Maitland in the beautiful Hunter Valley is made up of a patchwork of places, townships, colourful communities and immense history. As you explore the various destinations on offer you will notice the uniqueness and warmth which makes Maitland, Hunter Valley the wonderful area it is.
Living in Maitland is like living in the centre of paradise. Some of the state’s most admired and popular attractions are all within 30 minutes drive, including the wild and lush bushlands of the Barrington Tops National Parks, the wine and food delights of the Hunter Valley vineyards, plus the splendour of the wide white beaches of Newcastle and Nelson Bay.
Useful Facts
Size: 396km 2
Population: 71,800
Climate: Warm summers, colourful autumns and springs, and mild winters. Average temperature range is 16° to 30°C in summer and 5° to 20°C in winter. The average annual rainfall is 804mm.
Transport
Road: 163km from Sydney, 33km from Newcastle Rail
Sydney Trains: Provide a regular service to and from Newcastle
Airport: Maitland
Local: Buses provided by Hunter Valley Buses.
Education
TAFE NSW Hunter Institute Maitland Campus
Employment
Maitland’s main industries are:
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare and social assistance
- Retail
- Construction
- Education and training
- Accommodation and food services
- Mining
Dining
With so many wineries at your doorstop, there are cuisines of every kind to try.
Morpeth is a historic riverport and the perfect blend of heritage and contemporary. Having preserved its original look and feel Morpeth is now home to over 50 boutiques, numerous cafés, restaurants, producers and galleries.
For casual dining there are 10 pubs in town with the Fox Bar recently winning ‘Best European Restaurant in Australia’.
Sport
An extensive choice of facilities and services are provided for residents and visitors to enjoy a host of recreational activities. Appreciate MaitlandPark, the most visited recreational area in Maitland, enjoy a family picnic at scenic Walka Water Works, take a leisurely walk along the HunterRiver or simply spend time at one of our many playgrounds.
Arts & Culture
Steeped in history, the Federation Gothic building housing Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG) is an awe-inspiring example of early 1900s architecture.
MRAG focuses on arts education and aims to deliver high quality, energetic, and accessible art, cultural programming and enjoyment for the growing community of.
Grossmann House is fully restored to its 1870 grandeur containing the National Trust’s best Victoriana collection.
Must see:
- Maitland Markets
- Maitland Regional Art Gallery
- Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles
- Hunter Valley Steamfest
Aboriginal Culture
The Wonnarua people, “People of the mountains and the plains”, were the original inhabitants of the Maitland area and are one of eight Nations and clans in the Hunter Region, which include the people of Worimi, Darkinjung, Kamilaroi, Geawegal, Gringal, Awabakul and Wiradjuri.
The Maitland, Cessnock and parts of Singleton and Dungog local government areas are within the Wonnarua people’s boundaries and the Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council boundaries extend throughout the Maitland, Cessnock and parts of Dungog local government areas.
