| The Hunter Valley stretches from the Goulburn | | | | attractions make it the most visited wine region in |
| River and Wollemi National Park in the south to | | | | Australia today. Home to several leading Australian |
| the Barrington Tops National Park in the north. | | | | wineries including Lindemans, McWilliams, Wyndham |
| Most of the Hunter Valley's many vineyards are | | | | Estate and Tyrell's, the Hunter Valley is also home |
| located in the Lower Hunter Valley, with the | | | | to many smaller boutique wineries. In total, the |
| centre of grape and wine production being | | | | Hunter Valley is now home to over 80 wineries, |
| Pokolbin, located north west of the town of | | | | most of which offer celler door wine tastings and |
| Cessnock. Although some wineries specialise in | | | | many of which also have quality restaurants. |
| particular wines, Chardonnay, Semillon, Cabernet | | | | Hunter Valley grape growers do not specialise in |
| Sauvignon, Shiraz and Verdelho can be found at | | | | any one particular grape variety or wine style. |
| most vineyards. The best vintage years for both | | | | While classic varieties such as Chardonnay, Shiraz |
| red and white wines in the Hunter Valley include | | | | and Semillon are popular, newer styles like |
| 1979, 1983, 1996 and 1999, although several | | | | Verdelho and Chambourcin are also commonly |
| other good years were seen during both the | | | | found.Excellent wine and food aren't the only |
| 1980s and 1990s. Great wine is accompanied by | | | | attractions offered by the Hunter Valley. Outdoor |
| great food in many restaurants, including a | | | | activities are available to suit every taste, ranging |
| selection of fresh local grown vegetables, locally | | | | from horse riding and golf to hot air ballooning and |
| bred game, delicious seafood from Port Stephens, | | | | sky diving, all set amongst wonderfully picturesque |
| bread and pastries, cheeses and chocolates.The | | | | landscapes. The Hunter Valley is also a great |
| Upper Hunter Valley also has several vineyards, | | | | location in which to enjoy music and |
| and is also home to a thriving horse breeding and | | | | entertainment during one of its many festivals. |
| racing industry. The centre for thoroughbred | | | | During October you can enjoy music and |
| horse breeding in the Upper Hunter Valley is the | | | | Australian wine with the Opera in the Vineyards |
| town of Scone, although horse breeding is popular | | | | and Jazz in the Vines music festivals. Many |
| throughout the area. Scone has a range of quality | | | | fascinating buildings can be found in the Hunter |
| accommodation options and several excellent | | | | Valley, along with several galleries and museums. |
| restaurants, although the main attraction for | | | | Speciality shops and small businesses abound, with |
| many is probably the race course. Numerous race | | | | galleries displaying antiques, crafts, glassware, |
| meetings are held throughout the year, so | | | | jewellery, paintings, sculptures and wrought |
| chances are good of being able to catch a race | | | | iron.The many small towns nestled around the |
| when you visit.Prior to European settlement, the | | | | Lower Hunter all offer the visitor something |
| Hunter Valley was inhabited by the Darkinjung | | | | unique. The rural community of Wollombi still lives |
| people for many thousands of years. The area | | | | in the 1930's, the time in which it was settled. You |
| was cleared for farming during the 1820s and | | | | can wander along taking in the historic |
| grape vines have been grown there since the mid | | | | atmosphere, go horse riding, or even explore the |
| 1850s, making it the oldest wine region in | | | | nearby bushland. Branxton and Greta are popular |
| Australia. In the 1900s coal was discovered in the | | | | for their markets and festivals. Cessnock has a |
| area, giving the Hunter Valley a new lease of life. | | | | range of accommodation as well as modern |
| The mines eventually closed down to be replaced | | | | shopping areas, set amongst its heritage buildings |
| by wineries and a thriving tourism industry, with | | | | and craft shops. Kurri Kurri hosts several heritage |
| over 4500 acres of the Hunter Valley now | | | | country pubs as well as a mining museum. It is |
| covered with vines. The region today is a | | | | also popular for a mixture of sports including |
| veritable mecca of holiday resorts and activities | | | | bowls, golf, squash and tennis. For wonderful |
| suitable for families, couples, corporations and | | | | views of the Brokenback Range head to Broke, |
| international tourists.The Hunter Valley's excellent | | | | or for museums and antique shops go to the old |
| range of wineries, shops, restaurants and other | | | | river port of Morpeth. |