Glen Innes: Culture, History and Events

When planning a stay in Glen Innes, culture, local history or an event date may be the deciding factor. The art gallery, museum and Heritage Walk offer different points of interest; two annual events provide additional dates to consider throughout the year. First, think about which of these topics you would like to make the focus of your visit.

Art and Local History

The Glen Innes Art Gallery features changing exhibitions of contemporary art, ceramics, sculpture and jewellery. The exhibition program changes, so the specific selection depends on when you visit Glen Innes.

The Land of the Beardies Museum is housed in the former Glen Innes Hospital, which dates from 1877. Its collection includes 13,000 photographs, maps and books, as well as more than 300,000 records; the holdings may change over time. The museum grounds also feature examples of early agricultural machinery. Together, the building, collection and machinery offer different ways to explore local and regional history.

The Glen Innes Heritage Walk

The Glen Innes Heritage Walk follows a 5.4-kilometre route past 63 buildings and takes about two hours. This makes it easy to plan the walk as a separate activity; the stated duration is an approximate guide. If the official brochure is revised, the information may change. The Heritage Walk brochure is available from the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre or can be downloaded.

Australian Standing Stones and Crofters Cottage

Just outside Glen Innes, the Australian Standing Stones stand on a hill east of the town. The monument was created in 1991/92 and is a national monument to Celtic people, past and present. The Australian Celtic Festival is also held at the Australian Standing Stones.

Also nearby is Crofters Cottage, a café serving coffee, homemade cakes, breakfast and lunch. Check the current operating details before your visit. This lets you consider the café as a possible part of your day's plans without treating a visit as a guaranteed option.

Annual Events

The Australian Celtic Festival takes place over four days every year in the first week of May at the Australian Standing Stones in Glen Innes. The Minerama Fossicking, Gem & Jewellery Show is held annually on the second weekend in March at the Glen Innes Showground. The two events offer different reasons to travel in March or May; the exact dates may change. So check the event dates for your travel year before planning your stay around them.

Find Hotels in Glen Innes Based on Your Reason for Travelling

The art gallery's changing exhibition program may also influence your timing. Check current exhibition and event dates before booking your hotel stay.

For the broader travel overview: Glen Innes Severn Shire Council.