Armidale - New England

Armidale NSW 2350 (Pop 25 000)

Armidale is a graceful tree-lined New England city located 525 km n-w of Sydney on the inland New England Hwy at 1 000 m altitude. Original inhabitants were the Aniwan Aborigines with white settlement arriving in 1830s. Today Armidale is a ‘Four Seasons’ university and cathedral city which boasts Australia’s highest airport.  Armidale markets last Sunday each month. Autumn Festival (Mar-May).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Armidale Folk Museum, cnr Faulkner & Rusden Sts. Open (1pm-4pm) daily. New England Regional Art Museum, Kentucky St. (closed Mon). Historic Armidale includes the Railway Museum, St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral (1875) and the University of New England, (1938) which changed Armidale from a rural market town to a cultural and artistic city.

Nearby: 
World Heritage-listed Oxley Wild Rivers NP featuring Dangar’s Gorge (21 km s-e) &  Dangar’s Falls (120 m). Wollombombi Gorge (40 km east) with Wollomombi Falls (220m) and Chandler Falls. Tel (02) 6738 9100). Gara Gorge (16 km s-e) site of early hydro-electric scheme. No camping. Cathedral Rock NP (80 km east) Mt. Yarrowyck Aboriginal Rock Art site (27 km west).  Ebor Falls (80 km east) within Guy Fawkes NP. Tel (02) 6657 2309.  New England NP (85 km east) World Heritage 30 000 ha park with spectacular views (Point Lookout), bushwalks, bush camping and accommodation. Tel NPWS (02) 6657 2309.

Accommodation: 
Armidale has over 20 motels, 9 hotels, a dozen holiday cottages/apartments, two farmstays, 17 B&Bs and 2 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 82 Marsh St. Tel (02) 6772 4655 or 1800 627 736.

 Airport:
Armidale Airport (ARM) just off the New England Highway. Tel (02) 6772 5622. (6 km s-w of CBD).

Hospital:

Armidale & New England Hospital, Rusden St. Tel (02) 6776 4777.