Fast facts
- Township on the Golden Highway in the Upper Hunter Valley
- Surrounded by fertile and productive agricultural country
- 297 kms north of Sydney, population 1,000
Why go there
Merriwa is country at its very best, a relaxed but lively town proud of its rich traditions, with ready access to wilderness areas.
The town has good accommodation and dining options, making it an ideal base for experiencing the outdoor and cultural attractions of the Upper Hunter.
History
The district was first settled by Europeans in 1824 and the town of Merriwa was established in 1839.
Merriwa flourished as the centre of a varied agricultural area, aided by its position as a staging post through the Liverpool Ranges to the Liverpool Plains.
Today there are still many fine examples of colonial architecture in its homesteads, courthouses, police stations, hotels and churches.
Things to do
- Explore Goulburn River National Park, 70,000 hectares of mostly sandstone country along the Goulburn River.
- Visit the nearby village of Cassilis, which has a legacy of historic buildings such as the Royal Hotel, the police station, the court house and the Ballantyne woolshed.
Events
- Merriwa Campdraft in February
- Festival of the Fleeces in June
- Merriwa Springtime Show in September
- Merriwa Motorcycle River Rally in October
Don’t miss
- The town’s museum, housed in the Old Colonial Cottage, built in 1847.
- The Bottle Museum, which has more than 5,000 bottles from the 19th century.
- Hands on the Rock, an Aboriginal rock art site in Goulburn River National Park.
- The Battery, where cooling lava has left an astonishing basalt formation resembling a series of organ pipes.
- The Merriwa Town Walk, which takes in the historic buildings at the town centre.
