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Category: Hunter Valley

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Morpeth on the Hunter River

The Old Post Office

Morpeth on the Hunter River

Morpeth

Initially created through by Edward Charles Close, who selected a property of 1,000 hectares Morpeth developed as a river port from 1831-1841.

The river port grew steadily throughout the 1830s, but the construction of the Great Northern Railway in 1857, bypassed Morpeth. This resulted in Newcastle developing as the regional port. Morpeth became less significant commercially, but still survived as a township with its own history and heritage.

The town is now popular with tourists because of its historic buildings and riverside setting.

Getting There

Sitting a 10 minute drive from Maitland, the historic town of Morpeth is one of the Hunter Valley’s major attractions. On the drive from Maitland look out for the brightly painted shed advertising “Dr Morse’s Indian Root Pills”, as it’s a well known site by the Hunter River. Originally from North America, these pills are still manufactured and sold in Australia.

Parking in Morpeth can be at a premium on busy days, particularly in front of shops on the main road (Swan Street). There are more spots a available further down the road opposite the museum and old Post Office (now a vets).

  • Painted Shed
    Painted Shed Indian Root Pills on the Way to Morpeth

Swan Street

Most of the shops and restaurants face onto Swan Street, which makes them easy to find, because you are not wandering around back streets.

  • Row of Buildings in Swan Street Morpeth
    Row of Buildings in Swan Street Morpeth
  • Old Stone Walkway Morpeth
    Old Stone Walkway
  • Telephone Box in Morpeth
    Telephone Box

Morpeth Bridge

Opened on 15 June 1898, the Morpeth Bridge is a timber trestle bridge employing Allan trusses. It has two central iron cylinder span supports fabricated by Mort’s Dock. Spanning the Hunter River at Morpeth, the bridge is listed on the state heritage register because of its technical and historical characteristics. 

  • Hunter River Bridge
    Hunter River Bridge
  • Hunter River Bridge
    Hunter River Bridge
  • The Morpeth Bridge
    The Morpeth Bridge

Historic Buildings

Located on Swan Street, most of the historical buildings are in excellent condition and look beautiful. Many are now used for different purposes than what they were built for, so have small plaques in the footpath showing their original use.

  • The Old Post Office
    The Old Post Office
  • CBC Bank
    CBC Bank
  • St James Anglican Church
    St James Anglican Church
  • Derelict Trading Post
    Derelict Trading Post
  • Courthouse Plaque
    Courthouse Plaque
  • Commercial Hotel Plaque
    Commercial Hotel Plaque

Campbell’s Store

Located on the corner of Swan and Tank Streets, Campbell’s store is a collection of small businesses in one large building. From second-hand dealers, clothes and food, there is a lot to see and explore here. At the back of the building is a café and the Morpeth art gallery, which sells art and often has exhibitions on the second floor.

  • Ally Next to Campbell's Store
    Ally Next to Campbell’s Store
  • Post Box
    Post Box Outside Campbell’s Store
  • Rear of Campbell's Store
    Rear of Campbell’s Store
  • Old Railway Carriage
    Old Railway Carriage

Other Interesting Things to See

Walking around, you will find several interesting sights, including painted lane ways, sweet shops, and old telephone box, and a mannequin inviting you for free ginger beer tasting.

  • Free Ginger Beer Morpeth
    Free Ginger Beer Tasting
  • Painted Murals on Berkley Street Morpeth
    Painted Murals on Berkley Street
  • Painted Murals on Green Street Morpeth
    Painted Murals on Green Street

What Did We Think?

Morpeth is a great place to spend a day out exploring, because it has so much to offer. From historic buildings, antique shops, or a relaxing meal overlooking the Hunter River, it’s a great place to visit.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Mortels Sheepskin Factory Beresfield

The Big Ugg Boots

Mortels Sheepskin Factory

Located in Beresfield, New South Wales, Mortels Sheepskin Factory not only sells you their products, but teaches how they are made and the history of sheepskin in Australia. Unfortunately shut during our visit, we were unable to view the factory, but we did tour the museum and see the giant Ugg boots.

Mortels Sheepskin Factory Museum

The museum is free to enter, so while there go in for a look. Although it’s small, the displays and information boards explain the history of sheepskin in Australia. Exhibits from wool presses to World War One soldier’s jackets make it worth the visit.

  • Sheepskin Jacket
    Sheepskin Jacket From World War One
  • Inside the Museum
    Inside the Museum
  • Inside the Museum
    Inside the Museum

Giant Ugg Boots

Entering Thornton, you can’t miss the giant Ugg boots. Originally painted as regular sheepskin, but now upgraded with aboriginal artwork, they look amazing.

If you are into seeing all of the “big” things in Australia, this is a must see.

  • The Big Ugg Boots
    The Big Ugg Boots
  • The Big Ugg Boots
    The Big Ugg Boots

Shop and Café

Of course, a visit here must include a visit to the shop, so that you can sample and maybe buy some of the excellent items for sale. Everything sheepskin, from Ugg boots and coats, car seats covers and blankets.

There’s also a café so when you need to recharge after learning all about sheepskin there’s one on hand.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve

Seaham Swamp

Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve

Managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve, is a small, but important park. Located 40km north of Newcastle, it contains colonial heritage and an important bird habitat.

We parked in a car park near St. Andrew’s Church, which let us walk to Tom’s Cottage and to the swamp and its bird hut. The walk is graded as 5, implying that it is difficult, however, this is due to a lack of signs. The walk is flat, but you need to follow the tracks made by previous visitors as there is no signage.

St. Andrew’s Anglican Church

Built in 1860, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church is an interesting little church, notable for being one of the few buildings in Seaham to escape the 1939 bushfires. We parked nearby in the car park, so spent a few minutes wandering around looking at it.

  • St Andrew's Anglican Church Seaham
    St Andrew’s Anglican Church Seaham
  • St Andrew's Anglican Church Seaham
    St Andrew’s Anglican Church Seaham

Tom’s Cottage

Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve is home to a historic slab cottage known as Tom McLellan’s Cottage, or simply Tom’s Cottage. This is an example of a typical colonial era rural dwelling which was moved to its current location in the early 1900s. Though it’s named for Tom, the cottage was actually first built as a retirement home for his mother, Mary McLellan.

  • Track From St Andrew's Anglican Church to Tom's Cottage
    Track From St Andrew’s Anglican Church to Tom’s Cottage
  • Tom's Cottage
    Tom’s Cottage
  • Tom's Cottage
    Tom’s Cottage
  • Inside Tom's Cottage
    Inside Tom’s Cottage
  • Inside Tom's Cottage
    Inside Tom’s Cottage
  • Seaham Swamp Near Tom's Cottage
    Seaham Swamp Near Tom’s Cottage

Seaham Swamp

An important bird habitat, Seaham Swamp provides refuge for migratory waterfowl. Depending on the time of year, different species are present, but during our visit, we only saw a few ducks. It was still an interesting walk because the swamp and trees provided interesting photos opportunities.

Only 300m one-way, it is an easy walk, but no signage means you need to keep track of where you are.

  • Seaham Swamp
    Seaham Swamp
  • Seaham Swamp
    Seaham Swamp

Birdwatching Hut

The birdwatching hut is an all-weather bird hide allowing you to watch from a platform, ensuring you get great views and photos of the birds without disturbing them. Identification photos show the species that frequent the swamp, along with information boards explaining about the local wildlife.

  • Inside the Birdwatching Hut
    Inside the Birdwatching Hut
  • Information Board Inside the Birdwatching Hut
    Information Board Inside the Birdwatching Hut
  • Seaham Swamp From the Birdwatching Hut
    Seaham Swamp From the Birdwatching Hut

What Did We think?

These two short but interesting walks were fun. Not only did we see an old colonial slab hut and the swamp, but were able to see an old church too. Simple to find with easy parking, it made for a fun morning out.