The Royal Hotel was situated in Bridge Street, Muswellbrook and in the 1840's was owned by Henry Nowland

Henry and brothers Edward and William were pioneers of the Hunter region They were sons of convicts Michael Nowland and Elizabeth Richards

Henry Nowland hosted Governor George Gipps on the Governor's  journey to the Hunter district in November 1844. Read about it in the Maitland Mercury. The Governor was taken ill soon after and spent the following day in an unscheduled stop over at Aberdeen before resuming his travels up the valley.(1)

Find out more about Henry Nowland here

Muswellbrook c. 1930s   - Click to enlarge