Armidale

Understand

Armidale is a place of four seasons. The winters are very cold, with snow sometimes falling in the winter months and overnight temperatures below freezing. The old English-style gardens in the area blossom in spring, as the firs, willows and oaks in town and in the University of New England grounds sprout new leaves. In autumn, the town celebrates the changing colours of the trees with an Autumn Festival, which includes a street parade down the main boulevards. But it is summer that is arguably the best time to visit Armidale. Due to its altitude, the town is rarely humid, and even days where the temperature reaches 35°C are tolerable.

Get around

The historic centre of Armidale is small enough to be easily covered on foot. However, some attractions (the University and the New England Regional Art Museum) are on the outskirts of town, making access difficult for the less-mobile traveller.

A bus service (Edwards) does run frequently between the town centre and the University, but the best way to explore the town and surrounding countryside is by car. Car hire is available on arrival at the airport. Taxi services are also widely available.

Getting between the town and the university is an easy cycle, with bicycle lanes on the roads and quiet traffic.

See

Visit the area's historic churches around Central Park, including the magnificent Saints Mary & Joseph Catholic Cathedral, impressive St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, and somewhat smaller St Paul’s Presbyterian Church. City views from Drummond Apex Lookout

Do

Stroll in Armidale's many parks and gardens. Swim at the heated outdoor pool on Dumaresq Street from October to March. Work out at the excellent sporting facilities at the University of New England. Join the free daily heritage bus tour at 10AM from the Visitors Centre Catch a movie at the Belgrave twin cinemas *Feed the deer and kangaroos at the enclosure at the University. Armidale Self-Guided Heritage Walk. A joint project between Council and the Armidale District Historical Society, the tour provides fascinating insight into some of the city’s key historic sites dating all the way back to the 1860s. Details on the [https://www.armidaleregional.nsw.gov.au/news/news-2021/tourism-the-key-to-rebuilding-region-s-economy Armidale Regional Council website.

Drink

Armidale perhaps enjoys a livelier nightlife than many towns of its size, due to the large university student population from UNE. It has a selection of nearly 10 pubs to choose from. Each one has a nickname with the locals and students, and knowing the name on the door of the pub won't help you in conversation. Moving between two or three pubs in a night is not uncommon, and running into the same people at another pub later on happens.

Sleep

The price of accommodation in Armidale can just about double during the university graduation periods. If you are not attending a graduation, then try to avoid these periods, for availability and cost reasons. It is also not a bad idea to stay in either Tamworth or Coffs Harbour during these periods for either lower prices or availability.

Connect

Free computer and internet usage is available at the Armidale Library, Faulkner St, during opening hours. . There are places in the surrounding district where mobile (cell) phones (including Next G country models) will not operate.

Go next

Take a spectacular Fleet Helicopters flight over the wild rivers of the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park and the New England National Park with their rugged surrounds. Take a drive east along the top NSW tourist drive: Waterfall Way to the old gold mining towns of Hillgrove and Metz. See Wollomombi Falls (the highest in NSW) in the World Heritage-listed Oxley Wild Rivers National Park and the also World Heritage-listed New England National Park, both along Waterfall Way. Barraba is 146 km west of Armidale via Thunderbolt's Way and Bundarra Road, in the heart of the Fossickers Way. Bundarra is 80 km northwest of Armidale via Bundarra Road and Thunderbolts Way. Tingha is 101 km northwest of Armidale via New England Highway, Guyra, Guyra Road. Bingara is 152 km northwest of Armidale via Bundarra Road, Thunderbolts Way, Bundarra, Barraba Road, Bingara Road, Copeton Dam Road