Upper Hunter Country Tourism

19/10/2026

Upper Hunter Country is rich in beautiful natural spaces and the BirdLife Australia Aussie Bird Count is a great way to get out and enjoy them. It has already kicked off (19-25 October) and goes until Sunday.

Register here: https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/ and spend 20 minutes a day outside.

Why not explore one of our gorgeous National Parks and Nature Reserves for one of your count days;
Barrington Tops National Park
Towarri National Park
Goulburn River National Park
Murrurundi Pass National Park
Wollemi National Park
Scone Mountain National Park
Coolah Tops National Park
Cameron’s Gorge State Forest
Burning Mountain, Manobalai, Cedar Brush, Brushy Hill and Wingen Maid Nature Reserves and Lake Lidell Recreation Area

The Aussie Bird Count starts TOMORROW! 🦅🦆

We’re excited to come together and count birds across the country.

The Aussie Bird Count is for everyone. No matter who you are or where you are across Australia, there are birds to count. Take 20 minutes out of your day and jump into our easy-to-use app to count the birds around you.

With one in six Australian birds facing extinction, there’s never been a more important time to pay attention to our birds and feel inspired to protect them.

🔗 Don’t forget to register: https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/

🎨 Artwork by Angharad Neal-Williams

18/10/2026

That’s a wrap on the inaugural Going Country Music Festival. The vibes were great, the music was top notch and we’re excited to have another much loved, unique and family friendly event on our already pumping events calendar.

17/10/2026

Take a look at what's on this week in

16/10/2026

🎤 COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL - HAPPENING TOMORROW 🎸

Picture this, the sun goes down, the stage lights come up, your friends are with you, memories are made and fireworks close out the night. 🌄🫶👩‍🎤🎆

Going Country starts close to home with Saralyn, Carrot Bowen & The Collective and Katie Jayne. Wiradjuri singer-songwriter Nathan Lamont travels in from Wagga Wagga and The Wet Whistles bring their banjo and four-part harmonies from Brisbane.

🐴 Between sets, King of the Ranges stock horses and riders show true country skills. Utes line up for the Show N Shine Ute Muster, and the Upper Hunter Showcase celebrates local heritage and craft. 🛻

🍔 There are food trucks and the Muster Bar to keep you going. If you're game, try your hand at the Line Dancing Challenge and Mechanical Bull. 🐮

Don't rush home. The music plays into the night, so book a bed and wake up Sunday in Upper Hunter Country.

🎶 Going Country
📅 Saturday 17 October
🕒 3pm - 10pm
📍Muswellbrook Showground
🎫 Get your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/going-country-tickets-1985719503489

Proudly presented by Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Inc)

15/10/2026

UPPER HUNTER COUNTRY PLACE BRAND RECOGNISED IN NATIONAL AWARDS

The Upper Hunter Country place brand has been announced as a finalist in prestigious 2026 Australian Graphic Design Awards (AGDA) in not one, but FOUR different categories:

- Writing for Design
- Illustration for Design
- Expression - Tone of Voice
- Large Business

AGDA is the peak national organisation representing the Australian communication design industry. The awards recognise and shine a light on the best work across the country in a wide range of disciplines.

It's rewarding for all those who were involved in the long journey of developing a place brand to represent and promote our diverse region and we want to congratulate the team we worked with at For The People for their hard work and commitment to getting it right.

The Upper Hunter Country place brand project began in 2023 and was enabled by a State Government Resources for Regions Program Grant. The aim was to create a unique and recognisable brand for the Upper Hunter Country region, which encompasses the Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook Shire Council areas.

Community consultation found an overwhelming desire to lean into what makes the Upper Hunter a place like no other – for industry and tourism – under one authentic brand. Our communities own this brand and it's as much about promoting this place, as it is about telling their stories.

If you're a local tourism operator, business, event coordinator etc. in our area and want access to the Upper Hunter Country brand assets then please register your interests here:
https://upperhunter-country.app.oneblink.io/forms/26020

12/10/2026

A stone church has stood on Kingdon Street in Scone since 1861. Behind it, mature trees shade a lovingly kept garden.

On 17 and 18 October, the Scone Arts & Crafts main hall fills with quilts. Every one of them started with sure hands. Hands that know how fabric moves, where it pulls, how it settles once the last stitch is drawn tight. Hours at the table, seasons, perhaps even years in the making.

The Upper Hunter Quilt Adventure brings that work out of sewing rooms and into the light. It isn't a competition. It's a community of makers sharing the craft they love.

Quilt suppliers are on hand with advice and products. Step outside to browse the market stalls in the garden. Peek inside the Pot House and chat with local ceramicists.

Light lunch and coffee are on all weekend. On Saturday at 11am, young dancers from Miss Amy's Dance Academy perform in the garden. Pull up a chair in the shade and cheer them on.

Where: Scone Arts & Crafts, 63 Kingdon Street, Scone
When: Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October, 10am-3pm
Entry: $5, free for children under 12

Pictured: 'Catch Me If You Can' by Tonia Barton, winner of the 2025 Viewer's Choice Award.

06/10/2026

Thirteen years ago, the Blue Heeler Film Festival started in Muswellbrook, a regional town in Upper Hunter Country. Now entries come from around Australia, and every year the very best come home to Denman to be seen.

Meet this year's finalists and join us for the Blue Carpet Awards Night at 6pm on Saturday 10 October at Two Rivers Wines

Seats are free but limited. Book yours here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blue-heeler-film-festival-2026-tickets-1998734553855

Can't make it in person? Watch the live stream at https://vimeo.com/event/6216118

Muswellbrook Shire Council
Bengalla Mining Company