Tamworth, Australia's self-proclaimed Country Music capital is a large town in the New England region in New South Wales, Australia. Known as 'The Country Music Capital', Tamworth is Australia's equivalent to Nashville in the United States, albeit on a far more modest scale. The focus of this self-promotion is the Australasian Country Music Festival, held every January.
History of Tamworth
Prior to white settlement the area was occupied by the Kamilaroi people who knew it as 'Calala', thought to mean 'place of battle'.
John Oxley entered the Peel River Valley a little to the north-west of the present townsite in 1818 en route to the coast. Squatters began to arrive in 1830, however they were removed when the Australian Agricultural Company (AAC) was awarded an enormous grant. Henry Dangar selected the land and the first 6000 sheep arrived in 1834. Tamworth was established as a company station. In 1888 Tamworth became the first town in the Southern Hemisphere to have a municipally-operated electric street lighting, earning it the nickname 'The City of Light'. Tamworth was declared a city in 1946 and enjoyed significant growth in the 1960s and 1970s.
The association of the city with country music started in the late 1960s. Tamworth capitalised on the success by establishing the Country Music Awards in 1973.
Travel & Tours in Tamworth
Adventure Travel represents over 1,000 hostels, hotels, tour companies & attractions across Australia that we can book for you often at a discouted rate. At Adventure Travel we also operate a number of our own tours.
Currency used in Tamworth
In Tamworth the standard currency used is the Australia Dollar. The Australia dollar comes in denominations of 5c ,10c ,20c ,50c ,$1 & 2$ coins, and $5, $10, $20, $50 & $100 notes. Most bars, restaurants, backpacker hostels, shops and Adventure Tour desks in Tamworth all take credit card, eftpos and cash. There is several cash machines in Tamworth all which dispense the Australia Dollar currency. To check the Australian dollar exchange rate against a foreign currency then click here.
Backpacker Hostel Accommodation & Hotels in Tamworth
In Tamworth there is a number of Backpacker Hostels and Hotels where we can pre - book your accommodation. If you are looking for a budget hostel bed the click here or if you are looking for more luxurious accommodation then click here.
Discounted Travel Insurance
Adventure Travel offers a range of Backpacker Insurance policies at heavily discounted rates. We understand that you are on a budget and prefer to save your money to backpack around the world.
Security in Tamworth
Tamworth in Australia is a very safe place to travel with 1,000's of visitors touring through Tamworth every year. This is a popular destination for sailing enthusiasts, sunlovers, families and backpackers. To check any foreign office information on Australia you can click here.
Weather in Tamworth
The weather in Tamworth is seasonal with 4 distinctive seasons. To get more information on the weather in Tamworth, Australia, then click here.
Travel to Tamworth
The New England Highway runs inland between Sydney and Brisbane via Tamworth. Sydney - Tamworth = 414 km Canberra - Tamworth = 538 km
Things to see and do in Tamworth
Visit the Hands of Fame Park: Here, each January, selected country music stars are asked to leave their handprints in concrete for posterity. The park's aeroplane is a Vampire, a memorial to the RAAF. The 4.7-km heritage walk also starts here.
Railway Bridge : Follow the riverbank in a north-westerly direction to the 48-metre lattice girder railway bridge, prefabricated in England and erected here in 1881-82. Once a common type it is one of only two such structures remaining on the northern rail. The 815-metre viaduct was originally built of wood, which was replaced by steel from 1917-1929.
Munro's Mill: built in 1863 was the first flourmill in town. Tamworth became an important milling centre with the wheat fields of northern NSW transporting their produce here for processing. This mill closed in 1901 and is now an antique shop.
The AustralianCountryMusicFoundationMuseum currently features Tex Morton, Buddy Williams, Smoky Dawson and Slim Dusty in the Legends of Australian Country Music exhibition and is open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. Special monthly events are held on the third Sunday of the month. Nearby is The Winners Walkway,a landscaped memorial in Treloars Arcade which is dedicated to those who win the Golden Guitar Award.
Country Music Festival
Tamworth's Big Golden Guitar. Tamworth is best known for hosting the Country Music Festival. Held over 10 days during January, the festival is often counted among the world's top ten music festivals. The festival features thousands of Australian and international country music artists performing live shows 24 hours a day. Each year an estimated 100, 000 people pass through the Tamworth for the festival with around 70, 000 staying for a substantial duration of the festival, with camping along the banks of the Peel River. The 10 day festival culminates in the Golden Guitar Awards - the most prestigious award that an Australian Country Music artist can win for their music. In honour of its country music Tamworth is home to the 'Big Golden Guitar', the wax museum and the hands of fame park of successful country music artists. Home-grown country music stars include Felicity Urquhart and up and coming promising talent The Baileys whose music style is a mixture of country, rock and other genres. It is by far one of the greatest festivals in Australia and the second biggest country music festival in the World.
