Attractions

ADVENTURE ONE

Memories, Mysteries & Sunflowers

Head south from Tamworth towards Werris Creek, where the historic railway station and Australian Railway Monument and Rail Journeys Museum tell the story of a town built around the railway. Then it's on to Quirindi and one of our favourites — Bob's Shed.

Bob liked collecting things. And then he kept collecting. Today the place is packed with memorabilia, vehicles, motoring history and everyday objects from another time. Make a game of it. Find something Grandma or Grandad remembers. Something the younger members of the family have absolutely no idea how to use. The strangest thing in the collection. Or the thing everyone would most like to take home. And then there are the biscuit tins. There are a lot of biscuit tins.

When everyone's ready for lunch, head up to Who'd A Thought It Lookout, unpack the picnic and enjoy the view across the Liverpool Plains. Then choose what happens next.

If the sunflowers are flowering, go hunting for those spectacular splashes of yellow across the Plains. If they're not, that's okay. Explore a little more, head towards Wallabadah or simply start meandering home.

The adventure isn't about ticking everything off. It's about what you find along the way.

ADVENTURE THREE

Art, Lookouts & Biscuit Tins

Head west towards Gunnedah for a day of art, history, exploring and some very important biscuit-tin counting. Start hunting down the town's water tower murals, silo art, street art and sculptures.

Then explore the Gunnedah Rural Museum, where a huge collection tells stories of farming, machinery, households and everyday life from another time. And somewhere among all of that... There are biscuit tins. Lots of them. So here's the challenge: How many can your family count? We'll expect a report when you get back.

Stop at the Visitor Information Centre and check out the water feature, then head towards Gunnedah's two lookouts. Choose your favourite, unpack the picnic and enjoy lunch with a view. Afterwards, you've got another decision to make. Highway or Frank Road?

The highway will get you towards Lake Keepit. But there's another way. Ask us about heading out of Gunnedah via Kelvin Road, turning onto Orange Grove Road and following the country road through towards Lake Keepit. There's a cracking view of the lake along the way, and suddenly the drive home becomes part of the adventure too. Some sections may be unsealed and country-road conditions can change, so check with us before heading out.

Once you've explored Lake Keepit, continue towards Manilla. Then it's time for another difficult family decision. Ice cream at the weir or treats from the bakery? We're not entirely sure those options are mutually exclusive. You're on holidays.

If heritage, art, photography and country scenery sound more your speed, head northwest.

Manilla has plenty of history to discover, including Royce Cottage and some fascinating old railway infrastructure.

From there, you can head towards Split Rock Dam or continue north to Barraba.

You'll have no trouble spotting Barraba's enormous Water Diviner silo mural, but don't make the mistake of photographing the silos and immediately turning around.There's some really cool street and public art around town, along with heritage buildings, galleries and plenty to discover on foot.

And keep the camera handy on the drive.

Some of the countryside out that way is just as worthy of a photo as the art.

If railway history, nostalgia and country towns are your thing, point yourself south.

At Werris Creek, explore the Australian Railway Monument and Rail Journeys Museum at the historic railway station before continuing further into the Liverpool Plains.

Then make time for Quirindi. There's silo and street art, cattle brands through town, Who'd A Thought It Lookout and one of our favourite slightly unexpected discoveries...Bob's Shed.

Bob liked collecting things. And then he kept collecting. The result is one of those places where you'll spot something and suddenly hear yourself saying, “Oh! We had one of those!” There's an old-fashioned general store filled with genuine items from the 1940s and 50s, historic memorabilia, vehicles, motoring history and an impressive collection celebrating Australian motor racing legend Peter Brock. Allow longer than you think.

From Quirindi, you can continue towards Wallabadah to explore the First Fleet Memorial Gardens or wander through Willow Tree before heading back towards Tamworth.

If you're travelling at the right time of year, keep an eye out for the Liverpool Plains sunflower season. When they're flowering, they're quite a sight. Ask us what's happening before you head out.

EAST, WALCHA & THE WATERFALLS

Give yourself most of the day for this one

Head through Kootingal, Moonbi and Bendemeer before turning towards Walcha. Walcha is filled with outdoor art and sculptures, so it's worth getting out of the car and having a proper wander. Keep an eye out for the landlocked whale - a sculpture that appears to be breaching straight out of the ground.

Then head beyond town into the spectacular landscapes of Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, where Apsley Falls and Tia Falls make this a particularly good adventure for anyone who loves waterfalls, gorges, photography and big country.

Then you've got a decision to make. Take the straightforward road home.

QUIRINDI

Bob's Shed. 

For the memories. 

This isn't a polished museum where everything sits neatly behind glass.

That's part of the fun. Bob's Shed grew from one bloke's love of collecting, and today it's packed with memories, memorabilia, vehicles and everyday objects from another time. You'll probably recognise something. Then someone else will recognise something. Then you'll start talking about who had one, where it lived and what happened to it.

And suddenly you've been there considerably longer than planned.

That's Bob's Shed.