Morpeth is a suburb of the City of Maitland Local Government Area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the southern banks of the Hunter River at the border between the City of Maitland and Port Stephens Council LGAs. The major population centre, where almost all residents of the suburb reside, is the historical town of Morpeth which takes its name from Morpeth, Northumberland, near Newcastle upon Tyne, in England. The town was a major river boat transportation hub in the 19th century before declining in the 20th century after the North Coast Railway Line between Sydney and Brisbane bypassed it. The town today is a popular tourist destination due to its many historical buildings and river bank setting.