A group of us did this ride during July, and we stayed in cabins at caravan parks and in a lodge.  It is not a ride that I would recommend for the heat of summer as this area does get quite hot.  The nights in winter can also go below freezing point at times.

The ride initially travels via the upper Hunter horse breeding area around Scone before travelling over the ranges and back into the mining areas of the Hunter.  This then melds in with the grape growing of the middle Hunter and to historic Wollombi and the old coal mining areas around Cessnock.  The final day takes in Maitland and the river flats around Morpeth and Raymond Terrace before pedalling to Stockton for the ferry across to Newcastle and home.

There is a section of gravel on two of the days, but nothing of major concern.

Climate

The following climate statistics are for the weather station at Scone.  For more information on this location, including wind roses, go to "Climate Statistics for Australian Locations" on the Links page.  You can also obtain similar details from other locations enroute from that site.

Itinerary
Towns listed below that have distances marked ( ) are those where food/drink is expected/known and those marked [ ] are points of interest

We caught an early morning train from Newcastle that arrived mid morning in Muswellbrook - hence the shortened day.  Use Links to check train timetables.

This begins as a relatively easy ride through the agricultural areas north of Muswellbrook and starts to do a bit of climbing as Glenbawn Dam is approached.  It is possible to ride in to the Dam area for a look around, and there is also a kiosk on the eastern side of the dam.  However, it is a round trip of about 10kms to get to it, and the opening hours should be checked at the caravan park office before doing the ride, as they are variable and supplies are limited.

Scone is a large rural town with all facilities.  It has 2 caravan parks.  We found that the one at the northern end of town was quite noisy due to the busy coal railway line just behind the back fence, so I suggest trying the one at the southern end of town.  From there it is about 1km to the supermarket and shopping area.

There are no food/water stops on this section until Denman, so visit the bakery before you leave Scone.  Take the off road cycleway towards Satur.  The road to the locality of Bunnan is quite scenic and with little traffic.  From Bunnan, the road was good gravel through to about Manobalai at the time that we rode there.  The increase in mining traffic in the area may have meant that the surface has changed.  From there on, there is an increasing mining presence with a scarred landscape in amongst the remaining farming land.  Vineyards start to appear on the approach to Denman.

Denman is a small country town with all facilities and both pubs have served me a good meal when I have stayed in the town.  We stayed in cabins at the caravan park.

This section passes through rolling agricultural land, with mining taking over as the main land use between Jerrys Plains and Bulga.  From there through to Broke, you will ride with the majestic Broken Back Range overlooking the vineyards that you will ride through.

Bulga has a pub and a fuel/takeaway shop where you will be able to get a good feed.

We stayed in a lodge at Milbrodale, but I suggest that you try other accommodation available on the local tourism website should you prefer a bed for the night.  (Ask about meals, as they are mostly some distance away from food sources.)  If you wish to camp, it is OK to use the camp site by the Wollombi Brook at Broke.  It is just across the road from the local general store/fuel/liquor supply/restaurant, so it is quite handy.  The camp only has toilets, but a quick swim in the stream (if it is running) should wash away the sweat from the day's ride.

The ride through the picturesque valley to Wollombi is along a winding road that does have some traffic, but usually not enough to create too many concerns.  Wollombi is an historic village and has the widely visited pub with its Dr Jurd's Jungle Juice on sale.  There are a number of souvenir shops as well as a general store and several restaurant/coffee shops.

The old mining areas of the lower Hunter start around Millfield.  There is some evidence of the old mines, but a lot of the buildings have been removed.  The pubs in the area were in the process of renovation when I last went through the area, but they still seem to serve a good counter lunch.

Cessnock is a city, and has all facilities.  We stayed in cabins in the caravan park near the showground on the western side of town.

The last day is a long one, and I suggest morning tea on the banks of the Hunter at Maitland behind the shopping centre, with lunch at Heatherbrae bakery, just near the major roundabout with the Pacific Highway.

There may be a short section of gravel road between Neath and Abermain, but it should not create any problems.

The road from Morpeth to Raymond Terrace passes through flat farming land.  From there it is a mix of open hobby farms and bushland until Fern Bay.  If you intend to fly home, turn left at Williamtown and ride the few kilometres to the airport.  Otherwise, take the coastal route around Stockton, and if time permits, ride out onto the northern harbour breakwater.  It gives some great views back up Newcastle Harbour.  If you wish to camp, there is the beachside caravan park at Stockton.  It is the only camping area within about 15-20kms of the city.  Otherwise, take the ferry across the harbour and head for home.

Rail services to/from Newcastle can be checked on the Links page, as can airline timetables.