Southern Hunter Valley NSW
Broke is a beautiful little village about 24km west of Singleton in the charming and very popular Hunter Valley. It consists of just one business that we could see. This one includes a licensed restaurant, fuel, groceries, gas and PO. But most importantly for us Broke also boasts a wonderful free camping site where anyone can stay for up to three days.
The campsite consists of two levels, the larger being on the flat area of several acres beside the main road. As this is a very quiet road there is little traffic noise at anytime but especially at night. It is well treed and provides plenty of shade if that is what you are looking for. With the huge area available you can easily find a quiet spot well away from other vans or a group can find places to be together. The place is also tent friendly both on the upper and lower areas.
The other, smaller area is a more open level area down beside the river. This is a more protected site with the river on one side and a high tree covered bank on the other.
The only amenities are the flush toilets that while getting on in years are kept clean and well stocked with toilet paper.
With the high and rugged Blue Mountains to the south and west, Broke is a very picturesque spot. For those interested in visiting wineries you will find more than you can visit in a full week in a fifteen minute radius of Broke. Heading east along the rugged escarpment towards Cessnock from Broke you will find mind blowing scenery and horizon to horizon vineyards where you can pull in and sample the local wares. Every few kms more engaging little villages dot the countryside, villages that simply beg you to pull in and visit.
If you need to do any shopping or catch up on washing Singleton is only 20 minutes away. With a population of around 14,000 Singleton offers all services including a comprehensive Information Centre that will steer you where you want to go.
Our main reason for visiting Broke was that it is on the way to Sydney via the Putty Way. In previous years we have navigated this wonderful scenic route through the Blue Mountains and Woollemi National Park in both a motor home and towing a 16’ caravan. Other years we have driven down the New England Highway and entered the Hunter Valley from the Tamworth end turning off at Singleton. This year we entered from the Newcastle end after driving down the Pacific Highway.
If you want to avoid driving through Sydney, and who doesn’t, this is the way to go. From Broke you can drive about 15km over to intercept Putty Road at Milbrodale along a beautiful scenic road beside a tall escarpment.
Putty Road will take you about 130kms over the ranges to Penrith. Unfortunately there are no free campsites or wayside stops other than a widening of the road with a gravel shoulder to pull over into. Take your time and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery along the way. Here and there you will find little valleys of pasture that have been carved out of the valleys at great effort a long time ago.
As you come into Windsor follow the signs to Penrith and then onto The North Road. This road skirts the built up area of greater Sydney curving around to the west of the city. If you wish to turn off to the Blue Mountains and go to Katoomba this road will take you right to highway 18 at Orchard Hills.
Travelling down The North Road you will pass by Camden, then Mt Annan. From Mt Annan Botanic Gardens turn off it is only two kms further on to the Hume Freeway turnoff.
If you wish to bypass Sydney and find the free campsite at Broke you simply reverse these directions. Checking it all out on Google Earth is a great way to have a look at everything before you leave home.
Getting around Sydney aside, Broke and the Hunter valley along with the myriad of wineries and other brilliant attractions are destinations well worth visiting. Especially when you can camp free for three days.
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