Tamworth to Coonabarabran road trip: Distance, stops and time

The best stop on the Tamworth to Coonabarabran drive is Gunnedah. By car, the distance from Tamworth to Coonabarabran is 182km, with a driving time of around 2h5m.

A Tamworth to Coonabarabran road trip links Australia’s country music capital to arguably its top space research hub.

To book a Siding Spring observatory tour near Coonabarabran, head here. For Coonabarabran accommodation, look here.

This guide is aimed at helping travellers plan their perfect Gunnedah to Coonabarabran road trip.

Click through on the links for more detailed links about individual towns and attractions.

If you need a hire car, search for the best car rental deals here – and remember to stock up on your road trip essentials before setting off.

Tamworth to Coonabarabran distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Tamworth to Coonabarabran is 182km. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and five minutes.

Things to do in Tamworth include the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame and the Powerstation Museum.

The best places to stay in Tamworth

There are several Tamworth accommodation options. These, however, are the best picks…

For excellent value and a pool: Roydons Motor Inn.
For design flair: CH Boutique Hotel.
For central location: City Sider Motor Inn.
For spacious apartments: Cadman Motor Inn and Apartments.
For heritage and charm: Quality Inn Ashby House.

Tamworth to Coonabarabran road trip: Tamworth to Gunnedah

The first plausible stop along the Oxley Highway is the Somerton Bridge, which offers attractive views of the Oxley River. Otherwise, there are fuel stops at the Somerton Roadhouse and Carroll Store in Carroll, but you may as well continue towards Gunnedah.

In Gunnedah, you can take on the short walks to the Porcupine Lookout and Avards Lookout.

The Gunnedah Rural Museum does the local history thing, and there’s more silo art to admire.

If earmarking Gunnedah as the place for an overnight stay, accommodation options include the very well-reviewed Gunnedah Lodge Motel and the pool-equipped Gunnedah Motor Inn.

Tamworth to Coonabarabran drive: Gunnedah to Coonabarabran

The quickest driving route from Gunnedah to Coonabarabran leaves Gunnedah along the Oxley Highway. This runs north of the Wondoba State Conservation Area. The 150^th Meridian Rest Area offers a possible break before reaching the village of Mullaley, but most will continue to the Mullaley Roadhouse. It’s as good a place as any to pick up fuel and snacks for the journey.

The Tamworth to Coonabarabran drive then continues through a rural landscape with a few creeks and not an awful lot more. You eventually come to Garrawilla National Park, which was created in 2005 and set aside for conservation rather than recreation. Don’t expect tourist-friendly facilities here – you may as well continue straight into Coonabarabran.

The best way to tackle Coonabarabran is hiking in Warrumbungle National Park by day, then stargazing at night at the Siding Spring Observatory or Milroy Observatory. It’s also possible to do a tour of Australia’s largest telescope at Siding Spring.