Fast facts
- World Heritage wilderness areas in Washpool and Gibraltar Range national parks
- Famous for its Scottish heritage and precious gemstones
- Seven hours’ drive inland from Sydney
Why go there
The first settlers in this region were mostly Scots, and today Glen Innes cherishes its Celtic origins. Locals built the Australian Standing Stones, a megalithic stone circle, as a monument to these pioneers.
The colonial-style towns in the area have many heritage buildings and museums, and there are rich gemfields nearby. Tenterfield is the birthplace of singer Peter Allen, who immortalised the town in his song, "Tenterfield Saddler".
The natural scenery is nothing short of grand – Washpool National Park is the largest rainforest wilderness in NSW, and the Gibraltar Range has spectacular granite outcrops.
Things to do
- Taste handmade wines at local wineries and olives at Inverell’s olive grove.
- Go bushwalking in the World Heritage-listed national parks of Gibraltar Range and Washpool.
- Explore the rural villages of Deepwater, Torrington and Emmaville.
- Experience the Australian Standing Stones, venue for the Australian Celtic Festival.
- Go fossicking for sapphires in the gemfields at Glen Innes and Inverell.
- Climb the largest granite rock in Australia at Bald Rock National Park.
Don’t miss
- The Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts, Tenterfield, one of the finest small museums in NSW.
- Land of The Beardies History House, a folk museum in Glen Innes.
- Emmaville Mining Museum, Emmaville.
Events
- Australian Celtic Festival, Glen Innes, in April/May.
- Gourmet in the Glen, in September.
- Telstra Countrywide Festival, Inverell, in October.
- Land of the Beardies Festival, Glen Innes, in November.
