Morpeth

A bustling port in colonial times, Morpeth is an historic town on the banks of the Hunter River. Take a boat from Newcastle, sample local wines and browse boutique shops in heritage 19th-century buildings, including the bakehouse where the Arnott’s family biscuit dynasty began.

Heritage walks & cruises

Discover fascinating heritage sites, including Queens Wharf and colonial hitching posts for horses, on the Morpeth Heritage Walk. The picturesque Queens Wharf was one of Australia’s most important inland wharves before the railway. Nova Cruises offers a delightful day cruise on selected dates throughout the year.

Relax at the beautifully restored tearoom at Campbell’s Store. The Morpeth Museum is in the former courthouse, and is home to exhibitions on the river port’s history and other heritage. For more rarities and local treasures, browse the Morpeth Antique Centre and sip tea at The Servant’s Quarters Tearoom.

Couple riding past the Morpeth Museum in Morpeth, Hunter Valley

River dining & local brews

Begin your day with breakfast or lunch on the banks of the Hunter River at Savannah on Swan, in Morpeth’s Historic Bond Store. The Historic Arnott Bakehouse, founded in 1847, is now home to Morpeth Sourdough. Take a baking class with current owner and descendant Stephen Arnott.

At the Morpeth Wine Cellar and Moonshine Distillery you’ll taste a selection of local wines. Stop for a cool drink at the Commercial Hotel, home to the Morpeth Brewery and Beer Co., which produces distinctive and tasty hand-crafted beers.

Getting there & where to stay

Perfect for a midweek or weekend escape, getting to historic Morpeth in Australia’s oldest wine region is easy. It’s only two hours’ drive north of Sydney and 50 minutes west of Newcastle Airport. You can also take a river boat from Newcastle, NSW’s second-biggest city, to Morpeth.

Places to stay in Morpeth include gorgeous cottages, heritage homes and boutique hotels. Stay on the Hunter River with the village cafes, shops and galleries right on your doorstep. Check out the delicious events calendar for foodie festivals, markets and events, and plan ahead for a memorable getaway.

Fly into Newcastle Airport

The Hunter Valley is within easy reach of Newcastle Airport. Choose from a range of transport services on arrival, including car rentals, limousines and shuttle buses as well as group and private transfers. Public transport options are available from the airport to Australia’s oldest wine region.

Newcastle Airport offers direct flights to and from eight destinations throughout southeastern Australia. Jetstar flies to Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast; Virgin Australia flies to Melbourne; QantasLink flies to Brisbane; and Regional Express flies to Sydney. Link Airways operates direct flights between Canberra and Newcastle six days a week. FlyPelican flies to Ballina/Byron, Canberra, Dubbo and Taree. Virgin Australia also operates seasonal direct flights to Auckland, New Zealand, between November and February.