A patch of land out the back of the Imperial Hotel at Quirindi is about to be turned into a market. The aim is boost tourism to the area after a lull due to restrictions. It will bring in goodies from around the region (and down to Muswellbrook). The first one, on March 6, will have food, drink, gardening, health and beauty items and kids activities such as jumping castles and face painting. After that it will be held on the first Saturday of each month from 8am to 3pm. Potential stallholders should contact Tracy McFarlane via Facebook or her mobile on 0408265333.

Diana Lampard and Veronica Filby have put their heads together to create the first "Your Creative Escape" to be held in Currabubula. It will be a fun, inclusive space for women to be creative, spend time together and make friends. The Little Flower School from Tamworth will run a flower crown workshop using fresh blooms and foliage and artist Jodie Herden will run a workshop to create your own version of Van Gogh's "Starry Night". Tickets for Your Creative Escape at the Currabubula Pub and Café go on sale on February 13 at 9am at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/your-creative-escape-tickets-137057479611.

Are you a Sheldon at heart (he of Big Bang Theory who was a lover of trains big and small)? If so, you'll be delighted to learn that the Tamworth Miniature Railway will be back on the tracks on February 21. After being shut down due to COVID-19 restrictions it's making a comeback, thanks to the dedication of the Tamworth and District Model Engineers. The plan is to run a train every 10 minutes, with each train holding one family booking. The train will be cleaned after each ride and hand sanitiser will be available. You can book at tamworthminiaturetrainrides@gmail.com. Cost is $10 per train, with up to eight people on a train.

The sound of pipes will be swirling and the drums will be pounding at Qurindi's Longfield Oval for the Liverpool Plains Military Tattoo on March 6. There will be market stalls and a variety of entertainment, other than the Scottish variety during the day and in the evening all of the colour of the tattoo. The day will finish with fireworks.

IF you're feeling the need for speed then Gunnedah Airport is the place to be with popular drag racing meetings set to return. The first of four Weeks of Speed events hosted by Tamworth Drag Racing Association (TDRA) at Gunnedah will kick off on the weekend of March 6 and 7. The organisers are hoping for spectators, so put this on in the diary. 41 Wean Rd.

After a year off, the Gunnedah Country Music Muster will be back with some foot stomping fun in March. The line-up for the three-day event includes Grant Luhrs, Bob Easter, former Gunnedah local John Lynch and Max Maher. Gunnedah, various, March 24-26. Tickets are $20 a person a day. Bookings: or Rex Baldwin on 0428 486 134.

Camping is on the rise as people look to save money and have COVID-19 friendly holidays. As a result more people have been flocking to our beautiful countryside to pitch a tent and have a few adventures. On our doorstep is the Warrabah National park, with the Namoi River providing spots to cool your heels (and the rest of you). There's fishing, swimming, kayaking/canoeing and picnics all to be had. The beautiful landscape around Nundle and Hanging is rich with history - there's gold in them hills. Further afield you can visit the Warrumbungle National Park (a dark sky area, so great for star gazing from your campsite) and the Pilliga National Park (check out the Sculptures in the Scrub). Various

Checking out the new Maize Mill mura? Add the laneway art in the walkway from Conadilly Street to Coles to your itinerary. The work references community groups and Aboriginal culture, as well as the region's art and culture. Spot the green plains, local fishing spots and, of course, Gunnedah's famous koalas in the work.