Maitland, New South Wales
Maitland in New South Wales is, realistically, two townships. There is Central Maitland, with its impressive High Street and charming mall, The Levee, and there is East Maitland. Both townships have an excess of impressive buildings. Visitors, keen to see how gracious these towns, should allow time to explore their rich heritage.
It is also worth remembering that Maitland, perhaps more than any other city in Australia, has been wracked by floods. The Hunter River, so close to the city and prone to flooding, has broken its banks 15 times since European settlement. In 1955 it was so bad that it killed 14 people. This prompted the construction of levees, spillways and flood channels to mitigate the effects.
Maitland has always been the principal town of the Hunter Valley (although Newcastle would dispute this claim). Consequently, it has many historic buildings as well as a local brickworks, light industry, tourism and an open-cut mine. Many residents commute to the mines further north up the Hunter Valley and south to the Newcastle area. However it is likely that coal will become increasingly unimportant in the next decade. It will be totally replaced by vineyards and boutique food production.
Local history
From colonial philanthropist Caroline Chisholm to famous boxer Les Darcy, Maitland’s history will captivate you on the East Maitland Heritage Walk. Among the fascinating heritage buildings, you’ll see Chisholm’s cottage and the Maitland Gaol, which opened in 1848 and closed 150 years later.
Join a guided tour of the gaol or even stay a night in the gaol. The night behind bars includes a torchlight tour of the former prison. For the history of fashion from the 1860s to present, visit the Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles and marvel at the changes.
A short drive away is a fashion icon and one of Australia’s iconic big things – the Big UGG Boots, at Mortels Sheepskin Factory and The Sheep’s Back Museum. There are factory tours where you’ll learn how the world-famous boots are made. The Mortel family business has been operating since 1958.
Location
Maitland in New South Wales is located on the Hunter River 10 metres above sea level, 166 km north of Sydney via the Pacific and New England Highways and 33 km north-west of Newcastle.
Origin of Name
When the Hunter Valley was first explored by Lieutenant-Colonel Paterson in 1801. He named the future site of Maitland, Schanck’s Forest Plains. Somehow the original name was lost. By 1833, when the government town was proclaimed, it has become known as Maitland.
Get Directions
Maitland NSW, AUSTRALIA
TodayClosed Now!09:00 - 17:00- Monday09:00 - 17:00
- Tuesday09:00 - 17:00
- Wednesday09:00 - 17:00
- Thursday09:00 - 17:00
- Friday09:00 - 17:00
- Saturday24 hours open
- Sunday24 hours open
Contact with business owner
Your request has been submitted successfully.