15 Signs You Grew Up In Armidale

Growing up in Armidale has many tell-tale signs. Being a small city, there are many lasting influences on you. From your favourite fish and chip shops to knowing which season is the prettiest – here are 15 signs that you grew up in Armidale!

1. Pearl Perch or Neville’s?

The fishiest rival in all of Armidale is one that is well known by all that live there. The two best fish and chip takeaway shops, Pearl Perch and Neville’s are constantly combating for the top spot and everyone has their favourite. Whatever your preference is, anyone from Armidale will defend it with their last breath.

2. You dread the beginning of the University year

University in Armidale starting again means one dreaded thing: college students. College students take up all the parking spaces, cause noisy mayhem and are generally disliked by the permanent population.

3. Your entire wardrobe is from Sportsgirl, Cotton On, Ally, or Jay Jays

Without many shops in the small town of Armidale, your wardrobe is severely limited. You may have a few other pieces thrown in from those day trips to Tamworth or Coffs Harbour, but this is the reality of your closet.

4. You don’t know how to use a train

During those rare moments you get to leave Armidale for a big city, you are completely stumped by how trains work. You have no idea how to read a timetable or even top up your travel card.

5. The Armidale Club

You know that the Armidale club was the place to be on a Saturday night and you have so many memories on that D-Floor! You are also still furious about it burning down three years ago.

6. You are probably an “artist” of some kind

Whether it is writing, singing, acting, visual arts, or playing an instrument, everyone who grew up in Armidale has pursued at least one during their lifetime. You probably even tried to start a career as an artist.

7. A two hour drive is just “going down the road”

With the closest cities being either an hour and a half north or two and a half hours east, you are quite used to spending a lot of time in a car. You are appalled when someone complains about a half hour drive.

8. You know that Autumn is the prettiest season

Everyone who grew up in Armidale knows that autumn truly is the prettiest season. Move over spring florals, burnt orange and brown leaves are coming through.

9. Armidale High School versus Duval High School

Armidale’s most famous rivalry is between these two high schools. You defend your school even though you graduated years ago – you will never let that competition go.

10. Getting kicked out of a local pub is a “right of passage”

You can’t wait for the day that you turn 18 and can finally go to a pub with all your mates – just to get yourself kicked out in Armidale’s weirdest coming of age ritual. This right of passage has been passed down through many generations.

11. It is perfectly normal to have never seen the beach

You are not shocked if someone in Armidale has not even been to the beach, in fact there is a high chance that you have not seen it yourself. Being inland, unless you have travelled further east, the closest you have seen to a beach is Dumaresq Dam.

12. You know the story of Captain Thunderbolt

One of Australia’s most famous bush-ranger is Armidale’s one claim to fame. You have heard all of the tales, seen his statue and his grave and definitely visited some of his favourite hideouts. You also probably sat on “Thunderbolt’s Rock” and left your own personal graffiti.

13. The Blue Hole

With no nearby beach, the next best thing is the Blue Hole. The popular swimming hole is a frequent hangout spot for teenagers trying to escape the heat and if you grew up in Armidale you definitely spent hours of your adolescent years exploring and swimming in this refreshing river.

14. The cold really never bothered you

With temperatures dropping to the minuses in winter, those who grew up in Armidale know how to handle the cold. You have definitely walked around town with thongs and shorts and not been bothered by the icy cold.

15. Cafes and pubs are your main source of food

With over ten pubs and twenty cafes in Armidale, if you grew up there you can’t go more than two days without visiting at least one of them. You know all your favourite spots and your favourite menu items at all of them.