Located about 56 kilometres north of Tenterfield in southeast Queensland, Stanthorpe is a flourishing town full of character and attractions. Best known for its fantastic wine, the town is decorated by numerous prestigious estates offering tastings, tours and pairing dinners: try the merlot, saperavi, and Durif at Ballandean Estate, experimental wines at Bent Wine, and award-winning liquids at Boireann Wines. Renowned, gourmet restaurants accompany many of the estates, making this a prime culinary destination, too. Stanthorpe also boasts some interesting history - make sure to visit the Stanthorpe Heritage Museum. Art lovers will delight in the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery, which houses works by Picasso as well as Australian masters like Margaret Olley and Charles Blackman, as well as fascinating rotating ceramic and photography exhibits.
Tamworth is located in the state of New South Wales near the east coast of Australia. This small city – which is known both as ‘the Country Music Capital of Australia’ and ‘the National Equine Capital of Australia’ – has an appealing cowboy character, and boasts some interesting sights. Begin at the 12-metre monument of the Golden Guitar (behind which is located the Visitors Information Centre), before checking out the Tamworth Regional Gallery and the Powerhouse Motorcycle Museum (which contains over 50 vintage vehicles). Nature lovers will relish the walk to the viewpoint of Oxley Scenic Lookout (particularly great at sunset), as well as the Tamworth Marsupial Park. Finally, try to time your visit to coincide with the popular Country Music Festival (usually held in January), the biggest of its kind in Australia.
Set in New South Wales at the mouth of the Hastings River, the vibrant coastal town of Port Macquarie ticks all the holiday boxes. With its pristine rivers and lakes and thirteen regional beaches, it's a great place enjoy a range of watersports, catch a fish for dinner, and watch migrating humpback whales in season. History aficionados can discover impressive historical sites such as Timbertown while food lovers can indulge in a range of culinary delights including the famed Hastings River oysters and some award-winning locally produced wines. Enjoy a scenic coastal walk, visit one of the superb surrounding nature reserves, make friends with a Koala at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, or sign up for the exhilaration of skydiving or flying in a fighter jet. Port Macquarie is a top-quality, well-equipped seaside resort town.
Resting at the mouth of the Clarence River in northern New South Wales, and surrounded by several wonderful nature reserves, the town of Yamba is a beautiful town popular among outdoor enthusiasts. A diversity of landscapes awaits, including wide sandy coves, rugged rocky outcrops, and turquoise natural rock pools. While the town’s chief claim to fame is its excellent surfing opportunities (including Angourie Point, arguably one of the best right-hand point breaks in the country), a range of other activities is on offer for active types, including kayaking, a variety of watersports, and hiking. Parks such as the Yurigir National Park and Hickey Island Reserve offer spectacular trails, as well as gorgeous beaches. Delve into local heritage by visiting the Yamba Lighthouse, 1934-built Pacific Hotel, Port of Yamba Historical Society Museum, and Lower Clarence Aboriginal Tourist Site Drive.
