Head north through Kootingal and stop at Moonbi for one of our more unusual local landmarks — the Big Chook.

It's quirky, it's enormous and, let's face it, you're probably going to take a photo.

Continue through the Moonbi Ranges and stop at Moonbi Lookout before heading on to Bendemeer.

This is an easy adventure when you feel like a drive through the New England countryside without needing to plan every minute of the day.

Find somewhere for lunch, have a wander and take your time.

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.

Head west and you've got the makings of another cracking day out.

Take in Lake Keepit, find yourself a country lunch along the way and continue towards Gunnedah.

Gunnedah has become something of an outdoor gallery, with silo art, water tower murals, street art and sculptures to find around town.

It's also the home of poet Dorothea Mackellar, best known for My Country and those famous words about loving a sunburnt country and a land of sweeping plains.

Then go and see some of those sweeping plains.

Gunnedah has two great lookouts - one overlooking the town and another looking out across the Liverpool Plains.

Art, literature, landscape and a country drive.

Not a bad way to spend a day.

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.

If you've only got time for one regional day trip, Nundle and Hanging Rock deserve serious consideration.

Nundle is one of those little towns where it's very easy to spend considerably longer than you planned.

Explore its gold-rush history, wander through the village, visit the Nundle Woollen Mill, stop for lunch and perhaps even try your luck fossicking.

Then head up towards Hanging Rock Lookout.

The scenery changes as you climb and the views from the top are well worth the drive.

Depending on how much time you've got, you can add Sheba Dams or Chaffey Dam to the adventure.

Take a picnic. Take the camera.

Most importantly, take your time.

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.

There are highways that get you from A to B. And then there are the roads Frank takes.

Frank has been exploring the roads around Tamworth, the New England and North West for more than 40 years. Ask him how to get somewhere and there's a reasonable chance his answer includes a road you hadn't noticed on the map.

We call them Frank Roads.

Some are simply beautiful alternatives to the highway. Others involve dirt. Some involve quite a lot of dirt. And occasionally the description includes phrases like “a little narrow” or “windy for a bit.”

Frank Roads aren't about getting somewhere quickly. They're about pretty countryside, unexpected views, photography stops, little towns and seeing parts of the region you'd otherwise drive straight past.

They're also not suitable for everyone. Road surfaces and conditions can change, particularly after rain, and some routes may not suit caravans, larger motorhomes or drivers who aren't comfortable on narrow or unsealed country roads.

So don't blindly follow a Frank Road you've heard about.

Come and have a chat with us first.

Tell us what you're driving, how much time you've got and how adventurous you're feeling.

We'll see where we can send you.

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.

APSLEY FALLS - NEAR WALCHA

Big landscapes & scenery

If you love big landscapes, take the drive to Apsley Falls.

Set within Oxley Wild Rivers National Park near Walcha, the falls plunge into a dramatic gorge surrounded by New England wilderness. It's far enough from Tamworth to feel like you've had a proper adventure, but close enough to make a great day trip from Austin.

Charge the camera.

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.