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.

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:

gollark: American Civil Liberties Union or something.
gollark: I see.
gollark: How can you be in weather that hot without imploding? It's been something like 25 good degrees here lately and even that is very unpleasant.
gollark: Well, they say exercise is good for your health.
gollark: Dunbar's number is someone's wild guess at maximum social relationships per person or something, not average friend count.

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