Known as the horse capital of Australia, Scone is a picturesque town in the Upper Hunter Valley with a rich equine heritage and colourful calendar of horse events and festivals. Scone also showcases the natural beauty of New South Wales with bushwalking tracks and nature reserves.
Things to do in Scone
No trip to Scone is complete without planting yourself in a saddle. The Upper Hunter Valley is dotted with stables that provide scenic trail rides for every skill level. Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures is a firm favourite, offering everything from pony rides to overnight camping trips.
Set on the banks of the Hunter River, the scenic Aberdeen Golf Course treats players to nine challenging holes. You can also tee off at the family-friendly Scone Golf Club, which features an on-site bistro, sun-drenched deck and sweeping views of the Upper Hunter Valley.
There are plenty of opportunities to discover the great outdoors in Scone, from bushwalking in Burning Mountain Nature Reserve to cooling off in Washpools waterhole. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife like gliders, wallabies and glossy black cockatoos.
For a glimpse at Scone's local history, head to the Cottage Museum. It's housed in a 19th century stone building and is run by friendly Historical Society volunteers. Inside you'll find a treasure trove of local relics, from vintage sewing machines to colonial horse saddles.
Getting around Scone
Scone is 150 kilometres north-west of Newcastle, with the drive taking approximately two hours. It's also possible to catch a Hunter Line train from the Newcastle CBD in around two hours. While Scone is easy to navigate on foot, you'll need a car to explore the rest of the Upper Hunter Valley.