Best Inverell accommodation, cafes and things to do

Nestled in the Macintyre Valley, the Sapphire City of Inverell is a historic New England town with one of the state’s biggest lakes on its doorstep.

The architecture in Inverell is one of the first things to make a good impression.

Shops, cafes and pubs feature beautiful historic facades, while the pretty pink courthouse and charming post office are among the heritage-listed buildings dotted around town.

Visit this New England town to discover vintage and futuristic cars at the National Transport Museum, imagine country life in days gone by at Pioneer Village, and try your hand at fossicking for sapphires and other gems.

When to visit Inverell

Autumn is one of the most popular times to visit Inverell, when guests can enjoy mild temperatures and the changing colours of the trees.

Winters are a quieter time of year. Crisp mornings turn into relatively warm days, with average temperatures ranging from 0 to 16°C.

The country town of Inverell in the New England region of NSW. — Tinges of pink colour the building of Inverell. (Image: Destination NSW)

In spring, when the flowers are in full bloom, the Sapphire City Festival adds extra fun for the whole family.

Summer days have an average top temperature of 30°C, a time when swimming and watersports at Copeton Dam are more popular than ever.

How to get to Inverell

Inverell is just over a five-hour drive and 430 kilometres from Brisbane along the National Highway, and around seven hours and 589 kilometres via the New England Highway and Thunderbolts Way from Sydney.

It’s also one of the main stops along the Gwydir Highway, with Glen Innes 67 kilometres to the east and Warialda 61 kilometres to the west.

Inverell Airport is 15 kilometres out of town and is serviced by Link Airways (formerly Fly Corporate), with direct flights to Brisbane and flights to Sydney via Narrabri.

Inverell Local Courthouse, Inverell — Take in the historic buildings around town, like Heritage-listed Inverell Local Courthouse. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inverell accommodation

Historic estates, luxury above-the-pub stays and lakeside cabins are just some of your options when staying in Inverell.

Inverell hotels and motels

Blair Athol Boutique Hotel

From the antique four-poster beds down to the silver shell butter trays at breakfast, there’s beauty all around at Blair Athol Boutique Hotel .

Built in 1904, Manor House has retained many of its original features, including ornate pressed metal ceilings and open fireplaces, although some changes have been made to ensure every room now has an ensuite.

Book ahead to secure a spot in the Blair Athol Day Spa, which is open to guests and non-guests alike on weekends. Inspired by Roman baths, the spa has a mineral-rich pool, as well as an infrared sauna, treatment rooms for massages and facials, and a terrace with views reaching as far as the Queensland border.

Blair Athol Estate room, Inverell — Enjoy the old-world glam of some original features of this boutique hotel, built in 1904.

Oxford on Otho

After two years of renovations, the Oxford on Otho is preparing to launch its new luxury accommodation in November 2022. The old layout of 17 rooms with two shared bathrooms has been completely overhauled to instead offer eight rooms with ensuites, as well as a two-storey family suite (to come in 2023).

Exposed brick, polished floorboards, pressed tin features and quality furnishings are just some of the elements in this stylish, contactless and key-free stay.

Oxford On Otho, Inverell — Stay in the stylish offerings of this brand new hotel. (Image: Instagram)

Inverell Terrace Motor Lodge

Inverell Terrace Motor Lodge – just a seven-minute walk from the high street – has 18 guest rooms, including interconnecting and accessible suites; each room has a flatscreen TV and mini bar, and breakfast can be delivered to your room.

A self-contained cottage has a dining area, kitchen and laundry, and can sleep up to eight guests in three bedrooms. There’s also a shared barbecue area for cooking your own meals.

Inverell caravan parks and camping

Copeton Northern Foreshores

Just 17 kilometres from Inverell, Copeton Northern Foreshores is a family and pet-friendly campground overlooking Copeton Dam (which is also known as Lake Copeton).

There are powered and unpowered sites, a camp kitchen, covered barbecue areas, fire pits, laundry facilities, an outdoor gym and free wi-fi.

Whether you’re spending the night or just visiting for the day you can enjoy the children’s playground, water splash park and floating pontoon.

Copeton Waters Holiday Park

On the other side of Lake Copeton, 40 kilometres from Inverell, Copeton Waters Holiday Park is part of the Reflections Holiday Parks chain. It’s perfect for families, featuring a water park, jumping pillow, BMX track, tennis court, boat ramp and more.

As well as powered and unpowered sites the park has a range of cabins, from basic economy options to deluxe three-bedroom cabins with air conditioning, full-sized fridges and ovens. Some standard cabins also include a garden fence and kennel if you’re travelling with your dog.

Copeton Waters Holiday Park, Inverell — Get out on the water thanks to Copeton Waters Holiday Park’s boat ramp.

Free camping

There’s free camping on the eastern side of Copeton Dam. Keep in mind there are no facilities in the area, so you’ll need to be entirely self-sufficient.

Inverell Caravan Park

Boasting water views of the Macintyre River, Inverell Caravan Park has powered and unpowered sites, private ensuite cabins, accessible amenities, a saltwater pool, laundry facilities and a covered barbecue area.

The pet-friendly park is an easy 15-minute walk from the heart of town; you can follow the bitumen track along the river and look out for waterbirds as you go.

Sapphire City Caravan Park

Sapphire City Caravan Park sits at the edge of town and is made up of three acres of grassed camping grounds, as well as cabins, villas, and powered and unpowered sites. The clean and comfortable cabins are self-contained and come with air conditioning and linens.

Inverell restaurants, pubs and cafes

Friendly Aussie cafes, a stylish craft beer bar and tempting dishes await in Inverell.

The Welder’s Dog

The craft beer that started in Armidale now has a new outpost in Inverell as part of the freshly renovated Oxford Hotel. The Welder’s Dog Inverell is the first in the group to offer in-house food, including burgers and buffalo wings.

As well as pouring their own range of beers, the team mixes espresso martinis, margaritas and other cocktails; enjoy them from a seat by the front window or under the soaring sky-lit ceiling in the back.

The venue gets bonus points for providing complimentary products in the women’s bathroom, including deodorant, hairspray, hair bands, chewing gum and sanitary products.

Welder's Dog, Inverell — Grab a beer and some pub grub in the cosy Welder’s Dog.

The Union Inverell

After starting life as the Union Bank in 1911, then being turned into a restaurant and pub in the ’70s, the Union building was completely renovated and relaunched as a cafe and bar in 2012.

Now open for lunch and dinner, The Union Inverell ’s menu includes salmon ceviche, Riverine scotch fillet steak, and slow-braised baby back ribs with homemade barbecue sauce. City visitors may also be surprised to find cocktails starting at $12, even outside happy hours.

A burger from The Union Inverell — Wash down your elevated pub grub with surprisingly affordable cocktails.

Freckles Cafe

Grab a table inside or sit out the front to watch life go by on Byron Street while enjoying breakfast or lunch – or perhaps just a smoothie or sweet treat – at Freckles Cafe .

The menu includes freshly made sandwiches, melts, burgers and nachos; at breakfast, half-serve options of some dishes are available for those who’d like to try the choc chip waffles while resisting a whole plate.

Freckles Cafe, Inverell — Indulge in a sweet crepe at Freckles Cafe.

Inverell’s Australia Cafe

Comfortable booths with tiled tables, painted wood saws, Aussie rugby memorabilia, and photos from years gone by – including the 2010 fire that destroyed the 109-year-old Arcade where the cafe now stands – are just some of the things you’ll find in Inverell’s Australia Cafe .

Save your smashed avo for another day: here the breakfasts include omelettes, wraps, rolls, and baked beans or spaghetti with toast.

Australia Cafe, Inverell — Let your tastebuds explore new flavours at Australia Cafe.

Things to do in Inverell

Embrace lake life at Copeton Dam, see collectable cars and bikes, stand in buildings from another time and see if you can find sapphires in the wild.

Sapphire City Festival

The Sapphire City Festival runs for 10 days every October and is the biggest event on Inverell’s annual calendar. It’s full of free or low-cost events, and highlights include the Pioneer Village Open Day, Sapphire City Market Day, the Inverell Art Prize exhibition and fossicking tours.

On Finale Day there’s a street parade along Otho and Byron Streets, carnival rides, entertainment and food stalls, as well as a fireworks spectacular off the town bridge.

Copeton Dam

Three times the size of Sydney Harbour, Copeton Dam is a popular spot for watersports, mountain bike riding, bushwalking, camping and fishing. It’s also one of only two inland waterways in NSW where you can fish for Murray Cod year-round.

After a $5.7 million upgrade, the Northern Foreshores has a newly fenced children’s play area, splash park, picnic areas and walking tracks.

It’s home to the longest boat ramp in Australia, too; the 400-metre ramp means the dam is now accessible when levels are between 11 and 60 per cent. Day visitors can use the Northern Foreshores facilities for $5 per vehicle, while camping is an extra charge.

A car driving along the Copeton Dam, Copeton. — Get active and enjoy the views at Copeton Dam. (Image: Destination NSW)

National Transport Museum

From some of the first cars to drive on Australian roads to futuristic solar-powered vehicles, the National Transport Museum is full of treasures and surprises.

Standouts in this big shed include a 1906 Dayton that’s believed to be the last in the world, a 1912 Renault, a 1926 Diana, and a range of Rolls Royces, Chevrolets, Holdens and Fords.

You can also see vintage and modern motorcycles, as well as an old monorail car from Sydney’s transport past.

Inverell National Transport Museum — View a range of classic and vintage cars, motorbikes and more at National Transport Museum.

Inverell Pioneer Village

Step into history at Inverell Pioneer Village , where heritage buildings have been relocated and restored to their former glory.

Around the village pond you can find the Grove Homestead, which dates back to 1840 and was originally found in the village of Tingha in early tin mining days, Paddy’s Pub, which was built in 1874, and a bush school, where students first took their seats in 1887.

Displays inside the buildings include vintage photography equipment, typesetting and printing machines, hundreds of colourful vintage glass bottles, and a working model of a sapphire mine.

The General Store (built in 1911) located inside Inverell Pioneer Village, Inverell — Step into history at Inverell Pioneer Village. (Image: Don Fuchs /Destination NSW)

Fossicking Inverell

Inverell was one of the world’s biggest suppliers of sapphires in the 1960s and ’70s – so much so that it became known as Sapphire City.

Today you can still find sapphires by getting your hands dirty in creek beds, or by skipping a few steps and buying some sapphire wash.

There are designated fossicking areas around town, and the Inverell Visitor Information Centre can give you tips on the best places to try to find these precious gems, as well as quartz and other crystals.

Fossicking for sapphires in Inverell — Fossick for you very own sapphire. (Image: Don Fuchs /Destination NSW)

Inverell Art Gallery

See exhibitions by local and visiting artists or join a weekly art class or workshop at Inverell Art Gallery .

The 94-metre-long Meandering Macintyre mosaic out the front, comprised of images of local flora and fauna, is believed to be the longest continuous mosaic footpath in Australia.

Alongside the gallery, the Face of Inverell mural by Claire Foxton is a portrait of much-loved Aboriginal elder Aunty Elizabeth, who was 94 when she passed away in 2020.

Inverell Art Gallery — Peruse works from local and visiting artists.

Victa Mower Museum

You’ll never look at Victa mowers the same way again after a visit to Malcolm Pomfrett’s place.

Malcolm has been collecting and rebuilding old Victa lawnmowers for more than 30 years, and now has more than 150 Victas on display at 31 Clive Street, Inverell.

Visitors are welcome to pop in; if Malcolm is home they can see the collection, along with a one-of-a-kind mounted reprint of an original archived drawing of a 1956 Victa mower base-plate.

Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.

For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.

From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.

These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.

1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko

There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.

Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.

This 13-kilometre hike will take place on 3 January, 2 February, and 2 April in 2026.

2. Super Full Moon Hike

Super Full Moon Hike in thredbo — Take in the might of a super full moon.

The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike . Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.

Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.

3. Lunar Eclipse Hike

Thredbo Lunar Eclipse Hike — See dazzling celestial displays.

What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.

It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.

Book now for 3 March.

4. New Moon Hike

New Moon Hike Mt Kosciuszko — Catch the changing skies of a new moon.

A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.

Catch this hike during the new moon lunar phase on 20 December, 19 January, 17 February, 19 March or 17 April.

5. Thredbo River Track

Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.

6. Merritts Nature Track

Merritts Nature Track thredbo summer hikes — Stop at swimming holes along the way.

On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track , where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.

The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.

7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour

Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko's summit. — Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.

While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.

The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.

8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience

If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.

The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.

Discover the full offering of summer hikes in Thredbo at thredbo.com.au.