A hugely popular destination for fossicker’s; jasper, quartz, crystal being more common but opal, sapphires, diamonds and gold are also to be found in this region of NSW.  Fossickers Way is a sign posted route that starts at Nundle, passes through Inverell and heads north to Glen Innes

The fascinating and historical opal mining town of Lightning Ridge in Walgett Shire (near the southern border of Queensland) about six kilometres east of the Castlereagh Highway is famous for its beautiful black opals. You can take a tour of an opal mine with Outback Opal Tours.

Tamworth is Australia’s country music capital and hosts the Country Music Festival in January.  Oxley Wild Rivers National Park has World Heritage-listed rainforest and the stunning Wollomombi Falls (220 m), bushwalk, canoe, camp.  Armidale has over 30 National Trust-listed buildings, two cathedrals and a University.  Visit the New England Regional Art Museum, one of the best in the country.  The town of Tenterfield is home to the Tenterfield Saddler, the shop that inspired Peter Allen’s song.