If you’ve driven from the Lower Hunter through to Tamworth, out to Gunnedah and the northwest, chances are you’ve driven through a beautiful little town called Murrurundi.
The town’s history dates back to the early 19th century when it was established as a stopover point for travelers and stockmen who were traveling across the vast landscapes of NSW.
These days Murrurundi has something for everyone, from nature walks to galleries, art, food, and events. There’s no better way to start your adventure through Murrurundi than with a walk up the Eye of the Needle. The 2.1-kilometre loop trail is moderately challenging starting at the Paradise Park Picnic Area.
The trail is a gradual uphill climb that passes through huge granite boulders and in one section it’s single file in between narrow cliffs that open out to a trail that takes you to a lookout over the beautiful town, the rolling hills and to the base of the Great Dividing Range.
If you want to go on another hike, there is a similar length walk at Burning Mountain which is about 20-kilometres south of Murrurundi. The mountain is the only naturally burning coal seam tucked away just off the New England Highway. The walk is a 4-kilometre return trip through beautiful bushland to the coal seam and back to the start.
Back to Murrurundi, you’ll be hungry after your morning walks and there’s plenty to choose from. Life of Pie is the local bakery that has award-winning pies, all sorts of pastries and slices, and a hot coffee. There are plenty of cafes as well including Take A Break Café at the Tourist Information Centre, and the Kiosk at the Michael Reid Gallery.
The Michael Reid Gallery is a must see. The Kiosk has beautiful homemade sweets and treats, coffee and lunch options, a gift shop that has only unique Australian gifts that you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else, as well as local honey, jams, and other giftware. The Kiosk, shop and the gallery are all nestled amongst beautiful gardens and trees where you could easily spend an afternoon. The gallery changes regularly only showcasing Australian and local artists.
If art is your love, you must stop in at the David Darcy Studio. David has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize and shows a lot of his own work plus some of his favourites, as well as a number of unique gifts.
After you have had a look at some art, you can head up to Magpie Distilling and try their famous locally made Autumn Harvest Gin and many others on offer.
Before you finish your day and head to one of Murrurundi’s pubs for dinner, you have to take a quick walk on the swinging bridge that was built before World War I. The suspension bridge goes over the Pages River and as the name suggests has quite the swing to it the closer to the middle you get…
To finish your adventures in Murrurundi head to the White Hart Hotel for a schnitty and a cold one, or the Royal Hotel to enjoy a meal in front of a roaring fire.
