Muswellbrook
| Muswellbrook New South Wales | |
|---|---|
Hope City Church | |
| Coordinates | 32°15′56″S 150°53′19″E / 32.26556°S 150.88861°E |
| Population | 16,000 (2021) |
| Established | 1833 |
| Postcode(s) | 2333 |
| Elevation | 220 m (722 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Muswellbrook Shire |
| State electorate(s) | Upper Hunter |
| Federal division(s) | New England |
Muswellbrook (/ˈmʌsəlbrʊk/ MUSS-əl-bruuk) is a town in the Upper Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, about 243 km (151 mi) north of Sydney and 127 km (79 mi) north-west of Newcastle.
Geologically, Muswellbrook is situated in the northern parts of the Sydney basin, bordering the New England region.
The area is predominantly known for coal mining and horse breeding, but has also developed a reputation for gourmet food and wine production. As of the 2021 census Muswellbrook has a population of 12,272. Located to the south of the Muswellbrook township are two coal fuelled power stations, Liddell (closed in 2023) and Bayswater. They were commissioned in 1973 and mid 1980s respectively and employ approximately 500 people from the area. The Muswellbrook Coal Mine operated from 1907 to 2022, and is scheduled for a 135 MW solar facility with a 270 MWh / 135 MW grid battery. A 400 MW / 3,200M Wh (8-hour) pumped hydro project may operate by 2030.