Inverell accommodation from AU$131

Inverell was originally known by the less appealing name of Green Swamp until Scottish-born Alexander Campbell established Inverell Station in the area, taking the title from the Gaelic expression for "the meeting place of swans". But swans weren’t the only thing that flourished in the town. In 1875 diamonds were discovered in Inverell. Sapphire mining took off in the 1950s and the region is now well-known for its vast amount of jewellery-to-be.

It’s easy to arrange a fossicking expedition from one of our Inverell hotels. Visit the Tourist Information Centre to find out where the designated areas are, or take a trip to a fossicking park to have the equipment and tuiton provided for you. Just try not to channel Gollum from Lord of the Rings when you find your "preeeeecious".

But you don’t have to get your hands dirty to have a good time, or give up your modern conveniences either. Inverell’s central business district has a diverse range of retail stores and a number of restaurants, cafes and take-away options for a meal on the town or a quiet night in. Lake Inverell Reserve, four kilometres from the CBD, features a peaceful three-kilometre return walk around the lake, which is home to a number of animal species including, birds, platypus and kangaroos. The Inverell Art Gallery holds regular exhibitions featuring artists from across the country, Of course, a town like this has a lot of history, and it’s all here for you to explore. Step back in time at Pioneer Village, an open-air collection of authentic 19th century homes and buildings, including a blacksmith’s shop and mining museum, relocated from their original areas. The National Transport Museum showcases a collection of delightful retro vehicles that would definitely turn heads if you drove one down the street today. Visit the Dejon Sapphire Centre to watch cutters in action as they work to craft quality gemstones.

Inverell is on the Gwydir Highway west of the Northern Tablelands, and accessible by car or CountryLink bus. Once you here, the rest of Northern Inland NSW is worth a visit too, from Gunnedah to Narrabri . To discover some hidden treasures, book your Inverell hotel with us!