New England (New South Wales)

New England is a region in the north-eastern area of New South Wales north of the Hunter Valley and inland from the north coast of New South Wales and the Northern Rivers. The New England region includes all of the high plateau area known as the Northern Tablelands. These Tablelands have four National Parks that are listed World Heritage Areas and form part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.

The region also has historical buildings, fine museums, renowned art collections, superb fishing, fossicking, bushwalking, festivals, markets, pubs, clubs, fine restaurants and the breathtaking gold of autumn which is so much a part of the New England.

Cities

• 🌍 Armidale
• 🌍 Ebor
• 🌍 Glen Innes
• 🌍 Nundle - Location of Hanging Rock
• 🌍 Tamworth
• 🌍 Tenterfield
• 🌍 Uralla
• 🌍 Walcha

The chapel, Gostwyck, Uralla, NSW

Other destinations

There is a wide range of 27 main national parks in the New England region, plus some smaller parks and nature reserves.

• 🌍 Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
• 🌍 New England National Park
• 🌍 Dorrigo National Park - World Heritage listed park

Understand

The view from Point Lookout, New England National Park, NSW.

Climate

There is a wide variation in the climate of the region, especially if one includes the western slopes section, that is occasionally included. Guyra, Uralla and Walcha are noted for having very frosty nights that may cause diesel to solidify in vehicles causing the engine to stop or run abnormally. Usually the vehicle will run normally without intervention, when the morning warms, at about 9AM.

Tourist Information

• Armidale Visitor Information Centre, 82 Marsh Street Armidale (next to Hungry Jacks Restaurant), ☎ [phone], toll-free: 1800 627 736, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 7 days from 9AM to 5PM. 
• Uralla Visitor Information Centre, 104 Bridge Street, Uralla (New England Highway), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 9.30AM to 4.30PM daily Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day. 
• Walcha Visitor Information Centre, 51W Fitzroy Street (Oxley Highway), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 9AM-4.30PM; weekends 9.30AM- 4PM. 

Get in

By road

Walcha, the south-east gateway to the New England, is 425 km north of Sydney via the scenic Thunderbolts Way (the shortest route from Sydney) and 184 km west of Port Macquarie. Uralla is 40 km further on along Thunderbolts Way, at the junction of the New England Highway.

Tamworth, Uralla, Armidale, Glen Innes and Tenterfield are the main centres located on the New England Highway, an inland route that links the Hunter Valley and Sydney to Brisbane. Armidale is also accessible from the coast via the scenic Waterfall Way via Raleigh, near Coffs Harbour.

Coach: Sydney to Brisbane and return via the New England Highway (includes Tamworth, Armidale, Uralla, Glen Innes and Tenterfield) daily on Greyhound; Greyhound on 132030. Greyhound

By train

NSW Trainlink trains connect Sydney to Tamworth, Walcha Road (for Walcha), Uralla and then terminate in Armidale. Brisbane-Sydney return (includes Armidale, Tenterfield): Daily on NSW Trainlink coach service. NSW Trainlink trains are air-conditioned and equipped with comfortable seats. Food, including hot lunches and dinners, is available from a buffet car onboard. It is essential to book NSW Trainlink tickets in advance.

By plane

Qantas runs regular services between Sydney, Tamworth (TMW ^IATA) and Armidale (ARM ^IATA), and Rex operate services between Sydney and Armidale. Taxi and car hire is available on-site.

Get around

See

• The village of Kentucky

Do

Eat

Eateries are plentiful in the cities and towns of the New England. Some of these are specialising in meals made from local produce. See under the individual destinations for more detail.

Drink

Drinking spots are readily available in the cities and towns of the New England.

Connect

There are quite a few places in the New England region where mobile (cell) phones do not have coverage (including Next G country models).

Free computer and internet usage is available at the Armidale Library, Faulkner St, during opening hours. phone: [phone] for bookings.

For free computer and internet usage (during opening hours): Walcha Library, Derby St., Phone: [phone]

For internet services: Walcha Telecottage, 32w Fitzroy Street, Walcha NSW 2354; Phone:[phone]; Fax:[phone]; Email:[e-mail]

Go next

There are about twenty seven major national parks, including the large, spectacular and easily accessible Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, plus over thirty nature reserves in the New England region.

Take a trip along Waterfall Way which passes through some of New South Wales' most scenic countryside and has been voted the number one tourist drive in New South Wales. Located along the route are five national parks, three of which are listed as World Heritage Areas by UNESCO and form part of the Gondwana Rainforest of Australia.