Holiday houses in Tamworth

Located on the banks of the Peel River, the small town of Tamworth is the country music capital of Australia. You’ll find a thriving music scene here, as well as the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Big Golden Guitar — a larger-than-life statue standing a whopping 12 metres tall— and plenty of events celebrating this style of music throughout the year.

Tamworth is home to many parks, museums, and galleries dedicated to topics other than music, too. You can visit the Tamworth Powerstation Museum, which is the only museum in Australia dedicated to the history of electricity. The city is surrounded by pristine nature too, including the Warrabah National Park, one of the only inland river parks in New South Wales, which provides a great spot for hiking and biking. There are also many viewpoints, including the Oxley Scenic Lookout, where you can check out the views over the city of Tamworth and the Peel River Valley.

Tamworth has moderate weather year-round making it an excellent destination to visit at any time. The weather is the warmest during the summer months, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities such as stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking on the Peel River. The spring and fall are slightly cooler and a good time to visit Tamworth if you want to avoid some of the crowds. Winter is the coldest time of the year but it is the perfect time to enjoy the wide variety of restaurants, wineries, and museums like the Powerhouse Motorcycle Museum. Tamworth is famous for its country music festival held annually in January and the food festival in April. If you want to travel during these festivals, make sure to book your Tamworth holiday rentals well in advance, especially during the weekends.

Tamworth Information Centre

While an information centre may not seem like one of the top things to do in a city, Tamworth’s is an attraction in itself, with the 12-metre high Big Golden Guitar in front making a great backdrop for photos. You can also check out the centre’s 20 guitars that have been autographed by local and international musicians, as well as the 300 handprints left by famous musicians.

Barraba

Barraba is a lovely country town nestled in the Nandewar Ranges, just over an hours’ drive from Tamworth. The colonial-style buildings are painted in a sea of muted, neutral tones that perfectly match the surrounding countryside that is composed of steep ridges and ancient lava terraces. The town is also known as a birdwatcher’s paradise, being home to more than 200 species of birds. On a trip here, you may spot rare kinds such as the regent honeyeater and turquoise parrot.

Tamworth Powerstation Museum

Tamworth was the first city in Australia to be lit by electric street lighting in 1888, and its history is celebrated at this museum, which is located at the exact site where steam engines first powered the lights. The only museum in Australia dedicated to electricity, it has a range of exhibits showcasing the history of electricity and its impact on society. Most notably, this museum houses two rare steam-driven engines, the only two of their type operating today.