Attractions

Adventure Bucket List

Austin holds more than most towns. Come find what calls to you.

ATTRACTIONS

Places worth your time

Each tells a story. Each stays with you.

Nundle & Hanging Rock

Powerhouse Park

Riverside Fields

Try your hand at Hands of Fame

Go for a wander

Make a day of it — Nundle & Hanging Rock

Or head north west — Manilla, Split Rock & Barraba

Get that family photo

Try your hand at country music history

Discover why Tamworth is the First City of Light

Meet some Australian locals

Go big at the playground

For the whole day out.

We know this is technically more than one place.

We're counting it anyway.

Nundle and Hanging Rock combine history, scenery, food, shopping, fossicking, the Woollen Mill, mountain country and one very good lookout into an easy day trip from Tamworth.

You can plan the whole day.

Or just point the car towards Nundle and work it out when you get there.

Both approaches work.

Powerhouse Park in Carthage Street is a great option when someone has energy to burn.

There's a fenced dog activity area with agility equipment, giving dogs somewhere to run and explore off lead.

Whether your dog actually uses the agility equipment as intended is another question entirely.

If your dog's preferred sport is less agility champion and more throw the ball again, ask us about the Riverside Fields.

There's plenty of room for a good stretch of the legs and some ball chasing.

And once everybody has burnt off the first burst of travel energy, you can start thinking about exploring.

Take the lead and wander through Hands of Fame Park in the Tamworth CBD.

This outdoor tribute to Australian country music features the handprints of well-known artists set into concrete, so you can literally try your hand at matching theirs.

It's free, it's uniquely Tamworth and it's an easy stop to add to a wander through town with your dog on lead.

Sometimes the simplest adventure is the best one.

Explore Tamworth's outdoor spaces, take a walk, find some public art, pack a picnic or simply choose somewhere new for a sniff.

If you're looking for somewhere particular to explore with your dog, ask us.

We'll point you towards the places we know work well for four-legged adventurers.

This is a cracker of a day out with a dog.

Head southeast from Tamworth towards Chaffey Dam, where dogs are permitted on lead. Stop to take in the scenery, stretch the legs and have a look around before continuing towards Nundle.

Once you reach Nundle, park the car and explore on foot.

Wander along the main street, browse the village and take your dog along the Nundle Riverside Walk, a sealed walk beside the Peel River with shady places to stop along the way.

Find somewhere outside for coffee or lunch, then decide how adventurous you're feeling.

Continue towards Hanging Rock and the surrounding mountain country. There's local history hiding up there too — including the grave of Mary Ashton, of Ashton circus fame. Every now and then, you'll apparently even find fresh flowers left there.

Depending on your plans and current pet access, Sheba Dams and the surrounding recreation areas can give you even more to explore.

And if you're heading up on a weekend, ask us about Coffee on the Rock @ Connies Cafe at Hanging Rock. It's a lovely little country café and worth checking the current opening days before making it part of the plan.

There's no need to rush this adventure.

Take some water, take the lead and make a day of it.

Want another direction?

Head towards Manilla, where you can explore the town and surrounding countryside before continuing towards Split Rock Dam.

Then keep going to Barraba.

You won't miss The Water Diviner, the enormous silo artwork overlooking town, but don't photograph the silos and immediately turn around.

There's some fantastic street and public art around Barraba, so park the car, put the dog on the lead and have a wander together.

This is a particularly good adventure if you enjoy country drives, photography and stopping whenever something interesting catches your eye.

And with a four-legged passenger, stopping regularly isn't exactly optional anyway.

GET THE FAMILY PHOTO

First stop:

the Big Golden Guitar.

It's 12 metres tall, unmistakably Tamworth
and one of those photos you really do need to get while you're here.

Everyone lined up nicely is one option.

We're quite supportive of ridiculous poses too.

While you're there, country music fans can explore the National Guitar Museum and Country Music Wax Museum.

Head into town and find Hands of Fame Park, where the handprints of Australian country music artists are set into concrete.

Then start comparing.

Who has the closest match? Who has surprisingly enormous hands? Can the kids find one that fits?

It's simple, free and something everyone can do together.

DISCOVER TAMWORTH

The First City of Light

For families who like discovering how things work, head to the Tamworth Powerstation Museum.

Tamworth became the first municipality in Australia to use electric street lighting in 1888, and the museum tells that story through its collection of electrical equipment, machinery and working engines.

History, engineering and some rather impressive machinery all in one place.

At Tamworth Marsupial Park, wander through the bushland and meet native Australian animals and birds.

There's also an adventure playground, so families with younger adventurers can make a good morning or afternoon of it.

Entry is free, with donations welcomed to help support the park.

GO BIG AT THE PLAYGROUND

A Place to Play

If playing is today's adventure, Tamworth Regional Playground in Kable Avenue is worth a visit. It's a large destination playground with plenty to explore across different ages and abilities.

Pack some water, find yourself a spot and let the adventure unfold.