Tamworth Country Capital Tamworth, Australia’s Country Music Capital, is best known for its famous Country Music Festival. The event is rated as one of the top 10 music festivals in the world and is the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Each January,Tamworth attracts around 75,000 visitors to this internationally acclaimed 10-day celebration of Australian Country Music. In 2007, a new record was set for campsites at the councilowned Riverside Camping Grounds along the Peel River with 1850 sites sold and an estimated camping population of about 6,000 people. Outside Festival time, the country music activities continue as visitors learn more about how Tamworth became the Country Music Capital by visiting any number of country music attractions including the award-winning Walk A Country Mile Interpretive Centre, Big Golden Guitar Tourist Centre and Gallery of Star Wax Museum, Australian Country Music Foundation Museum and checking out the sites on the wonderful Drive A Country Scenic Route. Alternatively visitors wanting a different festival experience should attend the mid-year Country Music Festival held annually in July; the Hats Off to Country Festival. This town has so much more to offer than just country music and line dancing…as the largest inland city between Sydney and Brisbane,Tamworth knows how to welcome its visitors to wideopen arms and warm country hospitality. ACCOMMODATION With more than 50 motels, cottages, serviced apartments, B&Bs, farm stays and caravan parks to choose from,Tamworth provides the perfect base for a few days of exploring the surrounding areas and attractions. Boasting a fashionable yet rural and relaxed lifestyle,Tamworth offers accommodation facilities catering to any budget and style, including five-star motels not often found in regional centres. Thanks to the annual Country Music Festival,Tamworth has established infrastructure and amenities, including more than 4,000 accommodation beds, enabling this city to cater for many events, business related, sporting and otherwise. Such major infrastructure developments include the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre, which is the largest entertainment centre in regional Australia, while the impressive Australian Equine and Livestock Centre and a new performing arts centre in the CBD (both due for completion in 2008) will be the legacies of the future. DINING AND LOCAL PRODUCE There are more than 50 restaurants, cafes and eating experiences waiting for you in Tamworth. You may be surprised to learn that Tamworth is home to a three-star Michelin Chef and a Culinary Olympics winning Chef. From five-star, award winning fine dining to outdoor cafes and steakhouses, there are more than enough places to satisfy your hunger.Tasty local produce teamed with true country hospitality will leave you satisfied, surprised and wanting that second helping. Many of the motels feature restaurants where visitors can dine, and the three registered clubs serve excellent meals at very reasonable prices. There are also many fast food outlets and the major supermarket chains are open extended hours to cater for barbecues, picnic fare and those who choose a self-catering option for their holiday. Visitors are sure to find a variety of options to tempt their taste buds and ensure their stay is diverse as they’d like it to be. The Tamworth region is bursting with an abundance of local produce on offer with a number of operators making a name for themselves in the area. Trout and barramundi farms, ostrich, chicken, buffalo and of course lamb and beef are available in a wide variety of eateries and shops across the region while boutique wineries continue to spring up across the area. The exquisite local produce doesn’t stop there with operators also delving into olive groves, honey and assorted condiments, berry liqueur, coffee, condiments and pasta plus a eucalypt and lavender farm; your taste buds will definitely be melting when you leave Tamworth! For more information, visit Tamworth's website