What’s On in Morpeth & Maitland 2012
Morpeth, We Dare You to See it in a Day!
Morpeth is a small village that sits in an elbow in the Hunter River just 10 minutes from Maitland, 40 minutes from Port Stephens' Blue Water Wonderland and Pokolbin Wine Country and an hour and a half from Sydney.
It is a village of 1,100 people with boundless charm and character, unforgettable hospitality, the finest art and distinctive crafts, boutiques and fabulous food – all in a settlement that is steeped in Australian colonial history.
In fact there is much more to Morpeth than you could ever see in a day.
A walk along Morpeth's Main Street is to have your sense of smell aroused by the aroma of fresh brewed coffee, the delicate bouquet of a selected tea, or perhaps the mouth watering smell of fresh bread baking.
Cafes and teashops are located in gardens or in crannies down small cobblestone alleyways. Eateries feature dishes that use and emphasize local fare, some of it grown or produced in gardens and paddocks you can see through the window as you dine.
Many dishes are 'homemade' and fresh from a small oven, presented in a distinctive style and in an atmosphere of warmth and friendliness.
A Rare Shopping Experience
Wander at your leisure through more than 50 quality art, craft, fashion, antique and collectable shops. You cannot afford to miss one because each has a distinctive range of products. There are gifts for all members of the family, many of which cannot be bought anywhere else.
Taste gourmet foods such as jams, mustards, pickles and sauces – just like grandma used to make. Taste fudge, ginger beer and honey at Campbell's Store Craft Centre or simply lose an hour or two in a fashion boutique.
Living History
Many famous Australian companies began in Morpeth – household names such as Arnott's of biscuit fame, Brambles, a major transport company and Caleb Soul who started Soul Pattinson Pharmacy chain. Find out more about these business icons by taking a village walk which points out the sites of significance, or a guided town tour if you are with a group.
Festival of Two Palettes
Sat 10th & Sunday 11th March 2012.
Morpeth Gallery, 5 Green St, Morpeth.
Visit Morpeth Gallery, where you can chat to the artists who exhibit their works at the Gallery in an informal relaxed environment. Hunter Wine & Fine Food will be available for tastings & sale. It's a Festival of Two Palettes! Activities in Main St. too!
Ph 02 4933 1407
Morpeth Fiery Food Festival
Sat 14th – Sun 15th April 2012
Morpeth Gourmet Foods,
5 Green St, Morpeth ph 02 4933 1407
Fire up your tastebuds and get ready for an endorphin rush as Morpeth bursts with the flavours of all things hot and spicy. Taste chilli salsas, sauces, mustards, nuts, cordial, fudge, biscuits and oils. Restaurants in Morpeth will feature all things hot and spicy. Fancy a Devonshire tea with sweet chilli jam?
Admission FREE.
Hunter Valley Steamfest
Saturday 28th – Sunday 29th April, 2012
Dedicated solely to steam, Ride on a Steam Train. See steam traction engines. Enjoy the Farmers Markets and Fine Food.
For train tickets Ph: 02 4931 2800.
www.maitlandhuntervalley.com.au
Tocal Field Days
Friday 4th May – Sunday 6th May, 2012
Tocal College, Paterson Road, Tocal
Visit these massive field days just north of Morpeth to see how hobby farming is conducted. Yabbies, Olives, Emu, Deer, Cattle, Goats and Horses to name a few along with craft and food.
Mother's Day at Morpeth
Sunday 13th May, 2012
Campbell's Store Craft Centre, Morpeth
Pamper your mum with a day out in Morpeth. Take mum shopping for that special gift. Soak up the relaxed atmosphere of Morpeth with a traditional Devonshire Tea with real jam and cream at Servant's Quarter's Tearoom. Open for breakfast from 9am.
Chapel Jazz
Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th May 2012
Held in the three churches, shops, restaurants and pubs at Morpeth.
Jazz returns to Morpeth.
New Orleans and Traditional jazz bands.
Hunter Caravan, Camping, 4WD & Fish Show
Friday 25th – Sunday 27th May 2012
Maitland Showground – Ph 02 6769 4132
Three days of outdoor demonstrations and fun.
World Environment Day Wildlife Art Exhibition.
(FREE Admission)
Thurs 7th - Monday 11th June 2012.
Morpeth Gallery, 5 Green St, Morpeth.
ph 02 4933 1407
Birds, animals and plants painted by Australia's Leading Wildlife Artists in a spectacular display of investment art.
'Meet the Author' with John Bradley, Gary Flemming, Natalie Jane Parker & Ted Prior
Saturday 7th – Sunday 8th July 2012
Morpeth Gallery, 5 Green St, Morpeth.
Phone: 02 4933 1407. FREE entry.
Three children’s book authors and an artist book author will be available to sign any books purchased over the weekend. Children will love to meet Grug. Perhaps listen to a story being read by the author.
Morpeth Weird and Wonderful
Novelty Teapot Exhibition
Run over two weeks, every day, from Thurs 16th Aug till Sun 26th Aug 2012. Morpeth Gallery, 5 Green St
Two weeks of visual extravaganza featuring the amazing creativity of teapot makers from all over Australia and around the world... And the best part is...
... it's all-FREE. A staggering 3,847 teapots are on their way from every state in Australia & overseas.
All teapots are for sale. Novelty Tea Cosy Competition – entry forms on www.campbellsstoremorpeth.com or phone and we'll post one out.
Marine Art Exhibition
Thursday 27th September - Monday 1st October 2012.
Morpeth Gallery, 5 Green St, Morpeth ph 02 4933 1407
Melbourne based Marine Artist Paul Garling will be in residence to demonstrate how he paints his stunning seascapes that feature marine vessels from masted vessels to the humble dinghy. Other marine artworks by John Alcott and John Bradley
will be on display and for sale.
Paul’s great fore bearer, well known marine artist Frederick Garling, is noted for painting every ship to enter Sydney Harbour between 1825-1870. As a member of the Australian Society of Marine Artists, Paul feels, “it is almost cliché for painters saying they try to capture the mood, light, feeling etc. of a scene.
Free Entry.
Opera in the Vineyards
Saturday 13th October 2012.
An annual feast for the senses, returning for the fifteenth year. Great wines, gourmet delights, spectacular views and the exhilaration of opera, with the cream of Australia’s finest opera singers. Why not stay in Morpeth and hire a Morpeth owned limousine to chauffeur you out and back in style?
Christmas Nativity Exhibition
1st November – 31st December 2012.
At Morpeth Gallery discover hundred’s of nativities in all shapes & sizes, made from all manner of materials – glass, wood, resin, tin, ceramic, pottery. Light ups, musicals, modern & traditional. Every one for sale.
Stay in Morpeth:
www.bronteguesthouse.com.au
www.huntertennisresort.com.au
www.morpethhuntervalley.com.au
Maitland Fair Markets
The first Sunday of every month (not January) plus 21st Oct, 18th Nov, 16th Dec. Maitland Showground 8am-2pm. Phone 02 4962 5522
Over 600 sites display the best made, grown and crafted goods. Next stop… Morpeth, for Fine Food & Craft, FREE Ginger Beer, Fudge & Honey Tasting and afternoon tea! www.maitlandmarkets.com.au
For Information on any of these events
Contact: Campbell’s Store Craft Centre
175 Swan Street Morpeth NSW 2321.
Open Thursday – Sunday 10am – 5pm.
ph 02 4933 1407 fax 02 4934 2107
Email: info@morpethgallery.com
Website: www.morpethgallery.com
Website: www.morpethteddybears.com
Website: www.campbellsstoremorpeth.com
All of the above events cater for children.
Disabled facilities including toilets are available.
Campbell’s Store is just 2 hours north of Sydney, in the Hunter. 5 minutes off the New England Highway at East Maitland and 15 minutes off the Pacific Highway at Raymond Terrace.
