Any ideas on free camping within 30mins of Tamworth??  Caravan parks are booked out way in advance.

heather, I really think you will be up against it, thats like wishing for an ice cream van in the simpson, all nomad roads lead to tamworth when the festival is on, I suggest grabbing a camps australia book and advancing on tamworth about a month beforehand, you may just get the last camp site if you are really really lucky, we tried one year and just gave up, couldnt even get a motel room!!

Yeah, I have been thinking about it for years, but when I was told it would have to be in the 3 year plan I resigned myself to the disappointment and gave up.  It would be great, but all those people......?  Too hard!
But Birdsville was good in 2002.  You also have to plan it, but it's not as hard as Tamworth.
Good luck with it, and have fun.
Cheers Granny

Personally I'd say unless you "know" someone Tamworth at  festival time is booked solid, even the performers have difficulty.
Perhaps if you chose another genre, perhaps the Ballarrat G&S Festival you may have more luck, on second thoughts thats always a nightmare accomodation wise too.

Hi

Basil's spot on, everything at Tamworth is always booked out, I lived up that way about 18 years ago.
 
There is one festival I do recommend only 158km south from Tamworth, which is at Scone and known as the Scone Horse Week.  It's got lots to offer from rodeos, country music,  parades and lots more.  There is also the Scone Cup at the end of the week if you like to bet on the races.  In that town it is treated a bit like the Melbourne Cup only smaller...grins.

There is lots to see around the area and the following link will take you to the site for more info.  The Scone Horse Festival Website.

Just a thought.

Cheers
Frank

If you're prepared to change your plans, Pt. Pirie SA has a big country music wingding.
There's also the Gympie Muster in Qld, but that's fairly packed as well.
Or the Pt. Fairy Festival in March.
Festivals - they're everywhere! They're everywhere! All you have to do is pick one.
Does anyone have a favourite festival in Oz?
Please share your experiences.
Cheers Granny

I have friends that go to Tamworth and they camp at the showgrounds but you must book

well done heather and thanks to margaret, you will have a ball, thats the type of help between members that I hold dear!!

Hi Retirees,
Well done you for findingsome place to stay!
Please update us all when you get back - Tamworth is on my list of things I want to do before I go to the big doggy park in the sky (I wanna go where my doggies go)
May not be 2009/10 even but hopefully 2011 at latest! (Tamworth that is, not the aforementioned big doggy park...)

Enjoy

Annie

No such thing as a free camp during the Tamworth week.  been there done that and we live just down the road - come and camp here??might be just as easy LOL

A place that you probably need to go and do and see , but it is a no brainer for us - thousands upon thousands of people and all in 40+C heat.  Sorry to be a wet blanket, but you might need one if you go.!!! Used to be a great week, but it has all changed, little shade to sit and listen to the buskers...nope sorry but not for us anymore -  we've become people phobic and hate crowds.

Its not what it used to be thats for sure.  many other of the smaller towns like Cowra, Nymagee and quite a few others - they are the ones we frequent now. Much nicer - usualy free or near free camping and at a better time of the year.

Hope  you do enjoy it though...

Lynne and Barry

yep I tend to agree with that, I remember a million years ago we went and it was hot and crowded then, but the atmosphere was great and the music from the up and comers was fantastic, but like Lynne and Barry we tend to shy away from crowds and prefer the smaller venues,

It sounds like it'll be a one off for us.  We don't like crowds either, but love country music.  I will report back when, and if, we come out alive! 

Thanks for all your replies.

Hi all, as a Tamworth resident who has been here for every one of the festivals, I would personally like to invite you all. I cant say Im a country music fan but the festival is definetly something you should all experience at least once. Yes the weather can be extremely hot, my concern this year would be the possiblitiy of a flood as we have just gone through one and our water catchments are full. A great place to camp, (just a few dollars in the honesty box), is Chaffey Dam which is our water supply and about 35 minutes drive to Tamworth. Lots of camping spots, toilets, hot showers, garbage pickup etc. If you want a cooler change for the day, head up to Nundle to the gold mine, antique shop great pub, the Wool mil and other attractions. I would not recommend camping on the sports fields this year. If we do get a flood, this is the first spot to be evacuated. Something we used to do as a family, is contact the NSW Scout association. they offer camping at scout halls for a very low fee (used to be about $5 a night). We have 5 halls but they may also be booked out. Worth a phone call. Hope some of you can come visit, it will be worth it.