Scone – the Horse Capital of Australia
Scone is a pleasant rural centre of wide, tree-lined streets situated within the Hunter Valley of NSW.
The commercial and administrative centre of a pastoral, agricultural and dairying shire Scone is an important stock-selling centre noted for its horse and cattle studs.
Scone is known as The Horse Capital of Australia and claims to be the second-largest horse breeding area in the world, after Kentucky in the United States.
The equine focus of the town is reflected in numerous ways:
- the ten-day Scone Horse Festival in May when there are street parades, a rodeo, stock sales, an air show, race meetings and entertainment
- the six-week Hunter Horse Expo held over September-October
- the new hi-tech racecourse with its Equine Research Centre
- and the bronze sculpture, “Scone Mare and Foal” by Gabriel Sterk, prominently situated beside the highway in Elizabeth Park (pictured right).
Lake Glenbawn State Park is within fifteen minutes drive of Scone. The Dam is used by many for fishing and water sports, and has a reputation as one of the best Bass fishing spots in NSW. There are picnic areas for day trips.
For more information on activities and attractions in Scone please visit: www.upperhuntercountry.com.
