Tenterfield Saddler and the Best Things to do in Tenterfield

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Tenterfield Saddler and the Best Things to do in Tenterfield

Like most of us, my husband and I work a lot, and unfortunately our days off don’t always align. So when we get a weekend that matches up, we try to make the most of it! That means a day trip, an overnight trip, or a road trip. Our visit to Tenterfield, over the Queensland border and into New South Wales, turned into all three!

Can you even call yourself Australian and not love Peter Allen? I have my doubts! I’m still not sure what got the idea in my head, maybe I’d recently heard the iconic song on spotify? But I decided we had to visit the heritage-listed Tenterfield Saddler in the historic NSW town of Tenterfield.

Where is Tenterfield?

Tenterfield is in New South Wales, in the New England region to be more exact. We hail from the Scenic Rim in Queensland, which took us about 3.5 hours by car, passing by Stanthorpe and Girraween National Park, which we had also recently visited. It is a similar driving distance from Brisbane city or even if you’re coming from the Gold Coast. However, for Sydney visitors it will take around 7 to 8 hours of driving, as Tenterfield is situated very close to the Queensland border.

I should note that if you are visiting from Queensland during daylight saving hours… remember to account for the hour time difference when making plans. We overlooked that, and were lucky to make it to the Tenterfield Saddler before they closed for the day! Rookie error.

Visiting the Tenterfield Saddler

We planned to arrive into Tenterfield at around 10am, but based on our daylight saving oversight, it was closer to 11am AESDT time. The Tenterfield Saddler hours are varied, but on the Saturday we visited it was being run by volunteers until midday, which luckily gave us plenty of time to visit.

We were greeted by a lovely gentleman who has lived in Tenterfield all his life, and knew George Woolnough and Peter Allen personally. What a fortunate experience we had, getting to hear his insights and learn more about the saddler behind the song. There is a lot of memorabilia in the saddlery, including autographed pictures from Hugh Jackman who played Peter Allen in the theatre production, newspaper clippings, photographs and also the tools and workshop from the saddlery trade.

After speaking with the locals, we also heard that the Tenterfield Saddler has been sold to new owners. At this stage, the volunteers weren’t completely certain of the saddlery’s future. We can only hope it is preserved as it should be, and that these irreplaceable volunteers can keep sharing their wealth of knowledge with visitors to Tenterfield.

Our wonderful host also took us step by step through the song verses and uncovered the meaning behind each verse.

The Tenterfield Saddler Song Lyrics Meaning

“Tenterfield Saddler” by Peter Allen is a heartfelt homage to his family history. The opening verse introduces his grandfather, George Woolnough, who was the hardworking Tenterfield Saddler who crafted saddles in the town for over 50 years.

The song tells Peter Allen’s story, as well as the story of George and his son, Dick (Peter Allen’s father), whose struggles with PTSD and alcoholism ended in suicide when Peter was just 13 years old.

Peter Allen reflects upon the disconnection from his grounded grandfather, in comparison to his own nomadic lifestyle and experiences. The lyrics delve into themes of family legacy, contrasting lifestyles, and the search for belonging, making it a deeply personal exploration of Peter Allen’s roots.

Things to do in Tenterfield

Because we were not early enough birds, arriving in Tenterfield later than planned… we missed the Tenterfield Railway markets, which are held the 4th Saturday of each month. So instead of hitting the markets, we had a great time exploring the town’s historical buildings and sites!

Tenterfield Memorial Hall (1914)

Tenterfield Memorial Hall was founded in 1914 to honour soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War I. This hall stands not only as a tribute to their them, but also as a symbol of the enduring spirit of the Tenterfield community. Originally built as a memorial, the hall now also serves as a vibrant community centre, hosting a variety of events and gatherings that bring residents together.

Tenterfield Courthouse (1885)

Located not far from the town hall, the courthouse is a charming example of Victorian-era architecture. In fact, the entire township has a charming feel to it! It reminded us of our visit to places like Ross, that we visited during our Tasmania family holiday road trip. The courthouse still continues to function as a local court, presiding over legal proceedings in Tenterfield.

Tenterfield Town Hall (1914)

Tenterfield Town Hall is a prominent landmark in the heart of the town. Built in 1914, this impressive looking building stands as a symbol of Tenterfield’s growth. The Edwardian style construction replaced an earlier town hall that had been built in 1863. The clock tower adds a touch of grandeur to the township. Originally the town hall served as the seat of local government, and today it stills hosts council meetings, community events, and even weddings and ceremonies.

Tenterfield Uniting Church (1930)

The Tenterfield Uniting Church has a timeless appeal. Despite not being religious, there’s something about church buildings that I am weirdly drawn to. This one, framed by beautiful greenery, had the most beautiful serenity about it. The original church was actually built in 1898, but was hit by a lightning strike in 1929 and burnt to the ground, hence being rebuilt in 1930. This church is no longer open for regular services, but is open to the public during the week at set times, and also serves as a non-denominational church for weddings.

Tenterfield School of Arts (1876)

Tenterfield School of Arts was originally used as a school but is now used as a performance venue. The institution holds a special place in the town’s history. In 1889 it is where Sir Henry Parkes delivered his seminal speech that ignited the movement for Australian Federation. Sir Henry Parkes’ speech is widely seen as one of the catalysts for the Federation movement, which led to the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. Today, the building serves as The National Trust’s inaugural museum and is affectionately referred to as the ‘birthplace of our nation.’

The complex now also features the Tenterfield Cinema & Theatre. It features state of the art digital projection and screenings of all the latest movies, as well as live performances of music and theatre.

Tenterfield Creek Railway Bridge (1888)

This wonky bridge on the way in/out of Tenterfield (if heading from/to Queensland), was just screaming out to us to STOP and take some photos. We obliged. Dating back to 1888, this historic bridge stands as a testament to late 19th-century engineering, and served as a vital link on the Main North Line, connecting New South Wales and Queensland. Despite its decommissioning for passenger and freight trains in the later 20th century, the bridge remains a cherished heritage-listed site.

Wallancarra Railway Station (1877)

Wallangarra Railway Station is nestled right on the Queensland-New South Wales border, and we had no idea about its existence until we were looking at it.

Built in 1877, Wallangarra Railway Station was the first permanent station on the Queensland border, playing a vital role – because it was where trains from Queensland and New South Wales could switch tracks. See, back then, Queensland and New South Wales used different widths for their train tracks. Wallangarra was where they made the switch between the two types, like changing lanes in traffic.

Its unique design features separate waiting rooms and awnings reflecting the architectural styles of both states. While its significance waned over time with the establishment of new railway links, Wallangarra Station remains a heritage-listed site managed by Queensland Rail.

State Border

The obligatory state border stop and photo op.

We had never crossed through from Queensland to New South Wales via this route before, and as far as border points go… this particular spot is seriously cool! There is lots of information about the Tenterfield region, as well as a massive QUEENSLANDER sign! Plus, some maps and state totem poles as well.

Ending our Visit to Tenterfield

We continued our weekend back on the Queensland side of the border, as we had booked a night of accommodation in Warwick. However, we can safely say that the quaint town exceeded our expectations. Tenterfield indeed charmed us with its history, leaving us eager to return and uncover more of the local gems.