Sport is an integral part of life in Armidale. From rugby matches, mountain biking and all sorts of competitive and adventurous pursuits to leisurely games of golf and tennis, there’s something for everyone.
SportUNE, the University of New England’s state-of-the-art facilities including a gym, climbing wall, pool, playing fields and tennis and squash courts, is open to visitors and the wider community seven days a week. The international standard Mountain bike tracks will host the World Endurance Mountain Bike events (WEMBO) in 2023.
Seasonal cricket, football, netball, rugby and tennis are popular with all ages, with competition games typically held on Saturdays and casual games on the go at other times.
The local hockey competition attracts a crowd of young (and older) players who, even during extreme winter conditions, such as sleet and driving rain, play on thanks to the campus’ top-notch synthetic fields.
You don’t have to be Tiger Woods to tee off at the picturesque golf courses in Armidale and Guyra and on a glorious day there’s really no better place for a visiting golf enthusiast to be. At the Armidale Golf Club, for instance, everyone is welcome to play social or competition rounds on the magnificent 18-hole championship course surrounded by native bushland. This course, with 25 bunkers protecting the greens, is a challenge for all golfers. The Guyra 18 hole course is set around the Mother of Ducks Lagoon, a nature reserve for migrating birds, quite a spectacular backdrop for this scenic golf course.
Out in the gorges and national parks, hiking, rock climbing and abseiling expeditions range from easy to difficult, and kayaking down the rivers can be a wild ride, particularly after heavy rains. If calmer waters are more your thing, then you’ll find Dumaresq Dam is a peaceful spot to paddle, or head to Malpas Dam, home to the New England Sailing Club and where locals race sailboats on Sundays during summer.
