The lower Hunter Valley township of Maitland stands upon the banks of the Hunter River, and is the third largest provincial centre in Australia. It is surprising that such a large and busy centre has maintained a decidedly quaint Victorian charm. Enjoying economic boom conditions during the second half of the nineteenth century, Maitland is home to many Victorian private and public dwellings under conservation order by the National Trust, and are of great interest historically and architecturally. The nearby port of Morpeth,is also listed as an historic village by the National Trust.

The Worimi and Awabakal Aborigines are believed to have occupied the region before European settlement. The suggestion that a few escaped convicts were the first white settlers in the area has been documented. Albeit the first recorded expedition as far north along the Hunter River as Maitland, was carried out in 1801 by Charles Grimes and Francis Barrallier under instruction from Governor King. They called the area "Shanks Forest Plains". With the establishment of a penal colony in Newcastle in 1804, convict labourers ventured into the area cedar getting. They referred to the region as "The Camp".

In 1812 the popular Governor Macquarie visited the area and gave permission for four well behaved ex-convicts to settle along the banks of the Hunter. The grantee John Swan is subsequently believed to have been the first resident on the present day site of Maitland. In 1818 Macquarie again ventured up the Hunter, and named the area of Maitland "Wallis Plains" after Captain James Wallis, commandant of the colony of Newcastle. He then allowed a further 11 well behaved ex-convicts to settle along the alluvial banks. One such grantee was the notorious Molly Morgan. The term "Molly Morgan's Plains" became the local name for "Wallis Plains".

By 1829 over 300 settlers occupied lots along the Hunter River, and river transport was flourishing. A stone store at the nearby river port of Morpeth precedented commercial activity in the region. As the farthest northern navigated region and settlement, the region was the centre of a vigorous and flourishing economy. A postal service had recently commenced, and the necessity of the survey and gazetting of a township was obvious. The town was drawn up in 1829 and called Maitland, a name of uncertain origins. Some sources believe it was in honour of Sir Peregrine Maitland who led the British Brigade of Guards. Others suggest it was after Fredrick Maitland, Earl of Lauderdale. Nevertheless confusion over the town's name due to the many local terms, and the proximity of Wallis Plains prevailed. It was Governor Sir Richard Bourke who settled the confusion issuing a decree in 1835 stating Wallis Plains was to be known as West Maitland, and the government settlement as East Maitland. The matter did not rest until 1944 when the towns of East and West Maitland and Morpeth were combined to form the City of Maitland.

The townships boomed in the following decades. The advent of steam on the Hunter in the 1830s gave the region a considerable advantage in trade circles, as it was significantly faster than overland hauling, and the Port of Morpeth was rated one of the most important in New South Wales. The area offered an abundance of coal, timber, agricultural and pastoral products. During the 1830s all major religious denominations erected churches in the area. In 1842 Caroline Chisholm was responsible for the construction of an Immigrants Home, which became the first hospital. In 1843 The Maitland Mercury was first printed. When the railway reached East Maitland and was officially opened on March 30, 1857, the residents of Newcastle, and both East and West Maitland were granted a public holiday.

Today Maitland's economy depends less upon the river and more upon the land. Agricultural produce are most important, and Maitland hosts the largest sheep, cattle and horse sale yards in northern New South Wales. Coal, brick clay and blue metal are mined in the vicinity. Maitland's location in the Hunter has allowed it to become the major service centre for the rest of the Valley - hence all requirements are catered for. Its proximity to Newcastle has attracted many Novocastrians to move to this close but rural environment.

Maitland is a vibrant and visually exciting town. Historically the third settlement area outside of Sydney, the town has a number of valuable heritage sites and visitors are primarily drawn to it because of its unique sense of history and relaxed environment. One of the most famous landmarks in Maitland is The Black Boy, a statue which has stood in the town for 107 years.

Historical Attractions

An integral part of Maitland's appeal lies in its grand buildings and distinctive streetscapes. Many of Maitland's buildings were erected in the mid to late 1800s when it was felt Maitland could rival Sydney in size and power. Though the railways and the gradual silting of the Hunter River saw Newcastle become the regional centre, Maitland continued to be seen as the social centre of the area and the public, commercial and residential buildings reflected this sentiment.

Maitland attracted leading architects of the time including legendary Australian Architect Edmund Blacket. These works were to establish an architectural tradition which focused on sensitive quality design and gave Maitland its distinctive, grand style. Today these outstanding buildings are central to Maitland's identity.

Maitland is the home of Australia's earliest newspaper, "The Maitland Mercury". Parts of the building in which the newspaper is housed date back to 1882, while the first edition of the paper was printed on January 7, 1843. Every major event in Maitland's history was recorded by the paper, as well as interesting small events, and these files have been preserved on film in the archives of Maitland Library.

Maitland has a number of magnificent churches, including St John's, a Gothic Revival style Roman Catholic Church built in 1846; the magnificent Gothic St Peter's Anglican Church (1875-85) and the Anglican Church of St Mary The Virgin built in 1860-67. Other notable buildings include the Maitland Courthouse of 1895 which has an imposing clock tower, and the Town Hall and Post Office.

Maitland's High Street is a spectacular tribute to the exuberant spirit of early Maitland. A central business district, the street has a number of splendid Victorian style buildings, including those of the ANZ Bank with its unusual curved arches, and the National Australia Bank, formerly the CBC Bank. Built in 1887 in classical revival style, the National Australia building is made of Revensfield stone and is considered one of the finest bank buildings in the State. Another beautifully designed building on High Street is the classic Federation style Technical College and the former AHS Bank building, now the home of the Maitland Cultural Centre.

Maitland has many fine examples of domestic architecture, ranging from colonial bungalows with shuttered French doors and columns incised with Greek key motifs, to Palladian-inspired mansions and Victorian Boom Style designs such as the magnificent Cintra. Brough House, one of Maitland's beautiful Georgian style homes, was built in 1870 as a grand residence for local merchant Mr Samuel Owens. This magnificent home is now the Maitland City Art Gallery. Grossman House, a side by side mirror image of Brough House, was built in 1862 by Owens' partner Isaac Bennett. This splendid house has been fully restored by the National Trust, furnished in the style of the mid Victorian era and is now home to Maitland's Folk and Historical Museum.

Caroline Chisholm Cottage was the forerunner to Maitland Hospital. Built of Brick and undressed stone, the cottage established by Caroline Chisholm as a home for ill and needy immigrants is one of Maitland's more famous homes.

Benhome, built in 1884 for the Maitland Benevolent Society, is one of Maitland's grandest buildings. Featuring Gothic trim, bracketed gables, cast iron verandahs and an iron crested pavilion, the building is a stunning tribute to community efforts that raised funds for the project which was to house local people in need who had fallen victim to the many floods, famines and other crises that afflicted Maitland from the 1830-1870s.

Museums and Galleries

Maitland City Art Gallery has a permanent collection of contemporary Australian paintings, prints and drawings as well as holding exhibits of sculpture, ceramics, glassware, photography and other crafts. Maitland has a number of historical art collections, and is also the only regional gallery to house African Works of Art from the William Bowmore Collection. The Gallery has a large collection of Aboriginal Bark Paintings, and a photographic collection capturing historic Maitland, including events such as the Maitland Floods.

The Literary Institute, built in 1859, was the venue for council meetings in the 1860s, and also the centre for social gatherings in the Victorian era.

The Maitland Gaol, designed in 1844, was modelled on London's Pentonville Prison and is one of Maitland's main historical museum style attractions. The sandstone building is an unusual Australian Colonial work that has many unique features, including an elaborate stairway system. The State's last legal flogging was carried out here in 1905. The Police Barracks on site at the Gaol was built in 1889, and accommodated mounted troops until 1920.

Walka Water Works began operation in 1886 to provide the Maitland and Hunter area with clean water suitable for household use. Today Walka Water Works is one of Maitland's prime recreational venues. The classical polychrome brick work frame of this magnificent building dominates the skyline west of Maitland. All elements of the Victorian pumping station have been preserved, and as well as its attractive lakes, lawns and gardens providing a perfect picnic area, the Water Works is an interesting exhibit and a superb piece of Maitland's heritage .

Natural Attractions

The Maitland area is surrounded by the Watagan mountains to the south and the famous Barringtons to the north. Bushwalks through forests and rugged mountains are popular with hikers, nature lovers and photographers wishing to capture the beauty of the surrounds. Maitland has a plethora of idyllic picnic spots for family outings.

Events

Steamfest is the highlight of Maitland's event calendar. Held in the beginning of April each year, it is widely recognised as Australia's premier steam festival. There are hundreds of events and displays each year, including steam train rides on famous old locomotives dating from the turn of the century, and free bus tours to the Richmondvale Museum and the Old Maitland Railways Steam Complex. There are miniature steam train rides at the historic Walka Water Works as well as numerous model train exhibitions, street parades and festival stalls.

The Maitland Show held in October is a celebration of agriculture, community and industry. It is the biggest show of its kind in rural New South Wales and offers a wide range of festivities, including street parades, shows and fairs of all kinds, as well as the traditional stock and produce shows which draw entries from the rich agricultural district surrounding Maitland.

Maitland also hosts a month long Festival of Arts and Crafts from the end of March to April. The Festival, held at the Art Gallery, focuses on the works of local artists, and is often run in conjunction with various historical photographic displays and art works at the Maitland City Council Chambers.

Maitland Fair is the biggest family market day in the region. Held on the first Sunday of each month, there are over 200 variety stores and displays to visit. Another of Maitland's attractions is its annual Garden Ramble held in September. For garden lovers of all kinds, the Ramble is an opportunity to tour Maitland's beautiful public and private gardens.

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