Top 15 Activities in Muswellbrook, Australia

Encircled by towering hills in the Upper Hunter Valley, Muswellbrook is a rural town that was initially settled by Europeans nearly 200 years ago.

While coal mining and horse breeding were the traditional economic foundations, Muswellbrook has recently garnered significant recognition for its gourmet food and beverages.

The area boasts a variety of local producers, offering an array of products such as olive oil, artisan cheese, and wine.

Located in the town, Bridge Street is adorned with historic architecture dating back to the mid-19th century, and Muswellbrook is notably home to the only church in Australia designed by the renowned English architect Sir Gilbert Scott.

1. Pukara Estate

As you journey along Denman Road just outside of Muswellbrook, the expansive olive grove of Pukara Estate emerges in view.

This establishment serves as the headquarters for one of Australia’s most esteemed specialty food brands, offering award-winning olive oil along with an impressive selection of vinegars, gourmet olives, tapenades, mayonnaise, jams, relishes, pesto, and dukkahs.

A comprehensive range of products is available for tasting at the Denman Tasting Room, where visitors can also gain insights into the grove and the processes involved in creating premium olive oil and vinegar.

Additionally, you can explore a collection of elegant homewares at the gift shop and enjoy coffee and cake within the serene ambiance of the olive grove.

2. Hunter Belle Cheese

This renowned cheesemaker and dairy brand is located just outside of town along the New England Highway and has welcomed the public to its premises for the past decade.

With a herd of Swiss Brown cows, Hunter Belle produces an array of premium cheeses, including cheddar, feta, camembert, Swiss, and blue cheese.

This selection, along with Hunter Belle’s milk, yogurt, and butter, enriches the menu at the Hunter Belle Cafe, which is particularly noted for its delightful offerings such as fudge, ice cream, and milkshakes.

Visitors can opt for a tasting at the shop and observe the factory through viewing windows that provide insight into the cheese-making room, maturation room, and packaging area.

A detailed mural further outlines the cheese production process, from pasture to plate.

Among the unique features is Bessie, a life-sized fiberglass cow model that visitors can milk.

3. Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre

The impressive School of Arts building, constructed in 1871, now serves as the public gallery for Muswellbrook and the surrounding shire.

Established in the 1970s, the gallery possesses a remarkable collection, which has been amassed through an art prize inaugurated in 1958. This allows the arts centre to present a comprehensive representation of mid to late-20th century Australian art, further complemented by the Max Watters Collection, entrusted to the centre in 2004. Notable artists featured include Ken Whisson, John Perceval, Tony Tuckson, and Grace Cossington-Smith.

Up to three exhibitions are available concurrently, showcasing local and touring artists, while the Muswellbrook Art Prize is awarded in even years.

4. Muswellbrook Heritage Walk

Visitors can acquire a map of this informative 4.5-kilometer trail from the Muswellbrook Visitor Information Centre, which navigates through the Central Business District.

The walk begins at either 208 Bridge Street or the Railway Station situated on Market Street.

Muswellbrook features numerous heritage buildings predominantly constructed in the mid-19th century, primarily along the arterial Bridge Street.

Participants will encounter grand civic structures, grand residences, hotels, and essential facilities such as the post office (1861 and 1885) and the railway station (1869). Notably, at 180-188 Bridge Street stands the Eatons Group—a stately complex consisting of a hotel, shops, residences, and retail spaces, with history dating back to 1839.

5. St Alban’s Anglican Church

Designed by Sir Gilbert Scott (1811-1878), known for his church designs across the United Kingdom during the 19th century, this heritage-listed church is located on Hunter Terrace.

In Scott’s characteristic Gothic Revival style, St Alban’s is unique as the sole place of worship designed by him in Australia. It was constructed between 1864 and 1869 and subsequently enlarged in 1890. The church features modest dimensions and is constructed from sandstone, adorned with a copper-clad broach spire on the north side.

Visitors are encouraged to explore some of the distinctive fittings, including the Minton and Hollins tiles from Stoke-on-Trent, a limestone reredos, an organ built in 1868 by J.W. Walker of London, and a beautifully decorated scissor-truss roof featuring original polychrome details.

6. Hunter Valley Camels

Head down Denman Road from Muswellbrook and shortly you will arrive at a dairy farm renowned for its large herd of camels.

These camels have been rescued from the threat of slaughter and are milked no more than once daily to ensure sufficient milk for their young.

The business opens its doors for farm tours, allowing visitors to learn more about the herd and their care.

There are camel milk products available for tasting and purchase, ranging from bath milk to pasteurized drinking milk and cosmetics such as lip balms.

Visitors can also experience riding a saddled camel across the vast property, enjoying picturesque views of the Upper Hunter Valley.

7. Two Rivers Wines

One of the premier vineyards in the Hunter Valley is situated just a short distance west of Muswellbrook.

Since 1988, Two Rivers has been crafting exceptional wines from classic grape varietals.

The vineyard derives its name from its unique location nestled between the Hunter and Goulburn Rivers.

In 2020, the offerings included Chardonnays, Pinot Grigio, Verdelhos, Semillons, Merlots, several Shiraz labels, and a Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend titled “Confluence.”

The cellar door, which serves cheese and antipasti platters, features a verandah with stunning views of the Upper Hunter Valley.

8. Highbrook Park

For family-friendly activities, Muswellbrook’s primary public park is situated on the southwestern fringes of the town.

Highbrook Park features an enormous lizard sculpture towering over the playground, measuring 10 meters tall and 70 meters long, complete with an enclosed slide designed as the creature’s tongue! There is a variety of play equipment for young visitors, including climbing ropes, mazes, a flying fox, swings, and a designated area for learning to ride a bicycle.

In addition to play facilities, Highbrook Park provides restrooms, barbecues, water bubblers, and picnic benches with covered seating options.

9. Muswellbrook Cinema

This modern cinema was inaugurated near the regional arts centre in the 2010s and screens the latest film releases.

In terms of entertainment facilities, Muswellbrook Cinema excels for a town of this size.

Both sound and visual quality rival that of any multiplex, with contemporary decor, plush seating that provides ample legroom, and a tempting selection of snacks and candy available in the foyer.

For a premium experience, visitors can opt for the VIP Platinum seating upgrade.

10. Small Forest Wine

Continue your exploration of Upper Hunter wines at this boutique winery operated by Atsuko Radcliffe, Japan’s first female winemaker.

Located just outside Denman, it features stunning views of the region and focuses on three grape varieties: Chardonnay, Verdelho, and Shiraz (both red and rosé). At the cellar door, you can learn more about Atsuko’s winemaking philosophy, and from June to December, there is an opportunity to partake in a Sake-tasting session, offered by Atsuko, who is recognized as an international authority on this beverage.

The cellar door also houses an art gallery, which features changing exhibitions every couple of months.

11. Barrington Tops National Park

This World Heritage-listed national park in the Hunter Valley is conveniently close enough to Muswellbrook to serve as a viable day trip destination.

Barrington Tops National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, encompassing the largest tracts of subtropical rainforest globally, along with substantial areas of warm temperate rainforests and significant portions of Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest.

Few places on Earth contain such a diverse array of plant and animal species that have changed insignificantly from their prehistoric ancestors, as reflected in the fossil records.

This magnificent landscape can be explored by foot, bike, or 4WD, and within it dwell species such as the common wombat, swamp wallaby, and the Australian brush turkey, which have thrived in near isolation since the time of the Gondwana supercontinent.

It is noteworthy that the park and Mount Royal National Park experienced partial damage due to the bushfires of 2019-20.

12. Mount Royal National Park

Similar to Barrington Tops, Mount Royal National Park is also located within the World Heritage area of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.

Moreover, many of the botanical and zoological species flourishing at Mount Royal have experienced minimal changes from fossil records dating back millions of years.

The principal base for your adventures in the park is the Youngville Campground, which serves as a starting point for both walking paths and 4WD routes.

An accessible walk is the three-kilometer Pieries Peak track, leading to a panoramic lookout overlooking Lake Saint Clair and the Hunter Valley.

13. Lake Glenbawn State Park

En route to Barrington Tops and Mount Royal lies one of the largest rock-filled dams in the country, standing 100 meters tall and exceeding 1.1 kilometers in length.

The Glenbawn Dam, situated on the Hunter River, serves multiple purposes, including irrigation, flood control, water supply, wildlife conservation, and hydroelectric power generation.

Additionally, it is one of the region’s preferred recreational locations, offering a diverse array of holiday accommodations along its shores, from villas to campsites.

Walking and cycling trails provide access to breathtaking lookouts, and approximately 100 different bird species have been recorded in this area.

Lake Glenbawn is also a dream destination for anglers, renowned for its plentiful bass, catfish, and golden perch.

14. Muswellbrook Aquatic & Fitness Centre

As of 2020, the public aquatic and fitness centre in the town was undergoing significant renovations.

Plans included refurbishing the 50m outdoor pool while modernizing the centre’s interior to feature a learner and therapy pool, a water activity park, a viewing deck, a kiosk, and a dry play party room.

This multimillion-dollar project also encompassed upgrading the centre’s fitness equipment.

15. Upper Hunter Show

Two weeks prior to Easter, the community unites for a regional show that combines rural competitions with trade exhibits and abundant family entertainment.

For a preview of the activities, attendees can enjoy a rodeo, whip-cracking contests, a wife-carrying competition, tent pegging, coal scuttle races, polocrosse, and various competitions for poultry, cattle, horses, and more.

Entertainment options include live music, displays of high-tech machinery, a petting zoo, fireworks, a demolition derby, tug-of-war contests, amusements in Sideshow Alley, and the spectacles of the Grand Parade.

Numerous vendors set up stalls at the event, and a wide array of food stands offers delights including Portuguese street food, nachos, pizza, pastries, waffles, dumplings, Vietnamese bites, artisan coffee, and more.