Cessnock is the largest town of the Hunter Region, while a country town at heart it has ready access to the city of Newcastle.
Quick facts
The population of Cessnock is nearly 56,000, the median age of residents is 37 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 6% of the population.
Cessnock is located within the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network, this Health Planning Compass provides an overview of community health for the region.
Cessnock is a city in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, about 52 km west of Newcastle and 154 km north of Sydney. It is considered to be the gateway to the Hunter Valley, the oldest wine growing region in Australia.
Cessnock is also known for its gourmet food, luxury or boutique accommodation which is matched by the most beautiful natural scenery and its 1920s and 1930s architecture.
The closest airport to Cessnock is Newcastle Airport which is a 50 min drive. Regional Express Airport (Rex) and Fly Pelican offer daily flights to Sydney with Qantaslink and Virgin Australia offer daily flights to Brisbane and Melbourne.
There is also a North West XPT Train service which travels from Armidale to Sydney and back on a daily basis and stops at Singleton, which is a 40 minute drive from Cessnock.
The major sources of employment in Cessnock are:
- Accommodation and Food Services
- Retail Trade
- Health Care and Social Assistance
- Manufacturing
- Mining
- Construction
Cessnock Hospital is a 63 bed, medium sized hospital, with a 24 hour emergency department. Services provided include general medicine, general surgery, orthopaedics, urology, gynaecology, transitional aged care, minor paediatric services, palliative care, community health, residential transitional aged care & enablement unit, postnatal care, 24-hour emergency department and allied health services.
Visiting specialist services include women’s health, paediatrics, antenatal, neurology, cardiology, gynaecology, respiratory clinic, general medicine, osteoporosis clinic, geriatrics, drug and alcohol clinic, mental health, liver clinic.
John Hunter Hospital is 39 mins (42kms) from Cessnock and is the major tertiary referral, teaching hospital and referral centre for the Hunter New England Local Health District. John Hunter Hospital provides primary and tertiary trauma services, a retrieval service for critically ill, maternity and gynaecology services, medical and interventional services, surgical services and critical care. Allied Health services provided include social work, physiotherapy, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, speech pathology and pharmacy.
Cessnock is supported by an ambulance service.
Cumberland Street Clinic
Khan Medical Centre
Maitland Road Surgery
There are six public schools, three high schools and one tertiary education institution available in Cessnock.
For young families the Cessnock region offers a wide range of options suitable for children from 6 weeks to school age, for occasional care, long day care, family day care and pre-school.
As a regional centre, Cessnock features several shopping precincts featuring most of the well-known national chains including, Coles, IGA, Target, Woolworths, Big W, and OPSM.
Cessnock also boosts a wide hub of retail outlets, shopping centres, market places and shopping malls where you will find everything from stylish boutiques, homewares, health and nutrition, bakeries, cafes and a wide range of dining opportunities.
There are many places of worship in Cessnock including Anglican, Baptist, Congregational, Christian, Presbyterian, Catholic and Uniting churches. There is also a Hare Krishna Temple in Cessnock. The nearest mosque is 50 minutes away in Newcastle.
Sporting Activities
Cessnock PCYC
Cessnock Golf Club
Shimjang Taekwondo Mobile 0472 763 199
Cessnock Tennis Club (02) 4990 1597
Cessnock Pony Club
Cessnock Motorcross Club
Byalee Horse Riding Stables, Cessnock
Cessnock Minor Rugby League Club
Cultural Activities
Cessnock Performing Arts and Culture
The Hunter Valley Moon Festival
Aboriginal History and Culture
Hare Krishna Temple and Farm
Social Media Groups
Meetups Near Cessnock
GP Synergy Facebook
Key Annual Events
Cessnock Agricultural and Country Show (February)
Rock N Blues Revival (May)
Hunter Valley Food and Wine Festival (May – June)
Cheese Lovers Festival (June)
Snow Time in the Gardens (June – July)
NAIDOC Week (July)
Balloon Fiesta (September – October)
Hunter Valley Christmas Lights Spectacular (November)
Points of Interest
Stonebridge Golf Club
Cessnock Rallyschool
Hunter Valley Zoo
Cessnock Regional Art Gallery
Hunter Valley Gardens
Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village
Hunter Valley Horse Riding and Adventures
Hunter Valley Chocolate
As a regional centre there is a lot on offer in Cessnock ranging from sporting and recreational clubs to cinemas and shopping, to music, arts and cultural events, food and wine festivals, art festivals and more. You can stroll the wonderful parks and gardens, take a wine day tour or an outing to one of the speciality markets.
The nearby Werakata National Park is a great spot for bushwalking and birdwatching, and the nearby Hunter Valley Zoo gives you the chance to experience nature up-close by meeting and hand-feed the kangaroos and wallabies.
Cessnock also boasts museums, a performing arts theatre and art galleries catering from traditional to contemporary.
