Heart of Country, NSW, Accommodation, Tours, Events and Hire

Fast facts

Pioneering history, cultural events, museums, galleries, food and wine and paddlesteamers
West of the Great Dividing Range to Outback New South Wales, from the Murray River north to the Queensland border

Why go there

Some of Australia’s most historic country towns dot this region. These quintessentially Australian settlements, founded by gold miners, graziers and farmers and chosen by artists for their special light, are loved by visitors today for their old-world general stores and friendly country pubs.

Elsewhere in the region, prepare for the unexpected: a giant telescope; memorials to Australia’s wartime history; fields of sunflowers adjoining cotton and wheat fields; captivating regional art galleries and a great outdoor zoo.

Don’t miss

Talking to the animals at Dubbo’s Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
Discovering delicious food and wine along the Poacher's Trail that passes through Yass, Gunning and Murrumbateman.
Chugging along the Murray in a paddlesteamer, 19th-century style, departing from Echuca-Moama.
Discovering boutique wine labels on the Upper Hunter Wine Trail, which takes in vineyards from Broke to Scone.
Hiking past the Breadknife formation in Warrumbungle National Park.
Visiting the Shearers Hall of Fame at Hay.
Catching the Tamworth Country Music Festival each January.

The Murray. Always Eventful

Food and wine in Central NSW

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Areas within Heart of Country

Albury and Surrounds The iconic Murray River winds through Albury in a lush river valley.

Armidale and Surrounds Armidale is a city of culture and learning, with a wonderful heritage...

Balranald - The gateway to the World Heritage listed Mungo National Park...

Bathurst and Surrounds One of Australia’s oldest inland settlements, now a...

Canberra One of the world's greatest examples of urban planning and ...

Cowra and Surrounds Famous for its wineries and wartime history

Deniliquin and Surrounds The "ute capital of the world" is set on the Edward River

Dubbo and Surrounds Worth a visit for the wonderful Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo.

Glen Innes, Inverell and Surrounds The area's Celtic origins are commemorated by the Australian Standing Stones.

Goulburn and Surrounds A colourful past that includes explorers, gold-diggers and bushrangers.

Griffith and Surrounds A blend of cuisine, culture and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Moree, Narrabri and Surrounds One of the country's richest agricultural areas, with natural hot springs.

Mudgee and Surrounds The area around Mudgee boasts about 50 wineries.

Orange and Surrounds A beautiful area with a growing reputation for its produce and cool-climate wines.

Parkes and Surrounds Home of the Parkes Observatory's radio telescope, where the film The Dish was made.

Queanbeyan and Surrounds Historic villages, colonial architecture, great food and wine.

Tamworth and Surrounds Best known for its annual country music festival in January.

Upper Hunter Endowed with rolling plains and rugged mountains, the Upper Hunter has a taste for the good life.

Wagga Wagga and Surrounds On the Murrumbidgee River, Wagga Wagga has a thriving arts community.

Warrumbungle and Surrounds The ancient spires of Warrumbungle National Park bear witness to a history of volcanic eruptions.

Wentworth and Surrounds At the confluence of the Murray and Darling rivers, a launching pad...

Yass and Surrounds With its landscaped streets and restored heritage, Yass is a charming town.

Young and Surrounds Rich in history, Young is centrally located in the Hilltops wine and food region.

Heart of Country

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