Morpeth, New South Wales

Part of the joy of travel are the surprises along the way; on the way back from Newcastle, New South Wales, we discovered the cute little historic village of Morpeth in the Hunter Valley. It was purely by chance; Louise had picked up a brochure which featured a cruise up the Hunter River to Morpeth.

We didn't have time to take the boat, we had to drive, but sometimes that's the best way to find these little gems, like when we hired a car and drove to Mount Dora, Florida from Orlando (see our United States Trip 2008).

Situated on the banks of the Hunter River, Morpeth, was established as originally as a river port in the nineteenth century. It's importance declined, as the Port of Newcastle, where we had just visited, expanded into a major city, whilst Morpeth remains pretty much preserved in time.

Now days it is a popular tourist destination. and it's no wonder - it really is very cute. The old stone buildings lining a wide tree lined street, the brown Hunter River flowing lazily under an old white wooden rickety bridge, the lush green fields stretching into the distance provides a picturesque setting. A visitor can spend hours fossicking amongst the quaint little shops, and Louise naturallly liked this shop named Louise's of Morpeth (pictured below).

There are plenty of cozy cafes and restaurants. The freshly baked scones from a wood fire oven gave a satisfying crunch as we bit into them at Morpeth Wood Fired Pizza in the main street.

Then we were lucky enought to catch this Tractor Parade through the main street. A horse drawn carriage taking tourists on a ride pulled over to the side and rattled to a stop to allow the machinery to pass, the old making way for the new.

It was time to head back for the two and a half hour drive to Sydney, but we are already planning a return trip for an over night stay at Morpeth.

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TRIP NOTES:

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Morpeth

Established: 1821

Population: 891

Approximately 165km north of Sydney and 35km north west of Newcastle, NSW.

Morpeth Wood Fired Pizza
173 Swan St, Morpeth.

Open seven days for lunch and dinner.

PH: 02 49339737.

Newcastle, New South Wales

About 150km north of Sydney at the mouth of the Hunter River is the city of Newcastle. Unfashionably famous in this age of Global Warming for its coal, Newcastle is one of the world’s biggest coal exporters; more coal is shipped out of its port than any other port in the world. On a glorious sunny day Louise and I headed north on the F3 Freeway in the car for a one night visit. Our first stop was lunch at PIE IN THE SKY (pictured below).



Take the Berowra Exit off the F3 and follow the Old Pacific Hwy to Cowan. No, it’s not a biker hangout, as the picture would suggest above, but a place to enjoy some of Sydney’s best pies and a great view over the Kuring-Gai National Park.

Louise chose a plain beef pie with real beef chunks in a flaky pastry. "That pie was divine" Louise said with a smile on her face.

I had the Lamb, honey, and Rosemary Pie, which likewise had thick chunks of meat. Okay, we also devoured two of their scrumptious sausage rolls as well.

To get back on the F3 just keep going straight and then over the Brooklyn Bridge to meet back up with the F3 freeway.

The F3 – six lane highway (three lanes in either direction) and for the majority of the way with a 110kmph speed limit. It’s the main road north out of Sydney.

Take the Newcastle Link Road exit, and then follow the signs to Newcastle. All up it’s around an easy two hour’s drive from Sydney.

Chifley Apartments Newcastle

Earlier in the week, after researching accommodation on Wotif.com, I had booked a one bedroom room at the Chifley Apartments Newcastle for about $180 for the night. The Apartments are located in the Honeysuckle Precinct along the harbour, where the brand new apartment buildings and redevelopment reminded me of the Pyrmont area in Sydney. This is the view from the balcony (pictured below).

After settling in we strolled along the promenade that runs east along the harbor. This is a pleasant walk past restaurants, apartment buildings, and the quaint Crown Plaza, Newcastle.

The promenade led to Nobby Beach (pictured above) where the bulk carrier MV Pasha Bulker ran around in 2007, and for awhile there were fears it might break up her on Newcastle’s main beach.

This is the view towards the CBD from the harbor, where we ambled to next. Past the railway station, and then along the railway line which paralleled the Honey Suckle Precinct. In direct contract to the newness to our right, this is all boarded up Hotels, down market shops, and old historic buildings. It’s quiet, deserted, and well, old. We cross back over the railway line to the 21st Century and the Honeysuckle Precinct. Chifley Apartments Newcastle was very quiet. In fact we rarely saw anyone, not in the hotel or even around the Honeysuckle Drive Development.

We didn't get to see the rest of Newcastle as we spent the evening relaxing in our hotel room. The city really does have a laid back feel. There's a harbour, good beaches, and the beautiful Hunter Valley on it's doorstep where we going tomorrow.

Pie in the Sky
1296 Pacific Highway, Cowan NSW 2081
Open 7 days
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

Chifley Apartments Newcastle
14 Honeysuckle Drive
Newcastle NSW