Blogs from Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia, Oceania

The Waterfall Way runs from Coffs Harbour to Armidale, and guess what. There are lots of waterfalls to view along the way. We explored the key waterfalls in the Dorrigo area, and now headed further up onto the New England plateau, aiming to stay in Tamworth. First stop was Ebor Falls, followed by Wollomombi Falls, both relatively quick stopovers. We also passed Thunderbolts Rock near Uralla, which was a famous lookout post for bushranger Captain Thunderbolt, who was partial to robbing the mail coaches as they passed by. Thunderbolt had escaped from the notorious Cockatoo Island prison, and he wasn't planning on going back there in a hurry. He was eventually shot by an off duty policeman, who had shot his horse from under him. We stopped off for lunch in Armidale, and were impressed with ... read more

We ended up at the Cassilis bowls club camping spot because we drove into a tremendous downpour and the free camp we intended to use was awash, despite being on top of a mountain! Apart from the day that we left Melbourne, this was the first time we had run into any real rain on the trip, so we cannot complain too much. Certainly we have had some very cold mornings and the odd day, but generally the weather has been fairly kind. It was a bit of a surprise however to find the day after arriving in Cassilis that we could do some sightseeing around the area in good weather. Cassilis is a very hospitable hamlet, but has very little else to hold ones attention. We popped into Merriwa, which unlike Cassilis has a larger ... read more

A phone call to an auto electrician in Tamworth assures me that the problem with the battery charger in the caravan can be fixed, so we head off to Tamworth to a caravan park recommended by the auto electrician. On arrival we discover that the world famous Tamworth Music Festival begins in one weeks time, intending only to book in long enough to get our electrics fixed we decide to stay for the festival. With a week to wait we get our electrics fixed and we explore the town and surrounds in the relative calm before the crowds gather for the festival. Tamworth city is the hub of the region supporting a population of 55,000 people throughout the area with a huge farming and grazing industry this is real country and is only 574km from Brisbane ... read more

Geo: -31.0915, 150.931First thing this morning I did washing, we had breakfast then visited the information. Centre, right next door to the Park.Outside was a song writers Tribute, The Country Music Association of Australia pays tribute to, around 27 song writers. Smokey and Dot Dawson, had a stone to themselves, one very revered couple in Tamworth. Others were Brian Young, Owen Blundell, Arthur Blanch, and many others. We then spoke to Cindy a lovely lady who advised us to take a drive to Nundle 54 km from Tamworth. We then did a tour of Walk a Country Mile, well worth $4.50, with a Seniors discount. Thanks to Mick they see his card and figure I'm there as well. It was the story of Country Music which was done very well. Then we hit the op shop. ... read more

Geo: -31.0905, 150.929Left Belmont at 9am, heading for Scone in the Hunter Valley. Could not believe how dry it was.At Branxton all different second hand cars and utes, about 20, lined up in front of each other, including an old Morrie for sale.Passing through Singleton Heights the same, another lot of cars for sale. No markets which I would be interested in, just cars.After passing through Singleton we saw huge pits that are being mined for Black Coal. We had seen a number of carts hauled by trains heading for NewcastleRavens wood underground mine, bigger than the Latrobe Valley. Bayswater Power Station.Had lunch in Scone, the horse capital of Australia, then after a half hour break, decided to move on to Tamworth, only 129km to go,. Would have been excellent to have made it to Brisbane, ... read more