Singleton New South Wales
Singleton is located in the New South Wales Hunter Valley. The region is known for its vineyards and coal mines. Often used as a rest point or base for further adventures in the area the town has a few things that are worth looking at if you are in the area.
Burdekin Park
At one time this was the centre piece of the town. A nice park with mature trees (cirrus pines) and the town’s war memorials. Unfortunately a colony of fruit bats colonised the trees and over the last few years have severely damaged them. As a result most of the large trees have been removed. The Park is now very open, but safe to enter.
If you are interested in the fruit bats there are still some inhabiting the remaining trees, but not the vast numbers that were previously present.
War Memorial
The Singleton War Memorial is located in the centre of Burdekin Park. It commemorates the sacrifices made by local residents in wars Australia fought in. The ANZAC ceremony was held here until the bats arrived and has now been moved next to the civic centre.
Historical Museum
Also located in Burdekin Park, the Museum houses some interesting relics from Singleton’s past. If the Museum is not open, there are some external exhibits of old farming equipment on display. For the full story about the museum, please click here.
Townhead Park
If travelling from Newcastle this is the first park you will see when entering town. There are plenty of car spots available along with picnic areas and covered tables. There is also a great playground for kids to let them run around after hours in a car.
The town’s tourist information site is located here, along with a café with outside seating available overlooking the park.
Also located in the park is a Matilda Tank used by the Australian Army in World War Two.
Saint Catherine’s Church
Located on Queen Street, Saint Catherine’s is the town’s Catholic Church. The area comprises the church, school and convent of the Sisters of Mercy. The sisters have a tour available called Sacred Spaces which allows you to see their buildings and gardens.
World’s Biggest Sundial
The World’s biggest sundial can be found on Ryan Avenue overlooking the Rise Point sports fields. A present to the town from a mining company to celebrate Australia’s bicentenary.
Jacarandas in Bloom
If you visit Singleton during the jacaranda flowering season, around October, you are greeted by a sea of purple..
Civic Precinct
The civic precinct contains Singleton’s council buildings. In addition there is a statue commemorating early European settlers in the area and a memorial for service personnel. This memorial is the location for the Anzac Day dawn service held each year on the 25th of April.
Court House
The Singleton Courthouse is located in Elizabeth Street. Built in 1841, it is still in operation today.
Wynyard Street Corner Shop
This is one of the original corner shops that used to exist in small towns but have mostly disappeared. The sort of shop that stocks the essentials so that you don’t need to visit the supermarket.
Uniting Church
A nice church shaded by a lot of trees in the centre of Singleton.
All Saints Church
Located in High Street the All Saints Anglican Church dates from 1913, although there has been an Anglican Church on the site since 1845.
Presbyterian Church
The old Presbyterian Church is located just up from the Court House in Elizabeth Street. No longer a Presbyterian Church, it is used by the Singleton Evangelical Church.
Apex Lookout
The lookout is situated out of town near the light industrial area. It gives a nice view over Singleton and the surrounding area. While you are here have a look at the mural painted on the toilet block. Unfortunately it is a little faded and over sprayed but worth a quick look.
York Street Aboriginal Mural
What used to be an old rusty iron fence has been painted in an aboriginal theme. Is is located near the Singleton RSL in York Street.
Singleton Train Station
The Singleton Train Station dating from 1863 is a nice old building on the edge of town. Worth having a look at if you are passing by.
Nearby
Camberwell
Located in the small village of Camberwell 15-minute drive north of Singleton is St Clements Anglican Church. No longer in use for services, the church’s interior was extensively damaged by fire in 2009. If you are driving the New England Highway and want to see a typical small village church, stop here and have a look.
A small dirt track leads down to the church just past the turn off from the highway. On arriving we found the gate to the churchyard unlocked, so we walked around the grounds.
This church was often booked by people from out of town for weddings because of its appearance, but unfortunately the fire has stopped that.
Whittingham
Two memorials can be found on the east side of Singleton at the intersection of the New England Highway and Range Road, Howe Memorial Reserve, Whittingham. Located near the rail overpass to Range Road, a parking bay makes stopping to have a look easy.
The first and largest commemorates the sesquicentenary of the arrival of John Howe`s exploration party in the vicinity on the 15th March, 1820.
The second, smaller monument commemorates those from the district who served in World War One. Originally the Whittingham War Memorial had a German machine gun on top, but this is now missing.
So if you are passing through Singleton or staying for a few days, there are a few things to see around town that will keep you occupied for a few hours.
To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.
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