Tenterfield

An historic town in the rolling New England region, Tenterfield is home to elegant wineries and superb wilderness. Known as the ‘birthplace of Australia’, this is the town where Sir Henry Parkes made his famous 1889 speech calling for Australia's federation.

Step through history

Stroll the streets of Tenterfield and you’ll find many heritage-listed buildings. Pick up a brochure for the town’s self-guided heritage walk from the Information Centre. Stop by the 1860-built Tenterfield Saddler, made famous by Peter Allen’s song of the same name.

You can visit the Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts, now a National Trust museum, where the speech that propelled the Australian colonies towards federation in 1901 was delivered. The fascinating Tenterfield Railway Museum is in the 1886-built Tenterfield Station.

Wineries & farm gates

Tenterfield is a great wine-lover’s destination, with some of New England's most highly reputable labels. Visit wineries such as Reedy Creek Estate, where you can visit the cellar door for a wine tasting.

A prize-winning rich cattle grazing region, visit fertile farm properties and sample some local produce at Cherrydale Orchards and Aloomba Lavender. For additional refreshment, 2 Wild Souls produces a range of sparkling mead.

Outdoor adventure

Nearby national parks are perfect for outdoor adventures, from bushwalking and swimming to camping and picnicking. Take Boonoo Boonoo Falls walking track to a waterfall that drops 210 metres into a gorge and enjoy eye-popping panoramas in Bald Rock National Park.

Getting there & where to stay

Tenterfield is an eight-hour drive from Sydney, around 3hr 30min from Brisbane and 70min from Glen Innes. The closest regional airports are in Lismore and Grafton, where you can hire a car to explore the area. There are lots of places to stay including campgrounds, motels, B&Bs and historic cottages.