Broke, NSW

Located in the foothills of the Brokenback Range, the beautiful village of Broke is a worthy destination to explore in the famous Hunter Valley. A small town—north of Sydney and west of Newcastle, Broke has few standout landmarks itself, but it’s all about the stunning wineries and also the setting under this impressive New South Wales range.

People mainly visit the Broke-Fordwich region for its boutique wine experience. There are several wineries to check out in the area, where you get to taste hand-crafted wines in a laidback setting, void of big city distractions. Most of the wineries here have cellar door tastings.

Apart from a couple of churches, there’s not much to see in Broke and it is sometimes incorporated as a daytrip destination for those staying in Newcastle or Sydney. Along with wine, the town is well known for the Broke Village Fair in September. This fun event features fine wine and food of the region together with vintage cars, art, handicrafts and also entertainment for kids.

There are many wine towns to visit in the area and it is worth visiting nearby Pokolbin or Cessnock, or the old port town of Morpeth, which is farther afield and has many antique shops.

Other nearby natural wonders and highlights include the Pokolbin State Forest and Yengo National Park to the south, which has beautiful driving and trails.

Baiame Cave (pictured below) is north and noted for its rock art sites, namely the Sky Father, while the coal mines near Broke are a bit of an eye-popper.

Broke, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Yellow Rock escarpment, provides a relaxed vineyard experience. Part of its appeal is that visitors encounter winemakers who are proud of their products and passionate about hand-crafted wines.

The rustic village of Broke has become the hub of an emerging wine-growing area. The warm climate and fertile soils produce soft and distinctive wines – semillon, traminer and verdelho as well as north Italian varieties such as barbera and dolcetto.

The area planted to vines has increased massively since the early 1990s, and there are now about 50 vineyards producing grapes for some 30 wine labels and around half are open for cellar door sales.

Broke is also the centre of a new industry that may eventually rival wine production in economic value. Over the past five years, tens of thousands of olive trees have been planted in irrigated groves along Wollombi Brook, and some estates offer tastings. Macadamia plantations and alpaca farms are also new features of the area.

• When: September
• Where: MacNamara Park (Broke Village)

Broke Village Fair in September attracts motorcycles and more than 300 vintage cars from all over New South Wales for a weekend of fun, rides, art and craft stalls and some delicious local snacks.

The Broke Fair began in an odd way, with three men drinking wine and relaxing in the village of Broke. Each was accompanied by a bizarre vehicle which included a London Police Car, a Double Decker Bus and a Vintage Car. This attracted a wide array of attention and when asked for a cup of tea by a passer-by they could only offer wine.

The following year a group of church women set up a stand next to them offering tea, coffee, and home made cooking. A community meeting was held in 1986 to organise an event which has now become known as “The Broke Village Fair”.

• When: November
• Where: MacNamara Park, Broke Village, 8.00am – 4.00pm both days

Folk in Broke festival is happening on the first weekend in November. Enjoy a diverse mix of World Music, Folk-Jazz, Blues ‘n Roots, traditional australian folk, Jazz-Rock, celtic-rock, contemporary folk and a little indefinable genre fusing.

The Hunter Valley region is around a two-hour drive north of Sydney via the winding Sydney-Singleton colonial road (Tourist Drive 33). This wonderful drive passes cute villages and beautiful scenery and is worth doing even without the visit to Broke.

If coming from Newcastle, simply head west along the M15 highway and follow the signs for about one hour. Planes, trains and buses also serve the Hunter.

For a romantic getaway or a short stay, Broke is a perfect place to visit, relax and unwind.

The Mews Studio

From $164

Blaxland's Cottage

From $176

Two Doors

From $185

Winmark Wines

From $231

Red Tractor Retreat

From $264

Monkey Place Country House

From $531

Broke Village Hideaway

From $144

Starline Alpacas Farmstay Resort

From $155

Cants Cottage

From $313

There are many places to stay in the Broke region. Enjoy the benefits of having the knowledge and experience of a local host to enhance your visit.

Abode on Wild Pear Hill
1224 Milbrodale Road, Broke NSW 2330
Telephone: 02 9817 3445

Avalon House
699 Wollombi Road, Broke NSW 2330
Telephone: 02 6579 1254

Barclay Luxury Villas
1239 Milbrodale Road, Broke 2330
Telephone: 02 6579 1499

Cockfighter’s Ghost Vineyard Cottage
331 Milbrodale Rd, Broke NSW 2330
Telephone: 02 4998 7356

Eighty Eight Hill Street
88 Hill St, Broke NSW 2330
Telephone: 0418 470 203

Elysium Vineyard and Cottage
393 Milbrodale Rd, Broke NSW 2330
Telephone: 02 9664 2368

Ferguson’s Hunter Valley Getaway
Hill Street, Broke NSW 2330
Telephone: 02 6579 1046

Fordwich Grove
203 Fordwich Road Broke NSW 2330
Telephone: 02 6579 1179

Glen Eden Cottages
587 Wollombi Rd, Broke 2330
Telephone: 02 6579 1297

Hunter Olive House
Harrowby St Broke, NSW 2330
Telephone: 02 9571 4211

Lavender Ridge
618 Milbrodale Road, Broke NSW 2330
Telephone: 0418 429 996

Maranda Country House
68 Wollombi St, Broke NSW 2330
Telephone: 0408 419 377

Monkey Place Country House
69-71 Wollombi Street, Broke NSW 2330
Telephone: 02 8211 0246

St Briavels Country House
738 Wollombi Road, Broke, NSW, 2330
Telephone: 0415 942 118

Serenity Grove
556 Milbrodale Rd, Broke NSW 2330
Telephone: 02 6579 1444

Starline Alpaca Farm Stay
1100 Milbrodale Rd, Broke NSW 2330
Telephone: 02 6579 1081

Tara Cottage
500 Wollombi Rd, Broke NSW 2330
Telephone: 02 6579 1063

Whispering Brook Country House
Hill Street, Broke NSW 2330
Telephone: 0) 9818 4126