Denman, New South Wales - A 1930's country town.

Denman is located in the N.S.W. Upper Hunter Valley on the Hunter River. We didn't have Denman on our planned travel itinerary, but we are so glad we detoured there. We stayed behind the pub - The Royal Hotel - in the patrons car park. There is a large area specifically for caravans and another large paddock area behind it. Read about it here. 

The first European settlement was on the eastern side of the Hunter River and called Merton, and gradually a new settlement on the other side of the river was established and named Denman. We had a walk around the town. There is one main street and the pub is located at one end. It's easy to walk around the whole town. There must have been a combi van camping weekend somewhere as there were a number of combis parked around town stopping for morning tea.

The Wanaruah people were the first people in the area, and lived there up to the 1860's. Across the road from the Royal Hotel is the information and craft centre, so that was our first stop.

We picked up a rooster ornament and some information about the town.

Surveyor Henry Dangar camped not far from the present day town site in 1824, and Peter Cunningham and William Ogilvie came the following year. The first village in the area was the other side of the Hunter River, Merton was established as a private village in 1826 by Lieutenant William Ogilvie. He built his home first and named it after his hometown in Surrey. Settlers then came and a private town was established on his property. It had a courthouse, post office, church, school, stores and cemetery. By 1853 the township of Denman, on the other side of the river was gazetted and named in honour of Thomas Aitchison Denman, former Chief Lord Justice of England. The main street is Ogilvie Street and it has been declared an urban conservation area to preserve the look of the 1930's country town.

I did find a quilting shop - Thimbles & Threads and purchased some fat quarters. These two shops use to be a barber's and a saddler's.

The town has many heritage plaques along the main street, telling of the history of the buildings and the town.

In 1928 the town main street was mostly destroyed by fire. On November 8, 1928 a large fire started in the movie projection room in the town hall and destroyed all but 2 buildings, one being the Royal Hotel. The day had been very hot and there was a strong westerly wind that spread the fire. This has lead to most of the main street being build in 1928-1930. This Monkey Tail fire pump has been restored as a reminder of that day.

Denman has also been affected by floods, including the two early this year (2022).

Old Duggan's Garage on the corner of Palace and Ogilvie Streets.

Old Kranze Produce Store.

Denman Memorial Hall was rebuild after the fire.

One block up from Royal Hotel is St Mattias Anglican Church built between 1871-1875. It was commissioned by the White family (relatives of the author Patrick White) who had bought the Merton and other properties in the area. It is listed by the National Trust. St Matthias served as a missionary in Judea and was stoned and beheaded

Many films and TV series have been made in and around Denman, including 'The Shiralee' and 'Born to Run'. Denman is also close to the Wollemi National Park and Goulburn River National Park. Denman today is a dairy farming area, and although many of the dairies have closed in later years, dairy production is still the major industry, with wineries and vineyards, and horse studs becoming more prevalent. Denman is located 250km north of Sydney, and 130km north-west of Newcastle.

Royal Hotel - Denman, New South Wales

Originally named Merton, Denman is located in the N.S.W. Upper Hunter Valley on the Hunter River. We didn't have Denman on our planned travel itinerary, but then our itinerary often changes, funny how that happens. We stayed behind the pub - The Royal Hotel - in the patrons car park. There is a large area specifically for caravans and another large paddock area behind it.

We had travelled 90 mins. from Maitland, about 110km away, and arrived early afternoon. There were a couple of vans already set up so we chose a site next to the road, which was very quiet.

Just as well we got there early as many more vans came in later that afternoon and evening. There are 11 designated level caravan/motor home sites, and an additional large paddock for tents and overflow vans.  

It was actually a lot better than some caravan parks. There were toilets, showers and drinking water available. It is a 72 hour limit, and three days is enough to explore the town of Denman - and one doesn't need to unhitch.

We had a walk around the pub and had dinner which was great, and very reasonable prices. We went to early dinner, about 5.30pm, before the rush.

The food was really good, and large servings too. The pub also has a take-away service.

We even had enough leftovers to have lunch the next day. A plaque on the hotel says it was built in 1910. 

However, depending on what one reads the dates vary between 1913 and 1917. 

What is known is the hotel is on land that a grand house built by George Augustus Frederick Kibble in the 1860's was on (I'm not sure if the hotel is the same house); and it was the only building on this side of the street not to burn in the 1928 fire - more about that next blog. There is a sign in the footpath outside the pub with 'Kelvin Grove' written on it. That was the name given to Kibble's grand home.

The hotel staff were friendly and helpful - always good when travelling - and as I said the food was great. There is indoor and outdoor covered eating and drinking areas, with an open fire inside and even a jumping castle outside.

We will definitely be coming back.