Big Golden Guitar

The Big Golden Guitar was born from the vision of Warwick Bennett, a former mayor of Tamworth, and Max Ellis, the Country Music Festival marketing manager, who wanted to create a landmark befitting Australia's Country Music Capital. Construction began in 1987, and the monument cost $30,000 to build using fibreglass and steel. The design is based on the Golden Guitar trophy, which was created by local artist Harry Frost in 1972 for the Country Music Awards of Australia. The original trophy stands only 22 cm high and weighs 1.5 kg, based on the acoustic guitar used by many country performers. When country music legend Slim Dusty and Tourism NSW General Manager Paul Crombie officially opened the Big Golden Guitar on January 25, 1988, it instantly became Tamworth's most recognizable symbol. The guitar notably has no strings, as it was modeled directly on the trophy design. Over the decades, the site has expanded to include museums, a café, and extensive country music memorabilia, cementing its place as a pilgrimage site for country music fans worldwide.

More Fun Facts

• •The Big Golden Guitar has no strings because it was modeled directly on the Golden Guitar Award trophy
• •It weighs half a tonne (approximately 1,000 pounds) and stands 12 meters tall
• •The original Golden Guitar trophy it's based on is only 22 cm high and weighs 1.5 kg
• •Country music legend Slim Dusty officially opened the monument on January 25, 1988
• •The project cost $30,000 in 1988 to complete
• •The guitar was designed by local artist Harry Frost in 1972, based on acoustic guitars used by country performers
• •The complex includes the National Guitar Museum and Country Music Wax Museum featuring country music legends
• •Tamworth hosts the largest country music festival in the Southern Hemisphere every January, attracting over 50,000 visitors

Visiting Tips

• 💡Visit during the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January for an unforgettable immersive experience, but book accommodation well in advance
• 💡Allow extra time to explore the National Guitar Museum and Country Music Wax Museum on-site
• 💡The Golden Guitar Café serves great coffee and country-style meals - perfect for a break
• 💡The souvenir shop has unique country music memorabilia you won't find elsewhere
• 💡Take photos from different angles - the guitar looks spectacular against blue skies
• 💡Visit the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre at the same complex for tips on other local attractions
• 💡Combine your visit with a tour of other Tamworth country music sites including the Country Music Hall of Fame
• 💡The location is right on the New England Highway, making it an easy stop on road trips between Sydney and Brisbane