Can anyone suggest a place to stop over "free camping" for one night near Tamwor

Sheba Dam near Nundle may be a go. I have not been there for many years but it was a nice quiet camp ground.
From MyNRMA
If camping is more your thing, Nundle also has a couple of great locations to pitch a tent.

At Sheba Dams, high in the hills above town near Hanging Rock, miners constructed two dams in the late 1800s to provide sluicing water for extracting gold. Today, the dams provide a terrific spot to camp for a few days, especially in summer with the kids. You can indulge in three of the essential rituals of a rural upbringing: fishin', swimmin' and catchin' yabbies. Toilets, tables and an undercover cooking shed are provided at the dams.

A 1.2km walking track runs around Sheba Dams. Along the way, you'll see some wonderful high altitude eucalypts, including the Manna Gum, Snow Gum and Black Sally, plus Silver and Black wattles. Birdlife at Sheba Dams includes Black Duck and Wood Duck, plus rosellas and finches. If you're lucky, you may see a wedge tailed eagle or a yellow-tailed black cockatoo.

Ponderosa Park is another picturesque camping area, also reached via the Hanging Rock road. Set in a cluster of magnificent pines, toilets and barbecues are provided here also.


Regards Philip A

G'day PradOz

There's free camping beside the Macdonald River at Bendemeer - in behind the horse sports area. It may well be very hot by then but if it's just a sleep stop - enjoy.

Cheers

After passing through Wallabadah we stopped at a great spot by theQirrindi Creek. We were headed to Tamworth for the CMF so there were quite a few stoppers there but there was still plenty of space for everyone. Toilets, water & shade. I think we drove into First Fleet Park. Very impressed

Di

Many thanks for these ideas. I will check them out further when i get home on Wed. Thanks again....

As others have said there is Wallabadah (45 minutes or so) to the south and Bendemeer (35 minutes) to the north. Sheeba dams is a very nice spot but is well off the highway and would add considerably to journey time.

Wallabadah is an overnight camping area. It will be warm in December.
Wallabadah has the First Fleet Memorial Gardens.

Bendemeer has a rest area immediately south of the Rodeo Ground. Camping there should not be longer than "a few days".Bendemeer overnight temperature is much cooler than Tamworth, making it the place to camp in summer.

Bendemeer has had a major blue over free camping or not free camping. The council was involved in settling it. The end result is basically this.

Free camping south of the Rodeo Ground.
Camping prohibited north of the caravan park. Move on orders are given!

The area south of Rodeo Ground has good amenities.

Access to the camping area south of the Rodeo Ground is a bit tricky. There is a dirt road between the New England Highway (bypass road) and the caravan park which has a servo out the front. The dirt road goes down to the Rodeo Ground. If you finish up on the same side of the river as the pub, you are on the wrong side of the river. Many travellers miss the dirt road, it is easy to drive past it, and roam aimlessly around town until they get directions.

The Pioneer General Store is very traveller friendly and it is worth calling in and ordering a "Fergie burger" from Phil or Louise. The store is on the main street as is the pub.

Bendemeer is home of the Grey Fergie Tractor Muster.

Flynnie

Hi PradoOz,
Woolomin just south of Dungowan on the Nundle road there is a free camp spot down by the river behind the general store. The general store there sells just about anything from grog to fuel. Their hamburgers are a pretty decent feed as well.

Last I heard there is power available for around $5 a night if required.

Bowling Alley Point just a little further on and is a good spot as well but it has a fee for use and I am not sure what that is but it is right alongside the lake and looks beaut.

Woolomin is #154 in Camps Australia Wide and Bowling Alley Point is #155.

Cheers, Bruce.