After a cold nights sleep, which saw us allowing the dogs onto our bed, if only to try and share any shard of warmth that we could garner, we were somewhat rudely awoken by a knocking on the van window. It was our next door neighbor, who I had been chatting to last night, bidding us a merry fare well as he and his wife saddled up and were on their way. I would have rather they just left us to sleep.

Now wide awake, we got up and had breakfast, before making sure the van was set for travel. Even with not much to do, and an earlier than expected start to the morning, it was just after our planned departure time of 10:00AM that we rolled out of the camp ground which had served us so well, and hit the road, bound for Tamworth, the country music capital of Australia. Neither Bec or I have been to Tamworth before, which is rather surprising given our adoration of country and western music.

As we rolled into town, passing the big golden guitar, it felt like we were home. Here is a place where a love of country music isn’t treated with derision, and big buckles and even bigger hats rule. I fitted right in, as I cranked up the volume on the stereo, pumping out a serenade of banjo twanging good times. We didn’t stop immediately however, preferring to drop the van at the caravan park, before heading out to do some exploring.

We have chosen the Austin Tourist Park, one of two pet friendly parks in town, and feel we have chosen well. It has a lovely relaxed feel about it, with the Peel River winding down one boundary of the park, and we are pretty much overlooking it. We could actually have parked right on the banks, but that would have meant another display of our thus far inept reversing skills. Rather, we chose an easy to drive into sod of dirt in the middle of the park to pitch our camp.

With ‘The Beast’ released from the shackles of the van, we made our way back into town, to check out the big guitar, one of several sights for which Tamworth is known. Sandwiched in between a couple of fast food joints, the guitar is sadly almost lost in the glitz and glam of the surrounding neon lights and towering signs.

Me and the guitar.

I mentioned to Bec only yesterday that it is sad to see many small country towns are losing their individuality and heritage to the onslaught of international conglomerates. It seems that every town you drive through, the tallest structure in town has passed from being the local church steeple, to sky high, brightly illuminated signs exposing the locale of yet another burger or chicken joint, each one trying to out do the next. These places seem to line the main streets of every town we’ve driven through, in a cavalcade of greasy smells, bright lights and scattered trash. This I guess, is the cost of progress.

In any case, back to our story, we pulled up at the big gold guitar and acquainted ourselves with what to us, is as close to we could get to a religious icon. This is our mecca, with no other equal in Australia. Whilst the guitar is not huge, nor particularly gold for that matter, it is the key image that is synonymous with  “TAMWORTH”. Beyond the guitar is a tourist center which houses a museum dedicated, strangely enough, to Donald Bradman, a wax works displaying wax models of country music stars, as well as a small gift shop and music store. Now this was my type of music shop. Rather than having to wander aimlessly about, searching for the generally insignificant selection of country music albums as I am used to back home, this store was country all the way. There wasn’t any other genre to be found, and I could have quite easily spent our entire trip budget right here. I kept my hands in my pocket for the time being, much to Becs relief.

Heading out the back door, we found The Longyard Hotel, serving up a special of steak and chips for $9.00 a serve. And here we were just in time for lunch. What a delight it was to be able to enjoy a meal, a cold beer, all to an ever present sound track of country tunes. Even outside of the country music festival season, Tamworth is not a town you could ingratiate yourself with if you’re not a fan of the music. For me therefore, it’s like heaven on earth.

With our steaks washed down with a final gulp of beer, we jumped back into ‘The Beast’ for a drive around town to familiarize ourselves with the town. We aren’t planning on taking in any of the tourist attractions today, instead we are hoping to be able to unfurl the awning back at the van and have a rest.

We did however stop for an amble up and down the main street. We parked ‘The Beast’ on a back street and bundled the dogs into the back in a practice they are becoming accustomed to, even if not entirely exultant about. Then, as we went to head for the main street and the shops, Bec yelped in pain as she almost broke ‘The Beast’, kicking the tow bar. Bec was able to walk, so I was confident that she wasn’t hurt too badly, but I may need to get the tow hitch x-rayed to make sure it’s not cracked she hit it so hard with her knee.

Down the main street, we strolled along, popping our heads into a few of the stores for a look here and there, taking it all in. Despite its country music heritage, Tamworth really is just a normal town. Supplies for dinner were gathered from the local supermarket, before the allure of a relaxing afternoon in the van saw us retreating to its comfort. I have to say, I get a good feel about this town, and not only because of the country music. It’s clean and tidy, as well as having all of the amenities you could care for.

Upon our return to the van, I rolled out the awning to provide us with a sliver of shade, before we reclined in our camp chairs to savor an afternoon tea of cheese and crackers again. This could easily become habitual. We enjoyed the last vestiges of warmth as the sun sunk below the horizon, and got talking to another couple from across the path. Travelling with their pure bred, ruby Cavalier King Charles, they brought him over to be introduced to Alvin and Bethany. Our babies weren’t overly enthralled with the idea of an invader, and launched into a crescendo of barking. It was somewhat embarrassing as our four legged visitor completely disregarded our mutts and stood by regally, without so much as a whimper.

Cheese and crackers anyone?

Join us in the coming days as we plunge head long into an exploration of the local Tamworth attractions that have held our allure for years.

Until next time, stay safe, have fun and don’t forget to write.