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Morpeth
The
historic town of Morpeth, located eight kilometres north east of
Maitland, and today recognised as the craft capital of the Hunter
Valley, was once the site of Australia's busiest and largest
seaport. The village
of Morpeth was established in the early 1800's, growing from an original
'private town' established in 1821 by virtue of a grant of 2000
acres of land, awarded to Lieutenant Edward Charles Close, an English
army veteran of the Napoleonic Wars.
Its location on the Hunter River saw Morpeth develop into the major
commercial trading port in northern New South Wales. During the
1830's and 1840's the township became a thriving commercial centre
focussed on trade on the Hunter River, and between 1843 and 1890 Morpeth
was the chief port of the Hunter Valley and surrounding districts,
and the centre for the distribution of goods to the north and west of
the State.
As industry in the region grew, sailing vessels and paddle steamers
lined the waters laden with goods destined for Newcastle and
Sydney. During this time it was considered that the area could
rival Sydney as the state capital. The gradual siltation of the Hunter
River, and the advent of the railways in the last half of the 19th
century, started a slide in Morpeth's prosperity and growth
rate. As Maitland and Newcastle became the main centres for
development, Morpeth declined.
Rail reached the town in 1870, and it was at this time that a
visually stunning bridge over the Hunter River replaced a punt. Morpeth
has changed little since that time; the entire township complete with
its street kerbs and guttering made from sandstone block has remained
locked in history for all to enjoy.
Today Morpeth offers visitors a unique combination of history and
country charm. Many of the town's historic buildings house quaint
art and craft galleries, as well as delightful antique stores and
cafes. While normally peaceful, the town comes alive at many times
throughout the year with huge gatherings of people enjoying many of the
town's annual celebrations. Morpeth is generally visited out of
historical interest; the whole village is under a Heritage Order, and to
walk down the village streets is to experience rural New South Wales at
a more gracious and leisurely age.
A heritage walk is one of the best ways to appreciate the stunning
historical value of Morpeth. The 3km Morpeth Heritage Walk leads
visitors past many beautiful buildings that were integral to the
commercial success of the town 140 years ago. The Walk begins at
the Fig Tree Hill Lookout and ends at the superb Georgian styled
Closebourne House.
There are a number of key attractions in the area, including the
sandstone quarries where convicts toiled to cut the stone used in
Morpeth's beautiful buildings, as well as the flagstone footpaths and
sandstone gutters seen in Morpeth's streets. Wandering down to
Morpeth's Queens Wharf visitors gain a sense of history of where
steamships and railway hauled all of the Hunter Valley's produce from
Morpeth to ports near and far.
Morpeth's streets are filled with history; there are avenues lined with
Box trees over 100 years old, and the streets are peppered with
delightful homes and superbly designed commercial buildings. A unique
collection of antique stores, crafts and artefacts can be found in
historic shops, and there are a number of buildings of outstanding
historical value, including Closebourne House and the grand CBC Bank
building in Swan Street.
Closeburn House is a magnificent two storey Georgian home and chapel
set in 90 acres of garden and parkland. Closeburn, one of
the oldest existing homes on the Australian Mainland, was built of
locally quarried sandstone in 1826 by Morpeth's founder, Lt Edward
Close. The House became the home of the first Bishop of
Newcastle in 1849 and remained the centre of the Newcastle Diocese until
1912. Closebourne has been fully restored, and now operates
as a function centre. Grounds and gardens are open all year
round, and the House can be inspected during the annual Fuschia Festival
held in November, or by appointment.
Another of Morpeth's beautiful heritage buildings is the Surgeons
Cottage built in 1846. The Cottage, which overlooked the
Hunter River at Queens Wharf - the port from which ships collected goods
for transport to Sydney and Newcastle - was once the residence of Dr
Bennett. Today the Cottage houses a wonderful collection of
interesting stores, and a cafe.
Another splendid attraction is St James Church, a 150 year old sandstone
building with memorial stained glass windows. The glass on the eastern
side of the church is a tribute to Morpeth's founder, Lt Close,
and the church has cedar pews and a spectacular stone carved pulpit.
Arts
Visitors to Morpeth will find over 51 delightful craft stores,
antique shops and art galleries to explore all within a few
blocks. The Morpeth Art Gallery is located on the first floor of
Campbell's Store, and with another 12 craft shops in the same
building visitors are bound to find something wonderful.
Campbell's also has an old fashioned candy store, and a general store to
explore which offers visitors free ginger beer brewed the old fashioned
way. Fudge tasting is also a treat! While exploring the town,
visitors will also discover a range of stores offering all kinds
of goods from wonderful dried flowers, and collectable teddy bears, to
beautiful homewares - including terracotta pieces and romantic Victorian
linens and lace.
Morpeth's old joinery works building is the home of traditional arts and
crafts, and today offers 15 different specialty shops all with their
own charm. While at the Trading Post, visitors can see
Australia's deepest Natural Spring Fed Well that was once used to
operate a steam engine to produce the joinery building's power - the
original working wheels can still be seen on the roof bearers.
Attractions & Events
Along with its many arts and crafts stores and wonderful curio
shops, Morpeth has a range of delightful cafes and restaurants to
enjoy. The town also has a number of superb events scheduled
throughout the year. The Antique and collectable Fair, Vintage Farm Day,
The Morpeth Jazz Festival, The Fuchsia Festival and Open Day at
Closebourne House are just a few of the many varied and
interesting events that are on offer in this delightful town
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