Tamworth First Timer - any camping tips anyone?

Campfire · Veteran Member

Tamworth First Timer - any camping tips anyone?

jonathan · Guru

Hi Cate ..

I'll be heading up there also, but as I haven't booked in anywhere, I'm not expecting to find somewhere to camp up in town.

I hope to be going to Chaffy Dam which is about 23 k's out of town, and although that is likely to be crowded, I may have a better chance of getting in there. It has a gold coin donation system and a very pleasant location, but it maybe a little distant for you.

Lilly will probably read this and come back with her opinion as she is a local with excellent knowlege and could give you the best advice ..

I hope to be up there before/by New Years Day as I dont wish to be on the road at that time ..

Jon

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Hi Cate good to see you getting on the road. Hope it goes well.

Campfire · Veteran Member

G'day Elle, Thanks for the good wishes, I've been living in my little motorhome for about 6 weeks with just a couple of short trips. Can't wait to head off for longer periods in January.

Hi Johnathon, thanks for the info, I'd rather be closer to town but could head over to Tamworth a bit earlier and check your camp site out

Cheers C

jonathan · Guru

I will keep my eyes open for you, Cate ..

lilly31 · Guru

www.tcmf.com.au is the site where you go to get camping in town have heard it getting very full ... good luck guys

f i had more room you could park at my place ..but i have very small yard ..
-- Edited by lilly31 on Monday 19th of December 2011 04:54:14 PM

-- Edited by lilly31 on Monday 19th of December 2011 05:03:36 PM

Travel Bug · Guru

Hi Cate.

Jack Woolaston Oval, Manilla Rd, North Tamworth allows camping for $10 per night. It is on a first come first served basis (no reservations) and they have hot showers and toilets, cleaned regularly. We have stayed there several times. You can just drive in and set up. The caretaker will go around and collect the money. I haven't heard that anything has changed for 2012.

You can easily walk into, and around town, from there.

There is loads of free entertainment ranging from the buskers on Peel Street, concerts in the various parks and clubs, to the big Buttercup concert at the Town Hall.

Unfortunately, I can't make it to Tamworth this year, but intend to be there again next year.

Hope that this helps. Whatever you decide, enjoy yourself. smile

Cheers.

jonathan · Guru

Just an update folks ..

I will now try to to also get a site in town .. as I hope to be there for about 4 weeks all together with intention of arriving before the new year.

so Cate .. I'm still undecided about Chaffey Dam at this stage ..

Jon

Travel Bug · Guru

Hi Jon,
I didn't include you in my previous post but I thought that you were going to stay out of town. Sorrrrreeeee smile

Thought that I would add this bit of info for all/any first timers.

If you are into Australian Bush Ballads and Bush Poetry, The Salvation Army Hall @ 328 Goonoo Goonoo Rd. (AKA Sydney Rd) is the home of the Bush Balladeers. They have several reasonably priced $15 shows with a big lineup.
They also have several shows for a $2 donation.
http://www.bushballadeers.com.au/festival.htm

Another good venue is The Oasis Hotel. It is a few kms out of town on the New England Highway. They have FREE entertainment all day long, with a change of artist every hour. You can pick up a printout of their programme from the hotel. It does get packed...so get in early to get a seat.

Hope that this helps.....wish that I could be there too, but have to wait until next year. Have a ball!! I'll be thinking of you (enviously) biggrin

Cheers.

-- Edited by Travel Bug on Tuesday 20th of December 2011 09:30:21 AM

jonathan · Guru

Thanks for the added info Pam .. much appreciated .. still sorting myself out but will look into it ..

cheers

Jon

Campfire · Veteran Member

Thanks Everyone,

Travel Bug - The Jack Woolaston Oval sound like the go, I'll probably be there very early so hopefully I'll get a good spot and at $10 a night it's quite reasonable.

Jon - let me know if you're calling into Chaffey Dam, depending on dates I may be able to call in for a few days.

Lilly31 - Maybe you could come say hello at the campground..

Cheers and a very wonderful Festive season to you All - C

lilly31 · Guru

Hi cate would love to say hello will be working lots over festival ..But hope i get some free time .....Lots of free entertaintment all over town ..pubs ..clubs.. buskers .. they even have free show on riverside camping ground at night .... Is easy to get around lots of buse's go to all the venues beats driveing trying to find a park ..... This year you can travel 10 days for $10 on the festival express which from 7am to 3 pm every day so very afordable
cheers

-- Edited by lilly31 on Tuesday 20th of December 2011 10:12:10 PM

-- Edited by lilly31 on Wednesday 21st of December 2011 07:00:50 PM

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Wow it all sounds wonderful. I hope to get there one year. Hope you enjoy it Cate and also that the camp site is good.

Campfire · Veteran Member

Hi Lilli31,

Would you please explain the difference between Riverside camping and The Jack Woolasten Oval Camping. Not sure if they are one of the same or two completely different sites, both sound good (as does the bus at $10!)

Cheers - C

lilly31 · Guru

No cate They are not the same place ... There is a area on the sport ovals which get let out for the festival for camping on south side of river ..Jack woolasten oval is on north side of river ..There are a few oval's close to town that have camping sites ..Some have powerd site,s if you are early enought ..Riverside camping area has shower,s and loos but no power but is 5 min walking from the town centre ,,,,,The $10 bus this is the first year normally u have to pay for each trip ...

-- Edited by lilly31 on Wednesday 21st of December 2011 10:34:53 PM

-- Edited by lilly31 on Wednesday 21st of December 2011 10:40:27 PM

donnybabes · Veteran Member

I stayed at the showgrounds, its resonable costs,showers but no power.I would be cautious camping too close (or too low ) to the river due to flooding. Quite often a storm comes and floatee tents/caravans go floating.Even the low end of the showgrounds got flooded,we woke up ankle deep in water (we where in a camper trailer at the time). Have a good time,great entertainment.

lilly31 · Guru

donnybabes wrote:
I stayed at the showgrounds, its resonable costs,showers but no power.I would be cautious camping too close (or too low ) to the river due to flooding. Quite often a storm comes and floatee tents/caravans go floating.Even the low end of the showgrounds got flooded,we woke up ankle deep in water (we where in a camper trailer at the time). Have a good time,great entertainment.
yes donnybabes . about river it not a good place to be when lots of rain about ...but in 40 years i think it only flooded maybe 6 times so not a bad track record ..people like to stay there because it 5 min walk from the main street

koala · Member

It's been a while since a post here. Does anyone know if this info is still relevant? Last time I was there a long time ago it did flood and my mattress in the showground stables was saturated with water when I woke up. I was paddling to the car. The flood was not predicted till half way through the weekend. No access over the river and no access home for four hours. Don't underestimate the floods there. We may go this time but have the little motorhome now
Janny

KFT · Guru

Hi Janny, yes most of the info is still current some of the prices may have changed but would not be by too much. I will keep an eye out for the info when it is published.

These days there is much planning put into the emergency response for floods and storms and if there is ANY likelihood you will be notified well in advance.

Chaffey dam now has a new system where you pick an envelope at the gate and pay $5/vehicle/day and tear off the numbered slip to display on your dash. Too many people were abusing the donation system and the committee were looking at closing the are to all camping.

hot showers are still available at the amenities block for a gold coin although I have often seen that being abused too.

if you want a shady spot you will need to get in early as they are the first to go.

frank

-- Edited by KFT on Tuesday 3rd of December 2013 10:19:11 PM

Kantiki · Senior Member

We will be at chaffey between Christmas and New Year so please come a say hello. The nomad sticker is on the back of the van. Spent last weekend there and it was cool and windy but should be good and hot for Chrissy.

Cruising Cruze · Guru

www.tcmf.com.au/tamworth-accommodation/camping/

just for a bit of help

Cheers John

Big Gorilla · Guru

Cate, apart from the valuable information given to you here, I would suggest an investment of $50.00 or $60.00 and buy Camps 7. Not only will this book (GN's Bible) give you information on Tamworth, but you have your "Little Motorhome" and no doubt you are going to use it travelling to other areas, towns and Cities. Camps 7 will be invaluable to you. It can be purchased online: http://www.campsaustraliawide.com/9-camps-books?gclid=CKv-0eb4mbsCFUkdpQodkGsAEQ

-- Edited by Big Gorilla on Friday 6th of December 2013 07:43:03 AM

Jonathan · Senior Member

Big Gorilla wrote:
Cate, apart from the valuable information given to you here, I would suggest an investment of $50.00 or $60.00 and buy Camps 7. Not only will this book (GN's Bible) give you information on Tamworth, but you have your "Little Motorhome" and no doubt you are going to use it travelling to other areas, towns and Cities. Camps 7 will be invaluable to you. It can be purchased online: http://www.campsaustraliawide.com/9-camps-books?gclid=CKv-0eb4mbsCFUkdpQodkGsAEQ

Hi Ken ..

Just to let you know, Cate hasn't been online for some 7 months or so .. Do know here personally ..

regards

Jon

-- Edited by Jonathan on Friday 6th of December 2013 07:54:54 AM

Big Gorilla · Guru

Jonathan wrote:
Big Gorilla wrote:
Cate, apart from the valuable information given to you here, I would suggest an investment of $50.00 or $60.00 and buy Camps 7. Not only will this book (GN's Bible) give you information on Tamworth, but you have your "Little Motorhome" and no doubt you are going to use it travelling to other areas, towns and Cities. Camps 7 will be invaluable to you. It can be purchased online: http://www.campsaustraliawide.com/9-camps-books?gclid=CKv-0eb4mbsCFUkdpQodkGsAEQ
Hi Ken ..
Just to let you know, Cate hasn't been online for some 7 months or so .. Do know here personally ..
regards
Jon

-- Edited by Jonathan on Friday 6th of December 2013 07:54:54 AM

OK, thanks Jon.