Car Hire Tamworth

Car Hire

Tamworth is the capital of Australia’s country music industry, attracting many thousands each January to its globally-renowned music festival. However, there is much more to the city than just its festive culture. Public transportation is available, but tourists generally prefer to reach sites like the Golden Guitar Memorial and Botanical Gardens by car.

Who to Book With
Car rental in Tamworth can be found in the city centre, but options are limited. Thrifty, Avis, Budget and Hertz all operate within the centre of Tamworth, providing convenient transport for tourists wanting to get around under their own steam. Book online in advance to bag the best deals.

Best time to go
If you are interested in country music, January is the month to visit. The Tamworth Country Music Festival lures thousands into the city during this month. Hotels and rentals are usually more expensive, so visiting in March and April is probably the best time to explore. Crowds are fewer, accommodation and rental discounts are easier to find and the weather brings milder yet sunny conditions.

Need to Know Essentials
To renting a car in Tamworth, you will need several important documents:

- A national driving permit
- A passport for secondary identification
- The credit card used for booking the rental
- Booking confirmation documents

Visit our FAQ's page for additional information.

Driving
The streets around Tamworth are safe and well sign-posted, making for easy navigation around the city. If travelling outside the town, motorists need to be cautious on the highways, as drivers tend to travel at very high speeds. Parking is available along the streets, so motorists will have no trouble finding spots when venturing around town.

More information about driving in Australia is available in our guide to Australia.

Transport

Tamworth is certainly better suited to cars, making car hire the best transport option for visitors. However, those who are not comfortable driving can opt for public transportation, which includes taxis and buses. Tamworth is far too small for a train network to operate efficiently, therefore, buses are the main public transport option. For travel outside the city proper, driving is only viable choice.

Taxis
Taxis can be found throughout the city, and drivers are generally fair and reliable. Meters are always used, and because Tamworth is not an overly large city, trips are not too expensive. Nevertheless, they are more costly than the local public bus services. One of the primary cab companies operating within Tamworth and the surrounding region is Tamworth Radio Cabs. Patrons can call ahead to book.

Buses
There are a number of bus companies operating in Tamworth, although the largest has to be Tamworth Bus Lines. With more than three dozen buses within its fleet, this company runs a high percentage of the local network. Buses are more active between Monday and Friday, with the weekend seeing a large reduction in the number of routes around town.

Exploring

Tamworth is home to an amazing list of rural New South Wales’ most prized attractions. However, Tamworth is also the perfect base for daytrips into the New England region. The richness of New South Wales’ northeastern area is accessible with rental vehicles. Destinations like Nundle and Armidale are just around the corner.

Recommended Drives

Nundle - Located just half-an-hour away from Tamworth by car, Nundle shouldn’t be overlooked. Take a step back in time to go gold prospecting, visit the local art gallery and enjoy a meal with locals at the Nundle Pub. Tourists can reach Nundle via the New England Highway or the picturesque back roads.

Armidale - Only 90 minutes from Tamworth, Armidale boasts a plethora of things to see and do. The city is larger than many other New England destinations, and contains plenty of parks, museums and even a university with kangaroos to feed. There are also several national parks located close to Armidale, such as Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.

Oxley Wild Rivers National Park - This is where tourists can find some of Australia’s most beautiful country. Two major waterfalls, Aspley Falls and Wollomombi Falls (pictured above), are among the many sites within the park. This national park is filled with amazing hikes and trails, perfect for adventure enthusiasts and outdoor lovers.