Country Music is evident across this New England city, with guitars abundant in public view and within a variety of attractions.
Big Golden Guitar
A great place to start is the 12 metre Golden Guitar, situated just off the New England Highway as you head into Tamworth from Sydney. Take your souvenir pic at this iconic landmark before you head into the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre with its walls adorned with guitars from famous country music stars past and present.
Tamworth Visitor Information Centre
The centre is well stocked with brochures and has helpful staff and a great landscape model of the Tamworth region. A cafe offers a good mix of refreshments within an appropriate country music decor. The centre & café are open daily 9am to 5pm.
Cafe at Tamworth Visitor Information Centre
The Gallery of Stars Wax Museum nearby is a historic journey – bought to life – of the stars of Australian Country Music from Slim Dusty to Troy Cassar-Daley.
Australian County Music Hall of Fame
Guitars are a feature both here and at the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame across town. The centre has over 40 exhibits of posters, costumes and artefacts with video and audio areas telling the fascinating story of the many eras of Australian country music from its origins to the present day. Be prepared to stay a few hours to absorb this cultural history and be absorbed - whether a follower of country music or not.
Australian County Music Hall of Fame
Around town, there are dotted reminders of the country music heritage that is an intrinsic part of Tamworth's character.
Stroll along tree-lined Peel Street and see the
Golden Guitar Winners Plaques.
Bicentennial Park has bronze busts honouring the memory of music legends.
The country music
Galaxy of Stars at the forecourt of the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre features bronze plaques of the stars of Australian Country Music.
To experience the true country vibe of Tamworth head over in January for the Tamworth Country Music Festival and join tens of thousands of music fans and over 700 performers in a 10-day festival that has the town buzzing.
Head to
destinationtamworth.com.au for full information on opening times, live country music and where to stay.