Painted in 2019 while Barraba was still in the grip of a severe drought, artist Fintan Magee’s choice of subject matter is about rural Australia and its relationship to water. The 40-metre high artwork is named “The Water Diviner” and is part of the Australian Silo Art Trail.

Nundle Woollen Mill

The Nundle Woollen Mill is one of the last spinning mills still in operation in Australia, and attracts almost 25,000 visitors every year. Raw wool is transformed before your eyes into knitting yarn on machinery that includes several pieces that are nearly one-hundred years old. A visit to the Mill is a chance to reconnect with Australia’s wool heritage and browse our yarns, clothing and accessories.

The Big Golden Guitar, National Guitar and Country Music Wax Museums

The Big Golden Guitar is one of the many 'big' attractions in Australia. Unveiled in 1988 by Slim Dusty, this symbol of the world-renowned Tamworth Country Music Festival, stands twelve metres tall and weighs half a tonne. The adjoining National Guitar Museum and Country Music Wax Museum, makes it a perfect location for country music fans.

Manilla Heritage Museum

Located in the main street of historical Manilla, the Manilla Heritage Museum showcases the area's rich heritage. This community collection is acknowledged as a significant archive of Australian Rural Community History. Take some time to get lost in the past, you will be fascinated by what you will discover.

Tamworth Powerstation Museum

In 1888, Tamworth was the first city in Australia to be lit by municipal electric street lighting. This important moment in national and local history is preserved at the Tamworth Powerstation Museum. The museum is located on the site where the 1888 steam engines powered the street lighting system, and the 1907 Power Station building has been refurbished to display a range of unique exhibits.

Would you like to know more about recreational activities in the Tamworth Region?

 

TAMWORTH VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

Address: 2 The Ringers Road, Tamworth

Phone: 02 6767 5300

Email: VisitTamworth@tamworth.nsw.gov.au

Website: www.tamworthregion.com.au/visit/

 

BARRABA VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

Address: Tamworth Regional Council Office, 27 Alice St, Barraba

Phone: 02 6782 1105

Website: www.tamworthregion.com.au/explore/barraba/

 

 

MANILLA VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

Address: 197 Manilla Street, Manilla

Phone: 02 6785 1207

Website: www.tamworthregion.com.au/explore-the-region/manilla/

 

NUNDLE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

Address: 103 Jenkins Street, Nundle

Phone: 02 6769 3026

Website: www.tamworthregion.com.au/explore-the-region/nundle-and-hanging-rock/

 

Assistance for Essential Workers to Move to Tamworth

Are you an essential worker considering moving or have recently moved to Tamworth?

The Welcome Experience is a free service through the NSW Government to support essential workers to relocate, settle in and become one of the locals. As part of the service, Emma Grant, the Local Connector for Tamworth, will provide you with individualised support every step of the way as you settle into your new home.

Check your eligibility and find out about The Welcome Experience

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