Arts on Tour launched Backroads in 2022 with the aim of activating alternative venues in across NSW. What exactly constitutes an alternative venue can be hard to define, so we've assembled some resources to help. We have prepared a spreadsheet of suggested venues, which can be downloaded from the Resources tab on this page. You can also peruse a few feature venues below. This is in no way a complete list of independent or community-run venues in NSW - it is intended as a sample, highlighting touring options for artists and producers to consider. 

Should you manage a venue you would like added to the spreadsheet, please get in touch.

Backroads 2024 - Suggested Venues
( 67.4 KB .xlsx file )

Eastern Riverina Touring Network

Supported by Eastern Riverina Arts, this group of venues are collaborating to bring local and interstate artists on tour to their region. The venues include:

• Community built, organised and controlled, The Arts Centre, Cootamundra boasts a lighting rig, sound system and cinema screen in its flagship venue, The Tin Shed Theatre. The stage has a performance space of approximately 8m2 and a sprung dance floor. Fixed rake-style seating can accommodate 122pax, with an adjacent gallery-style space for alternative performance configurations.
  
• The Montreal Theatre in Tumut (pictured below) was built in 1929 and is a stunning Art Deco building listed with the NSW National Trust. The theatre seats 541, with 194 upstairs and 347 downstairs, and hosts both film screenings and live shows.
• The beautiful Junee Athenium regularly hosts live music, comedy and other events, with a capacity of 464 split between an auditorium and dress circle. While the Athenium is currently under renovation until late 2024, Junee also features a new library space perfect for smaller performances and events.
• A regular stop for the Festival of Small Halls, Ganmain Hall was on the verge of being demolished before locals stepped in to save the day and restore it to its former glory. This space is beloved by locals; it seats up to 200 and accommodates performances with outsourced or tour-supplied tech. 
• The West Wyalong Tivoli operates as a contemporary 82-seat community cinema but features a small lighting rig and stage for live performances, and can host performances in non-conventional configurations. Get in touch for more information about playing the Tivoli.

The Riverina Touring Network especially suits smaller scale productions travelling along the Sydney-Melbourne corridor. For enquiries, contact Remy Chadwick at Eastern Riverina Arts: remy@easternriverinaarts.org.au

Arts North West Connect

Similar to Eastern Riverina Arts, Arts North West has created a touring network as part of its ‘Connect’ initiative, supporting touring in the New England North West region. Below are a select few venues, with more listed in the suggested venues spreadsheet on this page:

• Deep Water School of Arts in Tenterfield is a recently refurbished hall with a capacity of 200. Having been the centre of the local community for more than 100 years, the hall regularly hosts traveling shows, and includes a professional sound and lighting system, and a fully equipped kitchen and bar.
• 1930’s art-deco style Inverell Town Hall is a newly renovated space in the region, featuring both flat floor and raked retractable seating for up to 435 people. The revamp also included new lighting and sounds equipment, an extended stage with lift access, and a grand piano.
• Conveniently located in the heart of town, The Armidale Playhouse (pictured below) is an historic venue dating back to 1968. A well-equipped theatre with excellent acoustics, the team at Armidale Drama and Musical Society Inc. ensures a smooth event experience, offering technical support if required.
• The Playhouse Hotel in Barraba is an intimate studio-style theatre seating up to 80 patrons. Housed in the former pool hall of the town’s oldest (but refurbished) pub, the venue has a 24-channel lighting desk and 6-channel sound system, plus speakers, mics, and tech assistance available. It also has a well-maintained Yamaha baby grand piano and a projector available for use.
• Gunnedah’s Civic Theatre comprises a well-equipped stage (14m wide x 8m deep) for touring and local theatrical productions. It boasts superb acoustics, high-tech digital projection, stage lighting, surround sound, a loading dock and green room, and very comfortable seating for up to 134 people.

For enquiries, contact Hester Fraser at Arts North West: ontour@artsnw.com.au

Tanja Church – Navigate Arts

Navigate Arts @ the beautiful Old Tanja Church, studios and surrounds is a creative hub for artists, run by artists, based on the far south coast of NSW. They are committed to the creation of magical, live performances that celebrate its unique place and its peoples.

Built 1898 with absolutely stunning original acoustics, the Old Tanja Church has in-house technical equipment, design and operation, including indoor and outdoor sound system, lighting and projection. Hire rates are negotiated based on the needs and capacity of each activity/production.

Visit the Navigate Arts website for more details: https://www.navigatearts.com/

Bowral Memorial Hall

Nestled in the gorgeous Southern Highlands of NSW, Bowral Memorial Hall is a premier venue for professional touring artists, located in the midst of the town’s CBD. Built for the Bowral School of Arts back in 1884, the venue recently underwent a multi-million-dollar transformation. It now has pitch perfect acoustics, orchestra and stage lighting, green rooms, a state-of-the-art AV station on mezzanine level, and offers flexible seating up to 320. It is also equipped with a bar, ticketing and box office facilities, and offers marketing support to visiting productions. Further details, including a venue fly through, can be found at www.bowralmemorialhall.com.au

Murrah Hall

With a capacity of 140, volunteer-run Murrah Hall predominantly hosts touring musicians, but there is enthusiasm from audiences for professional theatre and other artforms. The hall has 100% lighting coverage, so shows can be staged either on the stage or on the floor, with portable rostra providing raked seating. Previous theatre seasons have all been 6 - 8 performances, averaging 85% - 90% capacity. Murrah President Howard recommends “a minimum of 3 or 4 shows, allowing for word-of-mouth to create community excitement, and including a matinee for the many who do not like to drive at night amongst the suicidally inclined wildlife.” Accommodation in the region is expensive, a funding consideration for those hoping to tour to the venue.

Malachi Gilmore Hall 

Re-opened in 2018, the Malachi Gilmore Hall is a privately owned multi-use arts space in Oberon that offers a varied programme of visual and performing arts through the artist-run initiative, Oberon Live Projects. With an audience capacity of 150, Malachi has flexible staging options with a choice of proscenium arch stage (6m x 3.5m) or performing in the round on the auditorium floor. Detailed tech specs and a venue hire application form are available on the venue’s website. The venue has fine acoustics for live performance, a beautiful timber floor for dance, and the capabilities for new media performance and multimedia exhibitions - all enhanced by a charmingly luxe interior in an extraordinary State Heritage listed building.

Bellingen Memorial Hall 

Halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, Bellingen is a small town with a busy and vibrant main street and a creative community culture. Bellingen Memorial Hall has recently had a major redevelopment and is open for bookings across two performance spaces. With new AV and lighting, seating and projectors, it looks amazing! Originally a picture theatre (circa 1929) the main hall is licensed for up to 600 people, and there are 185 fixed tiered seats and approx. 250 theatre style chairs. There are portable stages for flexible use as well as the original raised stage. A black curtain can divide the main hall in half for intimate performances or film nights. The additional multipurpose space also accommodates approx. 80 seated and up to 100 standing.