Glen Innes

Grey St., Glen Innes

Glen Innes is situated 608 km north of Sydney at the intersection of the New England Highway and Gwydir Highway in the New England region of New South Wales.

Understand

Glen Innes lies in the Northern Tablelands. The town is also known as Celtic Country.

The first settlers were predominantly Scots and the town is the site of Australia's only official monument to the nation's Celtic pioneers and venue for the annual Australian Celtic Festival. It’s located 1062m in the beautiful New England Tablelands and, unlike much of the rest of Australia, has distinctive seasons: golden autumns, air-conditioned summers, breathtaking springs, log-fire winters – even, occasionally, snow.

It’s the key location to reach a magnificent and diverse network of national parks and nature reserves – including World Heritage listed Gibraltar Range and Washpool National Parks. Steeped in history: the first settlers arrived in 1838, the main street and its more than 30 heritage-listed buildings reflecting colonial charm.That romance of the past is also recaptured in tranquil rural villages like Emmaville, Deepwater and Torrington.

District history is lovingly preserved at the Land of the Beardies History House and the 19th century tin mining boom is recaptured in the Emmaville Mining Museum. The culture and history of the Aboriginal people, too, are displayed in the Cooramah Aboriginal Cultural Centre. It’s the most prolific sapphire region in New South Wales with other treasures like emeralds, garnets, topaz and quartz crystals waiting to be unearthed. With some of the best Murray cod fishing in Australia as well as great trout waters with other species also abounding.

Get in

Road: Glen Innes is about 4 hours by road from Brisbane, 2 hours from Grafton and approximately 7 hours from Sydney.

Coach: Brisbane-Sydney return daily on Greyhound; Greyhound on 1300 473 946. Greyhound

AIR: Qantaslink has 4 return flights daily Sydney-Armidale. Bookings: Qantas 131313, E-ticket (tollfree) 132 639 Qantas

CAR HIRE: Budget (02) 6732 2688.

See

• Australian Standing Stones - The Australian Standing Stones in Glen Innes pays tribute to the Celtic heritage of the early European settlers to the district. The site serves as a cultural gathering place for people from the Celtic communities; the Irish, Welsh, Cornish, Scottish, Manx and Bretons.

Eat

• Glen Innes District Services Club, Cnr, Grey and Lang St.; Phone (02) 6732 1355. Wide range of quality meals, including lunches and dinners. The Club has Friday and Sunday night smorgasbords and Saturday night theme dinners, from Hawaiian to Italian.

Drink

• Glen Innes District Services Club, Cnr, Grey and Lang St.; Phone (02) 6732 1355.

Sleep

Motels

• Alpha Motel, New England Hwy, Glen Innes NSW 2370. Telephone: (02) 6732 2688.

• Amber Motel, 135 Meade St, Glen Innes NSW 2370. Telephone: (02) 6732 2300. Fax: (02) 6732 2423

• Central Motel, Meade St, Glen Innes NSW 2370. Telephone: (02) 6732 2200. Facsimile: (02) 6732 5607

• Clansman Motel, New Enlgand Hwy, Glen Innes NSW 2370. Telephone: (02) 6732 2044. Fax: (02) 6732 5633

• Glen Haven Motel, Cnr New England Hwy & Heron St, Glen Innes NSW 2370. Telephone: (02) 6732 3266. Facsimile: (02) 6732 3146

• Glen Masterson Motel, Church St, Glen Innes NSW 2370. Telephone: (02) 6732 1211. Fax: (02) 6732 3110

• Jillaroo Motor Inn, New England Hwy, Glen Innes NSW 2370. Telephone: (02) 6732 3388. Facsimile: (02) 6732 3378

• New England Motor Lodge, Church St, Glen Innes NSW 2370. Telephone: (02) 6732 2922. Facsimile: (02) 6732 2509

• Rest Point Motel, Church St, Glen Innes NSW 2370. Telephone: (02) 6732 2255. Fax: (02) 6732 1515. Basic queen size bedroom $99 (May 2008).

Get out

Have a meal at the Red Lion Tavern, New England Highway, Glencoe. Good selection of dishes in a country style inn.

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