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All About Dungog Shire

Dungog Shire is in the Hunter Region of NSW and is renowned for its forests, mountains and picturesque river villages. Council is committed to the preservation and protection of the Shire’s natural environment and cultural heritage and offers a high quality rural lifestyle within 2.5 hours easy drive of Sydney.

The Shire covers an area of 2248 sq kilometres. It is bordered in the north by the Barrington Tops plateau, which is part of the Great Dividing Range. The Shire consists predominantly of very rugged to hilly country which becomes less rugged from north to south.

All About Dungog Shire - Dungog Visitor Centre

The Shire has two principal rivers, the Williams in the east and the Paterson (and its major tributary the Allyn) in the west. Both are tributaries of the Hunter River and contribute over 80% of the drinking water supply to the Lower Hunter and 40% of the flow of the Hunter.

The Shire’s economy has traditionally been based on agriculture and timber, with the alluvial river flats suitable for intensive agricultural production. The balance of the rural land has been traditionally used for grazing. 

Tourism is also a focus of Dungog Shire’s economy with the National Parks, State Forests, Chichester Dam and the river systems as well as the historic and scenic character of the area providing the major focus for attracting visitors.