Upper Hunter Country is dotted with small towns and villages, many feature historic highlights and opportunities to connect with nature. Follow our Self Drive Itineraries, which have been designed to let you explore the rich variety of delights that Upper Hunter Country has to offer, no matter where you are staying in the region.
Aberdeen
One of the first settlements in the picturesque Upper Hunter Valley, the town was named after the Earl of Aberdeen, a friend of early settler and British MP, Potter Macqueen.
Located on the New England Highway between Scone and Muswellbrook, Aberdeen is the first main township on the Hunter River. With more than 180 years history, the small town is steeped in Scottish heritage. One of the first settlements in the picturesque Upper Hunter, the town was named after the Earl of Aberdeen, a friend of early settler a British MP Thomas Macqueen.
The annual ‘Aberdeen Highland Games’ take place on the first weekend in July each year. The games are a gathering of pipe bands, Clans, dancers, heavy event participants, as well as state and interstate tug-of-war teams to help celebrate the Scottish / Celtic history of the Upper Hunter.
Lake Glenbawn is just a few kilometres east of Aberdeen with an abundance of fish, including, Bass, Golden Perch, Murry Cod, and Trout. The Lake is also very popular for camping, boating, skiing, and other water sports.
The annual Aberdeen Highland Games take place on the first weekend in July and has been running since 1999. The games are a gathering of pipe bands, Clans, dancers, the ‘strong man challenge’ and state and interstate tug-o-war teams to help celebrate the Scottish and Celtic history of the Upper Hunter.
Following the excitement of the games a traditional Scottish Cèilidh is held in the evening. The Cèilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is always a great night out with songs, storytelling, music and dancing, so book your tickets early.
Cassilis
West of Merriwa on the Golden Highway is the heritage listed town of Cassilis. Settled in in the 1830’s Cassilis then covered a large area and was the base for the local police district and part of the Dalkeith Station. The township has plenty of country charm and is rich in agriculture. In September the region covered by fields of Canola.
Gundy and Moonan Flat
Gundy is a scenic 15-minute drive from Scone through some of the Upper Hunter’s picturesque countryside, passing a number of Australia’s leading horse studs. Gundy is tiny settlement on the beautiful Pages River, and is home to the popular historic Linga Longa Inn. One of Australia’s most famous rural properties Belltrees is just 166 kilometres east of the town.
Moonan Flat is a charming locality Just another 20 minutes up the road from Gundy on your way to the Barrington Tops. Experience the history of the Victory Hotel, a stopover for today’s travellers, but a meeting place in days gone by for everyone, from bushrangers, gold miners, horse-drawn coach travellers and shearers.
Jerrys Plains
Jerrys Plains is about 33 kilometres west of Singleton on the Golden Highway. The surrounding countryside is home to some substantial horse-breeding properties, notably the Australian branch of Ireland’s giant Coolmore Stud, as well as viticulture and coal mining.
Doyle Street in Jerrys Plains has so many impressive buildings it has been classified by the National Trust. These buildings were all constructed around 1880 and include the sandstone teacher’s residence, the public school (1879) and the police station (1880).
Sandy Hollow
The dramatic sandstone hills of the ‘Giants Leap’ overshadow this quite township which boarders the Wollemi National Park between Denman and Merriwa. Located on the junction of the Golden Highway and the Bylong Valley Way , it is a great place to stop over and enjoy the natural landscape and hospitality of country life.
Wingen
Wingen is a little village halfway between Murrurundi and Scone on the New England Highway.
Close by is the opportunity to experience the phenomenon of the Burning Mountain, where a two metre thick coal seam is burning around 20-30 metres below the surface.
A great spot for picnics, Burning Mountain is a nature reserve and visitors can enjoy a 45 minute walk through the bush to its summit where there is a good view of one of the outlets.