Branxton, New South Wales

Branxton is a town in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. Branxton is 171 kilometres (106 mi) north of Sydney via the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway and New England Highway. Branxton is located mostly in the City of Cessnock, but part of it is in Singleton Shire. It had a population of 1,991 at the 2016 census.[1]

Branxton
New South Wales
Branxton
Coordinates32°39′S 151°21′E
Population1,991 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)2335
LGA(s)
RegionHunter Region
State electorate(s)
Federal Division(s)Hunter

Branxton is a busy service township with an IGA Supermarket, medical centre, swimming school and an art school.

The town has several different sporting clubs. These include Greta-Branxton Colts Rugby League Football Club, Greta-Branxton Wildcats Soccer Club, Greta-Branxton United Cricket Club, and Branxton District Netball Club. Branxton also has facilities for tennis, croquet, golf and athletics.

History

Prior to 1848 it was referred to as Black Hill but changed the name to Branxton as the developer believe that the Black Hill would not attract buyers.[2] By 1860 was a village of 500 residents , a steam mill, post office , a mechanics institutes and four hotels.[2]

Population

In the 2016 Census, there were 1,991 people in Branxton. 87.2% of people were born in Australia and 93.5% of people spoke only English at home. The most common responses for religion were Catholic 34.7%, Anglican 26.8% and No Religion 21.4%.[1] 1860 saw the main road being built by the general store Victoria House.[2] In 1865 a Methodist church was built.[2] In 1871 St John's Anglican Church was built.[2] In 1880 the police station was completed.[2]

Transport

Branxton is located on the New England Highway between Maitland and Singleton. While the highway passes through the centre of the town, most through traffic bypasses via the Hunter Expressway.

An infamous road sign on one approach to the town states that Branxton has "two cemeteries and no hospital!" The sign, erected by the local Lions Club, is meant to act as a deterrent to rule-breaking motorists.[3]

Branxton is located on the Main Northern railway line and has its own railway station, served by NSW TrainLink's Hunter line.

Wine

Branxton is at the northern end of Wine Country Drive and is the northern gateway to the world-renowned Hunter Valley wine country of Pokolbin and Rothbury.

James Busby (1801–1871) widely regarded as the "father" of the Australian wine industry planted his first grape vines on his property "Kirkton", which is located at Belford in the Branxton district. In 1827 George Wyndham arrived taking up a grant of land adjoining the Hunter River 5k east of the current town. His original homestead, 'Dalwood' is preserved within the grounds of the modern Wyndham Estate complex.

As settlers took up further land grants the township expanded capitalizing on trade from settlers heading further north to open up the Liverpool Plains.

In 1827 ,George Wyndham took land from Branxton to build Dalwood estate and his winery Wyndham Estate Wineries.[2]

Education

There are two primary schools within Branxton; Branxton Public School, and Rosary Park Catholic School. There is no high school in the town, and most students attend high school in nearby Maitland, Singleton or Cessnock.

Heritage listings

Branxton has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Branxton". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  2. "Branxton, NSW". Aussie Towns. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  3. "Branxton, Hunter Valley, Australia". Archived from the original on 12 September 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  4. "Branxton Railway Station group and movable relics". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H01098. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  5. "Dalwood House and surrounds of Wyndham Estate". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H00377. Retrieved 18 May 2018.

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