Tamworth is the country-music capital of Australia - an antipodean Nashville. Guitar-shaped structures are all the rage, starting with the information centre near the highway roundabout. Staff sell concert tickets and hand out gig guides and information on heritage walks and the longer Kamilaroi Walking Track. The information centre is open 8.30 AM to 4.35 PM Monday to Friday and 9 AM to 5 PM on weekends.
Off the highway in South Tamworth, the 12m-high Golden Guitar is hard to miss. Right beside it is Gallery of Stars, a wax museum with effigies of legendary Aussie performers. The nearby Alandale Flag Inn Motel has a guitar-shaped swimming pool painted with the Australian flag.
Other country-music memorabilia that can be found around town includes a collection of photos at the Good Companion Hotel, the Hands of Fame, near the RSL club featuring handprints of country music luminaries and at the Tattersalls Hotel on Peel St, the Noses of Fame. More serious aficionados can drop by the excellent Australian Country Music Foundation Museum, not far from the train station.
Recording studios, such as Nashgrill and Hadley Records & Yeldah Music, are open to the public by arrangement - one day’s notice is usually enough.
Country Music Festival
Tamworth’s population doubles during the festival, held over the Australia Day long weekend in January, when over 800 acts perform nearly a thousand events, all culminating with the Australian country music awards, the Golden Guitars. Highlights include Battle of the Bush Bands and Aboriginal country music showcase, plus there’s a countdown of musical performances before the festival even starts.
You’ll find plenty of country & western outfitters, sheepskins shops and bush leather shops on Peel St.
Places to stay
Unless you book years in advance, you’ll be lucky to find a bed or camp site anywhere during the festival, when prices skyrocket. The tourist information centre may know of cheaper temporary accommodation if everything is booked out.
Paradise Caravan Park - this decent park is close to the information centre, but unfortunately right on the highway.
The managers of the clean, safe Tamworth YHA, opposite the train station, are real pros and can help organise farmstays and casual work. Dorm beds, single-sex dorms, twins & doubles, and family rooms are available.
Tamworth Hotel - This gorgeous art deco pub opposite the train station has fittings as fancy as the band leader’s best dress shirt but only a few rooms.
Ashby House - This exquisite boutique motor inn has lovely wide verandahs and an excellent restaurant downstairs.
Discover other local tourist spots and attractions across the Tamworth Region today!