The Ultimate Winter Getaway to
Warm Your Heart & Soothe Your Soul

Experiencing the distinct seasons of the high country evokes a certain kind of magic, and winter is no exception. From glistening frost-covered tablelands and misty morning horizons to blue-sky days, jaw-droppingly beautiful sunsets, and starry night skies, a visit to Glen Innes Highlands in winter will warm your heart and soothe your soul. 

Heritage charm, friendly country hospitality, scenic landscapes, and the beauty of nature combine to offer you the ultimate country escape, just a stone's throw from the QLD/NSW border. 

With another week of QLD school holidays ahead, and the NSW school holidays kicking off for two weeks from this weekend, why not come up and experience the beauty of winter in Glen Innes Highlands?

Discover Your Next Adventure
in Glen Innes Highlands

A Pie Lover's Guide to Glen Innes Highlands

“Where can we get a good pie?” It’s the question that so many visitors ask when they drive into town and we’re happy to say Glen Innes Highlands has some delicious options waiting for both meat lovers and vegetarians.
  • Smeatons Bakery - 176 Bourke St, Glen Innes
    For over 80 years, locals and visitors have been tucking into a pie from Smeatons Bakery, and today’s classic pie recipe is still based on the meat pies they were serving in 1942. While their plain mince pie remains their best seller, Smeaton’s decadent maple bacon steak and cheese pie has become a new favourite. During our annual Australian Celtic Festival, Smeatons also offers venison pies, and throughout the year different speciality pies appear so you never know what you might get until you arrive.
  • Glen Pie Shop - 288 Grey St, Glen Innes
    At the Glen Pie Shop the cheese and bacon pies vie for the most popular position with the plain mince, but ask the staff for their top pick and they’ll introduce you to their delicious lamb and rosemary pie. Other options include chilli con carne, chicken mornay and potato supreme.
  • Sweetie Pie's Bake Shop - 40 Edward St, Glen Innes
    A pastry chef since she left school, Nicole slow-cooks the meat and uses some vegetables from her own veggie patch in her recipes. Choose from over twenty different pie flavours, some of which include curry steak, bangers and mash, and a vegetable satay pie that’s made with fresh vegetables in homemade satay sauce with peanuts on top.
  • The Deepwater Bakery - 86 Tenterfield St, Deepwater
    The Deepwater Bakery is a popular stop on a New England highway drive, and its menu includes "The Stout Pie" made with Deepwater Brewing’s Deliverance Imperial Stout. They also make over 13 distinct pie flavours, including savoury options like chunky steak, pepper steak, steak Diane, and chicken mornay which offers a delightful creaminess. The bakery proudly sources its premium meat from Bruce's Family Butcher, a trusted local provider. If you're unable to make it to Deepwater, you can also find these pies stocked at The Furry Cow (251 Grey St, Glen Innes).
  • Pie Face (United Petroleum Roadhouse) - 255 Church St, Glen Innes
    Pie Face fans can also find their old favourites at the United Roadhouse on the highway.
So whether it’s a pie you’ve tried before or something completely new, we’ve got the pie that’s right for you!

Explore Washpool National Park

Blue-sky winter days are perfect for exploring our pristine national parks and nature reserves. Glen Innes Highlands boasts two world heritage-listed national parks, and Washpool National Park is one of them. Lush Gondwana rainforest, tinkling streams, dramatic gorges and an impressive plateau environment just over the edge of the Great Escarpment make this park a singularly spectacular walking destination.

Located 78km east of Glen Innes and accessible via the Gwydir Highway, Washpool is a wonderful destination to stretch your legs on an expansive network of graded walking tracks, as you meander through ancient forests.

Stay: Four Bull HutCoombadjha campgroundBellbird campground

Picnic: Coachwood picnic areaGranite picnic area

Explore: Coachwood Pool lookoutCoombadjha nature strollGranite walking trackGranite lookoutWashpool walking trackGibraltar-Washpool World Heritage walkWashpool horse riding trails

Image credit: Destination NSW

Discover Your Home Away From Home

Glen Innes Highlands offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit everyone's taste and budget. From boutique getaways to experiencing country life on a working farm, and everything in between - you won't be disappointed! Find a place to stay.

Visit the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre

Pop in and chat with a friendly local at the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre to access a wealth of information on all there is to see and do in Glen Innes Highlands. The centre has maps, brochures, displays about local history and attractions, and a variety of items for sale in the shop. 

Location:
152 Church Street, Glen Innes NSW

Opening hours:
Mon to Fri: 9.00am to 5.00pm
Sat: 9.00am to 3.00pm
Sun: 9.00am to 1.00pm
What's On
There is always something to look forward to in Glen Innes Highlands, including regular events like movies, theatre productions & open mic nights at the Chapel Theatre, as well as weekend markets. To find out about more events, visit our Events Calendar and follow us on Facebook.

Glen Innes Archies
Mixed Media Exhibition

Mon 3 Jul to Fri 4 Aug
10.00am to 4.00pm Mon to Fri;
10.00am to 1.00pm Sat
Glen Innes Art Gallery
71 Grey St, Glen Innes

The Glen Innes Art Gallery proudly represents local artists, hosting exhibitions that reflect our wonderful region and helping artists connect with their audience. More info.

Tynwald Day

Wed 5 Jul
4.00pm
Australian Standing Stones
Watson's Drive, Glen Innes

Tynwald is the name of the Parliament of the Isle of Man, which is one of the acknowledged Celtic nations in Glen Innes. The Australian Standing Stones Management Board will conduct a flag-lowering ceremony to acknowledge Tynwald Day.

Join in the celebration, hear about the Isle of Man, and enjoy a toast to the Manx people, along with a taste of some traditional Manx food. This is a free event. A raffle will be held.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow

Fri 7 Jul
Doors open 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start
Chapel Theatre
Cnr Bourke & Church St, Glen Innes

Get ready for a stellar line-up with roadshow favourites alongside the most talked-about breakthrough stars of the moment, together in one jam-packed show that’s sure to leave the whole nation laughing. Book now.

Markets in the Highlands

Sat 8 Jul
9.00am to lunchtime
Behind Coles supermarket
357 Grey St, Glen Innes

Come along to this great community market and meet local stallholders who grow, make, create, and bake. You can also support the fundraising efforts of the Glen Innes High School Formal Committee by purchasing some tasty BBQ fare. More info.

Silver-working Workshop

Thur 13 Jul
10.00am to 4.00pm
The Makers Shed
123 Grey St, Glen Innes

Get across the entire silversmithing process with Richard Moon (resident Silversmith at The Makers Shed) as your guide, from designing your piece through to cutting, soldering, heating, cold-connecting, fold-forming, bezel-setting and polishing. Book now.

Paint & Sip at The Local 

Sat 22 Jul 2.00pm to 5.00pm The Local Glen Innes 305 Grey Street, Glen Innes Get creative and enjoy a fun 3-hour guided painting session. The Local is known for its great cocktails and also serves delicious warm mulled wine - perfect for a chilly winter afternoon! Book now

High Voltage - The AC/DC Experience

Sat 22 Jul
Doors open 7.00pm
Glen Innes Services Club
120 Grey St, Glen Innes

From AC/DC’s first album 1975’s High Voltage to the latest, this tribute show not only gives you the music of AC/DC but also a brilliant visual aspect of their live performances. Tickets ($25) at the door or by phoning (02) 6732 1355.

Glen Innes
Cottage Markets

Every Sat
7.00am to 12.30pm
Lions Park, Cnr East Ave
& Ferguson St, Glen Innes 

Check out this great little community market, with stallholders selling fresh produce, plants, craft, gifts, food, coffee & so much more. More info

Australian Standing Stones parkrun

Every Sat
8.00am start
The Australian Standing Stones,
Watsons Drive, Glen Innes

A free, weekly, timed 5k event every Saturday morning. Everyone is welcome to walk, jog, run or volunteer  More info & registration

Glen Innes Highlands Shop
Supporting Local Business
When it comes to homegrown and handmade, we've got you covered! Visit us at the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre to browse our range of local goods, unique souvenirs, and gifts or shop online.

Printed Tote Bag by
Local Artist Lloyd Hornsby

Vibrant cotton bag with original printed design from a painting titled "Reconciliation" by internationally renowned local artist Lloyd Hornsby.
$40
Shop now!

 

Glen Innes 2370
Handmade Souvenir Dish

These handy little souvenirs have been handmade by Trina McRae of the Glen Innes Pottery Club and are stocked in a variety of glazes.
$16
Shop now!

 
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Share Your Adventures

We love sharing our visitor's experiences on our social media accounts.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and tag us in your posts! 

Facebook: @GlenInnesHighlands
Instagram: @gleninneshighland
#gleninneshighlands

Visit our website for more ideas of things to see and do in Glen Innes Highlands.
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