Hunter Valley Holidays - Morpeth

The historic village of Morpeth was established in 1821 on the banks of the Hunter River. Classified by the National Trust, with six buildings listed on the Register of the National Estate, the town was once a busy river port for ships transporting goods around Australia and the world.

The small size of Morpeth, ensuring that strolling visitors can see everything in a couple of hours, means that the town is an excellent destination for a day trip.

You can walk the cobbled streets and see colonial sandstone buildings featuring a myriad of cafes, second-hand shops, pubs, boutiques, galleries, and other local businesses. Sample Morpeth's famous sourbough bread. Wine-tasting is available.

All year round something is happening in Morpeth, from the two-day jazz festival in May, to the Novelty Teapot Exhibition and Morpeth Honey and Fiery Food Festival.

Morpeth Bridge (right), crossing the Hunter River, was designed in 1893 by Percy Allan. It is the oldest remaining example of an overhead braced timber truss road bridge in service, one of only three remaining in NSW.

Far from smooth, the drive across the bridge will demonstrate to visitors the unique heritage feel of roadworks at the end of the nineteenth century!

Offering an historical perspective of life in the district, Morpeth Courthouse and Museum (right) was opened in 1971, as part of the celebration of Morpeth's sesquicentenary. In the heart of town, the couthouse was built circa 1861 in a Greek Revival style, and makes available tourist information for the passing traveller. A small fee applies for those wishing to see inside.

The Morpeth Trading Post (right), located in Robert St, is situated in a 170 year old building. Over 800 sq mtr of antiques, bric-a-brac, books, ornaments, stamps and coins, this store is well worth a visit.

See the Joinery Well (below), sunk in 1818 as Morpeth's original water supply. Over 75 ft deep, and dug through solid rock, the well was fed by a natural spring. Today the well is surrounded by objects of all shapes and sizes.

The Parish Church of St. James, Morpeth (right). Having survived the Spanish Peninsular War, Lieutenant Edward Close swore he would build a church as an act of thanksgiving. Over a three year period, beginning with the laying of a foundation stone in 1873, a church of locally quarried sandstone lined with hand-made bricks took shape. With St James as its patron, the church was consecrated on December 31, 1840. Over the next 170 years the church was altered, rebuilt, reconstructed and improved. Today it stands proudly near the corner of Tank St and High St, a five minute stroll from the commercial heart of Morpeth.

Anyone visiting the Hunter Valley should spend a day in Morpeth. The best times to visit are Thursday to Sunday. Overnight accommodation is available (see right). If you want lunch in any of the excellent cafes or restaurants, bookings may be necessary.