Olive grove

Pukara Estate Olives is Aabout 12km from Muswellbrook on the Denman Road — it's hard to miss the olive grove on your right. There is indoor and outdoor seating for coffee and snacks and you can taste a wide range of olive oils made on-site, including my favourite: wasabi infused olive oil. You can also tour the factory and see how olive oil is made — a true paddock-to-plate experience.

Open Cut

When you drive from Singleton to Muswellbrook on the New England Highway and see the giant open-cut coalmines, "tourist attraction" is probably the farthest thing from your mind. Many locals are employed at the mines and they are part of the local economy. Bengalla Mine looms over Muswellbrook. While you might see the giant mound of dirt on the edge of town as a symbol of environmental destruction and corporate greed, the mine holds an open day every other year and conducts group tours by bus. If you're not in town for open day you can get in touch with the Coal Industry Centre in Singleton to help organise a tour. It's fascinating to take a look right inside the pit and get up close to the enormous machinery. You learn a lot about the process of extracting coal and can ask questions. You're not required to wear safety gear but covered shoes and long sleeves are a good idea.

Local Art

Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre is a cultural oasis in this mining town. The Max Watters collection is a permanent fixture at the gallery. He's a well known local artist who has a unique take on local scenes. Recently photography from local teenagers and paintings by indigenous inmates from nearby St Heliers correctional facility have been featured. It's a great way to get an insight into the local region and see some great art. Travelling exhibits also frequently stop in the gallery. There's also a nice café attached to the gallery which does a good coffee after a hard hour or two browsing.

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