About Tamworth
Over the past forty years Tamworth has become synonymous with country music. It is now known as ‘The Country Music Capital’ and the combination of a Big Guitar, the huge Country Music Festival (reputedly the second largest in the world), the Country Music Hall of Fame and numerous lesser attractions, has ensured that the city can offer days, even weeks, of country music-flavoured activities. In spite of this apparent focus on all things country, the city has much more to offer.
There is the rich history of significant and gracious buildings; the importance of the surrounding agricultural area which produces wool, dairy products, eggs, poultry, wheat, lucerne and honey; the economic importance of cattle, horse and sheep studs; and the simple fact that, with a population of over 40,000, it is a thriving and prosperous service centre. It is, in fact, so large that it has become the most important service centre in the New England region with nearly one quarter of the city’s workforce being employed in the retail sector. (sourced from the Aussie Towns website – click for more).
Tamworth (maplink) was just a one night stay, but the group did pretty well fitting the limited time exploring the town. Oxley Scenic Lookout was a great spot to begin with expansive views over Tamworth.
Gary & Deb, the owners of City Lights Caravan Park, went to enormous lengths to accommodate our group of 21 Bailey caravans. Probably the most enthusiastic and caring park owners we have ever met. They even organised several local musicians to entertain us during, in what ended up being a rather long, happy hour.
We were also fortunate to be given a “boot scootin” demonstration by some young boot-scooters from Lennox Head, who were in town for a competition and they were great. The entertainment continued with the local musos calling up Jennefer and Don, from our group, to join in.
