Topaz Cottage Holiday Accommodation Glen Innes

31/12/2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025
Our best wishes one and all in the new year! January at the provides beautiful late sunsets aligned behind the Avenue looking to the southwest, for much of the month as the Sun begins its journey northward, ever so slow to begin with. And earlybirds can still enjoy the fall of the Summer Solstice stone's shadow onto the central Australis Stone, as pictured!
👉 Sunset is shortly before 8pm all month, making the hour from 7pm a lovely way to start the evening.
👉 A waxing crescent moon close to bright Venus can be enjoyed in these opening days of the year.
👉 Highlight of this is Full Moonrise on Tuesday 14th January! Come up to view moonrise from the central trio of Stones: Half an hour after sunset, at 8:30pm, the big bright Full Moon rises to the northeast right down the Avenue - a beautiful sight!
Moonrise will be in the same position this evening as where the Sun will rise at the winter solstice, an astronomical companion. This is the last of the three north rising Full Moon rises as the Moon makes its journey southward along the horizon.
Visitors will appreciate the excellent amenities available, including a shower, as well as the kids playground and seating. Coffee and refreshment vans will be on site during the month (updates to follow) and the oaktree-shaded garden by Crofter's Cottage is a lovely place to relax.
And every Saturday morning, you can enjoy participating in the highest in the nation with
The 's 2025 featured nations are Wales, Cornwall and Brittany, and Excalibur awaits you by the south end of the complex to have a go!
Enjoy the summer throughout January and we invite you to Get in Here! Come on up to beautiful !

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025
Our best wishes one and all in the new year! January at the provides beautiful late sunsets aligned behind the Avenue looking to the southwest for much of the month as the Sun begins its journey northward, ever so slow to begin with. And earlybirds can still enjoy the fall of the Summer Solstice stone's shadow onto the central Australis Stone, as pictured!

👉 Sunset is shortly before 8pm all month, making the hour from 7pm a lovely way to start the evening.
👉 A waxing crescent moon close to bright Venus can be enjoyed in these opening days of the year.
👉 Highlight of this month is Full Moonrise on Tuesday 14th January! Come up to view moonrise from the central trio of Stones: Half an hour after sunset, at 8:30pm, the big bright Full Moon rises to the northeast right down the Avenue - a beautiful sight!

Moonrise will be in the same position on 14th January as where the Sun will rise at the winter solstice in June, making this an astronomical opposite! This is the last of the three north rising Full Moon rises as the Moon next makes its journey southward along the horizon.

Visitors will appreciate the excellent amenities available, including a shower, as well as the kids playground and seating. Coffee and refreshment vans will be on site during the month (updates to follow) and the oaktree-shaded garden by Crofter's Cottage is a lovely place to relax.

And every Saturday morning, you can enjoy participating in the highest in the nation with Australian Standing Stones parkrun!

The Australian Celtic Festival 2025 featured nations are Wales, Cornwall and Brittany, and Excalibur awaits you by the south end of the complex to have a go!

Enjoy the summer throughout January and we invite you to Get in Here! Come on up to beautiful !

28/12/2024

FAQs for the 2025 Glen Innes Races! 🐎
When is the event? : Saturday, January 11, 2025.
What time do gates open? : Gates open from 11:30 AM.
How much is general admission? : General admission is $15 - tickets to be purchased at the gate.
What activities are planned? :
• Six-race program with bookies and TAB.
• Marquee experience.
• Fashions on the Field.
• Food vans, bar, and BBQ.
• Kids’ area for a family-friendly day out.
• Live music after the last race.
• Official after-party at the Glen Innes Services Club - entertainment by SPLASHPOOL
Will eftpos facilities be available on the day? : Yes, there will be eftpos available.
Are there marquee tickets available, and how much are they? :
Yes, there’s still some marquee tickets on sale for $150
The marquee experience includes:
• Access from 12:00 PM until the last race
• Grazing luncheon catered by Smo-KING Barbecue.
• Beverage package: Beer, wine, champagne, and soft drinks.
• Shade, seating, and access to the VIP bookie in the styled marquee
• Large screens for viewing races from across the nation.
Is there a Calcutta? : ABSOLUTELY 🐎👌
Join us for the 2025 Glen Innes Cup Calcutta on Friday, January 10, 6:00 PM, at the Glen Innes Services Club hosted by Col Say & Co. This exciting event includes a Calcutta for the Magic Millions and is the perfect way to kick off Race Day weekend.
How can I enter Fashions on the Field? :
Presented by WIN TV, Fashions on the Field is a highlight of the Glen Innes Races, celebrating race-day elegance and creativity with the theme “A Day in Bloom.”
Please register on the day to participate - Registrations will be open from 12pm next to the Fashions on the Field stage.
FOTF Categories include:
• Best Dressed Tiny Lady (under 10).
• Best Dressed Tiny Gentleman (under 10).
• Best Dressed Young Lady (10–18 years).
• Best Dressed Young Gentleman (10–18 years).
• Lady of the Day
• Best Dressed Gentleman.
• Best Dressed Couple.
• Best Hat or Fascinator.
Is it too late to sponsor the event? :
No, it’s not too late! Visit our website for details on sponsorship packages.
Where can I find more information or purchase marquee tickets?
Visit the link below for more details and marquee ticket purchases.
https://www.gleninnesjockeyclub.com/
See you trackside - We are gearing up for day full of fun, excitement, and entertainment!
A shout out to our 2025 Glen Innes Races major sponsors : Glen Innes Services Club Campbell's Butchery New England Care Tyrepower Glen Innes Roberts + Morrow WIN Network
Photos by Twelve Points Photography

24/12/2024

A beautiful sunrise in the Glen Innes Highlands.
Photo by Harcourt Studio's
Merry Christmas to everybody and the forecast for Wednesday 25th December is as follows:
Forecast temperature: 9 - 29 degrees
Daily forecast: Sunny. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the morning then becoming northeast to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching 26 to 32.

A beautiful sunrise in the Glen Innes Highlands.
Photo by Harcourt Studio's

Merry Christmas to everybody and the forecast for Wednesday 25th December is as follows:
Forecast temperature: 9 - 29 degrees
Daily forecast: Sunny. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the morning then becoming northeast to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching 26 to 32.

23/12/2024

10/12/2024

SATURDAY SOLSTICE
The Summer Solstice is approaching, on Saturday 21st December.

The Australian Standing Stones Management Board invites you to the main activity on the day, held at solar noon when the true south shadow passes over the solstice marker at natural noon, just after 12:45pm. Enjoy a talk about the solstices, the Celtic year, and a raffle prize drawn at the event!

The whole day is full of opportunities, from sunrise at 5:45am to sunset at 7:45pm.

The weather will be fine! Make it a day for a picnic! Bring a blanket, a hamper and some refreshments to celebrate with!

At 1pm, feel free to join us on a tour around the , starting at the Human Sundial and then exploring the alignments of Sun and Stone throughout the year!

Get in Here! Come on up to for this year's !

05/12/2024

Always a great day, book now with us for the weekend.

Country Racing at Its Finest! Immerse yourself in a perfect blend of exhilarating horse racing, fashion and vibrant social vibes! all against the stunning backdrop of the Western rolling hills. Whether you're cheering for your favourite horse from the edge of your seat or enjoying the exclusive atmo

05/12/2024

MISTY MORNING
A mist enveloped Glen Innes this morning, and the sunrise shone as a glow at the . From the central point, sunrise has almost travelled to its most southerly position - that will be reached next weekend! The distinctive Summer Solstice sunrise stone stands just to the right of the Sun from the central position, and aligns with the Sun from behind the central trio. We look forward to the Sunstill period from 15th to 28th December, and will mark the on Saturday 21st December!
Enjoy these pictures of the silloutted Stones against the golden listed sky!
Get in Here! Come up to

04/12/2024

WHAT'S ON IN GLEN INNES
Planning a visit to and the in December?
See a comprehensive listing of events throughout our district at the Glen Innes Highlands website, available now to view, link below.

The Events Newsletter will be distributed to businesses and community groups, and available at the Visitor Information Centre.

Here's our entry for the Summer Solstice - stay tuned for additional details by following us here!
Get in Here! Come up to Glen Innes Highlands

https://gleninneshighlands.com/events.html

04/11/2024

01/11/2024

NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Here's some highlights ahead in November...
We've entered the Summer half of the year, and for the next four months the Sun will run high in the sky and south on the horizon; the Moon, opposite the Sun at Full Moon is entering its three northern risings.

👉 Saturday 16th November at 8pm, in the late twilight of the day of the Full Moon, the moonrise will be to the ENE and if the horizon is clear the Full Moon will rise through the Avenue, a wonderful sight!
Arrive before 7:30 to enjoy the golden sunset to the southwest then turn around at 8pm to see the silver Moonrise!

The Avenue marks the position of the Sun's winter sunstill and solstice rising, and on the three Full Moons over the summery months the silver orb will rise through the alignment also, the November and January risings directly through the Avenue and the most northerly in December.

👉 Saturday 30th November is St Andrew's Day, the national day of 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scotland and we'll meet to honour Scotland and Australian Scottish heritage from 5:30pm in the Crofter's Cottage garden for our flaglowering gathering with a toast, a talk and a fundraising raffle.

👉 On Saturday 9th November at The Croft, book a ticket for the ceilidh night of dinner & dance and fun with The Scotsman - details at The Croft Celtic Cultural Centre and Cafe Glen Innes

👉 Every Saturday morning from 8am make fitness a wonderful run or walk around Centennial Parklands and the Glen Innes Skywalk with Australian Standing Stones parkrun

The longer days, and sunsets around 7:30pm make the a wonderful place to visit and explore, including the Celtic Family Wall and the Human Sundial. With delicious Celtic fare and coffee, The Croft offers breakfast, lunch and cakes to satisfy the whole family - Tuesday to Saturday; and the amenities, seating and playground makes for family friendly relaxation time.

Get in Here! Come on up to beautiful