The paper publishes stories related to the Tamworth, New England and North West Slopes regions.

Its online website also publishes many of the stories featured in the newspaper.

The newspaper began in 1876 as semi-weekly under the title The Tamworth Observer and Northern Advertiser published by George Hooke & Joseph Smith.

Under the agreement Codrington dissolved his paper and became managing director of The Tamworth Daily Observer.

The Northern Daily Leader is distributed to the city and local region of Tamworth and the towns and villages of Quirindi, Walcha, Manilla, Bingara, Barraba, Nundle, Murrurundi, Gunnedah, Uralla, Werris Creek, Caroona, Willow Tree, Wallabadah, Curlewis, Kootingal, Moonbi, Attunga, Carroll, Breeza, Currabubula, Sulcor, Bective, Somerton, Duri.