Upper Hunter Region

Rolling green hills, thoroughbred studs, and a slower pace define the Upper Hunter Region, a bucolic stretch of New South Wales that feels a world away from the coast. While its lower neighbour is famous for semillon, this is horse country – lush pastures dotted with white fences and stables where champion racehorses are bred. The main towns of Scone, Merriwa, and Murrurundi offer country hospitality, antique shops, and a genuine taste of rural life.

Highlights & What to See

• Scone – Australia’s horse capital, home to the Australian Stock Horse Society and the Scone Equine Hospital. Visit during the Scone Horse Festival in May for parades and equestrian events.
• Lake Glenbawn – A vast dam perfect for water skiing, sailing, and fishing for golden perch and Murray cod. The surrounding national park has walking trails and kangaroo-spotting.
• Murrurundi – A heritage village with a main street of 19th-century buildings, artisan galleries, and the excellent Bushman’s Arms Hotel for a cold beer.
• Merriwa – Known for its wool industry and the annual Merriwa Festival of the Fleeces. Check out the Merriwa Historical Museum and the nearby Baerami Creek for swimming holes.
• Mount Royal National Park – A World Heritage-listed wilderness with rainforest walks, waterfalls, and the chance to see lyrebirds and wallabies. The summit hike rewards with panoramic views.
• Hunter Valley Wine Country – While less famous than the Lower Hunter, the Upper Hunter has boutique wineries like Lake’s Folly and Pepper Tree Wines, often quieter and more intimate.

Suggested Time to Spend

Plan at least two full days to explore the Upper Hunter. Use Scone as a base: day one for horse culture and Lake Glenbawn, day two for Murrurundi and Mount Royal National Park. If you’re a keen angler or hiker, add a third day. The region works well as a relaxed stop between Sydney and the New England Tablelands or the North Coast.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Lower Hunter Valley (Pokolbin, Cessnock) – The classic wine-tasting hub, just an hour’s drive south, with dozens of cellar doors and fine dining.
• Barrington Tops National Park – A pristine wilderness area with ancient Antarctic beech forests, trout fishing, and 4WD tracks, about 90 minutes east.
• Tamworth – Australia’s country music capital, two hours north, famous for its Big Golden Guitar and annual Tamworth Country Music Festival.
• Wollemi National Park – Home to the rare Wollemi pine and the deep canyons of the Gardens of Stone, accessible via the Bylong Valley Way.
• Gloucester – A charming town at the foot of the Bucketts mountain range, with great bushwalking and the Gloucester River for canoeing.

Please check official sources for current details.