Established in 2019, the National Guitar Museum salutes and celebrates the instrument and those who make it sing.
And let's get serious; is there a more appropriate place to celebrate the humble guitar than the Country Music Capital?
With a special focus on rock and country, the collection is made up of famous guitars, replicas of famous guitars, signed guitars and profiles on the Australian and international stars who played them all. Think Smoky Dawson, QUEEN's Brian May, Tommy Emmanuel, KISS' Paul Stanley, Keith Urban, Dolly Parton, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Rogers, The Eagles… the list goes on.
The National Guitar Museum is located in the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre at the Big Golden Guitar complex, and is a great experience for lovers of music across all genres.
The Big Golden Guitar one of the many "big" attractions in Australia is situated on Goonoo Goonoo Road (New England Highway) at the southern entrance to Tamworth.
Erected in 1988 and unveiled by Slim Dusty it stands at 12 metres tall and weighs half a tonne.
The Big Golden Guitar is a replica of the famous Golden Guitar Award and a symbol of the world-renowned annual Tamworth Country Music Festival.
A must see attraction on your visit to Tamworth or merely just passing through The Golden Guitar is available 24hrs and lit at night for the obligatory photograph.
While you're there pop in and visit the friendly staff and volunteers at the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre and find out about local events, experiences, and the best places to eat and drink!
The Truck Drivers Memorial commemorates men and women who have been accidentally killed while professional drivers and those who have dedicated their lives to the transport industry.
The Tamworth Truck Drivers Memorial is one of only four in the country. Built in 2000 by the Tamworth Truck Drivers Club, it is a place where drivers from the region, and outside, are remembered. Their names appear on plaques.
Flower have been left, notes from children and photos of those who have died. There are currently approximately 180 plaques on the memorial.
The highest honour in country music is being recognised in the Australasian Roll of Renown.
Standing in front of Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC) is the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown. The roll honours those who have made a significant and lasting contribution in the industry. Over 50 country music icons have been immortalised on the giant granite boulders, with new additions unveiled each year at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Next to the Roll of Renown is the country music Galaxy of Stars. Each year stars are recognised with star shaped plaques set into the forecourt to celebrate their place in country music.
Tamworth Sports Dome is an exceptional facility and the region's newest multipurpose indoor sports facility.
It provides the Tamworth community with a modern, well-equipped sports facility that is suitable for a wide range of different sports and activities.
The Sports Dome caters for local, state and national events, with both indoor and outdoor multi-purpose sporting courts.
The Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) is a state-of-the-art facility located in the major regional hub of Tamworth in North Western New South Wales.
They host more than 50 events per year, from agility dogs to alpacas and show jumping to rodeos.
AELEC boasts state-of-the-art facilities, available to their competitors, spectators and customers. Their facilities include a 40 metre by 80 metre tiered seating indoor arena that sits just under 3500 guests, a sales ring and 478 stables. Their outdoor facilities include two 30 metre by 70 metre competition and warm-up arenas, horse sporting fields and exhibition areas, as well as two showjumping and dressage areas.
Discover 19 Mosaics in Kootingal.
Add a touch of creativity to your regional itinerary! Situated in nearby Kootingal (only 20 minutes from Tamworth), 19 Mosaics is a large-scale supply storefront and warehouse packed with everything you need for your next mosaic. Explore shelves stocked with professional tools, colourful tiles, Millefiori, and embellishments.
Tamworth and Kootingal Horse Riding Adventures are a fully working cattle station located just 27 kilometres east of Tamworth.
Tamworth and Kootingal Horse Riding Adventures offer two-hour trail rides departing three times per day, seven days per week.
Catering for large groups, from the novice rider to the very advanced riders.
Join their famous trail ride exploring over 1400 acres of the property along Mulla Creek with spectacular views taken in at a leisurely relaxing pace for all.
They also offer the "Swamp Oak Station Tour" something the whole family will enjoy from feeding cattle to taking in the beautiful views of the Mulla Creek and Cockburn Ranges. Swampoak Station has a load of history and is a fully working beef cattle station.
Their newest attraction being the Swamp Oak Station Petting Pen, come explore an amazing family experience and adventure meeting our adorable baby farm animals; rabbits, sheep, calves, mini ponies just to name a few. A free barbecue facility's with undercover seating and restrooms is available to relax a while.
Pony Rides are also available, lead by their staff who have a true passion for horses and sharing their knowledge to assist guests in a relaxed and controlled atmosphere.
Film making photography groups are welcome to contact for an opportunity to utilise the 1400 acres of majestic scenery and hilltop views.
Visit Manilla’s own private museum of wares from years gone by, curated by locals Harry and Robyn Fletcher.
Having been collected over 15 years, Manellae Collectables displays items including old telephones, dairy equipment, sporting goods and so much more. It also houses the popular Arnott’s Avenue, featuring Arnott’s biscuit tins from throughout the ages.
Manellae Collectables is open by appointment only.
Manilla Heritage Museum is the only Australian site apart from the National Museum of Australia documenting the groundbreaking platypus research by Harry Burrell.
Manilla's first museum opened to the public in 1973, in temporary premises at the southern end of Manilla Street. "Royce Cottage", now the Manilla Museum, was opened in 1975.
Local history buffs have been collecting stories, documents, artefacts and memorabilia since the History Group was incorporated in 1972. All this is now Manilla's heritage.
Today, the Manilla community collection is acknowledged as a significant archive of Australian Rural Community History.
In April 2012, the Rural Museum extension was officially opened by James Treloar, in appreciation of his interest in Manilla's rural history and his financial contribution to the project.
Experience the ritual of a weekend visit to the Nundle Craft Shop which has been in operation for 30 years and was initially run by a small group of local women but has since grown to the amazing retail outlet it is today. With ever-increasing member numbers, the shop has grown to now incorporate the old library premises attached to the Nundle Memorial Hall in Jenkins Street.
The shop is run by volunteers and has donated more than AUD75,000 to local charities.
Saturday mornings at the shop resembles a mini farmers market with fresh baked goodies like cakes, biscuits and slices together with locally grown seasonal fruit, vegetables and plants.
Opening Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only, the shop also offers your favourite jams and pickles together with arts and crafts such as knitting, crochet, sewing, handmade soaps, jewellery, woodwork, beautiful handmade cards, rustic art furniture, lanterns and bird houses, the list goes on and on.
Visit historic village store, Odgers and McClelland Exchange Stores, at Nundle in New England north-west NSW for beautiful and practical kitchen and garden essentials with vintage appeal. Listed among international blog and social media account The Shopkeepers' shops worth travelling for and book 'The World's Most Beautiful Shops'.
Inspired by a century of retail heritage, Odgers and McClelland stocks brands that stand the test of time and contemporary goods with traditional roots. Falcon and Romanian enamelware, Mason Cash mixing bowls, Fowlers preserving gear, Redecker brush ware, classic shaving supplies and gardening tools built to hand on to the next generation. Their natural fibre and reusable housewares offer plastic-free alternatives for environmentally conscious consumers.
The store, established by John Odgers and William McClelland, began trading in the early 1890s, selling everything necessary for the surrounding farming community and acting as gold and produce exchange. The doors closed in the late 1970s until Duncan and Megan Trousdale reopened them in 1999, responding to people's keen interest in the building and its history.
The original packing case shelving, timber floorboards, tin-lined walls and weatherboard facade are uniquely preserved and continue to serve customers throughout Australia.
You're sure to find something you need through the new online store or a much-loved old store.
