SCONE

LOCATION

Situated on the New England Highway Scone is

2 hrs north of Newcastle,    1 ½ hours south of Tamworth

 Scone, known as the ‘Horse Capital of Australia’, is surrounded by

              horse studs and National Parks

CLIMATE

Spring and Autumn are pleasant sunny days and cool nights.

Winter is brisk and invigorating with frosty mornings.

Summer has hot days with long pleasant evenings once the sun goes down

FACILITIES

Scone offers a great range of services and facilities including

THINGS TO DO    -   PLACES TO SEE

                              IN & AROUND SCONE

Barrington Tops National Park

Scone is the North western gateway to the World Heritage Listed Barrington Tops Wilderness Area

The National Park is accessed via Gundy and  Moonan and then taking the  Barrington Tops /Gloucester Road

Variations in altitude mean you can see Sub-tropical rain forest and snow gums all in a days walk.

There are many different walking tracks and lookouts offering great views of the Hunter Valley and of the Wilderness area

One of the most unusual features of the area is a large sphagnum moss swamp called Polblue Swamp which is dissected by a channel of icy cold water.

 The Park is also home to over 390 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.

Photos NPWS, Craigmhor Enterprises & Tim Jopson

LAKE GLENBAWN

15 kilometres east of Scone nestled in the shadows of the Barrington Tops National Park.

It offers visitors the opportunity to conduct a multitude of recreational activities. Through spring and summer when the lake water is high, popular water sports include canoeing, pleasure boating, sailing and windsailing, rowing, swimming and water skiing.

 Nature lovers and bushwalkers will appreciate the open woodland environment of the park which provides plenty of shady areas and habitats for around 100 species of Birds.

photos - Upper Hunter Shire Council & Craigmhor Enterprises

Scone Historical Museum

 The museum holds war memorabilia, collection of toys from those early years

It also tells you about the history of Scone and the staff are always willing to help with any enquiries.

Pay's Flying Museum

At Scone airport along the Bunnan /Merriwa Road there is the largest museum of actual flying Warbirds in Australia.

Col Pay's collection includes many vintage models of which there are only a few left in the world.

Horse Studs

Scone is known as the Horse capital of the World and why not when surround by over 40 Horse studs.

Take a drive on any of the Roads from Scone and you will drive past some of these studs and be able to admire the magnificent horseflesh.

Except on their Open Days (usually during the Scone Horse Festival ) the Studs are not open to the public

Australian Stockhorse Museum

Scone is the Head Office for the Australian Stockhorse Society

There is a collection of photos and memorabilia and history of this versatile breed developed specifically for Australian conditions and stock work

Open 9-5 Monday to Friday

This should be the first place you visit.

 It offers suggestions with attractions, dates for special events as well as accommodation and meals options.

SCONE FESTIVALS    &     EVENTS

Scone and

 Upper Hunter

Horse Festival

Held in MAY every year over a 16 day period, the festival is a salute to the Horse.

There are events of interest to everyone - either as an observer or a participant

Events

There are many diverse events in and around Scone throughout the year

Murrurundi - Timor - Gundy –Scone - Towarri Nat. Park – Wingen – Burning Mountain – Murrurundi

136 kms

 v Historic rural towns, Villages and Homesteads  v Horse Studs  v Pastoral Scenery   

v  Picturesque river valleys  v  National Parks, v  Burning Mountain  

v Wildlife (sightings possible along much of the drive)

Scone – Gundy –Belltrees -  Moonan Flat – Barrington Tops Circuit –  Moonan Flat - Belltrees  - Scone 

210 kms

Driving Time : 3.5 hours

vBarrington Tops National Park & World Heritage Wilderness Area     

  vMagnificent Forests     vWildlife      vSpectacular Sweeping Vistas    vPicturesque Rivers

   vHistoric Homesteads    vPastoral Views    vHorse Studs   vTiny Hamlets  

 v Delightful Picnic Areas   vDiverse Walks 

(104kms gravel road, suitable for all vehicles)

Muswellbrook - Jerrys Plains - Denman - Wybong - Muswellbrook

150 kms

vSpectacular Scenery vPicturesque farming countryside

vHistoric Country Towns  and Villages     vOpen-cut Coal Mines 

vWineries  vOlive Grove vFish Farm vHorse Studs

Sandy Hollow – Baerami - Wollemi & Goulburn River National Parks – Merriwa – Sandy Hollow. 

150 kms 

 Driving time: 3 hours

vSpectacular scenery    vSandstone Escarpments  vNational Parks 

 vWineries       vHorse studs    vCountry Towns    vRural Villages

v Wildlife (sightings possible along much of the drive)

Scone Visitor Information Centre

Opposite Elizabeth Park at the northern end of Kelly St (New England Highway)

Ph 02 6545 1526

Email: bmckenzie@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au

Websites:     www.upperhuntercountry.com    or    www.upperhuntertourism.com.au