| SINGLETON - NEW SOUTH WALES - 2330 | ||||
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Population: 12,500 Latitude: 32.3400 Longitude: 151.1000 Location: 250km north of Sydney Highway: New England Hwy (15) Nearest Major Town: Singleton Nearest Airport: Maitland Touring Area: Hunter Valley and Coast |
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Regional centre for the upper Hunter Valley on the Hunter River amongst extensive
pasturelands and mountains. There are several significant National Parks nearby and the
Singleton Historic Museum is located in the old courthouse and gaol and protects the history
of the area. Aboriginal carvings and paintings can be seen in the Yengo National Park.
Singleton is also at the heart of the Hunter Valley wine region and is steeped in local history, being one of its first settlments. Explorer John Howe arrived at the Hunter River near Whittingham in 1820 and named the area St. Patrick's Plains. He described the countryside as 'as fine a country as the imagination can form'. A member of Howe's party, John Singleton, received a grant of 240 acres and established a residence near a ford across the river. He doggedly pressed for a settlement around his property despite recommendations by Howe that the township be at Whittington. He coerced others to settle around his property and by 1840 Singleton boasted a population os around 400. Wheat, tobacco and grapevines were the early crops and in 1828 George Wyndham had planted vines at his property 'Dalwood' near Branxton which became the forerunner of the massive wine industry which flourishes today. By the mid 1800s graziers introduced sheep and cattle, sending their produce to the major market of Sydney, only a few hours away today by car or rail, but in those days, a long haul. The Hunter Valley is also noted today for its horse breeding. Singleton is also home to coal mines and power stations, and guided tours of the Bayswater Power Station can be arranged by appointment. It is the also headquarters of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. The military camp has existed since 1941. PLACES OF INTEREST:
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© Copyright Peter W. Wilkins | |