The commercial centre of the Hunter Valley and a railway, coal mining and market town, the City of Maitland is set on the Hunter River and surrounded by fertile plains.

Where is it?: Hunter Valley. Maitland is 28 km north west of Newcastle, 163 km north of Sydney, on the New England Highway

Events


Hunter Valley Steamfest is an annual festival celebrating the history of steam power. It was established in 1985 in response to the temporary closure of the extensive South Maitland Railway network to Cessnock.

Bitter & Twisted Beer Festival is an annual international boutique beer festival held at historic Maitland Gaol. It is a celebration of beer, food and music.

Morpeth Jazz Festival is an annual music festival held at the popular historic riverside port of Morpeth. It is a celebration of music, wine and food.

Groovin' the Moo is an annual music festival held at the Maitland Showground.

Maitland agricultural is show held annually at the Maitland Showground.

Of the major towns of the Hunter Valley, Maitland retains many historic buildings that date back to the earliest years of colonial Australia.

Things to see and do

Visit the Maitland Regional Art Gallery or National Trust-listed Grossmann House to gain an insight into Maitland's cultural heritage.

Aberglassyn House: built in the early 1840s it is an outstanding two-storey colonial sandstone mansion designed by John Verge and situated on 12 acres overlooking a bend in the river.

Surrounding area

Paterson: a tiny but attractive little hamlet 24 km to the north-east, settled amidst mountains on the Paterson River which has its source in Barrington Tops to the north. Paterson was once an important river port. As such it also became a service centre to the surrounding community. Considerable supplies of tobacco were grown, as well as grains, grapes, wine, citrus fruits and cotton. Shipbuilding also commenced with the development of the river trade. About 5 km from the Woodville turnoff, to the right, is a memorial cairn to noted Australian boxer Les Darcy who was born here.

Rail Motor Society: based at Paterson, near Maitland, the Society's museum contains, amongst other things, an excellent history and technical appraisal of the CPH Railmotor. The Society provides specialised rail tours and weekend excursions.

Kurri Kurri: a classic designed country town of the early 1900's. It is a key town in the Hunter Valley to service industry and provide sound affordable housing close to the cities of Maitland, Newcastle and Cessnock. The town provides people and visitors with an important connection to the past with its pictorial history of 52 murals becoming one of the best known mural towns in the world.


Branxton: a small Hunter Valley township on the New England Highway between Maitland and Singleton. It has several older buildings which reflect the fact that it emerged (albeit slowly and undramatically) in the early to mid-19th century as the Hunter Valley was opened up beyond Maitland.