oom facilities are available for all shoppers, as well as ATM facilities.
� Southgate Shopping Centre in South Tamworth is home to Bi-Lo and other speciality shops. The centre was the first mall to be built in Tamworth.
� Tamworth Home space is located out at the Longyard. It is a bulk goods complex. It also contains two large gyms (Jetts 24hr Fitness and Inspirations) and Outback Jacks Bar and Grill, a family restaurant.
� Calala Court shopping complex , located in Calala, was opened in 2007. It has 10 speciality shops and an IGA supermarket.
Other shopping complexes in Tamworth include Robert St Shopping Centre and the Longyard Homemakers Centre.
Tourism
Tourism is an important industry, worth over A$110 m annually, with by far the most significant draw being the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival, the biggest event of its type in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere.
Country Music Festival
Tamworth is best known for hosting the Country Music Festival. The Festival is held over a period of 10 days during January, and is the second biggest country music festival in the world. The festival has many times been counted among the world's top ten music festivals. In 2007, Forbes rated it as number 8 of the World�s Coolest Music Festivals. It features thousands of Australian and international country music artists performing live shows 24 hours a day. Each year, an estimated 100,000 people pass through Tamworth for the festival, with around 70,000 staying for a substantial duration of the festival, with some camping along the banks of the Peel River.
The 10-day festival culminates in the Golden Guitar Awards � the most prestigious award Australian country music artists can win for their music. In honour of its country music, Tamworth is home to the 'Big Golden Guitar', the wax museum and the hands of fame park of successful
