Branxton, New South Wales

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Branxton
New South Wales
Branxton New England Highway 001.JPG
New England Highway at Branxton
Branxton is located in New South Wales
Branxton
Branxton
Coordinates32°39′S 151°21′E / 32.650°S 151.350°E / -32.650; 151.350Coordinates: 32°39′S 151°21′E / 32.650°S 151.350°E / -32.650; 151.350
Population1,991 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)2335
LGA(s)
RegionHunter Region
State electorate(s)
Federal Division(s)Hunter

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]

History[]

Branxton lies on the Traditional Country of the Wonnarua people.[2][3] After colonisation, the township was initially referred to as Black Creek but in 1848, its name was changed to Branxton as the developer believed that the Black Creek would not attract buyers.[4] As settlers took up further land grants the township expanded capitalizing on trade from settlers heading further north to settle the Liverpool Plains. By 1860 it was a village of 500 residents, a steam mill, post office, a mechanics institute and four hotels.[4]

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.[4] In 1865 a Methodist church was built.[4] In 1871 St John's Anglican Church was built.[4] In 1880 the police station was completed.[4]

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.[5]

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

Wine history[]

Dalwood Vineyards near Branxton, 1886

The Branxton region is considered one of the birth places of Australian wine.[6] Located at the northern end of Wine Country Drive, it is the northern gateway to the world-renowned Hunter Valley wine country of Pokolbin and Rothbury.

Winemaker James Busby, 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 five kilometres east of the current town. His original homestead, 'Dalwood' is preserved within the grounds of the modern Wyndham Estate complex. Management was eventually taken over by his son John who expanded the business, bringing it to international acclaim receiving awards at local and international exhibitions, including the Paris International Exhibition of 1867. The Wyndhams named some of their wines after local Aboriginal words such as Bukkulla.[7] At the height of Dalwood's success, a set of promotional photographs of the vineyard were produced in 1886, which was presented to various local dignitaries, including Queen Victoria.[6]

Facilities[]

Branxton is a busy service township with a 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.

There are two primary schools within Branxton; Branxton Public School, and Rosary Park Catholic School.[8][9] 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. ^ Jump up to: a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Branxton". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 July 2017. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ "Preserving history and culture | Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations". www.oric.gov.au. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  3. ^ Wonnarua People. Boundaries of the Hunter Valley Aboriginal people (PDF). Wonnarua Aboriginal Corporation.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "Branxton, NSW". Aussie Towns. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Branxton, Hunter Valley, Australia". Archived from the original on 12 September 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b scheme=AGLSTERMS. AglsAgent; corporateName=State Library of New South Wales; address=Macquarie Street, Sydney (17 February 2016). "Wyndhams | Australian agricultural and rural life". State Library of NSW. Retrieved 5 June 2021.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "INTERCOLONIAL AND PARIS EXHIBITION". Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954). 28 February 1867. p. 5. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Home - Branxton Public School". branxton-p.schools.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  9. ^ "Rosary Park Catholic School – Branxton". www.branxton.catholic.edu.au. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Branxton Railway Station group and movable relics". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H01098. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Dalwood House and surrounds of Wyndham Estate". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H00377. Retrieved 18 May 2018.

External links[]

Media related to Branxton, New South Wales at Wikimedia Commons

Retrieved from ""