Historical Walking Tour of Morpeth — Self-Guided App
A self-guided historical walking tour of Morpeth, taking in Bridge, St James' Anglican Church and House and Closebourne House across 3 stops.
Open this tour in the app →The route
1Morpeth Bridge
Opened in June 1898, this timber Allan-truss bridge across the Hunter River was designed by engineer Percy Allan and built by Samuel McGill, replacing an earlier hand-powered punt. Rare among surviving Allan trusses for its overhead bracing, it joined the NSW State Heritage Register in 2000.
2St James' Anglican Church, Morpeth
This sandstone Gothic church rose in three stages between 1837 and 1875, its foundation stone laid by the 13-year-old son of town founder Edward Close. Later stages drew on architects Edmund Blacket and John Horbury Hunt. William Tyrrell, first Bishop of Newcastle, made it his parish church; added to the NSW State Heritage Register in 2017.
3Morpeth House and Closebourne House
These twin Colonial-era estates were built for Edward Charles Close: Georgian Closebourne House (1829), later the Anglican Bishop's residence, and the Regency-styled Morpeth House (1849-1856), which became St John's Theological College in 1925. Now serving a retirement village, the site was listed on the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999.
Map
Practical info
While you’re in New South Wales
FAQ
How long is the Morpeth walking tour?
About 35 minutes over roughly 1.4 km at a relaxed pace.
Can I do the tour offline?
Yes — load the tour in the Sitesy app beforehand and it’s cached for offline use.
Is the Morpeth walking tour accessible?
The route mainly follows town-centre footpaths; check the app for any steps or uneven ground near individual stops.