A pleasant upper Hunter Valley town that has become the horse breeding capital of Australia, and claims to be the second-largest horse breeding area in the world, after Kentucky in the United States.

Where is it?: Upper Hunter Valley. Scone is 319 km north of Sydney on the New England Highway.

Events: The annual Scone Horse Festival is a celebration of Scone's cultural links to equines. It is celebrated during May and includes all manner of activities, including wine tours, Open Days across the numerous horse studs in the area, the Scone rodeo, the Scone School Horse Sports competition, the Black Tie Ball, and a parade in Kelly Street.

The main event is a horse racing carnival featuring the prestigious Scone Cup, one of the richest country racing days in New South Wales and Australia. Small celebrations are also a key part of the festival and includes schools, businesses, public events and sports centres. The Horse Festival is also traditionally linked with such events as the Belltrees poetry competition, the yarns night and many other small annual fundraisers and events.

Things to see and do
Hunter Valley Museum of Rural Life: the building was purpose built 30 years ago and houses many items depicting the every day rural life in the Hunter Valley. These include carriages, carts, horse drawn hearse, ploughing implements, implements used for wine making, butter making, various tools, household items, washing machines, sewing machines, lamps, irons, musical instruments and a rock collection.

Scone Historical Museum and Records Centre: situated in the old lock-up (the town's second) and constable's quarters, both being built in 1870. There are two cells to the rear of the gaol which was intended as a holding pen for those awaiting trial or transfer. Interestingly, when the wiring in the roof was checked it was found the building had two ceilings laid crosswise upon each other to prevent escape.

Heritage features: Railway Station (1881); Belmore Hotel (1866); Royal Hotel (1886); Harper's Cottage (1870s); St Luke's Anglican Church (1883-84); Scone Grammar School (1887); Scone Historical Museum and Records Centre (1870); Court House (1882); former Roman Catholic Church (now an arts and crafts centre, 1861); St Andrew's Presbyterian Church (1892); St Mary's Catholic Church (1924, said to be a replica of the parish church in Sligo, Eire); St Aubins Arms (1836, the oldest surviving building in Scone); Airlie House (1890s); The Hunter Valley Museum of Rural Life; Invermein homestead (1826); Turanville homestead and Birnam Wood Winery (1870s); 'Redtrees' (1907); 'Invermein' (c.1826).

Surrounding area

Burning Mountain: For as long as anyone can remember Mt. Wingen has been burning, with an acrid smell of sulphur in the fumes issuing from cracks along its summit. Burning Mountain is not a volcano - Australia being fortunate in not having any volcanoes still active today. Instead, within Mt. Wingen is a layer of coal that is burning, having been set alight by natural means centuries ago.


Belltrees (36km east): one of Australia's most famous rural properties, Belltrees is a horse, sheep and cattle property set in fertile river flats, undulating native pasture paddocks and rolling hills rising to Mt Woolooma, part of the Mt Royal Range to the east. At the heart of the Belltrees property and the centre piece to the valley is the main Belltrees Homestead (1908), in company with other fine buildings of the past; St James Chapel (1887), original colonial homestead (1836) (now museum), Trading Store (1837)(now office), Shearing Shed (1880), Primary School, Country House and a selection of Cottages located along the Hunter River. This working property offers accommodation and recreational activities, and is open for day tours.

Timor Caves: a series of subterranean limestone caverns which are within walking distance of the road. The Timor Caves are easily accessible but good shoes, a strong light and common sense are a must. There is camping available for a fee. The caves are 27 km from Moonan Flat on Pages Creek Road.


Lake Glenbawn: one of the best freshwater fishing spots in NSW, where you can catch our famous 'big bass', golden perch (yellow belly), trout and catfish. Throughout spring and summer, when the lake water is high, water sports are popular, including canoeing, pleasure boating, sailing and wind surfing, swimming and water skiing. Nature lovers and bushwalkers alike will enjoy the woodland.


Barrington Tops: carved out of an ancient volcano, Barrington Tops rises from near sea level to over 1500m. In the lower valleys, there are World Heritage-listed subtropical rainforests. Up on the plateau, the sub-alpine woodland regularly sees snow in winter. Most of the area is declared wilderness, and it's a well-known destination for bushwalkers, however the park is accessible even to those with limited mobility.