Upper Hunter
Upper Hunter scores well on community services (62/100) but only 32/100 on sustainability — a gap worth watching.
"Scone — horse capital of Australia and Upper Hunter pastoral elegance"
See where Upper Hunter ranks: Best Councils in New South Wales 2026
New South Wales · regional council · Pop. 14,408
Data last updated: 2023-24 · Data confidence: high
Overall Score
49 out of 100
#43 of 79 regional councils in NSW
#74 in New South Wales
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Sustainability | 32/100 |
| Community Services | 62/100 |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 45/100 |
| Core Operations | 59/100 |
What This Means For You
Among regional councils, Upper Hunter performs strongest in Community Services (scoring 62 out of 100 against peers), with room to improve in Sustainability (currently 32 out of 100).
What Makes This Place Unique
Scone — horse capital of Australia and Upper Hunter pastoral elegance
Upper Hunter covers Scone, Murrurundi, and Merriwa in the thoroughbred breeding heartland.
Known For
- Scone — Horse Capital of Australia
- Thoroughbred studs
- Burning Mountain
- Upper Hunter pastoral heritage
Living Here
Country town living in beautiful horse country.
Hidden Gem
Burning Mountain — an underground coal seam burning for 6,000+ years.