Gunnedah accommodation from AU$75

Poets’ Drive, which snakes across the region, is a must-do. As you make your way through Gunnedah and past places of interest, you can read stories and poems about the Australian bush and outback life. Dorothea Mackellar, the famous Australian poet, lived in the area on her family’s property, ‘Kurrumbede’, and wrote My Country (‘I Love a Sunburnt Country’) there in 1905, when she was inspired by the beauty of the country, after the breaking of the drought. Don’t miss the 'Lyrical Loos' at the end of the trail. You’ll find poems on the toilet doors and recordings playing as you make a rest stop. Another famous figure, Harry Morant, worked on a Gunnedah station in the 1890s, where his work as a drover and horse "breaker" earned him his nickname. You can do the Breaker Morant Drive, starting at Kitchener Park, and relive his story.

You can spot lots of other famous Australians in Gunnedah. The area is a wildlife haven for kangaroos, wallaroos, echidnas and the largest koala colony in New South Wales. The area claims to be the "Koala Capital of World". You can often see them in town, in the trees or even on the footpaths and especially in the late afternoon in nearby Porcupine Reserve.Choose one of the many walking tracks that will take you through all the fascinating sights in the area. Don’t miss the Porcupine Lookout, the koala area and the kangaroo viewing point. As you make the easy climb up Pensioners Hill, you’ll see a series of sandstone sculptures representing Gunnedah’s famous characters. From the top, the views of the town are superb.

There’s so much to do! The Diprotodon Drive will tell you about largest marsupial that ever lived. The Rural Museum has more than 1600 items of machinery, vehicles and household appliances from the area’s agricultural history collection. And if you still have energy, Gunnedah’s sporting facilities include an 18 hole golf course in the centre of town or you might want to visit the Lake Keepit Sport and Recreation Centre – a scenic 45 minute drive from the town.

This fascinating area is easily accessible. To reach Gunnedah you can fly into Tamworth, the country music capital of Australia, just 75 kilometres away. There is also a rail link from Sydney. So don’t just say you’re ‘gonna’ do it. Book your flight to Tamworth and your Gunnedah accommodation now. It’s an outback adventure you’ll be glad you had. Go to Gunnedah!