If you’re looking to catch the best of autumn foliage without the coastal crowds, there is a quiet loop in the New England High Country that most people miss. Starting and ending in the Celtic hub of Glen Innes, Tourist Drive 11 is a 114km circuit, extending to around 140km with detours that presents a high-altitude journey with scenic views and deciduous trees that turn deep shades of red and gold around this time of year. The route offers a practical alternative for those who find the main highways too busy during peak leaf-peeping season, winding past a series of small towns, including Emmaville and Deepwater, with plenty of quaint stops along the way. Because of the elevation, the air here is crisper and autumn colour more consistent, making it a strong seasonal option if you’re looking to make the most of this time of year. Here is everything you need to know about navigating the loop.
Tourist Drive 11
The drive begins in Glen Innes, where you can fuel up at local favourites like The Local or Crofters Cottage — cosy spots perfect for a coffee or a quick bite before hitting the road. From here, you’ll head north-west toward Emmaville, with the landscape opening into wide country scenery. This stretch is particularly picturesque in May, with sections of the roadside lined with rows of mature poplars that drop heavy blankets of gold leaves beneath them. As you reach Emmaville, the town’s mining history is front and centre. Once a tin-mining hub, the town retains a number of well-preserved buildings and a small museum that gives a sense of its past, alongside a historic main street that hasn’t changed much over time.
From here, the route continues towards Torrington, where rugged views and granite formations replace the wide, open farmland. This section leads into the Torrington State Conservation Ground, home to one of the standout highlights of the drive: the natural monoliths often compared to Australia’s “Stonehenge.” These balancing stones are a unique geological quirk of the region and are well worth a stop.
The final leg of the circuit brings you to Deepwater, a quiet township situated along the river of the same name. Its compact centre and tree-lined streets come into their own in autumn, with pockets of colour around the town and along the riverbanks. Don’t forget to stop for a drink at the Deepwater Brewery. It’s a serene and low-key stop to round out the drive before looping back to Glen Innes.
Key features
- Where: Glen Innes loop (New England High Country, NSW)
- Distance: 114km (core) / 140km (with Torrington detour)
- Time: 2–3 hours (with no stops)
- Best time: Late April to mid-May (for peak autumn colour)
- Highlights: Emmaville heritage streets; Torrington granite formations, Deepwater River, Stonehenge Recreation Reserve (nearby detour)
- Road conditions: Mostly sealed; some unsealed road near Torrington Vehicle: 2WD suitable in dry conditions
Getting there from Sydney
Glen Innes is approximately 600km north of Sydney, a roughly 7-hour drive via the New England Highway. The loop itself begins and ends in the Glen Innes town centre, making it an easy addition to a weekend stay in the region. Plan your travels on Transport for NSW.
