Glen Innes Celtic Monument

Rising from the New England tablelands like a stone circle from an ancient myth, the Glen Innes Celtic Monument is a striking tribute to the region’s deep Celtic heritage. Set within the Australian Standing Stones, this open-air monument is the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, inspired by the megalithic circles of Scotland, Ireland and Brittany. It’s a place where history, landscape and legend converge, offering a unique cultural stop on a road trip through northern NSW.

Highlights & What to See

• Australian Standing Stones – 40 granite monoliths arranged in a 30-metre circle, aligned with the solstices and equinoxes. Each stone represents a Celtic nation, making this a living calendar and a symbolic meeting place.
• Celtic Music & Festivals – If you time your visit for the Australian Celtic Festival (held annually in late April/early May), the site comes alive with pipe bands, Highland dancing, storytelling and folk music.
• Interpretive Centre – The small on-site centre explains the history of Celtic migration to Australia and the monument’s construction, with artefacts and interactive displays.
• Wiradjuri & Celtic Connections – The monument also acknowledges the Aboriginal custodians of the land, with interpretive panels that explore the parallels between Celtic and Indigenous spiritual connections to the land.
• Panoramic Views – The site sits on a gentle hill, offering sweeping views over the New England countryside – perfect for a picnic or a moment of quiet reflection.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow 1–2 hours to walk the circle, visit the centre and soak up the atmosphere. If you’re attending the festival, plan for a half-day or more. The monument is easily combined with a stop in Glen Innes town (5 minutes’ drive) for lunch or a coffee at a local café.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Glen Innes – The historic town itself has a lovely main street with art deco buildings, antique shops and the Land of the Beardies History House Museum.
• Waterfall Way – Drive east towards Dorrigo and Coffs Harbour, passing Ebor Falls and Dangar Falls – a scenic route through rainforest and gorges.
• New England National Park – About an hour south, this park offers dramatic escarpment views, walking trails and cool temperate rainforest.
• Armidale – A university city with excellent museums, galleries and the spectacular Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
• Port Macquarie – A 2.5-hour drive east takes you to the coast, where you can enjoy beaches, the Koala Hospital and the Hastings River.

Please check official sources for current details.