A commercial centre for a rich dairy farming and agricultural district.

Where is it?: New England. Glen Innes is 671 km north of Sydney, 111 km south of the Queensland border, on the Gwydir and New England Highways; altitude 1,073 metres.


Events: Glen Innes is home to the annual Australian Celtic Festival held at the unique Australian Standing Stones. Other annual events include Minerama, a gem and fossicking festival; Australian Celtic Festival, Land of the Beardies Festival, Pastoral and Agricultural Show and also horse racing, the prestigious Glen Innes Cup.

The town is known for its fine parks which are especially attractive in autumn. Glen Innes has numerous arts, craft and collectables shops. Fishing, fossicking and horseriding are also popular ways to enjoy the scenic environs.

The town has strong connections with Scotland. Glen Innes has twin town status with Pitlochry in Scotland, and Mosman in Sydney, NSW.


The Australian Standing Stones at Glen Innes are based on the Ring of Brodgar in Orkney (a non-Gaelic speaking area) or Calanais in Lewis. Glen Innes has a number of street signs in Scottish Gaelic (though few residents speak much of the language). There is also a "Crofter"'s cottage. Other towns nearby with Scottish names include Armidale, Ben Lomond and Glencoe.

Australia's Standing Stones were created as a tribute to the Celtic peoples who contributed to the development of Australia and who were important in the early European history of the district. It has been given a distinctively Australian flavour by the way the Southern Cross has been superimposed on the design. Like the ancient stone arrangements it is modelled on, it functions as a seasonal clock clearly displaying both the summer and winter solstices. Martins Lookout, the site of the Stones, has picnic, barbecue and toilet facilities, a replica crofter's cottage which supplies refreshments, souvenirs and information.

Lookouts: there are panoramic views of the town from Martins Lookout on Watsons Drive. Sinclair Lookout, located on the northern end of the Waterloo Range, has spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Though it has a westerly aspect towards Inverell, that town is not visible from the lookout or the range.

Surrounding Area


Gibraltar Range National Park, deep in high granite country dominated by eucalypt forest, is excellent bushwalking cuntry. Wildflowers are featured in the warmer months, wildlife abounds and there are a number of waterfalls throughout the park. Five walking trails depart from Mulligans Hut Rest Area to Dandahra Falls, the Barra Nula Cascades, the Atrichornis Murrumbooee Cascades, Tree Fern Forest and The Needles.