Perched on the Northern Tablelands, Glen Innes is a historic fossicking town with Heritage-listed buildings, surrounding rainforest and the family-friendly Australian Celtic Festival. The town’s vibrant art scene is showcased in galleries and cultural events, while history comes to life in its fascinating collection of museums.
Things to do in Glen Innes
Glen Innes is located on the Fossickers Way driving route, making it the perfect base for avid fossickers searching for gemstones. One of the richest gem areas in Australia, Glen Innes yields sapphires, topaz and emeralds. If you love to find gems, but don’t want to get your hands dirty, visit Glen Innes during the annual Minerama Fossicking, Gem and Jewellery Show in March, when you can purchase gemstones and unique jewellery.
Discover more about the region’s past in the Land of the Beardies History Museum, which houses interesting historical artefacts, books and photographs. The nearby Glen Innes Art Gallery is popular for its ever-changing exhibitions showcasing contemporary artists from Australia and around the world.
Venture back in time to when Glen Innes was founded by European settlers by visiting during the annual Australian Celtic Festival in May. This hallmark event celebrates the town’s culture with pipe bands, street parades, workshops, live music and other Celtic-inspired entertainment. You can also see the town’s Celtic pride year-round at the Australian Standing Stones, curiously-shaped monoliths.
Make time for a day trip to the Heritage-listed Washpool National Park, less than a one-hour drive away. It’s home to ancient rainforests, walking tracks, fossicking sites, waterfalls and swimming holes. Keep a lookout for quolls, parma wallabies, long-nosed potoroos and other rare wildlife.
Getting around Glen Innes
Glen Innes is a little over four hours from Brisbane via car and almost seven hours’ drive from Sydney. You can also fly to Inverell Airport from Brisbane and drive the remaining 80 kilometres. You can walk around the centre of town, but it’s best to drive if you want to explore further.