"The Celtic Connection" Top 5 Page for this destination Glen Innes by iandsmith

Glen Innes Travel Guide: 59 reviews and 193 photos

Definitely not Celtic, more your true Aussie pub

The gimmick

If you want to get noticed, you have to have a gimmick. Glen Innes realised this and went for the Celts.
In just over a decade they have Australia's Celtic Festival (first weekend in May), standing stones and a piper every Friday on the steps of the town hall playing Celtic laments. Then again, anything played by a bagpipes sounds like you should have your handkerchief out.
One of the town's signs of prosperity is the Club Hotel pictured here dating from the halcyon days of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This pub and its eye-catching wrought iron verandah date from 1906.
It's now been bought out by a major supermarket chain, one of two who are currently swallowing up hotels just to get the liquor licences so they can sell more alcohol. Fortunately the hotel is heritage listed so the facade you see here will remain. Thank goodness.

A day in the wash

On the trail again

Another thing you can do while in Glen Innes is to base yourself here and visit the Gibraltar Range, Barool and Washpool National Parks.
They are fairly extensive yet not overcrowded so, on most days, you'll find yourself either on your own or with few other people around.
There's a lot to see if you like bushwalking as I do, including many streams and waterfalls.

On the backwaters

Rustic dwelling on Backwater Road

If you take a drive in the country while you're here, you're bound to run across some nice rustic scenery such as you see pictured here. Personally, I would tend to head east towards the rainforests but there's interest in any direction.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Friendly busy atmosphere, things to see, good hiking options
Cons:Cold in winter
In a nutshell:You could do worse than tarry awhile here

Last visit to Glen Innes: Dec 2011
Intro Updated Jan 4, 2012
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Reviews (22)

Beardy Waters, just a lovely place to stop - Glen Innes

Beardy Waters Favorites (1)

Surprised I haven't put this in before, he wrote about 5 years after the original pages I entered. This is a stream that... more travel advice

Quality food, quality views Restaurants (1)

The restaurant is actually part of the New England Club and is situated right across the road from a lovely... more travel advice

A standout in the front yard - Glen Innes

Driving around Things to Do (8)

Checking out the back streets of country towns in Australia can often be rewarding and, Glen Innes is no different. I... more travel advice

Barool continued Off The Beaten Path (10)

After the first set of falls I opted to continue upstream, eventually reaching a delightful little fall where it... more travel advice

Hotels (2)
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Comments (10)

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Nemorino Jan 4, 2012 at 4:26 AM

Funny to see a Stonehenge clone in Australia, but I think they are quite right in finding creative ways to redefine themselves. This looks like an interesting town and area to visit.
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BruceDunning Aug 10, 2010 at 12:51 PM

The town certainly looks like it is steeped in history, to even include the Stonehenge look. YOu took great pictures and comments enhance the viewing
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MichaelPerkins Jan 23, 2009 at 3:24 PM

Hi Ian, I've just discovered Barool while travelling down Slippery Road searching for Four Mile Lookout. Have you done any other roads in this park?
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unravelau Feb 13, 2005 at 1:40 PM

So near and yet so far I haven't seen the face.........I must make the effort. Thank you for a great page Ian.
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dr.firas Dec 16, 2004 at 3:12 AM

Wonderful start Ian dear, I just enjoyed the tips and the picture, I like the Mysterious face in the wood, it looks a little bit like the Easter Island famous faces ;-D
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aussiedoug Dec 1, 2004 at 12:22 AM

Gr8 to see you highlighting our inland towns so well Ian. Not what was it you said about me working for a commission on one of my pages,,,,,,,, lol! Loved the mystery face.
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olja1234 Nov 30, 2004 at 3:16 AM

What a beautiful town, and suburb. Ienjoyed reading your tips. Perfect!
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herzog63 Nov 28, 2004 at 2:29 PM

I like the old stoney face!! What a great area!!
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Bwana_Brown Nov 21, 2004 at 4:34 AM

I love poking around in old towns too, you never know what you might find! Very interesting pics of the big rocks and I was surprised to see those beautiful deciduous trees!
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deecat Nov 20, 2004 at 6:01 PM

What an inventive town! Your text always conveys your sharp perception and keen observations. Club Hotel looks grand. Loved the information about Standing Stones. "Old Mystery Face" is my favorite.