Not far from the heart of the Hunter Valley, and just two hours north of Sydney, is the charming country town Morpeth.
Morpeth is situated inland on the Hunter River. Rich with history dating back to European settlement in the 1800s, Morpeth once housed a busy river port and was a major agricultural and industrial hub.
Now, Morpeth is a quiet and tranquil town, a rewarding end to a weekend drive through the country. In Morpeth you can take your time strolling through the main street exploring the cute boutiques and cafes. Stay for lunch by the river and for some tea and scones in one of the tea houses.
Whilst the boutiques and antique stores are all worth a visit, other places worth mentioning include the famous Morpeth Sourdough bakery. This bread, baked by the Arnott family since 1848, is available at different locations in Sydney, including Harris Farm Markets, but in Morpeth you will find the original source. The bakery is housed in the Arnotts family home and upstairs is the official Morpeth Sourdough restaurant,
Arnotts Bakehouse.
Another store worth visiting is Miss Lilly's Lollies, a lolly store featuring old fashioned and international sweets from all over the world.
You'll also find galleries and other speciality stores around the main street of Morpeth.
The history of Morpeth is easily discovered in the Morpeth Heritage Walk which endeavours to reveal how Morpeth has changed throughout the years.
If you run out of things to do, a short drive away is Maitland Gaol which runs self guided tours.
Whether you stay for an entire day, or just a few hours passing through from the Hunter Valley or elsewhere, your trip to Morpeth will definitely be memorable.
