Singleton was founded in the 1820 by John Howe, making it one of Australia’s oldest towns. Howe led an expedition to the valley of St Patrick’s Plains. Many land grant recipients followed to raise stock on the rich fertile land on the banks of the Hunter River. The town was named after Benjamin Singleton, one of the first settlers in the region.
The first one hundred years of Singleton history is dominated by agriculture. However, the discovery of vast resources of coal in the area has transformed Singleton into the States largest producer of coal, giving the Shire a twofold industrial profile.
The diversity of its resources has encouraged many changes, helping Singleton to evolve from a quiet country town to one of the most progressive and sophisticated commercial centres in the State, catering for its cosmopolitan workforce and residents. The Shire is continuing to experience further mining developments, and is diversifying into other industries.
With such a rich past and promising future, there is much to see and do in Singleton township. Why not take a self drive tour of the significant historical sites or visit our many magnificent churches.
Or if you wish to explore beyond the township, you will discover some of the smaller townships like Broke or Jerry’s Plains, each with its own charm and character.
Click here to view the Singleton Historic Church Drive brochure
Click here to view the Singleton Heritage Walk brochure
