A PANEL of six respected Australians has concluded what many locals have proclaimed for years - Tenterfield is ‘perfect’.
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A new list compiled by the Sydney Morning Herald’s Traveller magazine has lauded Tenterfield as a ‘perfect’ destination.
The Traveller assembled the group who have spent years touring the country and asked them to put together a travel guide to the best Australian holiday towns.
The panel included singer-songwriter John Williamson, screenwriter and director Jan Sardi, around-the-world yachtswoman Kay Cottee, artist Garry McEwan, TV personality, singer and dancer Todd McKenney and country singer-songwriter Felicity Urquhart.
Tenterfield ranked on the list as the ‘perfect heritage town’.
“Tenterfield residents have always known Tenterfield is a great place,” Tenterfield mayor Peter Petty said.
“Our history, heritage and scenery are things of which Tenterfield people are extremely proud, however they are always willing to share this with the many visitors who already know of this best kept secret.
“How could you not be happy here,” he said. Todd McKenney, who played Peter Allen in the original The Boy from Oz musical said Allen’s ‘Tenterfield Saddler’ and the town itself were important to the country’s history.
"It's always felt a very important place to me.
"That's a song that I've always found incredibly moving. As well as being a song about Peter's father, who shot himself, it's also a song about the timelessness of life in the Australian bush, and the toughness. It's become, in itself, an important part of our history."
He went on to say “everyone is incredibly friendly” in Tenterfield.
The Traveller identified Sir Henry Parkes’ Federation Speech, historic buildings and famous former residents as their reason for singling out Tenterfield for the honour.
Tamworth was heralded as the ‘perfect country town’, Lightning Ridge the ‘perfect outback town’ and Yamba the ‘perfect coastal town’.