Located to the north of Sydney and stretching inland from the New South Wales coastline at Newcastle, Hunter Valley is the oldest commercial wine-producing area in Australia. World renowned wines have been produced here since the 1800s, giving the area great appeal for wine lovers. Meanwhile, opportunities for outdoor recreation and Hunter Valley’s proximity to Sydney are its other main draws.

Known locally as the ‘Hunter’, the region of Hunter Valley encompasses a large swathe of delectable countryside stretching from Wollemi National Park in the south to the beautiful Barrington Tops National Park in the north. The Hunter is effectively split into two parts; Lower Hunter, where the majority of wineries are based, and Upper Hunter, which also has vineyards in an albeit harsher landscape.

The wines produced in Hunter Valley are sold all over the world. Although the valley doesn’t turn out the volumes that the big wine-producing areas of Victoria do, it is easier to get to and offers great historical interest.

Lower Hunter is split into five main areas, including the Wollombi Valley, Cessnock, Pokolbin, Rothbury and Lovedale. Cessnock and Pokolbin are the busiest and most touristed areas with over 100 wineries and cellar doors where big name wines are produced including: chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, semillon, and shiraz. Producers Tyrell, Rothbury, Draytons, McGuigans, McWilliams, and Lindemans are all present here.

Pokolbin is the main town in the area and has many side attractions apart from its fantastic wineries. There is some good shopping, many quaint cafés, quality restaurants and loads of pubs as well as the popular Hunter Valley Gardens Village. Tours of the wineries aboard horse-drawn carts are popular from Pokolbin, and the town also hosts the most important festivals and events of the year.

The are several other towns in Lower Hunter, all with differing qualities and worth seeing. Branxton and Greta are known for their markets; Kurri Kurri for its mining museum and country pubs; Wollombi for its scenic outdoors and horseback riding; Broke and Brokenback Range for their views; and Morpeth for its antique shops.

Upper Hunter also has its draws, most namely the World Heritage Barrington Tops National Park. The park encompasses rugged terrain, has some of the highest mountains in this part of Australia and an abundance of wildlife resides here. The wineries in Upper Hunter generally cover a much larger area than those in Lower Hunter.

Denman is a good base from which to explore Upper Hunter Valley while Muswellbrook is of interest for its historic buildings. Singleton displays its coal mining past at its museum and Scone is a popular thoroughbred horse breeding centre.

Naturally, in an area that focuses on the countryside so much, outdoor activities abound. Horseback riding is particularly popular, while golf, sky diving and hot air ballooning can also be widely enjoyed. The dunes and beaches around Port Stephens are also worth a look, and the surfing here is excellent.

Hunter Valley also boasts some great shopping, where numerous antique and craft stores and market stalls are featured. Jewellery, glassware, paintings and sculptures are good buys here, while cheese and chocolate making are also really popular. Those looking for fun will find lots of music and entertainment at the many bars and festivals in the main towns of Lower Hunter.

Accommodation options in Hunter Valley are excellent. A huge range of hotels, cottages, resorts, and guesthouses make staying here comfortable. However, for those short on time, Hunter Valley is only two hours by road from Sydney meaning tourists can visit on a daytrip from the capital.

Cessnock and Polkobin are the best areas to be based for those without cars owing to the good tourist infrastructure and transport options. Booking online is the best option for saving money as hotel prices in Hunter Valley tend to escalate on weekends and during the summer months.

Captain Cook ignored Hunter Valley on his forays of the Australian coast in the late 1700s and it was a British naval officer who discovered the area, which today primarily revolves around wine and olive growing.

Lieutenant John Shortland reported the existence of the Hunter River in 1797 when he was sent to locate convicts who had made off with a stolen cutter from Sydney Cove, the main penal colony.

Although he failed in his search of the convicts, he did spot a gap in the breaking surf and proceeded to sail through the mangrove-lined channel and discover the lush lower valley. He particularly noted the abundance of timber and the many cedar trees in the area which were ideal for boat repairs at the time, namely repairs to masts and spars.

It wasn’t until four years later that the governor king sent out an expedition to the region after facing food, fuel and material shortages at Sydney Cove. The year was 1801 and the expedition was headed by Lieutenant Colonel Paterson who travelled in the Lady Nelson.

He sailed 40 miles up the river to where today’s Maitland lies and explored the two major tributaries here, the Williams and Paterson rivers. Paterson confirmed Lieutenant John Shortland’s reports of coal and timber resources and it wasn’t long before the governor king set up a penal colony here.

The region was named after Governor John Hunter and became home to the more difficult convicts of Sydney Cove who served their time toiling at the timber camps and coal mines.

Less than 20 years after a penal colony was established in the lower part of Hunter Valley, the region began to open up after John Howe founded a path across the mountains from Sydney. This then led to the construction of the Great North Road by teams of convicts and consequently the development of Hunter Valley. The land was worked as the logging industry progressed and wine grapes were introduced in the early 1820s.

Around 20 acres of vineyards located between Maitland and Singleton were established by 1823. Early winemakers included the likes of James King of Irrawang, George Wyndham of Dalwood, and William Kelman at Kirkton.

Amateur viticulturist James Busby was the main contributor to the Hunter Valley’s success, introducing hundreds of vine cuttings from winegrowing regions of Europe and South Africa to the Hunter. Many cuttings were initially planted in Sydney’s new Botanic Gardens, but luckily enough Busby kept hold of replica sets of vine cuttings for planting in the Hunter Valley after the Sydney batch failed.

The location where Busby planted these cuttings was Kirkton on the Hunter River, near Morpeth, on land granted to his sister Catherine and husband William Kelman. There was already a small vineyard here so accommodating the new replica batch was easy enough. By 1840, there was in excess of 500 acres of registered vineyard area in the Hunter.

Many families in the wine growing regions of the Hunter Valley can today trace their lineage back to the early European settlers and beyond, some going back six generations. These include the Tyrrells, Tullochs, Draytons, and McGuigans. As would be expected, these particular vineyards also play a big part in the region’s tourism success as many visitors are interested in learning the history when they come to taste at these cellars.

Tourism in the region took off after WWII and the advent of the jet-age, and today the valley is busier than ever with visitors. People come here for a slice of culture and to experience the fantastic recreational opportunities that exist alongside the vineyards.

Hunter Valley encompasses a large area to the north of Sydney and has a slightly varying climate from its coastal regions to the inland winery areas. Although daytime temperatures are a bit warmer inland in Hunter Valley, the inlands areas can be cooler at night than the coast and significantly drier.

Average summer temperatures range from about 27°C inland to 30°C on the coast near Newcastle between December and February. Temperatures are about three degrees cooler in the autumn months of March to May and slightly below 20°C on the coast and inland in the winter (June to August). Spring temperatures are similar to those in the autumn.

Although it can be cool at nights in the Hunter Valley, you will likely find yourself covering up with a hat and sunglasses during the day. Pack a light jacket for cool evenings. Those visiting Barrington Tops will need some warm weather clothing as it can get particularly cold and wet when hiking and bush walking here.