Tamworth is a city in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. Straddling the Peel River, Tamworth with an urban population of 42,501 people is the major regional centre for southern New England and in the local government area of Tamworth Regional Council. The city provides services for an area population of 55,063. The city is located midway between Brisbane and Sydney the two largest cities on the Australian east coast.

Tamworth is nationally famous as the "Country Music Capital of Australia", annually hosting the Tamworth Country Music Festival in late January; the second biggest country music festival in the world. The city is recognised as the "National Equine Capital of Australia" because of the high volume of equine events held in the city and the construction of the world class Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre, the biggest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The city additionally is known as the "First City of Lights", being the first place in the Southern Hemisphere to utilise electric street lights.

Geography
Tamworth is located on the western side of the Great Dividing Range, on the banks of the Peel River, about 420 km north of Sydney on the New England Highway, and 280 km inland from Port Macquarie on the Oxley Highway. The town is situated at a narrow point on the Peel River floodplain, nestled at the base of the Wentworth Mounds, a spur of the Moonbi Range, where the Northwest Slopes rise to the Northern Tablelands. The elevation is around 400 m AHD. The Peel River runs southeast to northwest through Tamworth. The main town centre is on the northeast bank, between the river and the Wentworth Mounds which rise to heights of 800 m, towering over the city. The southwest bank is much flatter, and the city's suburbs sprawl to the south. Water for residents and the city's industry is supplied by Chaffey Dam, 44 km south east of the city.

Tamworth occupies an area of 486.5 km² as of 2003. Surrounding towns include Gunnedah, Willow Tree, Uralla, and Nundle.

Central Business District
The Tamworth Central Business District is the city centre and is located north of the Peel River. It is primarily a business area of Tamworth, with many shops, restaurants, car dealerships, as well as shopping centres and public facilities. The Tamworth Regional Council has its headquarters in Peel Street at Ray Walsh House. Bicentennial Park and number one cricket oval are also located in the suburb.

Aviation
The latter has been a significant part of the local economy, partly due to the city's exceptionally suitable flying weather, with the former East West Airlines and Eastern Airlines having had service and maintenance bases at the Tamworth Airport. The Tamworth airport is one of the 10 busiest airports in Australia. and is an important centre for flying training activities for both airline and defence force graduates. The BAE Systems Flight Training College encompasses the flight screening course for all Australian Defence Force pilot applicants, Basic Flying Training School for the Australian Defence Force and the Singapore Air Force. The Australasian Pacific Aeronautical College and New England Institute of TAFE in the city also provide aeronautical training..

.Agriculture

Orchard outside Tamworth during Winter
King George Avenue near the Peel River where many farms are locatedAgriculture is an important industry in the Tamworth economy. An estimated 307,000 hectares of land is used for the agricultural industry, with an economic gross value of $75 million contributing to the Tamworth economy. Important agricultural activities include beef, sheep, grain, dairy, poultry and lucerne. Other agricultural areas include alpaca, buffalo, berry, fish, goat, hydroponic, nut, olive, specialised game fowl farming as well wineries. Offices for the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources are located in Tamworth.

Retail
Tamworth is the largest and main retail centre for the New England and North West Slopes regions of New South Wales. Retail accounts for 22.5% of the working population and is the largest employer in the city.

Peel St is the major retail and shopping area of Tamworth and is located in the Tamworth Central Business District. Three blocks of Peel St were refurbished over different stages during the 1990s. There are approximately a few hundred shops in the main street, as well as restaurants, street cafés and banks. These include a large Target (formally Grace Bros.).

Shopping Centres: There are many shopping centres located in Tamworth, with the majority being located in the Tamworth Central Business District however many are also located in various neighborhood suburbs. Shopping Centres include:

Tamworth City Plaza - Is located in the Tamworth Central Business District (CBD) with 42 shops including Coles, Kmart.
Centrepoint Shopping Centre - A $35 million shopping centre that began construction in early 2007 and was completed by Christmas 2008 behind the Tamworth Town Hall, in the Tamworth Central Business District between the old city library and behind the specialty shops in the main street Peel st. The Centre contains a Franklins supermarket as well as The Forum 6 Cinema Complex that contains 5 cinemas and a performing arts centre/theatre known as the Capitol Theatre that also doubles as a cinema, 6 restaurants, food court and 40 specialty shops.
The Atrium - Formerly known as the Tamworth Arcade, and is located in the Tamworth Central Business District with entrances from Peel St, and Kable Avenue. The centre was upgraded in early 2008.
Tamworth Shopping World - Located in West Tamworth along Bridge st, Tamworth Shopping World with over 50 specialty shops, including a food court and anchored by Woolworths and Big W.
Northgate Shopping Centre - Situated in North Tamworth [[Coles Supermarkets|Coles] is located inside the centre as well as 18 specialty shops. The centre has been recently redevelopment with the supermarket being enlarged, changing from a Bi-Lo to Coles, and the inclusion of more specialty shops in the centre.
Southgate Shopping Centre - Situated in South Tamworth Bi-Lo is located inside the centre as well as other speciality shops. The centre was the first mall to be built in Tamworth. .
Tamworth Homespace - Is located out at the Longyard. It is a bulk goods complex. It also contains two large gyms (Jetts 24hr Fitness & Inspirations) and also Outback Jacks Bar & Grill, a family restaurant.
Calala Court shopping complex - Is located in Calala and was opened in 2007. It has 10 specialty shops and an IGA supermarket.
Other shopping complexes in Tamworth include Robert St Shopping Centre, and the Longyard Homemakers centre.

 

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