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