Set amidst rolling countryside Glen Innes is a charming town in the Northern Tablelands of NSW. Surrounded by World Heritage rainforest and abounding with history, Glen Innes has much to offer visitors. It’s part of the region’s ‘Fossickers Way’ touring route that pays homage to its gold and gem rush history. Washpool National Park and Mann River Nature Reserve are popular places to explore as is the town itself.
Many visitors stop by The Australian Standing Stones National Celtic Monument. The Standing Stones have great cultural significance and pay tribute to the Celtic heritage of the early European settlers to the district. The annual Australian Celtic Festival is held here in May each year and the site serves as a cultural gathering place for people from the Celtic communities, the Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Cornish, Bretons and Manx.
The town of Glen Innes is surrounded by impressive national parks and the district is known for its fishing, fossicking and bushwalking. The local Ngarabal Aboriginal name of the township is Gindaaydjin, meaning ‘plenty of big round stones on clear plains.’ The area certainly features lush, rolling green fields dotted with big stones.
It’s no wonder it drew European settlers as it reminded them of their Celtic homelands. The New England region was named by English explorer John Smith in 1616 as the majority of the region's early European settlers were from England and Scotland.
Every May Glen Innes honours its Celtic history at the Australian Celtic Festival. In true Celtic style, it’s a lively celebration complete with music, dancing, highland games, medieval re-enactments and of course, plenty of bagpipes! It’s a real ‘gathering of the clans’ with thousands of visitors travelling in from all corners of Australia.
Glen Innes is rich in heritage, with many beautifully preserved historic buildings and streets filled with local museums, galleries, and markets. The town is known as the ‘Land of the Beardies, referring to early pioneers who wore distinctive beards. Visit Land of the Beardies History House and Museum, a fascinating and respected major regional museum opened in 1970.
The Australian Standing Stones, inspired by ancient stone circles, is a must-see attraction. These 40 granite monoliths are arranged as a calendar incorporating the Celtic Cross and Southern Cross. The Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre provides a brochure explaining the significance of the Standing Stones with a self-guided walking tour.
One of Glen Innes' main attractions is its natural beauty. Nestled amidst rolling hills, lush farmlands, and national parks there are plenty of places to explore. Nearby, the stunning Washpool and Gibraltar Range National Parks offer serene walks through ancient rainforests with breathtaking mountain views.
Glen Innes is on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, 1075 metres above sea level.
The traditional custodians of Glen Innes and surrounding areas are the Ngarabal people. Many Ngarabal people live in the Glen Innes area, continuing to practice much of their traditional culture.
The first European settlers to the district were from Scotland and the area reminded them of the Scottish Highlands. The area has a long history with Celtic pioneers and is home to the Australian Standing Stones National Celtic Monument, honouring the area’s Celtic pioneers.
Glen Innes hosts the annual Australian Celtic Festival, has many Celtic Nation flag ceremonies throughout the year and the town has a lovely Highland Shop selling Celtic souvenirs.
The Fossickers Way is a tourist driving route that includes Barraba, Inverell, Tamworth, Armidale and other New England towns. The region was known as ‘gemstone country’ during the gold and gem rushes of the 1800s. There are many spots where visitors can try their hand at fossicking for gold, gems and crystals.
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