GLEN INNES HIGHLANDSAs the weather slowly starts to warm up, and the days in the Glen Innes Highlands countryside are growing longer, we look forward to Summer in the Highlands – the perfect time of year to explore the stunning sights in our region! The surrounding villages of Glencoe, Emmaville, and Deepwater will serve as gateways to the spectacular scenery, welcoming local events, country comfort and world heritage-listed national parks that our region has to offer.
We know many of you will be visiting friends and family in Glen Innes Highlands over the holidays and we encourage you to support our local businesses during your stay. And if you need a unique Christmas gift for someone special, be sure to check out the great range of products from local and regional suppliers at the Glen Innes Highlands Shop, which you can browse at the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre (VIC) or online via our website (shipping available). Visit for a day, a weekend or longer to experience the natural beauty of the Glen Innes Highlands – plan your trip today! Please note: Our Visitor Information Centre opening hours will remain the same over the Christmas and New Year period (9am to 5pm weekdays, 9am to 3pm Saturdays, and 9am to 1pm Sundays and Public Holidays), however, the centre will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. Glen Innes Highlands would like to wish all our supporters a very Merry Christmas and we hope to see you in 2025 – Get in here! Petar Grulovic / Grants Officer Glen Innes Severn Council | | Happy Kids, Happy HolidaysOne child’s awesome day out is another kid’s yawn fest. But don’t worry - there’s lots for all sorts of kids to do in and around town when "Are we there yet?" switches to "What are we doing today?" | | | Nature LoversGet in here and discover waterfalls, huge granite rocks and the world’s largest group of coachwood trees at Washpool National Park. Go on wilderness walks by day and then come back to Glen Innes or spend the night camped out at Washpool or Gibraltar Range National Parks. | | | Rock HoundsTake your budding geologist out prospecting for the day. At the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre, you can hire fossicking equipment and ask our friendly team for local tips on where to search for gemstones and crystals, including sapphires, emeralds and aquamarines. Also in town, Fossicker Caravan Park offers fossicking lessons for beginners. Before you visit, you can also check out our local Fossicking Guide online. | | | Emmaville Mining MuseumThe historic village of Emmaville in the Glen Innes Highlands is home to the Emmaville Mining Museum - the dream of Mr and Mrs Jack Curnow who ran the Emmaville Bakery. After closing the bakery in 1969, they used the shop to display their vast collection of minerals and photographs. | | | Their collection was bequeathed to the community in the hope that the town could start a museum. The local council purchased the old Foley’s Store in Emmaville and volunteers began re-modelling the building to house the Curnow collection. As the collection grew, the museum expanded. Behind the museum is Foley’s General Store Museum, a replica blacksmith’s shop, an old wood-fired bakery, and a machinery shed filled with old mining equipment and farming implements. There’s also the interior of a hessian-lined miner’s hut, a collection of over 400 photographs of the old mines, miners, and the Emmaville community, and a beautiful collection of 1,500 bottles. You may even see the Emmaville Panther! | | Sporty TypesThese balls of energy need to move and we’ve got ways for them to burn that excess energy. Whether it be dashing about on the tennis courts, swimming laps of the local pool, hitting a round of golf, or trying out some new tricks at the skateboard park they’ll be able to get the blood pumping while they’re having fun. | | | Book WormsWith more than 15,000 second hand and antiquarian books to be found in The Book Market you’ll deserve a treat from one of our cafes or bakeries by the time you’ve made it out of here. At The Makers Shed in Deepwater you’ll also find a collection of books by local and independent authors for all ages. | | | History BuffsSee how local children used to live in the olden days at the Land of the Beardies History House Museum. Eagle-eyed kids can also win an iceblock if they manage to spot all of the Beardies around the museum. | | | Climbers & SlidersGo bouldering or simply walk around incredible granite boulders at Stonehenge just 12km south of Glen Innes. For playground fun ANZAC Park in the heart of town has a fully fenced playground including a tunnel slide, climbing structures and a Liberty swing for children and adults in wheelchairs. | | | At Melling Park the kids can play on balance ropes, climbing equipment and more, while up at Centennial Parklands there’s a playground as well as a sundial. You can also try removing the Excalibur sword! Glen Innes Highlands Skywalk is a great place to get that birds eye view with three lookouts for the kids to explore with audio stories to download. | | Share Your AdventuresWe love sharing our visitor's experiences on our social media accounts. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and tag us in your posts!
For more ideas on things to see and do in Glen Innes Highlands, visit our website. | | | Leave the World BehindThe highlands have ways of making you forget about the outside world. Around Glen Innes you can find great stays where you can reconnect with family and friends, or go solo and let yourself be nurtured by nature. | | Waterloo StationThis historic working farm has six different ways to stay with the luxurious Waterloo homestead, the Old Schoolhouse, the Stockman’s Cottage, the Fassifern Farmhouse, the charming Creek Shack and the beautifully renovated Shearers’ Lodgings. Go fossicking for sapphires, try your hand at trout fishing, go bushwalking or just relax by the fire. | | | Bens Falls RetreatAn angler's delight, the Cod Cabin at Bens Falls Retreat is a self-contained off-grid rustic cabin where you can catch and release Murray cod and yellow belly. For a romantic getaway, the King Fisher Cabin is a tiny house with an outdoor bathtub and firepit that’s a stroll away from the retreat’s function centre, where you can look out over beautiful Bens Falls and have a pre-booked massage, facial or yoga class. | | | The Counting HouseThis unique place has a style all its own. The former manager's residence of the historic Westpac Bank built in 1885, beautifully restored to accommodate travellers to Glen Innes Highlands. Overlooking the main street of Glen Innes and being in the very centre of town, gives you the opportunity to relax in style or stroll down the street to admire the unique historical architecture while having coffee or shopping. | | | Gibraltar HouseGo off-grid in the Gibraltar Range National Park, where power is provided by the sun and water by the rain. While it only has two bedrooms Gibraltar House can sleep up to ten people. BYO bedding, towels, food and hiking boots to enjoy the rainforest and granite walks. | | | Camp OutRainforests, dry forests and riverside are just a few of the camping options around Glen Innes. Highlights include the Bellbird Campground in Washpool National Park and Mann River Campground, where you can go swimming in warmer months and hiking year-round. | | | Glen Innes Highlands has an exciting calendar of events. Check out what's on, save the date, and plan your next visit so you don't miss out on all the fun! | | Christmas LightsUntil Mon 6 Jan Grey St, between Ferguson & Oliver St Glen InnesOur beautiful Christmas lights launched at our Christmas in the Highlands event will be switched on each night until 6 January 2025 for all to enjoy during the festive season. You can also make a night of Christmas lights by picking up a light trail map from the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre to find festive displays at local homes and businesses. To stay up to date, you can also join the 'Christmas Lights in Glen Innes' Facebook Group. | | | The High School Art Exhibition10am to 4pm weekdays 10am to 1pm Sat 2 Dec to 20 Dec Glen Innes Art GalleryCheck out the artistic output of the Glen Innes High School students, showcasing a variety of styles and mediums. Find out more | | | Glen Innes Men's Shed Carboot & Christmas Market8am to 1pm, Sat 14 Dec The Australian Standing StonesBrowse a wide variety of items for sale, such as bric-a-brac, plants, old tools, body products and so much more! And while you’re there, why not treat yourself to a coffee, cake or BBQ lunch? Find out more | | | Summer SolsticeGather at 12.30pm for 12.51pm 11.30am, Sat 21 Dec The Australian Standing StonesThe Summer Solstice indicates the longest number of daylight hours. This annual gathering held at our national Celtic monument showcases the passing of the solar noon across the market plaque on this day. Find out more | | | Australian Standing Stones Parkrun8am start every Sat Australian Standing Stones National Celtic MonumentTake part in Australia's highest elevation parkrun! A free, fun, weekly, timed 5km event that welcomes everyone to walk, jog, run or volunteer. This year, there is a special Parkrun on Christmas Day, so dress up and balance out the festive indulgence ahead! Find out more & register | | | Glen Innes Cottage Markets7am to 12.30pm every Sat Lions Park Cnr East Ave & Ferguson StCheck out this great little community market, with stallholders selling fresh produce, plants, craft, gifts, food, coffee & so much more. Find out more | | | Glen Innes RacesFrom 11.30am, Sat 11 Jan 2025 Glen Innes Jockey ClubThe Glen Innes Jockey Club presents the best of regional racing with an array of thrilling track events, as well as live music, Fashions on the Field, food vans, bar & BBQ, a kids area, and official after party at the Glen Innes Services Club. Find out more | | | Deepwater RacesFrom 10am, Sat 25 Jan 2025 Deepwater RacecourseIn 2025, the Deepwater Races will celebrate a remarkable 160 years, honouring one of Australia's oldest racing traditions. This historic event brings together racing enthusiasts for a day of unforgettable country spirit, featuring six exhilarating races, including the celebrated 1200-meter Deepwater Cup. Find out more | | | Glen Innes Show and Gourmet Fiesta14, 15 & 16 Feb 2025 Glen Innes ShowgroundThe Glen Innes Show is a vibrant celebration of country life and community spirit, filled with events and attractions for all ages. The Gourmet Fiesta at the show offers an exciting program of market stalls, gourmet meals, cooking demonstrations, special guests, and more. Find out more | | | Glen Innes Highlands ShopVisit us at the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre to browse a huge range of locally and regionally sourced items, unique souvenirs, and gifts. | | | Celtic Possums Linen Tea TowelLocally designed for the Glen Innes Highlands Shop by Glen Innes Celtic artist Peter Grimes Printed in Australia on 100% Linen $29 Shop now! | | Glen Innes Highlands Fine Bone China MugOur custom fine bone china mug is thinner and more elegant than other types of porcelain - a naturally strong material with a beautiful, glossy, non-porous surface.
Sraight-edged with a comfortable handle shape.
$45 Shop now! | | Our region is located in Northern NSW, a three-hour drive from Coffs Harbour, four hours from Brisbane, and seven hours from Sydney.
With so many things to see and do in Glen Innes Highlands, we'd like to make it easy for you to get around and explore our area.
You can access various maps and guides from our website, the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre, and our online shop. | | |