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In Australia - New Castle or Morpeth?

bdazzled

By bdazzled,
in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

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GUT2407

GUT2407

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Have a full day in Newcastle. Would like to know if the 45 min drive to Morpeth is worth it over staying in Newcastle and dong their historical walking tour. Port Stevens in Nelson bay is another option- 45 min drive.

Depends on what your interests are really. And perhaps what day you are in town.

 

Morpeth now is an historic little village, mainly filled with one-off shops.

 

I must say I wasn't aware of an historic walking tour. But there is the old Tram that does a wizz around a few of the highlights. And even less certain what it would visit. Unfortunately Newcastle isn't exactly a shining gem at the moment.

 

Port Stephens for beaches but you've got those in Newcastle anyway.

 

Of course there's the vineyards and/or Hunter Valley Rose Gardens also about 45 minutes.

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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Have a full day in Newcastle. Would like to know if the 45 min drive to Morpeth is worth it over staying in Newcastle and dong their historical walking tour. Port Stevens in Nelson bay is another option- 45 min drive.

As you sound interested in the town, I would say it may be worth it to you and if you are hiring a car, you get to see the places in between as well. In addition, if it isn't up to what you expected, you could always change your plans and drive elsewhere like the Hunter for the wineries or to Port Stephens for some nice views and beaches.

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By The Bay

By The Bay

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Port Stephens has a few operators offering dolphin tours inside the port. From May to October there are operators heading out to sea to watch the migration of the whales. Oakvale farm, at Salt Ash, has the usual Australian animals on display. Murry's brewery is a craft beer maker which is a popular spot for tourists and is next to a winery. If you are more adventurous, there are the sand hills at Stockton Bight for quad bike, sand boarding and camel rides.

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sewgood

sewgood

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Morpeth is a pretty village full of unique shops and historic buildings. If you like that sort of thing go for it.

There is an old bridge that is great for taking photos of.

It is a lovely drive out there from East Maitland along farmland and river flats.

The very old Campbell building is worth exploring if you go there.

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GUT2407

GUT2407

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Morpeth is a pretty village full of unique shops and historic buildings. If you like that sort of thing go for it.

There is an old bridge that is great for taking photos of.

It is a lovely drive out there from East Maitland along farmland and river flats.

The very old Campbell building is worth exploring if you go there.

 

 

 

I think the bridge is closed for repairs at the moment.

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Brisbane41

Brisbane41

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In all honesty I think Morpeth would be a total disappointment. It is nowhere near as good as other places in the local area. There is very little to see for such an amount of time spend getting there and you will miss out on far better things.

 

Hunter Valley Vineyards are best when in Newcastle or doing the city sights like the fortifications and coastal walks.

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wishfulone

wishfulone

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Not sure if the OP intends hiring a car or choosing a ship's excursion but IF you intend hiring a car and you have a FULL day you can visit both Morpeth and the vineyards on a lovely loop drive. There are plenty of posters on here with current knowledge of which vineyards you should visit, stop at for lunch, etc but driving back through Morpeth would be an excellent spot for arvo tea.

 

The village of Morpeth is currently quite trendy but has its roots with our first white immigrants. It was here that they grew the first grapes and cultivated the vines that eventually established the Hunter Valley wine industry. The loop drive would make a nicely rounded full day excursion.

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GUT2407

GUT2407

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Not sure if the OP intends hiring a car or choosing a ship's excursion but IF you intend hiring a car and you have a FULL day you can visit both Morpeth and the vineyards on a lovely loop drive. There are plenty of posters on here with current knowledge of which vineyards you should visit, stop at for lunch, etc but driving back through Morpeth would be an excellent spot for arvo tea.

 

The village of Morpeth is currently quite trendy but has its roots with our first white immigrants. It was here that they grew the first grapes and cultivated the vines that eventually established the Hunter Valley wine industry. The loop drive would make a nicely rounded full day excursion.

 

 

 

Also the home of Arnotts and Brambles.

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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Not sure if the OP intends hiring a car or choosing a ship's excursion but IF you intend hiring a car and you have a FULL day you can visit both Morpeth and the vineyards on a lovely loop drive. There are plenty of posters on here with current knowledge of which vineyards you should visit, stop at for lunch, etc but driving back through Morpeth would be an excellent spot for arvo tea.

 

The village of Morpeth is currently quite trendy but has its roots with our first white immigrants. It was here that they grew the first grapes and cultivated the vines that eventually established the Hunter Valley wine industry. The loop drive would make a nicely rounded full day excursion.

I agree, certainly worth a drive to both.:D

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madfisher

madfisher

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Have a full day in Newcastle. Would like to know if the 45 min drive to Morpeth is worth it over staying in Newcastle and dong their historical walking tour. Port Stevens in Nelson bay is another option- 45 min drive.

When are you arriving and on which ship? What is your first choice and how many hours do you have to fill in.

Michael

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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Why would you hire a car to drive to the vineyards. It is counter productive and a total waste of time. You drive up there and cannot drink a glass or two of wine because you are driving. What a total waste of time that would be!

Some of us a quite capable of having a glass or two being the designated driver and still enjoy the gardens, landscapes and architecture while the passenger's have the tastings and the drinks.

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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Yes well, we have 2 designated people, one is the designated driver who dosent drink (alcohol), and the other is the designated drinker, whose job it is to drink the designated drivers share as well.

My wife is normally the designated drinker on any of our outings.:p

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