Branxton, New South Wales
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2008) |
| Branxton New South Wales | |
|---|---|
 New England Highway at Branxton | |
  Branxton | |
| Coordinates | 32°39′S 151°21′E / 32.650°S 151.350°E |
| Population | 1,991 (2016 census)[1] |
| Postcode(s) | 2335 |
| LGA(s) | |
| Region | Hunter 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]
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.
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]
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.[2]
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.
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:
- Main Northern railway: Branxton railway station[3]
- Dalwood Road: Dalwood House[4]
References
- ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Branxton". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
- ^ "Branxton, Hunter Valley, Australia". Retrieved 21 September 2009.
- ^ "Branxton Railway Station group and movable relics". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01098. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
- ^ "Dalwood House and surrounds of Wyndham Estate". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00377. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence.
External links
Media related to Branxton, New South Wales at Wikimedia Commons