Armidale

High country is worth a visit and a stay

With its pop-up craft shops, art gallery and outdoor cafes, the Mall is the heart of Armidale, a university city about half-way between Brisbane and Sydney.

This is Ainawan country and you will discover much of its Indigenous heritage at the Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place.

Squatters took up pastoral leases in and around Armidale in the early to mid 1800s, running sheep and cattle on its flat tablelands.

Original homesteads, including the heritage listed Saumarez Homestead, remain a part of the landscape.

Booloominbah, an historical mansion, is at the centre of The University of New England. Buy a coffee at its cafe and stretch your legs on the homestead’s lawns. This is where graduation ceremonies are held throughout the year and from where you can view much of the surrounding New England landscape.

Uralla is a town about 20 kilometres south of Armidale and worth a visit. Here you will find an antiquarian bookshop, art gallery, antique and craft shops. The town’s Top Pub is a cosy place to order a lunch and while away an afternoon with friends, or next to one of the open fires, with a good book.

New England is gorge country; take a ride in a helicopter and fly over the main gorges, or even disembark at one of the scenic spots for a picnic and trout fishing.

Tourists flock to Armidale and the region for its four distinct seasons. Deciduous trees line many of the streets and turn golden colours in autumn, while bulbs such as daffodils, jonquils, tulips and freesias pop up from late winter to spring.

The New England Highway runs on the outskirts of Armidale, which is serviced by a train and airport.

With its pop-up craft shops, art gallery and outdoor cafes, the Mall is the heart of Armidale, a university city about half-way between Brisbane and Sydney. This is Ainawan country and you will discover much of its Indigenous heritage at the Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place. Squatters took up pastoral leases in and around Armidale in the early to mid 1800s, running sheep and cattle on its flat tablelands. Original homesteads, including the heritage listed Saumarez Homestead, remain a part of the landscape. Booloominbah, an historical mansion, is at the centre of The University of New England. Buy a coffee at its cafe and stretch your legs on the homestead’s lawns. This is where graduation ceremonies are held throughout the year and from where you can view much of the surrounding New England landscape. Uralla is a town about 20 kilometres south of Armidale and worth a visit. Here you will find an antiquarian bookshop, art gallery, antique and craft shops. The town’s Top Pub is a cosy place to order a lunch and while away an afternoon with friends, or next to one of the open fires, with a good book. New England is gorge country; take a ride in a helicopter and fly over the main gorges, or even disembark at one of the scenic spots for a picnic and trout fishing. Tourists flock to Armidale and the region for its four distinct seasons. Deciduous trees line many of the streets and turn golden colours in autumn, while bulbs such as daffodils, jonquils, tulips and freesias pop up from late winter to spring. The New England Highway runs on the outskirts of Armidale, which is serviced by a train and airport.