Wind your way slowly from Armidale to Coffs Harbour along the spectacular Waterfall Way to take full advantage of all the natural, cultural and heritage delights. This is your personal itinerary on what not to miss in Armidale and along the Waterfall Way.

Armidale, located 1000m above sea level is the highest city in Australia and one of the oldest in NSW. This graceful university town famed for its grand architecture and four-season climate offers a slice of buzzing cosmopolitan life in a picturesque rural setting.

Depending on how you are travelling you could use Armidale as a base to explore the delights of the region. Two nights would be good, three better and it would be easy for hikers and nature lovers to fill a week.

Wander past heritage-listed buildings like the Cathedral and Post Office, visit the New England Regional Art Museum to see Australian art treasures, and head just past the airport for a guided tour of the 30 room Edwardian mansion, Saumarez Homestead. Alternately jump on board the Armidale Heritage Bus Tour, which operates 6 days per week providing an entertaining and informative tour of Armidale’s main attractions.

The area is a magnet for adventure seekers with hiking, canyoning rafting and mountain biking opportunities. There are over 500km of rivers and of course, the famous waterfalls spread through the region’s four National Parks, all less than an hour from town.

Armidale is on the doorstep of the World Heritage-listed Oxley Wild Rivers National Park and much of the region’s stunning gorge country and views rival the Blue Mountains’ for beauty and drama. To get a taste of it all, head 17 kilometres south of Armidale to Dangars Falls within the national park. You don’t need to stray far from the picnic area to get scenic views of the falls and gorge country, however the various walking tracks will provide a range of spectacular perspectives.

To kick off your adventures, take a Fleet Helicopter flight over the gorges. You can choose to have the doors on or off for an extra adrenalin rush, and when you look down at the heart shaped formation in the mountains known as the Heart of New England, you’ll feel the love for this special corner of NSW.