Road Trip: Sydney to Tamworth

Just one hours’ drive north of Sydney, and the first food and fuel stop off the M1 freeway, take the exit for Peats Ridge – a small NSW township in the Central Coast with a population of 377 residents. For Instagram-worthy views of Popran Creek and Glenworth Valley, take the Mount Olive trail in Popran National Park to the Mount Olive lookout. It’s a steep but short climb to the summit, and worth the view. If heights don’t appeal, detour off the Mount Olive trail to the Hominy Creek trail to find the crystal clear waters of Emerald Pool. Both trails are a short walk from Ironbark picnic area. Keep an eye out for native wildlife, including honeyeaters, spinebills and glossy black cockatoos on route.

Steeped in colonial and convict history, Wollombi was established as the administrative centre of the district in the 1830s, and many of its buildings and surrounding private homes are well-preserved examples. Pick up a map for the easy 1km Historical Wollombi Village Walk at the Wollombi Museum to learn the background of the township. 

What’s a trip to the Hunter Valley without visiting a cellar door or two? Follow Wollombi Road north-west towards Pokolbin, and stop in at Leogate Estate (look for two lions adorning the cast iron gates at the entrance) or Tempus Two wines. If you fancy pairing your vino with a view, Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard is a must for enjoying award-winning wine while taking in breathtaking 360 degree views of the Hunter Valley and Brokenback Ranges. It’s also the first vineyard established in the Parish of Pokolbin almost 150 years ago. For dinner, Muse offers contemporary Australian fare and fine-dining, while Hunters Quarter provides a European menu and relaxed setting.  

End your day kangaroo-spotting on your private balcony at Belford Cottages, where you’ll have guaranteed privacy in one of a handful of private dwellings scattered around 15ha of unspoilt bushland. For those travelling on a tighter budget or saving the bucks for bottles, the colonial-style Hill Top Country Guest House in Rothbury includes king-size beds, spa baths, a sauna and pool, and superb views of the Hunter Valley. 

Willow Tree Township developed with the advent of the railway line in 1877, making it the gateway village to the Liverpool Plains. Check out the historic Werris Creek Railway Station – a magnificent and beautifully maintained building that was at its height of activity in the 1870s, before grabbing an early lunch at Graze Restaurant at the Willow Tree Inn. The restaurant has previously been named the Best Steak Venue and the Best Country Restaurant in NSW by the Australian Hotels Association. 

Featuring a garden, barbeque facilities, outdoor pool, free WIFI, and just 2.1m from the Golden Guitar, Country Capital Motel is ideal for families and couples on budget, while those who prefer the hustle and bustle of the CBD, might prefer CH Boutique Hotel. Nestled minutes on the main strip of shops, dining and entertainment options, the rooms are modern and stylish and equipped with a mini-bar, coffee machine, hairdryer and toiletries.  

Aside from its country music legacy, Tamworth also has a rich architectural and agricultural history -- the area is a producer of wool, dairy products, eggs, poultry wheat, Lucerne and honey. Visit the History and Heritage Visitor Information Centre and grab one of two maps – Tamworth CBD Walking Route or Tamworth Driving Route, depending on your preference. Both offer comprehensive guides to the major historic buildings and places around the city. A couple to note include Tamworth Powerstation Museum, which stories Tamworth being the first town in the southern hemisphere to acquire municipally-supplied electric street lighting, and the Oxley Lookout which reveals panoramic views over the city.