Most people come to Hunter Valley for wine tasting, and there are numerous vineyards worth touring. There are also many historic towns and villages here while the spectacular landscapes are home to scenic national parks that offer great walking.

Aberdeen
Hunter Valley’s Aberdeen is situated in the Upper Hunter wine region. This area generally appeals to those who prefer less hustle and bustle with the area offering visitors peace and quiet. This part of Hunter is much less developed than Lower Hunter yet nonetheless has some fantastic wineries and restaurants.

Barrington Tops National Park
This primary rainforest is Australia’s most southerly rainforest with its high sub-alpine woodland plateaus and sub-tropical valleys. There are several endangered plant and animal species residing within the park, such as the koala, broad toothed rat, quoll, yellow bellied glider, red legged pademelon, and the powerful owl, among many others. Much of Barrington Tops National Park lies at a higher altitude than the Blue Mountains, and Polblue Mountain, Mount Barrington and Carey's Peak all reach heights of over 5,000ft.

Cessnock
Located in Lower Hunter Valley to the west of Newcastle and just south of Pokolbin, the new town of Cessnock is a conurbation of towns and villages which were originally set up to service the coal mines in the area. Today Cessnock is made up of hotels, restaurants and outdoor recreation options, and is a good base from which to explore the nearby Watagan mountains. The Richmond Main Mining Museum in town is a must-see.

Lake Macquarie
A huge attraction in the region in both size and stature, Lake Macquarie is Australia’s largest coastal saltwater lake and is loaded with recreational opportunity. The lake dwarves Sydney Harbour and is hemmed in by the striking Watagan mountains to the west and surrounded by many fine towns and villages including Toronto and Wangi Wangi. The Dobell House museum and art gallery in Wangi Wangi is a popular attraction for those into history and culture. Water activities on the lake include waterskiing, kayaking, sailing and fishing, and the Heritage Afloat Festival at Easter is an especially good time to be here.

Murrurundi
This area of Hunter Valley was first settled in the 1820s and thus features lots of history as well as prominent landmarks Wallabadah Rock and the Eye of the Needle. The name Murrurundi comes from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘nest in the valley’, which fits the area perfectly - being located at the foot of the Liverpool ranges on the banks of Pages River. The Heritage Town Walk in Murrurundi reveals the town’s history while the 25-mile drive east to the town of Timor is fantastic. While in Timor, check out the famous limestone caves.

Pokolbin
Pokolbin is the most visited town in the Hunter Valley wine growing region and offers many interesting attractions, as well as its fine winery and slew of cafés, restaurants and pubs. Visitors have the option of taking a Clydesdale carriage tour of the nearby wineries from Pokolbin - a perfect way to see the vineyards. Several of the best festivals in the region are also held in Pokolbin, including the Hunter Valley Harvest Festival, Opera in the Vineyards, and Jazz in the Vines.

Wollombi Valley
Just over an hour’s drive from Sydney’s noisy northern suburbs, Wollombi Valley is the epitome of peace and quiet amid fantastic surroundings. Valleys, farms, vineyards and national parks are all around while plenty of art and history can be discerned in the historic towns and villages. The Convict Trail is a must for walkers.

Attend Hunter Valley Wine School. If you fancy learning a bit more about the region and its wines, the two-hour tutorials at the Hunter Valley Wine School are ideal. After ample tastings, the course ends with participants being presented with a certificate.

Experience the culture of Burning Mountain, an Aboriginal settlement in the area traditionally owned by the Wanaruah Aboriginal people. Here visitors can discern how the tribe once lived and marvel at their ancient way of life.

Go cycling and vineyard-hop your way around the valley. The roads and tracks here are unhurried for those with families, while the more adventurous might like to head into the national parks and Watagan mountains for some more exciting cycling thrills.

Go walkabout and experience the bush the time-old way. Even those of advanced years can tackle many of the paths and tracks here especially set up by the wineries. Walking is a great way to take in the vineyards in a leisurely fashion.

Tour the Pokolbin Estate with its century-old sandstone cottage tasting room. Pokolbin Estate is one of the smallest old wineries in the valley and the taste of its boutique wines is even better when you learn that it is not available in shops and restaurants.

Take a Clydesdale carriage tour. Leaving from Pokolbin, take in the many wineries of the area by carriage. The Scottish, feathered-legged draft horse is a fitting beast to have on the front of the hand-built cart which will take you through the wine lands.

Taste some cheese. The fun Cheese Factory in Pokolbin makes tasty preservative-free cheeses, along with fresh breads and preserves that shouldn’t be missed by any gourmand.

Visit Tyrell's Vineyards. At over 140 years old, Tyrell's on Broke road, Pokolbin, is a quality old winery with 100-year-old vats and an unbeatable atmosphere. Pay a visit to sample the flavoursome wines and hear about how they are made.