The Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth 2016 will showcase an incredible program of country music with over 700 performers and 2,800 shows taking place across 120 different venues. Held over 10 days, the festival will feature performances from some of the biggest names in country music including Kasey Chambers, Shannon Noll and Brothers 3.

The laidback country town of Tamworth in Country NSW is the ideal destination for a short break over the festival, with national parks, fishing, horse riding, fossicking and great local produce on offer in the city and wider region.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said the Tamworth Country Musical Festival is recognised world-wide, attracts significant visitation to the State and delivers important economic and community benefits.

“We look forward to welcoming the many performers and visitors to Tamworth this January for a spectacular event and a wonderful NSW country experience,” Mr Ayres said.

Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said, “All roads lead to Tamworth in January for an incredible celebration of all things country. This truly world-class event is considered one of the top ten country music festivals in the world and offers a unique experience for music fans.

“Although Tamworth is famous for being the home of country music in Australia, I encourage visitors to explore the wider region during the festival and discover the stunning scenery, adventure and nature based activities on offer.”

Destination NSW suggests the following five reasons to visit Tamworth and surrounds for the Toyota Country Music Festival in January:

  1. Uncover country music history: With trail maps available from the Tamworth Visitors Information Centre, you’ll be taking a trip through country music history in no time. Our picks are the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame with 40 exhibits of memorabilia from country music greats, the Gallery of Stars Wax Museum and don’t forget to take a selfie in front of the Big Golden Guitar
  2. Fossicking fun: Located just a 60 minute drive from Tamworth, you’ll fall in love with the historic gold mining village of Nundle. With great local cafes, antique stores and delicious baked goods at the Nundle Craft Inc weekly farmers market, you’ll find plenty to do in town. For a true Nundle experience, have a go at fossicking for gems and gold in the Peel River or fish for trout at specialist trout farm Arc-en-ciel
  3. It’s a family affair: With a ten-day program of family street music, dedicated children’s concerts, carnival rides and more, the festival environment is perfect for the entire family. Tamworth also boasts a brand new state-of-the art regional playground, Marsupial Park and adventure playground, Miniature Railway and is just an hour away from the koala capital of Australia, Gunnedah
  4. Fly high in Manilla: Rated as one of the world’s best locations for paragliding, sky sailing and hang-gliding, Mount Borah at Manilla is the ultimate destination for thrill seekers. Located on the Fossickers Way touring route, ‘Fly Manilla’ was once home to the Paragliding World Championships and is regarded as one of the world’s safest flying sites led by leading pilot and world distance record holder Godfrey Wenness
  5. What goes on tour stays on tour: Regarded as one of the top scenic drives in NSW, Fossickers Way is well worth experiencing for its wooded hills, open green pastures and fertile valleys. For a day-trip touring adventure through Country NSW, sections of the drive can be explored from Tamworth, Manilla, Barraba and through to Bingara.

For more information on Tamworth and the Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth please go to visitnsw.com

For more information on Tamworth during the festival, visit the Festival HQ pop up at 437 Peel Street for destination ideas, regional food and wine tastings and an artists guitar feature wall.

Download a selection of images here: images.destinationnsw.com.au

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