The Upper Hunter Valley and Barrington Tops region offers much in the way of both horses and wine appreciation. With over 70 fine horse studs breeding winners for major horse races across the globe. Kia Ora, founded in 1912 is the birthplace of seven Melbourne Cup winners. All year round horse events are featured in the area with all disciplines being represented including polo, polocrosse, camp drafting, rodeos etc. These are brought together during the Horse Festival which runs for 16 days during May starting with a parade and ending with the Scone Emerites Cup which is the richest regional horse racing event in Australia.
Tours of both Horse Studs and vineyards can be arranged. Wine tasting is available at the many surrounding vineyards including Rosemount, Arrowfield, Two Rivers and Pyramid Hills at Denman and Jerrys Plains to name a few.
Aberdeen is in the heart of the Upper Hunter Valley and Barrington Tops region and came about from a Crown grant to British MP, Thomas Potter Macqueen in 1823 of 20,000 acres between what we now know as Scone and Muswellbrook. An advocate of transporting both capital and skilled workmen to the colony he invested in his own principles in 1824, sending to Australia aboard two ships, stock, machinery, supplies, artisans, their families and his agent, Peter McIntyre, to oversee the development of his land which he subsequently named Segenhoe after Segenhoe Manor, his birth place in Bedfordshire, UK. That shipment also brought with it the Blue Merle Scotch collie which was crossed with the native dingo and resulted in the 'blue heeler' known for the colour of its coat combined with its tendency to nip at the heels of cattle, thus moving them forward in a controlled manner.
Macqueen came to Australia in 1834 and Governor Burke visited him at his homestead, now located on the Vinery Stud, to investigate complaints by other land owners that he was treating his convict labour too well!! In 1837, the year he built Segenhoe Inn to service horses and coaches on the long and arduous trips north and south to Sydney town, he was responsible for naming the town Aberdeen, after his friend Earl Aberdeen, and then having it gazetted as a township. The name also reflects the preponderance of Scottish landowners who took up the early grants and as a result Aberdeen stages a Scottish Festival each year on the first weekend in July (if you missed it this year, put it in your diary for next year).
For the energetic and adventurous there is much to do and see in and around Aberdeen. Aberdeen sits in the middle of the Heritage Trail which was surveyed as a Bicentennial gift by the legendery RM Williams. It extends from Victoria to Cairns and Aberdeen is the only town with easy access from the trail.
Tennis and golf are available in the town. Glenbawn Dam is a popular spot for waterskiing, swimming, sailing, canoeing and sailboarding. Anglers will find catfish, bass and golden perch - the foreshores consist of open woodland with an abundance of birdlife (galahs, eastern rosellas, pelicans, king parrots etc) and both kangaroos and wallabies to be seen in the early morning and at dusk.
Investigate the many historic buildings and sites in the area, possibly in a horse buggy or simply take a leisurely drive through the magnificent countryside and visit old pubs, historic villages, antique stores and Barrington Tops where playing in snow in winter is not uncommon.The historic town of Aberdeen, NSW awaits your arrival!!
This article was supplied by Cherie Donavan of Segenhoe Inn Luxury Boutique and B&B.
Cherie Donavan wrote this article
