New England (New South Wales)

• - Location of Hanging Rock

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

• - World Heritage listed park

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

  phone: +61 2 6772-4655
  address: 82 Marsh Street Armidale

• Uralla Visitor Information Centre

  phone: +61 2 6778-4496
  address: 104 Bridge Street, Uralla

• Walcha Visitor Information Centre

  address: 51W Fitzroy Street

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) and Armidale (ARM), and Rex operate services between Sydney and Armidale. Taxi and car hire is available on-site.

• The village of Kentucky

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.

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

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: +61 2 6770-3636 for bookings.
For free computer and internet usage (during opening hours): Walcha Library, Derby St., Phone: +61 2 67742550
For internet services: Walcha Telecottage, 32w Fitzroy Street, Walcha NSW 2354; Phone:+61 2 6777-1111; Fax:+61 2 6777 1112; Email:telecottage@optusnet.com.au

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.