Villages

Broke Fordwich

The village of Broke is situated at the base of the Brokenback and Hunter Ranges, on the Wollombi Brook, 26 kilometres south-south-west of Singleton. This quieter hamlet of wine country boasts over 70 boutique vineyards. Intimate cellar doors present a wide range of award winning wines for tasting and purchase. Broke also boasts first class guest houses, cottages, B&Bs, cafés, licensed restaurants, cellar doors and farm shops and a gourmet selection of local produce.

The locality of Fordwich, situated between Broke and Milbrodale, was the name of the property granted to John Blaxland Sr in the late 1820s. At the end of WW1, the area was redistributed as the Fordwich Soldiers Settlement Purchase area. At the time, many returning soldiers planted grapevines on their 10-acre allotments. Today in the Fordwich area, some of the original vines planted in 1922 are still producing fruit.

Milbrodale

Milbrodale, settled in 1822, is a small village surrounded by mixed farming and orange orchards. Situated 26 kilometres south- west of Singleton on the Putty Road, Milbrodale hosts several off-road events for 4WD vehicle enthusiasts during the year, including the Milbrodale Mountain Classic and the Tuff Truck Challenge. The most notable local icon, the Baiame Aboriginal Cave painting, is a site of cultural significance.

Bulga

Bulga is situated 21 kilometres west-south-west of Singleton on the Putty Road, surrounded by grazing properties, olive groves and vineyards. The orchards of the village are well known for producing delicious citrus fruit. The local tavern is a friendly meeting place and the lively community hall hosts a range of activities and events. Bulga is the gateway to Yengo and Wollemi National Parks. The large wooden bridge spanning the Wollombi Brook at Bulga is a heritage-listed structure, as is the Mt Leonard Homestead.

Mount Thorley

Mount Thorley is primarily an industrial estate, located east of the junction of Mitchells Line of Road and Putty Road, 6.5 kilometres south of Singleton. Mount Thorley is one of Singleton’s heavy industrial and engineering sectors. Settled by the pioneer Philip Thorley, a member of the exploration party which discovered St Patrick’s Plains (now known as the Singleton district) in 1820. 

Warkworth

Warkworth, 22 kilometres west of Singleton on the Golden Highway, is a small village with a church, picnic area with playground and a cricket oval.  St Philip’s Anglican Church and the old Warkworth Public School (1859) are the only original buildings remaining in the village.

Jerrys Plains

Jerrys Plains is located 37 kilometres west-north-west of Singleton on the Golden Highway. The region was first known as St Patrick’s Plains and then in 1820 (close to St Patrick’s Day) John Howe, Chief Constable of Windsor, named the river valley Jerry’s Plains. His large exploring party travelled through Jerrys Plains on the way to discover the Singleton area. This pretty village on the fertile banks of the Hunter River is now home to two of the largest thoroughbred horse breeding stud farms in Australia, Coolmore Stud and Woodlands.

Branxton

Steeped in history and charm, Branxton is a small town with a stack of country character. Located on the northern fringes of Hunter Valley wine country, Branxton is the perfect place to call in and explore heritage, culture, and some of Australia’s earliest winemaking origins, being home to some of the first vines ever planted by George Wyndham in 1827.

Situated on the New England Highway between Maitland and Singleton, Branxton boasts a streetscape of historical buildings, thriving local businesses including a regionally renowned artisan butcher, anchored by the grand country pub loved by locals and visitors alike, The Royal Federal Hotel.