Kurri Kurri
Kurri Kurri, a small  township 14 kilometres to the east of Cessnock, was developed in 1902 as a result of the region's rapidly expanding coal industry.   Kurri Kurri is generally accepted as being the first planned town in New South Wales, and the name of the town is thought to have evolved from the Aboriginal meaning 'the very first'. The town and suburban land of Kurri Kurri was proclaimed on October 25, 1902 and first lots in the new development were sold on  June 10, 1903.
Though Kurri Kurri was planned as the region's first permanent town, for many years it served as the home base of the coal fields, and the transient nature of  mining was reflected in the development of the township. As well as being notoriously insecure, the work of the miners was hard and dangerous; explosions and fires killed a number of miners and as a result the township, for many decades, continued to have a temporary air about it.
The last of Kurri Kurri's mines was closed in 1967, and while mining no longer plays a major role in Kurri Kurri, the region's heritage has been preserved with a number of the mine sites documented and restored - given new life in the roles of education, leisure and tourism, a few of the industries which have taken over from mining as the main economic drive of the town.

Today, many fine modern homes compliment the simple charm of cottages built in the township's earlier days, and there are a number of interesting attractions in the town as well as in the surrounding  areas of Cessnock, Maitland and Newcastle , all only a short distance away.

Historical Attractions
Kurri Kurri has a number of historical attractions, including several churches and the Kurri Kurri Cemetery which  includes mining monuments that honour the memory of the men killed in the mines over the years.  A mining Museum provide visitors with a unique example of  the region's coal mining heritage, and the town also has a number of interesting shops and galleries. Kurri Kurri is now known as the Town of Murals, 30 odd different murals have been painted on buildings around the township. The murals depict the history of Kurri Kurri and ALL have the towns emblem of a KOOKABURRA hidden in the mural for you to find(GOOD LUCK). Kurri Kurri has a variety of social clubs and country hotels, and offers many sporting activities including golf, tennis, squash, bowls and swimming.
The Richmond Main Colliery and Railway Museum, 3kilometres south of Kurri Kurri, offers 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 was at one time the longest shaft mine in the southern hemisphere.
The Richmond Vale Railway was built by Brown to serve his collieries, and today the Richmond Vale Railway Museum displays a number of magnificent locomotives once responsible for hauling coal.  At the Railway Museum 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, including tours of the powerhouse and workshops and other pit buildings. 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 Kurri Kurri 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.

Kurri Kurri is only a short drive from the superb Hunter Valley Wine Country (25km), the many fine surfing beaches and attractions of Newcastle (38km)  and the magnificent Watagan Mountains.  Within the town there are many lookouts that offer glorious mountain views as well as panoramas of  native bushland.
The State Forests of the Watagan Mountains are a superb attraction for campers, bushwalkers, horse riders, bird watchers, or those who want to appreciate and enjoy the beauty and rich history the Mountains have to offer. There are many picnic sites, camping areas, lookouts and walking trails offering spectacular views and grand old forests.  Many areas within the forest also have superb swimming areas, and visitors are welcome to enjoy picnics and BBQs in designated areas of the Forest.