Cessnock
Cessnock is the eastern  gateway to New South Wales' magnificent Hunter Valley Wine Country, renowned for its world famous wineries.
The Cessnock region, 90 minutes drive north of Sydney, includes the  magnificent Watagan State Forest and the rugged beauty of the Brokenback Range; it is in the shadows of these spectacular hills that the famous Hunter Valley Wine Country has developed.

The Cessnock area takes in over 20 towns and villages, many of which were founded by pioneer settlers who came to the Hunter over 150 years ago.
European settlement in the Cessnock area began in 1823, though this was mainly centred in the Wollombi district. In 1858 there were between seven and eleven adults in the Cessnock area, but due to the efforts of the farmers and graziers around Wollombi, a community in Cessnock slowly emerged.
It was the building of the Great North Road and its branch leading to Singleton in the middle of the town which was to raise Cessnock's profile in the region. With the completion of the Great North Road,and in 1856, with the establishment Cessnock Inn, Cessnock became a popular resting spot for those travelling between Maitland and Wollombi.

Cessnock was named by Scottish settler John Campbell, after his grandfather's baronial Cessnock Castle in Ayrshire to reflect the aristocratic heritage and ambitions for this estate.
After 1861, people began to settle north of Cessnock between Allandale Road and the Pokolbin Hills. The majority were involved in mixed farming projects, however the Wilkinsons using vine cuttings from Dalwood - established by John Wyndham in 1828 - began growing vineyards as early as 1866.

By 1871 the population of Cessnock totalled 62,and by 1901,165.
It was the remarkable development of the coal industry in the early 1900's which brought economic security and a growing population to the region.
George Brown's now famous coal find in 1892 had the greatest impact on development and from that time collieries were quickly established in the East Greta, Stanford Merthyr, Pelaw Main, Abermain and Aberdare areas. Coal generated the great land boom of 1903-23, and by 1926 Cessnock had a population of over 12,000 within a one mile radius.
Cessnock, came into its own during the early 1940's when coal miners broke all previous production records, and though coal is no longer the main driving force of the town, it continues to provide Cessnock with a proud sense of  community spirit.
Cessnock's history also includes the development of the region's now celebrated wine region.
Though vines were initially planted in the area as a part of mixed farm holdings, the government encouraged the planting of vineyards and the making of wine - not only for the economic value but in an attempt to promote more moderate drinking, and lessen the degenerative effects within the colony caused by the debauched and excessive consumption of rum.
Among the earliest  vineyards which earned considerable reputations was George Wyndham's 'Dalwood', and William Kelman's 'Kirkton'. Kelman was the brother- in-law of James Busby, who is generally regarded as the father of Australian wine. Busby was  granted 2000 acres on the Hunter River, and had returned to England to collect some 700 vine cuttings. On returning to Australia, Busby planted half the vines at the Botanical Gardens in Sydney, and the other in his estate which he  had named Kirkton, after his birthplace. Busby also published a number of works including 'A Treatise on the Culture of the Wine and the Art of Making Wine'.

Cessnock's wine industry continued to develop, gaining more success in  the districts lying in the shadows of the Watagan Mountains and Brokenback Ranges. Today the township is the gateway to the Pokolbin district and Hunter Valley Wine Country which has become synonymous with quality Australian wines. The township itself offers visitors a multitude of attractions.

Historic Attractions
A drive around the 20 villages and towns surrounding Cessnock will showcase the area's mining heritage. The memorials of the Bellbird mining disaster and the Rothbury riots are tributes to the difficult but proud heritages of the district. Within the town, 'Marthaville' (an 1880's built twin gabled timber building, the home of coal legend George Brown), has been renovated and is open for regular exhibitions.

The Richmond Vale Railway Museum and Richmond Main Colliery Historic Park offer visitors the opportunity to experience the age of coal and steam first hand.
The Richmond Main Colliery Historic Park occupies the site of John 'Baron' Brown's Richmond  Main Colliery. Once the longest shaft mine in the southern hemisphere, the Richmond Colliery employed 1200 men. The Richmond Vale Railway was built by Brown to serve his collieries, and today the Park and Railway provide visitors  with a unique example of Cessnock's coal mining heritage.

The Richmond Vale Railway Museum displays a number of magnificent locomotives once responsible for hauling coal, visitors can experience travel on some of the region's  great steam trains as well as see interesting displays on the history of the mining in the area. The restored administration building on site is a superb example of 19th century architecture, and the Museum offers guided tours,  restaurant and kiosk facilities, as well as picnic and BBQ areas.
A prime historic attraction just outside Cessnock is the National Trust Classified Neath Hotel. Built just after the turn of the century, the Neath Hotel has been  fully restored and contains one of the finest collections of antiques in the Lower Hunter.
11kilometres from the centre of Cessnock is  another of the region's lovely old hotels. The Ellalong Hotel, within the peaceful village of Ellalong, offers unsurpassed views over the magnificent Watagan Mountains, and traditional country style accommodation.

The Wine Country Tourist Information Centre will provide visitors with all the information necessary to enjoy Cessnock and the Hunter Valley, and should be a visitors' first stop on arriving in Cessnock.