AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 85DESTINATION TAMWORTH
exercise, but the 360-degree views are
breathtaking. We managed to
squeeze our bikes up the walkway
to get a nice photo of them with
Tamworth as the backdrop.
Nundle is a 45-minute scenic ride
east of Tamworth along the Peel River,
past the Chaff ey Dam and through the
Dungowan Valley. At Nundle, take a
short walk around the historic village
and check out the Nundle Woollen Mill
which is in working condition.
Hanging Rock is just a few
minutes up the twisting road into themountains. You can tour the Arc-En-
Ciel Trout Farm or relax or camp by the
lake. You can also check out and stay
at the aptly named Dag Sheep Station,
Fossickers Tourist Park, The Peel Inn or
Birches B&B.
The pre y li le town of Willow Tree
on the New England Highway is worth a
stop as you head north from Sydney. It’s
also about 45 minutes from Tamworth.
Have a look at the First Fleet Gardens
at Wallabadah and then ride on to have
lunch at one of the best pubs in NSW —
The Willow Tree Inn.Heading north-west on Fossickers Way,
it’s 45 minutes to the once-grand Manilla,
which is still in pristine condition. Ride a
further 25 minutes to Mt Borah, famous
for its paragliding a er hosting the world
championships there in 2007. It has
stunning views across the whole region
and out to Gunnedah.WOMEN RULE AT
NORTH WEST HOG
CHAPTER
Female riders seem to rule at the
North West HOG Chapter in Tamworth.
The HOG Chapter, which hosted the
24th annual HOG Rally from February
27 to March 1, has only 50 members,
but 16 are women and most of those
are in leading positions. President
Jackie Hudson says some rides are
50-50 males and females.
“The committee is nearly all
women,” reveals Jackie, who rides
a Softail Deluxe. Jackie says that
because women do most of the social
organisation it is a “very social”
chapter. “We go to a lot of balls, play
golf together and go to the races. We
just have a good time,” she says.
The North West HOG Chapter
covers a huge area of the northwest
of NSW, with members coming long
distances just to join social rides
starting at the Harley dealership in
Tamworth. The big number of female
riders not only makes it a very social
chapter, but also well organised and a
big fundraiser.
“We raise $12,000 a year mainly
from two big events,” says Jackie.
“We have a Poker Run in January
during the Country Music Festival
which raises about $6000 for the
local Ronald McDonald House Harley
Room. We also have mouse races with
real mice that raise another $6000 for
Camp Quality. All our fundraising is
for local children’s charities.”
Lady of Harley Alana Embleton
says women have become more
independent over the years and are
seeing other women riding, which
encourages more to join in. “We can’t
let the guys have all the fun,” says the
CVO Fat Boy owner.
Deluxe rider Janeen Morgan says
women are “just as good as the men.
I grew up on a farm and we rode
motorbikes as kids.”►ARR112_080-087_Tamworth.indd 85ARR112_080-087_Tamworth.indd 85 2/3/2015 9:47:32 AM2/3/2015 9:47:32 AM