Living in Armidale
Armidale lies in the beautiful heart of the NSW Northern Tablelands, halfway between Sydney and Brisbane on the New England Highway, and just two and a half hours from the coast.
As a popular tourist and "tree change" destination, Armidale is famous for its awe-inspiring scenery, crystal clear skies, clean air, incredible climate and breath-taking seasonal beauty.
As a university city of 25 000 multi-national residents, with a major student population and all the benefits and services of a larger city; Armidale pulses with a unique blend of cosmopolitan vitality, cultural diversity and easy-going hospitality, which sets it apart from other regional centres.
Being the best of the city and country combined makes Armidale the perfect place to live!
WHAT'S ON OFFER
Living in Armidale, all your needs are well provided for locally; from entertainment, food and shopping requirements through to sporting, recreational and cultural pursuits. All essential services from medical to transport are available in abundance for your choice and convenience.
Entertainment
- Armidale has a large range of city pubs and clubs. Many host great live music through week nights /weekends, as well as DJs and band comps, dance parties, pool comps etc. All serve great food too! (There are also great pubs/ venues in nearby Uralla.) All the following are packed and popular:
*Whitebull (Club Hotel) *Grand Hotel *Imperial Hotel *The Newie (New England Hotel) *Railway Tavern *Royal Hotel *St. Kilda Hotel *Tatts (Tattersall's Hotel) *The Wicklow Hotel *The Armidale Club *(Armidale City) Bowling Club *(Armidale) Ex Services Club *(Armidale) Golf Club *(Y.C.W.) Leagues Club.
- Armidale's large twin cinema, the Belgrave, screens the latest films; lots of sessions each day/ night and 5-6 films on the program each week. Tuesdays are "Cheap Days"; however, student discount is valid every day of the week!
- Armidale's Markets In The Mall (last Sunday of each month) are a popular event, featuring international food, clothing, buskers, performers, books, jewellery, plants, pottery, face/body painting, antiques, art, crafts, second-hand, imported and specialty wares etc. Stall holders come from the coast and the far north as well as the local region, and the mall (2 central CBD blocks long) is packed with people, music, laughterand sunshine on market days!
Food and Dining
Armidale features a fantastic range of great places to eat from fast food to fine dining and everything in between ...
- Fast Food Chains: *KFC *McDonalds *Red Rooster *Subway *Hungry Jacks *Eagle Boys *Dominos *Donut King *Wendy's *Darrell Lea *Brumby's *Bakers Delight
- Popular local takeway alternatives, including: *Neville's Corner Store *Pearl Perch *Knight's Store *Rockfed Seafood Takeaway *Ferrari Gourmet Pizza *The Country Wok *Moxon's Bakeries *Ind-Oz Food Store *Squids Takeaway
- Cafes: (Many situated in Armidale's outdoor malls; a great place to meet for a coffee or lunch with friends) *The Courtyard Cafe and The Gourmet Sandwich Bar; Booloominbah Collection (UNE) *Rumours *Courthouse Cafe *Cafe Midale *Elly's Coffee Lounge *Filling Groovy *The Rusty Dog *Red Peg *Shenanigans *The Country Wok *The Cafe @ NERAM (at Armidale's Art Museum) *Fusions of Flavour *Cafe Royale (Belgrave Cinema) *Rene On The Mews
- Pubs/ Clubs: *Whitebull (Club Hotel) *The Grand *The Imperial *The Newie *Trax (Railway Hotel) *Rockfed Seafood (Royal Hotel) *St. Kilda *Tattersall's *The Wicklow *Tingling Tongues Chilli Restaurant (The Armidale Club) *The Tuscany Brasserie (Ex Services Club) *Bowling Club *Golf Club *Leagues Club.
- Restaurants: *Booloominbah Collection Brasserie *Mandarin (Chinese) *Mun Hing (Chinese) *Mun Shing (Chinese) *An Indian Affair *Red Grapevine ( Italian inc. gourmet pizza ) *Restaurant Q (Australian/Chinese smorgasbord) *Zata Mediterranean *Fusion of Flavours *Jean Pierre's (European) *Cattleman's *Lizabeth's (French and Asian) *Manor at Cotswold Gardens *Squires Cottage *Deer Park Restaurant *The Flying Duck (Spanish inc. tapas) *Archie's On The Park
Shopping
Armidale is a major retail centre for the northern region. All consumer needs and all budgets are catered to by large well known chains through to hundreds of specialty shops in an ever expanding CBD. Well known retailers include:
- Supermarkets: *Coles *Woolworths *Bi Lo *IGA
- Department Stores: *Kmart (*Big W to open 2007)
- Clothing: *Sportsgirl *Jeans West *Just Jeans *Jay Jays *BIA *Best and Less *Rockmans *Katies *Suzanne Grae *Lowes *Rivers *Millers *Noni B *Target (undergoing redevelopment; to reopen 2007) *Specialty stores stocking Roxy, Rusty, Billabong, Diesel, Independent, Voodoo Dolls, O'Neill etc.
- Footwear: *Mathers *Payless
- Books: *Angus and Robertson *Dymocks *Reader's Companion
- Furniture /Electrical/ Hardware: *Retravision *Harvey Norman *Dick Smith Electronics *Fantastic Furniture *Mitre 10 *Sleep City *Everyday Living *2-3 large second-hand dealers (furniture, whitegoods etc.)
- Discount: *Crazy Clark's *3 local Op Shops dealing in clothing/ furniture etc.
- Video Hire: *Civic Video *Video Ezy
Services
As a major retail centre with a substantial population, Armidale provides all services and facilities you would expect from a large city. These include:
- Education:
- The University of New England
- TAFE
- 4 private secondary schools (3 boarding)
- 2 public secondary schools
- 4 private primary schools
- 7 public primary schools
- 6 main childcare centres + Family Day Care
- Financial:
- Major banks/ credit unions/ building societies including: *Commonwealth *ANZ *National *St. George.
- Centrelink office.
- Medical:
- Over 40 individual medical practitioners/ medical centres.
- Dental practitioners
- Major Hospital.
- Medicare office
- 6 major pharmacies
- Qualified naturopaths and alternative therapists
- Travel
- Large Airport: *flights to and from capital cities and regional centres each day *economical charter flights *flight schools
- Railway Station: XPT service to and from Sydney each day
- Local and interstate bus services
- Countrylink office
- Travel Agencies
- NRMA office
- RTA Motor Registry
- 7 major new/ used car dealerships.
- 5 major service stations offering fuel discounts.
- Large number of reputable motor mechanics.
- Beauty
- Hairdressers
- Numerous beauty salons
- Major Real Estate Agencies: including:
- *First National *Ray White*Uphill and Schaffer *Century 21, dealing with local rental properties.
- Public Library (also UNE's Dixson and associated libraries).
- Numerous Churches and Religious Organizations, with a diversity of faiths represented.
Cultural Interests
has a vibrant cultural heritage reflected throughout the city; in its historical architecture, its arts organisations and facilities, and its celebrated festivals.- Heritage Centres
- Armidale city is home to 35 major National Trust buildings, including Booloominbah (heart of the UNE campus), Saumarez homestead, and the majestic Catholic and Anglican cathedrals.
- Armidale Regional Art Museum (NERAM) – housing the famous Hinton and Coventry collections, and hosting major contemporary/iconic exhibitions.
- Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place
- New England Conservatorium of Music
- Newling Centre for the Performing Arts
- Armidale Folk Museum
- Hunter River Lancers' Museum
- Groups/ Associations
Armidale has many prominent groups involved in all areas of the arts, with new members always welcome. Specialities include:
- Pottery
- Spinning and Weaving
- Painting/ Sculpture/ Life Drawing
- Quilting
- Environmentalists (eg. Armidale Tree Group)
- International (also specialties in music, food and art forms)
- Drama/ Theatre (various local groups staging regular major scale productions each year)
- Music (huge diversity of reknowned vocal and instrumental ensembles/ bands/ performers)
- History (including the New England Mediaeval Arts Society - NEMAS, who foster arts such as armoury, costumery and sword fighting, and biennially construct an authentic working Viking Village in the local pine forest; and and the New England Colonial Living History Group that provides historical trekking, living history, experimental archaeology, period living skills, primitive wilderness survival skills and much more.)
- Festivals/ Events
- Autumn Festival and Parade
- Womens' Comedy Festival (local, national and international acts)
- Wool Expo and Fashion Awards (nationally recognized event)
- NEMAS Easter Gathering (local, national and international participants)
Sporting and Recreation
An educational centre from the late 1830s, Armidale
- Armidale features 34 hectares of sporting ovals and playing fields, and a vast array of indoor/ outdoor sporting and recreation facilities. All the following are available within or around the city:
- Armidale Aquatic Centre (outdoor pools)
- Two heated pools (indoor:UNE and The Armidale School)
- 3 Gyms
- Ballet and Dance
- Aerobics, Pilates, Yoga, fitness etc.
- Gymnastics
- Martial Arts
- Army Reserves
- Skate Boarding
- Horse Riding
- Ten Pin Bowling
- Roller Skating
- Canoeing
- White Water Rafting
- Abseiling
- Archery
- Weight Lifting
- Sword fighting
- Fencing
- Cycling
- Parachuting
- Gliding
- Rock Wall Climbing
- Moutain Climbing
- Bushwalking
- Orienteering
- Trout Fishing
- Tennis
- Squash
- Cricket (indoor and outdoor)
- Softball
- Hockey
- Netball
- Football (Soccer)
- Rugby
- and more!
Natural Assets
- The National Parks surrounding Armidale are an endless source of inspiration and recreation, for residents and visitors alike.
- Throughout the panoramic terrain of mountain, eucalypt and sub- tropical rainforest, open woodlands and towering waterfalls; camping, picnicking, bushwalking, sky gazing, climbing, fishing, swimming, canoeing and bird watching are among popular pastimes, all just moments from the city ...;
- Point Lookout in New England National Park (steep walks with spectacular views; majestic rock faces for mountain climbing etc.)
- Dorrigo National Park – World Heritage listed (features famous Skywalk over forest canopy; range of walks through extraordinary rainforest).
- Oxley Wild Rivers National Park (wonderful walks, waterholes and waterfalls inc. the awe-inspiring Dangar Falls)
- Guy Fawkes National Park (featuring the magnificent Ebor Falls)
- Cathedral Rock National Park (variety of walking trails from 15 minutes to 2-3 days)
- Mount Yarrowyck (historic Aboriginal rock painting site).