Tamworth Regional Heritage Festival and Awards
Discover our region’s rich heritage during the Tamworth Regional Heritage Festival.
Local historians, heritage and cultural groups will share the stories that have shaped our community through exhibitions, cultural displays, demonstrations and walks across our region.
Friday 19 April - Sunday 28 April, 2024
On Friday 19 April, the biennial Awards ceremony will be held at the Tamworth Regional Gallery. The awards recognise those who have made significant contributions to the preservation, sharing and promotion of heritage in the region.
8:30am-3pm: Mt Misery Gold Mine Museum & Café, Nundle
Take a step back in time at the Mount Misery Gold Mine Museum and find out how gold was once mined and sold in the area. The Mount Misery Gold Mine Museum features a 150m underground mine tunnel and is packed with mining and gold rush memorabilia. The Museum gives you an authentic taste of the life and trials of the pioneers to the gold fields above Nundle. It includes historic gold panning and mining equipment plus newspaper extracts from the gold rush era, which allow you to learn more about the local characters and events occurring in Nundle during the time.
Homemade Morning tea, Lunch or Afternoon tea available at the Cafe
Contact: Lyn 6769 3459
80 Gill Street NUNDLE
9am-1pm and 3pm-7:30pm: Tamworth Powerstation Museum
Join us at the Tamworth Powerstation Museum as we celebrate 'Navigating the Past' through the electrical history of Tamworth and the world. See how Tamworth’s electric street lights were first lit from our working John Fowler under type steam engines that will be running from 3pm-7:30pm.
The Museum will be open from 9am-1pm and 3pm-7:30pm with guided tours available and plenty of interactive challenges available for kids, young and old.
For the budding historians, join us for the launch of the Electric Lamp Manufacturers (E.L.M.A) documentary. See footage captured on site in Newcastle’s Hamilton North, just before it’s closure in early 2002 demonstrating how the factory worked and the exact process followed to create each incandescent lamp. E.L.M.A was the last Australian operated manufacturer of lamps and was establish in 1931. Find out how lamps were made and much more!
9am-1pm Museum open
3pm-7:30pm Museum Open and stationary steam engines running
6pm E.L.M.A documentary viewing.
Museum Admission – Adult $5, concession and children under 12 years $3.
Steam Engines and E.L.M.A free.
216 Peel Street, Tamworth
10am-4pm: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame Museum
The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame will be open on Tuesdays-Sunday Cost of admission:
Adult $10/Concession $7 and children under 12 years free with paying adult
Contact: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame
10am-2pm: Manilla Heritage Museum and Machinery Shed
Manilla Heritage Museum in Royce Cottage is located at the Manilla Visitor Information Outlet. The museum is full of historical memorabilia and archives relating to the history of Manilla. Within the complex is Yarramanbully School, a one teacher school operating from the early 1920's.
The Manilla Machinery Shed in Alexander Lane houses an impressive display of farming machinery and implements of days gone by, including a 1917 Jelbart Tractor and a 1914 Mogul Tractor.
The museum is well worth a visit.
Cost: Adults $4 Seniors $3 Child $1
Contact: Manilla Visitor Information Office 6785 1207/ Jim Maxwell
197 Manilla Street, MANILLA. Rural Musuem in Alexander Lane (behind IGA)
10am-2pm: Manilla Manellae Collectables Museum Open Day
Manellae Collectables is a private museum owned by Harry & Robyn Fletcher.
Harry & Robyn have a passion for collecting and displaying articles and gear from the past as well as a desire to preserve our history. There are 100s of items on display including an Arnott’s collection, ANZAC tin display, huge collection of tools from yesteryear and war memorabilia to name just some of the objects you will see when you browse through the collection. The Manilla CWA Evening Branch will be manning a trading table as well as selling/serving light refreshments throughout the day.
110 Arthur Street, Manilla
Gold coin donation for entry. Proceeds will be donated to Cancer research.
Contact Robyn Fletcher 0428 856 513
10am-4pm: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame Museum
The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame will be open Tuesday-Sunday.
Cost of admission: Adult $5/Concession and children under 12 years $3
Contact: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame
10am: Tamworth Historical Society - Calala Cottage Museum Behind the Scenes Tour
Join Tamworth Historical Society volunteers and learn what goes on behind the scenes at Calala Cottage Museum. Learn how we look after museum objects and see our collection of antique clothing.
You will be able to delve into the Tamworth Historical Society Library and Archives, where you could learn about your house, businesses, or maps of the past.
Gold Coin Donation
Bookings required due to limited numbers.
Contact: Melinda Gill 0407 789 894
Venue: 142 Denison Street, West Tamworth
10am-4pm: Tamworth Regional Museums combined exhibition - Navigating the Past
Join us as we share the ways in which our museums' oldest objects and contemporary adversaries navigate between each other with their shared connections. These objects will evoke memories of the past, the sharing of these memories keeps the history alive and assists us in navigating our own past and we continue into the future.
This exhibition will be shown in the Tamworth Regional Gallery Foyer
Cost: Free
Tamworth Regional Gallery, 466 Peel Street, Tamworth
11am: Nundle Woollen Mill Tours
Connect with Australia’s wool heritage at the award-winning Nundle Woollen Mill.
Join a Nundle Woollen Mill guide for a tour of the mill and vintage machinery used in making a ball of wool. Marvel at the antique machinery, most of it sourced from long dormant mills and lovingly restored, working its magic to turn bales of the finest Australian merino wool into yarns.
Time: Tours commence at 11.00am
Cost $5/per person
Venue: Nundle Woollen Mill, 35 Oakenville Street, Nundle
Contact the Nundle Woollen Mill on 6769 3330
3pm-7:30pm: Tamworth Regional Film and Sound Archive - Open Evening
The Archive will be screening two videos (on loop) with one depicting the growth of the Archive over time and the second video
showing some local historic footage.
There will also be a display of some
of the objects in their collection including projectors and early GLASS theatre
slides! There will also be opportunity to view a demonstration of some of the digitisation work undertaken at the Archive by its volunteers.
Community Centre Annex
6pm - E.L.M.A Documentary Viewing
For the budding historians, join us for the launch of the Electric Lamp Manufacturers (E.L.M.A) documentary being presented by the Powerstation Museum in conjunction with the Tamworth Regional Film and Sound Archive. See footage captured on site in Newcastle’s Hamilton North just before it’s closure in early 2002 demonstrating how the factory worked and the exact process followed to create each incandescent lamp. E.L.M.A was the last Australian operated manufacturer of lamps and was establish in 1931.
Powerstation Museum
8:30am-3pm: Mt Misery Gold Mine Museum & Café, Nundle
Take a step back in time at the Mount Misery Gold Mine Museum and find out how gold was once mined and sold in the area. The Mount Misery Gold Mine Museum features a 150 meter underground mine tunnel and is packed with mining and gold rush memorabilia. The Museum gives you an authentic taste of the life and trials of the pioneers to the gold fields above Nundle. It includes historic gold panning and mining equipment plus newspaper extracts from the gold rush era, which allow you to learn more about the local characters and events occurring in Nundle during the time.
Homemade Morning tea, Lunch or Afternoon tea available at the Cafe
Contact: Lyn 6769 3459
80 Gill Street NUNDLE
9am - 2pm: Tamworth Powerstation Museum - John Fowler Steam Engines;
Join us at the Tamworth Powerstation Museum as we celebrate navigating the past through the electrical history of Tamworth and the world. See how Tamworth’s electric street lights were first lit from our working John Fowler under type steam engines. The engines will be running from 9am till 2pm.
The Museum will be open with guided tours available and plenty of interactive challenges available for kids young and old.
Cost: Adult $5, concession and children under 12 $3 to go through the Museum,
Steam Engines FREE.
216 Peel Street, Tamworth
10am-4pm: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame Museum
The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame will be open on Tuesdays-Sunday Cost of admission:
Adult $10/Concession $7 and children under 12 years free with paying adult
Contact: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame
10am-2pm: Manilla Heritage Museum and Machinery Shed
Manilla Heritage Museum in Royce Cottage is located at the Manilla Visitor Information Outlet. The museum is full of historical memorabilia and archives relating to the history of Manilla. Within the complex is Yarramanbully School, a one teacher school operating from the early 1920's.
The Manilla Machinery Shed in Alexander Lane houses an impressive display of farming machinery and implements of days gone by, including a 1917 Jelbart Tractor and a 1914 Mogul Tractor.
The museum is well worth a visit.
Cost: Adults $4 Seniors $3 Child $1
Contact: Manilla Visitor Information Office 6785 1207/ Jim Maxwell
197 Manilla Street, MANILLA. Rural Musuem in Alexander Lane (behind IGA)
10am - 4pm: Tamworth Regional Museums combined exhibition - Navigating the Past
Join us as we share the ways in which our Museums oldest objects and contemporary adversaries navigate between each other with their shared connections. These objects will evoke memories of the past, the sharing of these memories keeps the history alive and assists us in navigating our own past and we continue into the future.
This exhibition will be shown in the Tamworth Regional Gallery Foyer
Cost: Free
Tamworth Regional Gallery, 466 Peel Street, Tamworth
11am Nundle Woollen Mill Tours
Connect with Australia’s wool heritage at the award-winning Nundle Woollen Mill. Join a Nundle Woollen Mill guide for a tour of the mill and vintage machinery used in making a ball of wool. Marvel at the antique machinery, most of it sourced from long dormant mills and lovingly restored, working its magic to turn bales of the finest Australian merino wool into yarns.
Time: Tours commence at 11.00am
Cost $5/per person
Venue: Nundle Woollen Mill, 35 Oakenville Street, Nundle
Contact the Nundle Woollen Mill on 6769 3330.
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8:30am - 4:30pm: Tamworth Railway Station - Tamworth’s Early Transport Services
View images of Tamworth’s transport past at the historic Tamworth Railway Station waiting room. Images include the first bus, taxi and Cobb and Co coaches that transported passengers from Tamworth to other regional towns.
Tamworth Railway Station Waiting Room
11am: Nundle Woollen Mill Tours
Connect with Australia’s wool heritage at the award-winning Nundle Woollen Mill. Join a Nundle Woollen Mill guide for a tour of the mill and vintage machinery used in making a ball of wool. Marvel at the antique machinery, most of it sourced from long dormant mills and lovingly restored, working its magic to turn bales of the finest Australian merino wool into yarns.
Time: Tours commence at 11.00am
Cost $5/per person
Venue: Nundle Woollen Mill, 35 Oakenville Street, Nundle
Contact the Nundle Woollen Mill on 6769 3330.
8:30am - 4:30pm: Tamworth Railway Station - Tamworth’s Early Transport Services
View images of Tamworth’s transport past at the historic Tamworth Railway Station waiting room. Images include the first bus, taxi and Cobb and Co coaches that transported passengers from Tamworth to other regional towns.
Tamworth Railway Station Waiting Room
10am-4pm: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame Museum
The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame will be open on Tuesdays-Sunday Cost of admission:
Adult $10/Concession $7 and children under 12 years free with paying adult
Contact: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame
11am Nundle Woollen Mill Tours
Connect with Australia’s wool heritage at the award-winning Nundle Woollen Mill. Join a Nundle Woollen Mill guide for a tour of the mill and vintage machinery used in making a ball of wool. Marvel at the antique machinery, most of it sourced from long dormant mills and lovingly restored, working its magic to turn bales of the finest Australian merino wool into yarns.
Time: Tours commence at 11.00am
Cost $5/per person
Venue: Nundle Woollen Mill, 35 Oakenville Street, Nundle
Contact the Nundle Woollen Mill on 6769 3330.
10am - 5pm: Tamworth Regional Museums combined exhibition - Navigating the Past
Join us as we share the ways in which our Museums oldest objects and contemporary adversaries navigate between each other with their shared connections. These objects will evoke memories of the past, the sharing of these memories keeps the history alive and assists us in navigating our own past and we continue into the future.
This exhibition will be shown in the Tamworth Regional Gallery Foyer
Cost: Free
Tamworth Regional Gallery, 466 Peel Street, Tamworth
8:30am - 4:30pm: Tamworth Railway Station - Tamworth’s Early Transport Services
View images of Tamworth’s transport past at the historic Tamworth Railway Station waiting room. Images include the first bus, taxi and Cobb and Co coaches that transported passengers from Tamworth to other regional towns.
Tamworth Railway Station Waiting Room
9am - 1pm: Tamworth Powerstation Museum
Tamworth Powerstation Museum at 216 Peel Street, Tamworth. The Museum will be open from 9am till 1pm. Cost of Admission: Adult $5/Concession and children under 12 years $3
10am-4pm: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame Museum
The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame will be open on Tuesdays-Sunday Cost of admission:
Adult $10/Concession $7 and children under 12 years free with paying adult
Contact: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame
10am - 5pm: Tamworth Regional Museums combined exhibition - Navigating the Past
Join us as we share the ways in which our Museums oldest objects and contemporary adversaries navigate between each other with their shared connections. These objects will evoke memories of the past, the sharing of these memories keeps the history alive and assists us in navigating our own past and we continue into the future.
This exhibition will be shown in the Tamworth Regional Gallery Foyer
Cost: Free
Tamworth Regional Gallery, 466 Peel Street, Tamworth
11am Nundle Woollen Mill Tours
Connect with Australia’s wool heritage at the award-winning Nundle Woollen Mill. Join a Nundle Woollen Mill guide for a tour of the mill and vintage machinery used in making a ball of wool. Marvel at the antique machinery, most of it sourced from long dormant mills and lovingly restored, working its magic to turn bales of the finest Australian merino wool into yarns.
Time: Tours commence at 11.00am
Cost $5/per person
Venue: Nundle Woollen Mill, 35 Oakenville Street, Nundle
Contact the Nundle Woollen Mill on 6769 3330.
11am Nundle Woollen Mill Tours
Connect with Australia’s wool heritage at the award-winning Nundle Woollen Mill. Join a Nundle Woollen Mill guide for a tour of the mill and vintage machinery used in making a ball of wool. Marvel at the antique machinery, most of it sourced from long dormant mills and lovingly restored, working its magic to turn bales of the finest Australian merino wool into yarns.
Time: Tours commence at 11.00am
Cost $5/per person
Venue: Nundle Woollen Mill, 35 Oakenville Street, Nundle
Contact the Nundle Woollen Mill on 6769 3330.
12pm - 4pm: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame Museum
The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame will be open on Tuesdays-Sunday Cost of admission:
561 Peel Street, Tamworth
Cost: $10 per Adult, $7 per Concession, children under 12 free
Contact: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame
Naomi Blakey n.blakey@tamworth.nsw.gov.au
8:30am - 4:30pm: Tamworth Railway Station - Tamworth’s Early Transport Services
View images of Tamworth’s transport past at the historic Tamworth Railway Station waiting room. Images include the first bus, taxi and Cobb and Co coaches that transported passengers from Tamworth to other regional towns.
Tamworth Railway Station Waiting Room
9am - 1pm: Tamworth Powerstation Museum
Tamworth Powerstation Museum at 216 Peel Street, Tamworth. The Museum will be open from 9am till 1pm. Cost of Admission: Adult $5/Concession and children under 12 years $3
10am-4pm: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame Museum
The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame will be open on Tuesdays-Sunday Cost of admission:
Adult $10/Concession $7 and children under 12 years free with paying adult
Contact: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame
10am - 5pm: Tamworth Regional Museums combined exhibition - Navigating the Past
Join us as we share the ways in which our Museums oldest objects and contemporary adversaries navigate between each other with their shared connections. These objects will evoke memories of the past, the sharing of these memories keeps the history alive and assists us in navigating our own past and we continue into the future.
This exhibition will be shown in the Tamworth Regional Gallery Foyer
Cost: Free
Tamworth Regional Gallery, 466 Peel Street, Tamworth
11am Nundle Woollen Mill Tours
Connect with Australia’s wool heritage at the award-winning Nundle Woollen Mill. Join a Nundle Woollen Mill guide for a tour of the mill and vintage machinery used in making a ball of wool. Marvel at the antique machinery, most of it sourced from long dormant mills and lovingly restored, working its magic to turn bales of the finest Australian merino wool into yarns.
Time: Tours commence at 11.00am
Cost $5/per person
Venue: Nundle Woollen Mill, 35 Oakenville Street, Nundle
Contact the Nundle Woollen Mill on 6769 3330.
8:30am-3pm: Mt Misery Gold Mine Museum & Café, Nundle
Take a step back in time at the Mount Misery Gold Mine Museum and find out how gold was once mined and sold in the area. The Mount Misery Gold Mine Museum features a 150 meter underground mine tunnel and is packed with mining and gold rush memorabilia. The Museum gives you an authentic taste of the life and trials of the pioneers to the gold fields above Nundle. It includes historic gold panning and mining equipment plus newspaper extracts from the gold rush era, which allow you to learn more about the local characters and events occurring in Nundle during the time.
Homemade Morning tea, Lunch or Afternoon tea available at the Cafe
Contact: Lyn 6769 3459
80 Gill Street NUNDLE
10am - 4pm: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame Museum
The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame will be open on Tuesdays-Sunday
Cost of admission: Adult $10/Concession $7 and children under 12 years free with paying adult
Contact: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame
10:30am-11:30am: Pixie Jenkins Performance and Heritage Tales Australian Country Music Hall of Fame Museum
Come and hear about Australian Country Music History with Pixie Jenkins as he performs and talks through the history as it relates to Tamworth.
561 Peel Street, Tamworth
Museum entry cost: $10 per Adult, $7 per Concession, children under 12 free (Pixie Jenkins performance is included in cost of entry)
Contact: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame
Naomi Blakey n.blakey@tamworth.nsw.gov.au
9am - 1pm: Tamworth Powerstation Museum
Tamworth Powerstation Museum at 216 Peel Street, Tamworth. The Museum will be open from 9am till 1pm. Cost of Admission: Adult $5/Concession and children under 12 years $3
10am - 3pm: Moonbi Museum Open Day
At our Museum adjacent to Moonbi Park and the home of the Big Chook, we are featuring memorabilia and history of the McIlveen Family, (old identities), World War Two RAAF Airman's Escape Scarf (original) donated by John Beaven, Thunderbolt display etc. a vast array of memorabilia and history from date of inception in 1856.
All welcome to attend a special day of commemoration with refreshments provided all day. You are most welcome to come and join us in a great celebration.
Cost: Gold coin donation
Light refreshments, tea, coffee, biscuits, cake - all day for small donation
Further enquiries: Claudette phone 6760 3110 or Dorothea 6760 3948.
41 Gill Street MOONBI NSW
110am - 2pm: Manilla Heritage Museum and Machinery Shed
Manilla Heritage Museum in Royce Cottage is located at the Manilla Visitor Information Outlet. The museum is full of historical memorabilia and archives relating to the history of Manilla. Within the complex is Yarramanbully School, a one teacher school operating from the early 1920's. The Manilla Machinery Shed in Alexander Lane houses an impressive display of farming machinery and implements of days gone by, including a 1917 Jelbart Tractor and a 1914 Mogul Tractor.
The museum is well worth a visit.;
Cost: Adults $4 Seniors $3 Child $1
Contact: Manilla Visitor Information Office 6785 1207/ Jim Maxwell
197 Manilla Street, MANILLA. Rural Musuem in Alexander Lane (behind IGA)
10am - 12pm: Tamworth & District Family History Group Open Day
We have many new resources for the Tamworth area including an updated version of our Newspaper Clippings (now Death and Funeral Notices), a large collection of Engagements, Marriages and Anniversaries, and a growing collection of Obituaries which are already proving invaluable. It will also be a Monthly Meeting day from 1.30pm, all welcome.
Cost: Free
Contact: Val Leet 0438 142 392
62-62 North Street North Tamworth
11am Nundle Woollen Mill Tours
Connect with Australia’s wool heritage at the award-winning Nundle Woollen Mill. Join a Nundle Woollen Mill guide for a tour of the mill and vintage machinery used in making a ball of wool. Marvel at the antique machinery, most of it sourced from long dormant mills and lovingly restored, working its magic to turn bales of the finest Australian merino wool into yarns.
Time: Tours commence at 11.00am
Cost $5/per person
Venue: Nundle Woollen Mill, 35 Oakenville Street, Nundle
Contact the Nundle Woollen Mill on 6769 3330.
2pm: Library Talks: Lucy Godoroja at Tamworth City Library
Author Lucy Godoroja takes us through a compelling history of the button from the stone age to today, sharing a rich appreciation of their design and meaning. You are welcome to bring along your button tins and share some stories. A showcase from Lucy’s collection of buttons will be on display in the library during the Heritage Festival.
Tamworth City Library - 466 Peel Street.
For bookings, contact the library on 6767 5228
10am - 4pm: Tamworth Regional Museums combined exhibition - Navigating the Past
Join us as we share the ways in which our Museums oldest objects and contemporary adversaries navigate between each other with their shared connections. These objects will evoke memories of the past, the sharing of these memories keeps the history alive and assists us in navigating our own past and we continue into the future.
This exhibition will be shown in the Tamworth Regional Gallery Foyer
Cost: Free
Tamworth Regional Gallery, 466 Peel Street, Tamworth
8:30am-3pm: Mt Misery Gold Mine Museum & Café, Nundle
Take a step back in time at the Mount Misery Gold Mine Museum and find out how gold was once mined and sold in the area. The Mount Misery Gold Mine Museum features a 150 meter underground mine tunnel and is packed with mining and gold rush memorabilia. The Museum gives you an authentic taste of the life and trials of the pioneers to the gold fields above Nundle. It includes historic gold panning and mining equipment plus newspaper extracts from the gold rush era, which allow you to learn more about the local characters and events occurring in Nundle during the time.
Homemade Morning tea, Lunch or Afternoon tea available at the Cafe
Contact: Lyn 6769 3459
80 Gill Street NUNDLE
9am-12pm: Tamworth Historical Society Heritage Walk " Memories from Marius Street"
Come on a walk-through time in Tamworth’s CBD. Learn the history of Tamworth from White Street up along Marius Street to finish at Darling Street. This talk will look at buildings that existed and families who lived along this part of town. The history talk will include morning tea at Railway Park. Meet at corner of Peel and White Street, Flight Centre side.
Gold coin donation for morning tea
Contact: Tamworth Historical Society 6765 7492
10am-4pm: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame Museum
The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame will be open on Tuesdays-Sunday Cost of admission:
Adult $10/Concession $7 and children under 12 years free with paying adult
Contact: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame
10am-2pm: Manilla Heritage Museum and Machinery Shed
Manilla Heritage Museum in Royce Cottage is located at the Manilla Visitor Information Outlet. The museum is full of historical memorabilia and archives relating to the history of Manilla. Within the complex is Yarramanbully School, a one teacher school operating from the early 1920's.
The Manilla Machinery Shed in Alexander Lane houses an impressive display of farming machinery and implements of days gone by, including a 1917 Jelbart Tractor and a 1914 Mogul Tractor.
The museum is well worth a visit.
Cost: Adults $4 Seniors $3 Child $1
Contact: Manilla Visitor Information Office 6785 1207/ Jim Maxwell
197 Manilla Street, MANILLA. Rural Musuem in Alexander Lane (behind IGA)
10am - 4pm: Tamworth Regional Museums combined exhibition - Navigating the Past
Join us as we share the ways in which our Museums oldest objects and contemporary adversaries navigate between each other with their shared connections. These objects will evoke memories of the past, the sharing of these memories keeps the history alive and assists us in navigating our own past and we continue into the future.
This exhibition will be shown in the Tamworth Regional Gallery Foyer
Cost: Free
Tamworth Regional Gallery, 466 Peel Street, Tamworth
11am Nundle Woollen Mill Tours
Connect with Australia’s wool heritage at the award-winning Nundle Woollen Mill. Join a Nundle Woollen Mill guide for a tour of the mill and vintage machinery used in making a ball of wool. Marvel at the antique machinery, most of it sourced from long dormant mills and lovingly restored, working its magic to turn bales of the finest Australian merino wool into yarns.
Time: Tours commence at 11.00am
Cost $5/per person
Venue: Nundle Woollen Mill, 35 Oakenville Street, Nundle
Contact the Nundle Woollen Mill on 6769 3330.
