The epicentre of the quake was near the mining town of Denman, 250km north of Sydney, at 10km deep just after 12pm.
Over 2000 reported that they felt the shake, stretching from Dubbo, all the Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, and even parts of Sydney including Mt Druitt, parts of the CBD, North Ryde and Kogarah.
There were also reports it was felt in the Blue Mountains, in Lithgow, Blackheath and Katoomba, as well as in Picton, west of Sydney.
“The tremor…it was a massive earthquake, the whole house rattled,” a listener told 2GB.
“The whole car was rocking around,” another said.
Muswellbrook South Public School sent a message to parents saying the students had been evacuated.
“Muswellbrook South Public School staff and students have safely evacuated to our top oval awaiting further instruction,” the message read.
St James Primary School also sent a message out to parents, saying the school had no power.
“We are all ok. Out on MacKillop [street]. We have no power so if you can please come and get your kids,” the message read.
Panels on the roof of a local Aldi fell, as did stock at a nearby Mitre 10.
