"CELTIC COUNTRY" Top 5 Page for this destination Glen Innes by balhannah

Glen Innes Travel Guide: 59 reviews and 193 photos

Glen Innes is the highest large town in Australia.
Glen Innes, and around this area we saw some pretty spectacular
scenery.

This area is known for the large/huge granite boulders, some of them balancing precariously on top of each other.
They come in all shapes and sizes!

This area I always find fascinating!

Glen Innes has many attractions, experiences, festivals, and events,
and some World Heritage national parks nearby, plus some of the world’s richest gem and mineral fields.

The main industries are mainly rural.....
Wool, Sheep, Cattle, Agriculture, Viticulture, Sapphires & Tourism.

Lovely old buildings

FIRST SETTLERS

Glen Innes is the Celtic Capital of Australia, and celebrates this with the.......................

Annual Australian Celtic Festival held at the Australian Standing Stones

The district's first settlers were mostly Scots. The very first of them was from Selkirkshire, who in 1838, took up what is now known as Stonehenge Station.
Among the early settlers was William Vivers from Dumfriesshire who founded Kings Plains Station. His grandson built a castle on the property to re-create a piece Scotland in the Australian bush, it certainly has, a grand building that looks like a Castle, complete with Ivy.
Accommodation is available there.

Glen Innes was named after another Scot, Archibald Clunes Innes, who came from Thrumster, Caithness-shire.
A captain, he arrived in Australia in 1822 on the Eliza in charge of 170 convicts.
He too, held a number of New England properties including Glen Innes Station.

ST. Joseph's Convent

Glen Innes does have distinctive seasons.

Expect it to be very cold in Winter, Snow falls sometimes, and in any
Winter, a wood fire will be burning for warmth.
Autumn is a lovely time here when all the Trees turn into Reds, Golds and Auburns.
Of course Spring, and the bulbs, like the Daffodils pop up each year and bloom.
Summer, and the average temperature is about 25deg.

Glen Innes is only a 4 hour drive from Brisbane, via the New England Highway,
and 4.5hours from the Gold coast via the Bruxner Highway through Ballina & Lismore. It is 7hours from Sydney via the Pacific and New England Highways.

Rainfall isn't high with only 750-850mm per year.

If you decide to come for a visit, there are many
Hotels/Motels/Caravan Parks/Bed&Breakfasts as it is a stop-over point.

Up early, as today is our last day on our 11,500km road trip holiday to Southern Australia. Still some more stops before home, the next being at TENTERFIELD, where Singer, Dancer, Entertainer - Peter Allen was born.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lots of beautiful heritage buildings, great scenery
Cons:Winter is cold
In a nutshell:A different landscape with interesting granite outcrops

Last visit to Glen Innes: Jun 2012
Intro Updated Nov 12, 2012
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Reviews (17)

Entering Glen Innes in Autumn - Glen Innes

ONE OF THE QUIETER CARAVAN PARKS Hotels (2)

This Caravan Park is located in the centre of Town. Situated behind a garage where you receive discount fuel, it is a... more travel advice

HERITAGE WALK - 5 Things to Do (15)

Continuing on my walk, I came across the beautiful Westpac Bank. Photo [1]........WESTPAC BANK Built in 1884/85, this... more travel advice

Birdwatching in Celtic country - Glen Innes

BIRDWATCHING Things to Do (15)

I am not a proper Bird watcher, but I do love seeing new Birds that I have never seen before, or have only seen in... more travel advice

Granite picnic tables & seating - Glen Innes

MARTIN'S LOOKOUT Things to Do (15)

From this lookout, there are panoramic views of the town, although I found it hard to get a decent photo because of... more travel advice

Comments (8)

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Regina1965 Nov 29, 2012 at 3:49 PM

I love your main-photo - I like big boulders as well. Thanks for the virtual heritage walk :D
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amandajayne81 Mar 19, 2011 at 2:58 AM

Hope my English tips were a helpful for you. I was saying to Britannia2 that I am hoping to catch up with you when you return from visiting him! How long til your trip now? I love Glen Innes. I feel like I fit in with my red hair.
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Yaqui Jul 10, 2010 at 7:37 PM

I absolutely love the historical buildings, wonderful rock formations and gorgeous country side. A place right up my alley!
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hunterV Jul 7, 2010 at 3:19 AM

G'day, Dee! Thanks for your great virtual tour!
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glabah Jul 6, 2010 at 10:11 PM

What wonderful rock formations.
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nickandchris Jul 5, 2010 at 2:15 PM

Some wonderful architecture here. A modern stone circle is unusual. I love the huge boulders, quite amazing
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uglyscot Jun 26, 2010 at 11:59 PM

The crofter cottage looks bigger than the usual black cottage found in Scotland!My house has two downstairs rooms and upper bedroom , which is more like it. Family had one half of the house, animals the other- a good way to keep warm in winter.
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Maryimelda Jun 25, 2010 at 6:42 PM

I've only been through in the middle of the night. Cold isn't the word. Freezing would be closer.