Merriwa
NSW 2329 • Rest of NSW
About Merriwa
Merriwa is a historic rural town in the Upper Hunter Shire, New South Wales, situated on the Golden Highway approximately 273 kilometres northwest of Sydney, roughly midway between Newcastle and Dubbo. With a population of around 1,825 residents, the town serves as a regional service centre for the surrounding agricultural district at an elevation of 403 metres above sea level. The Upper Hunter area is renowned for horse breeding, cattle and grain farming, and Merriwa reflects this heritage throughout its built fabric and community character.
Merriwa has a strong rural identity and hosts several popular annual events including the Festival of the Fleeces on the Queen's Birthday weekend in June, the Merriwa Morgans Cup Races, and the Merriwa Springtime Show in September. The town features a number of heritage-listed buildings, including the Colonial Cottage Museum (1857) and historic hotels. Residents and visitors enjoy a relaxed country lifestyle with access to local schools, a hospital, and the natural beauty of the Hunter Valley hinterland.
Merriwa falls under postcode 2329 and is governed by Upper Hunter Shire Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Upper Hunter electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- Regional coach services — Maitland / Dubbo 2–3 hr
Commute to Sydney CBD
🛣️ Drive via Golden Highway and New England Highway; regional coaches serve Maitland and Dubbo
Town centre is compact and walkable; a car is needed for most trips beyond main street
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Cassilis Public School ICSEA 9596376 1009 37 Coolah Rd
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Merriwa Central School ICSEA 8796548 2119 Bow Street
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Marquet Street
Heritage-Listed Places
There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Merriwa, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.
Parks & Reserves
There are 5 parks and reserves in Merriwa.
Crime Statistics
NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Merriwa by offence type, year and trend.
📊 View Merriwa Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Merriwa" under Suburb
Housing 2021 Census
9 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)
Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census
School Sector Breakdown
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Income Comparison
Country of Birth 2021 Census
Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)
- 1. England 28
- 2. New Zealand 22
- 3. Nepal 10
- 4. Philippines 8
- 5. Vietnam 8
- 6. India 5
- 7. Scotland 5
- 8. Bangladesh 4
- 9. Ireland 4
- 10. Italy 4
Ancestry 2021 Census
Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)