Major city · Australia
Tingha
Go for one night, or as a half-day stop off the Inverell–Glen Innes road: the tin-mining museum, the Stonewoman site and fossicking are the whole trip.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Dec–Feb (summer heat and storms); the Tin Festival is in November, so book beds early that month
- Airports
- IVR · ARM
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
Tingha is a village of about 830 people in the New England tablelands, 27 km south-east of Inverell. It exists on the map because of tin: commercial mines opened in the 1870s, about 1,000 of the 5,000 arrivals were Chinese, and the boom was over by the early 1900s. What is left is one heritage emporium, a cultural walk, fossicking ground and a pub. One night covers it; two nights only if you are camping at Copeton Dam or fossicking seriously.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tingha, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyLow crime, high distance.
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From a mobile · +61 2 6723 (≈ US$4,500) 3444 (≈ US$2,500) Tingha Police Station (not 24 h)
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIVR Inverell Airport (Nearest airport, about 27 km north; Link Airways flies to Brisbane and Sydney on weekdays.IVR Inverell Airport (Nearest airport, about 17 mi north; Link Airways flies to Brisbane and Sydney on weekdays.
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or a counter meal at the Red Rose CafeA$5–25 (≈ US$4–17)
- BeerBeer at the Royal HotelA$7–10 (≈ US$5–7)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry, Wing Hing LongA$3 (≈ US$2) per person
- Budget bedPowered caravan or camping site, a night, per roomA$35 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedPub room (Royal Hotel), a night, per roomA$140 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedPub room (Royal Hotel), a night, per roomA$190 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$160 (≈ US$110) · High A$280 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IVR Inverell Airport (Nearest airport, about 27 km north; Link Airways flies to Brisbane and Sydney on weekdays. No scheduled bus meets the flights.) · ARM Armidale Airport (Nearest airport with a wider schedule, about 101 km south-east; about 1 h 10 min by car.)IVR Inverell Airport (Nearest airport, about 17 mi north; Link Airways flies to Brisbane and Sydney on weekdays. No scheduled bus meets the flights.) · ARM Armidale Airport (Nearest airport with a wider schedule, about 63 mi south-east; about 1 h 10 min by car.)
Weather and climate
Tingha: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C86°F
16°C61°F
8 rd
Feb
29°C84°F
16°C61°F
8 rd
Mar
27°C81°F
14°C57°F
7 rd
Apr
24°C75°F
10°C50°F
6 rd
May
20°C68°F
6°C43°F
6 rd
Jun
16°C61°F
3°C37°F
6 rd
Jul
15°C59°F
2°C36°F
6 rd
Aug
17°C63°F
3°C37°F
5 rd
Sep
21°C70°F
6°C43°F
5 rd
Oct
24°C75°F
9°C48°F
7 rd
Nov
27°C81°F
12°C54°F
8 rd
Dec
29°C84°F
15°C59°F
8 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. There is no local bus, no taxi based in the village and no rideshare. Rental cars are picked up in Inverell, Glen Innes or Armidale. Fuel is at Tingha Independent on the corner of Opal and Ruby Streets, with shorter weekend hours, so fill up before Sunday afternoon. Distances are short but the roads are rural: Inverell 27 km (about 22 min), Guyra 64 km, Glen Innes 75 km, Armidale 101 km.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 25 min each way
Drive Guyra Road then Bundarra Road, 27 kmDrive Guyra Road then Bundarra Road, 17 mi
Supermarket, ATMs, car rental and the visitor information centre that also serves as the coach terminal.
Door to door: About 1 h 5 min each way
Drive Guyra Road, Stannifer and Dodds Lane to the Gwydir Highway, 75 kmDrive Guyra Road, Stannifer and Dodds Lane to the Gwydir Highway, 47 mi
Colonial main street and the standing stones at Emmaville on the way.
Door to door: About 1 h 10 min each way
Drive via Inverell and the Girdir Highway, 95 kmDrive via Inverell and the Girdir Highway, 59 mi
Gorge walk and a restored art deco cinema; pairs well with a fossicking morning.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min each way
Drive via Inverell and the Gwydir Highway, about 120 kmDrive via Inverell and the Gwydir Highway, about 75 mi
Long for a return day on top of sightseeing; better as a stop when moving west.
Door to door: About 1 h 45 min each way
Drive via Inverell and Bonshaw, about 130 kmDrive via Inverell and Bonshaw, about 81 mi
Too far for a day return; fold it into a longer New England loop.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ruby Street village centre
The pub and the store are on this block; walk to everything, including the coach stop at the police station.
Tingha Gems Caravan Park
91 Swimming Pool Road, about 1.4 km north of the village; the practical base for caravans, campers and fossickers.91 Swimming Pool Road, about 0.9 mi north of the village; the practical base for caravans, campers and fossickers.
Green Valley Park
161 Jones Road, about 11 km south-east; holiday park with day entry and accommodation, so you trade walkability for facilities.161 Jones Road, about 6.8 mi south-east; holiday park with day entry and accommodation, so you trade walkability for facilities.
Copeton Dam, eastern shore
About 24 km west at the end of Howell Road; free camping with toilets and bins, no other facilities. Bring everything.About 15 mi west at the end of Howell Road; free camping with toilets and bins, no other facilities. Bring everything.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$90–150 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$150–260 (≈ US$100–180) excl. bed
- High
- A$260 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pub room (Royal Hotel)1 × 1 night × A$140 | A$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$160 | A$320 |
| Wing Hing Long Heritage Emporium entry2 × A$3 | A$6 |
| Green Valley Park day entry2 × A$15 · A$8 seniors, free under 2 | A$30 |
| Fuel, 200 km of local driving1 × A$40 | A$40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$20 | A$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$58 |
| Trip total≈ A$317 per person per day, bed included | A$634≈ US$450 |
Phone for rates and availability
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Museum entry, Wing Hing Long | A$3 (≈ US$2) per person |
| Green Valley Park day entry | A$15 (≈ US$10) per person, A$8 (≈ US$6) seniors, free under 2 |
| Coffee or a counter meal at the Red Rose Cafe | A$5–25 (≈ US$4–17) |
| Beer at the Royal Hotel | A$7–10 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Fuel, per litre | A$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) |
| Camping at Copeton Dam, eastern shore | No fees |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- There are no ATMs in the village. Bring cash for the museum, the pub and the store; cards may not work everywhere.
- The police station is not open 24 hours and the hospital is a small multipurpose service. For anything serious you are transferred to Inverell or Armidale.
- Mobile coverage is patchy on the back roads to Copeton Dam and Stonewoman; download offline maps before you leave town.
- Kangaroos and livestock on the road at dawn and dusk, and unsealed sections on the Copeton and Stonewoman routes.
- Summer days push past 30 °C with little shade at the fossicking and dam sites; carry more water than you think you need.Summer days push past 86 °F with little shade at the fossicking and dam sites; carry more water than you think you need.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
- Tingha Police Station (not 24 h)
- +61 2 6723 3444
- Tingha Multipurpose Service Hospital
- +61 2 6723 3266
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
TinghaTingha
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Can you take me to this address?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
- Tingha Police Station (not 24 h)+61 2 6723 3444
- Tingha hospital+61 2 6723 3266
Embassy
No embassies in Tingha. The nearest consular help is in Sydney; US, UK, Canadian and other missions are all in Canberra or Sydney.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- NSW TrainLink coach, Inverell → Tingha: Route 338, Tuesdays only, departs Inverell 06:20, arrives Tingha 06:50; book aheadRoute 338, Tuesdays only, departs Inverell 6:20 AM, arrives Tingha 6:50 AM; book ahead
- NSW TrainLink coach, Armidale → Tingha: Route 337, Tuesdays only, departs Armidale 17:50, arrives Tingha 18:48; book aheadRoute 337, Tuesdays only, departs Armidale 5:50 PM, arrives Tingha 6:48 PM; book ahead
- Coach stop: Opal Street, outside the police station
- Taxi to or from Inverell: Inverell Taxis; call well ahead and ask the fare before booking
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where's the servo? — Where is the petrol station?
- Do you take card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there an ATM in town? — Is there an ATM here?
- How far to Inverell? — How far is it to Inverell?
No ATMs in the village: carry cash for the museum, the pub and the store.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tingha. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Dec–Feb (summer heat and storms); the Tin Festival is in November, so book beds early that month · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for IVR and ARM: Link Airways weekday schedule, no bus link, taxi and rental fallbacks.
- Four walking and driving clusters with anchors: Ruby Street village, Stonewoman, Copeton Dam, Green Valley Park.
- Place pages with verified hours for Wing Hing Long and Green Valley Park, and eat pages with last orders at the Red Rose Cafe and the Royal Hotel.
- Fuel, cash and coverage fixtures so the arrival gates can go green.