Barrington Tops
Barrington Tops is a World Heritage wilderness area with walking trails, white-water canoeing, kayaking, four wheel driving and rafting. Barrington Tops is a plateau rising to 1,500 metre between a series of extinct volcanic peaks in the Mount Royal Ranges . An area of streams, Antarctic beech forests, waterfalls, animals and birds with clear water flowing from sphagnum moss swamps. For the Gloucester River camping area and Gloucester Tops day use area, take the Buckets Way from Gloucester then take Cobark Road , to Gloucester River Road and then Gloucester Tops Road. The Williams River is accessed from Dungog. The Burraga Swamp area is about 1.5 hours drive from the Williams River picnic area, along the Mt Allyn Forest Road . For the Barrington Tops Plateau area, use Barrington Tops Forest Road between Gloucester and Scone .

Branxton
Branxton is a small town at the junction of the New England Highway and the freeway to Cessnock. Branxton is surrounded by wineries. Lot 's for places to stay and any fine restaurants. Singleton is 22km away.

Broke
A short drive from Pokolbin the village of Broke lies on Wollombi Creek.

Camberwell
13 km north of Singleton along the highway is the small village of Camberwell where St Clement's Anglican Church was built between 1844 and 1855.

Cessnock
First settled in 1826, named after Cessnock Castle in Scotland and now a coal mining town. Cessnock is in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine-producing region. Cessnock includes small towns such as Paxton, Millfield and Bellbird. Cessnock is a gateway to the wineries of the region. Many art galleries antique and craft shops.

Hunter Valley Zoo
Located just off Wine Country Drive between Cessnock and Pokolbin, the zoo is in the heart of the Hunter's Wine Country with kangaroos, koalas, wombats, many birds, dingoes, reptiles as well as monkeys, deer and ostrich. 138 Lomas Lane , Nulkaba (02 4990 7714).

Denman
Denman is a small agricultural town on the Hunter River . 

Dungog
Dungog is on the Williams River on the way to Barrington Tops National Park . First settled din 1820 has wide streets and rural feel. Good bush walking trails, trout streams and dams and lookouts.

Gloucester
Gloucester is an access point for Barrington Tops. Many outdoor activities are available in this area. In the town are an Aboriginal Art Centre, Folk Museum and Gloucester Gallery. Gloucester Visitor Information Centre 27 Denison Street

Gresford
Gresford is an access point for Barrington Tops National Park . Gresford is on the Paterson River .

Greta
Greta is between Maitland and Singleton developed due to the Greta Main Colliery.

Kurri Kurri
Kurri Kurri is 15mins from Cessnock. Kurri Kurri was the heart of the coal fields. Kurri Kurri is close to the vineyards of the Lower Hunter.

Lochinvar
Lochinvar is close to Maitland and the wineries of Lovedale and Rothbury. Lochinvar has a rural village with pub, and buildings crafted with carved sandstone and kilned bricks made using convict labour.

Luskintyre
Luskintyre is a rural area 20 minutes from Maitland. The Luskintyre Bridge was built in 1902 and an important element in the development of the Hunter region.

Lake St Clair
To the north west of Singleton the lake, covering 1540 ha, is named after St Clair homestead, which was covered by the lake. Camping, barbecue areas and a boat ramp are available. (02 6571 5888).

Lake Macquarie
Lake Macquarie is a large coastal salt-water lake at the south of the Hunter Region and about an hour drive from Sydney . It is four times the size of Sydney Harbour and good for sailing, fishing, swimming, cruising and scuba diving. Walk around the foreshore or swim at one of beaches. Surfing is possible at Blacksmiths, Caves, Catherine Hill Bay and Dudley. Wangi Point, Pelican, Cam 's Wharf and Shingle Splitter's Point are good for swimming. The Watagan Mountains at the back of the Lake Macquarie have hiking and horse back riding trials.

Maitland
Established in 1818, the New England Highway connects Maitland with Newcastle to the south, and the Upper Hunter and New England regions to the north. Maitland has a riverine landscape with historic buildings wooden bridges and renovated industrial buildings. Maitland has plenty of places to eat and drink. The town is laid out with a series of radiating squares. On the outer edge are North, West, South and Shannon Terraces. Roads radiate in from the corners of this square.

Maitland Regional Art Gallery
Changing exhibitions of Australian and international art with a cultural precinct with craftspeople and artisans.

Maitland Gaol
Maitland Gaol closed in 1998 and now invites visitors to learn about the facility, past prisoners and escapes. John Street Maitland (02 4936 6482)

Maitland National Trust Museum
A collection of local memorabilia with Aboriginal and German heritage exhibitions. Located on the corner of Gardener and Kilkerran Terrace.

Merriwa
Merriwa, a small town in the west of the Hunter. The Tourist Information Centre includes a Bottle Museum . Close by is Goulburn River Park a gem fossicking zone.

Morpeth
Close to Maitland is Morpeth established in 1821 on the banks of the Hunter River . There are cafes, restaurants, galleries, and antique stores. Morpeth Courthouse Museum offers an historical perspective of life in the district.

Mount Royal National Park
Mount Royal National Park is adjacent to the south-western edge of Barrington Tops National Park and contains part of the Barrington Tops Wilderness Area. It was declared over former state forest in 1996 and includes rainforest areas that provide habitat for threatened species such as the Hastings River mouse. The park is 50km north of Singleton. Turn right into Bridgeman Road off the New England Highway north of Singleton and follow the signs to Lake St Clair .

Murrurundi
The historical town of Murrurundi has a heritage town walk.

Muswellbrook
Muswellbrook is in the Upper Hunter Valley with many wineries and restaurants. The Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre has regular exhibitions.

Newcastle
Newcastle lies approximately 160 kilometres north of Sydney , a journey of two and a half hours by CityRail train. Newcastle is the seventh largest city in Australia and is the largest city which is not a state or federal capital. It has a population of approximately 300,000. Newcastle was founded on 30th March 1804 as a penal settlement, so has a selection of buildings old by Australian standards, as well as beaches, surf, impressive coastal scenery, bushland and a well-known lake. It is also an important port, especially for the export of coal, of which resource some 70 million tonnes passes through the city annually.

Most of the attractions of Newcastle are within walking distance of the station, Customs House is just to the east of the railway station. It has a clock tower with a time ball on top. Since Customs House was constructed in 1876, the ball was dropped every day at 13:00 as a visual time signal. However, since the earthquake it has not worked properly. The building is now used as a pub and restaurant. Next to it is the old Paymaster's Office for New South Wales Government Railways, dating from 1879. It also is now a restaurant. Beyond these two buildings is the site of the former Convict Lumber Yards. This is the oldest surviving example of a convict industrial site. It was in operation between 1814 and 1846. Moreover, beneath it is an aboriginal site which dates back several thousands of years.

Further on still is Foreshore Park , an area which used to be railway yards, but now has been transformed into a park, with the old warehouses used as shops and restaurants. To its eastern side is Fort Scratchley , constructed in 1882, because of fears of a Russian invasion. However, its first and only action occurred on 7th June 1942, when a Japanese submarine arrived and fired 24 shots at Newcastle . Fort Scratchley
fired two rounds in reply before the submarine disappeared.

The fort is now a Maritime and Military Museum open from 12:00 until 16:00 every day except Monday. Beyond the fort is the Breakwater constructed by convict labour to protect the port. At its tip is the conspicuous Nobby's Headland, which was, in fact, originally an island. Returning next to the eastern foreshore, we come first to Nobby's Beach, and then to the Ocean Baths, an interesting enclosed swimming area dating from 1922, when mixed bathing was first permitted in the city. Beyond is Newcastle Beach , the longest of the beach areas in the city, and then Fletcher Park at its end. Continuing south, we reach Bogey Hole, a swimming hole cut in the natural rock, at the order of Commandant Morisset in 1819. Originally it was his private swimming place, but it became a public pool in 1863. The term ‘Bogey' Hole is evidently derived from the aboriginal word for bathing. Back from the Bogey Hole is King Edward Park, given to the city in 1865, but renamed later after the monarch of the time.

The rotunda dates from Victorian times. In the farthest corner of the park is the Obelisk. A windmill was built here in 1821 on the orders of Commandant Morisset, and when it was demolished later, there was considerable opposition, since it served as a useful navigational marker. An obelisk was erected in its place, originally of wood but soon rebuilt in brick, and there it still stands. Near the Obelisk is the junction of Ordnance Street and Wolfe Street . From this point, proceed north along Wolfe Street to Church Street and turn right. Here is the pride of Newcastle architecture, the Cathedral. It is built on the site of Newcastle 's oldest church, originally constructed by convict labour in 1817. However, the use of poor workmanship and materials led to the demolition of the original church, and the construction of the present cathedral started in 1884. There were several disputes over its design, so it was not until 1902 that it was completed. The tower was added in 1979, but ten years later the earthquake occurred, resulting in considerable damage to the entire building. Restoration has now taken place.

Continue east along Church Street to reach the Courthouse at the junction with, and looking down, Bolton Street . The Courthouse is an imposing piece of Victorian architecture, built in 1890. Now walk two blocks down the slope of Bolton Street to the Post Office, on the corner of, and facing, Hunter Street . This Post Office has survived the fate of many like ornate buildings and is still used for its original purpose. It was constructed in 1902.

Paterson
Paterson is a small historic village between Maitland and the Barrington Tops. The Paterson Court House Museum built in 1857 displays historical artefacts. The Rail Motor Society of Paterson presents a history of train transportation in the region.

Paxton
Paxton south west Cessnock is a wine and horse stud region.

Pokolbin
6 kilometres west of Cessnock with resorts, guesthouses, restaurants and cafes in the town with the Lower Hunter wineries. Very much a centre of the wine industry. Along Broke Road are many wineries and restaurants and around McDonalds Road . Many golf courses are found in this part of the Hunter Valley . The Visitor Information Centre is on Allandale Road .

Hunter Valley Gardens
The Hunter Valley Gardens features 25 hectares spread over12 themed gardens. The gardens also provide activities such as aqua golf, mini golf and barbecues. Broke Road Pokolbin (02 4998 4000).

Cheese Factory
The Hunter Valley Cheese Factory produces fine handmade and preservative free cheeses. Cheeses are available for tasting and purchase. Located in McGuigans complex McDonalds Road , Pokolbin (02 4998 7744).

Scone
Scone is famous for horses. The tourist information centre is on Kelly Street. 15km east of Scone is Glenbawn Dam.

Singleton
Singleton on the New England Highway has gardens, historical and cultural sites, vineyards and modern wineries. The wine industry is the major attraction with many cellar doors on Hermitage Road . Singleton has heritage buildings dating from 1863 many are historic homesteads from the early days of settlement. The two main buildings are the All Saints Anglican Church and the elaborate Victorian Gothic rectory built in 1875. The Singleton Visitor Information Centre is located at 39 George St .

Sun Dial
The Sun Dial at Singleton is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and forms a gateway to the Hunter River and developed as part of the 1988 bicentennial project. The Sundial weighs 30 tonnes and located at Rose Point Park , Ryan Ave , Singleton.

Singleton House Museum
Singletons first courthouse and jail with a collection of memorabilia. Burdekin Park , New England Highway , Singleton, (02 6577 8536)

Royal Australian Infantry Corps Museum
The museum has a collection of infantry equipment, weapons and memorabilia. Range Road (02 6570 3257).

Upper Hunter
The north end of the Hunter Valley is called the Upper Hunter with the communities of Denman, Merriwa, Murrurundi, Muswellbrook and Scone . The vineyards here are larger and produce varieties such as Rieslings. The Upper Hunter is the location of the World Heritage listed Barrington Tops National Park . The area is a mix of agriculture, wine production, coal mining, power generation and rural life.

The Upper Hunter Valley is renowned for its spectacular natural scenic beauty. Rocky outcrops, sandstone cliffs and rugged scrub-covered mountains provide a stunning backdrop to rich farmland, rolling pastures and manicured vineyards.

The Upper Hunter Coal Mines has 21 coal mining operations. Guided tours of some mines are possible.

Vacy
Vacy lies on the banks of the Paterson River near Barrington Tops with some historic buildings.

Wollombi
Wollombi is on the Great North Road , a small historical town established in 1820, thirty kilometres from Cessnock. Wollombi is in a wooded river valley. In the valley are the villages of Laguna, Wollombi and Millfield.

Wollemi National Park
A large wilderness area and part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. There are historic ruins at Newnes, across the Wolgan River from the camping area. Dunns Swamp has easy walks and plenty of opportunities for canoeing. Dunns Swamp is 20 km from Rylstone along Narrango Road.

Hunter Valley Wineries
Climatic and soil conditions in the Hunter Valley are excellent for Semillon, Shiraz and Chardonnay production. The Hunter Valley is now recognised for its full-bodied white wines, 'medium weight reds' and some excellent ports. There are some world brands including Lindemans, McWilliams, Rothbury, Wyndham Estate, Tyrells and Draytons.

Wine tasting is very much part of life in the Hunter Valley with most wineries opening daily.

Sovereign Hill Vineyard
370 Talga Road LOVEDALE
Phone: (02) 4930 7755

Brokenwood Wines
401-427 McDonald's Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7559

David Hook Wines
1946 Broke Rd Pokolbin
Phone: 02 4998 7121

Littles Wines

270 Palmers Lane Pokolbin
Phone: 02 4998 7626

James Estate
1142 Hermitage Rd , Pokolbin
Phone: (02) 4998 7992

Stonehurst Wines

Wollombi Road CEDAR CREEK
Phone: (02) 4998 1576

Briar Ridge Vineyard
593 Mount View Road MOUNT VIEW
Phone: (02) 4990 3670

Marsh Estate
Deasys Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7587

Lindemans Wines
McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Phone: (02) 49987684

Thalgara Estate
Debeyer's Rd Pokolbin
Phone: 02 4998 7717

Majors Lane Wines & Cafe
64 Majors Lane LOVEDALE
Phone: (02) 4930 7832

Scarborough Wine Co.
179 Gillards Road Pokolbin
Phone: 02 4998 7563

Sweetwater Wines
Sweetwater Road ROTHBURY
Phone: (02) 9233 2588

Blueberry Hill
Cnr McDonalds Rd & Coulson Rds POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7295

McGuigan Cellars
McDonalds Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7400

Lake 's Folly Vineyard
Broke Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7507

Club Equus
Cnr Marrowbone & Oakey Creek Rds POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4991 1770

Tallavera Grove
Mt View Rd MT VIEW
Phone: (02) 4990 753

Bimbadgen Estate Wines
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7585

Kulkunbulla Wines
1595 Broke Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7140

Cockfighters Ghost Wines
DeBeyers Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7356

Sandalyn Wilderness Estate
Wilderness Road Lovedale
Phone: (02) 4930 7611

Tamburlaine Wines
358 McDonalds Rd POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7570

Bellona Estate
803 Old North Road NORTH ROTHBURY
Phone: (02) 4938 3484

McWilliams Mount Pleasant
Marrowbone Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7505

Krinklewood Vineyard
712 Wollombi Road BROKE
Phone: (02) 9969 1311

Constable & Hershon Vineyard
205 Gillards Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7887

Saddlers Creek Wines
15 Marrowbone Rd POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 9979 6422

Tatler Wines Pty Ltd
477 Lovedale Road LOVEDALE
Phone: (02) 4930 9139

Terrace Vale Wines
149 Deasys Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7517

Meerea Park Wine P/L
Broke Rd POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7474

Kevin Sobels Wines
Cnr Broke & Halls Roads POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7766

Cooper Wines
469 Lovedale Rd LOVEDALE
Phone: (02) 4930 7387

Rothvale Vineyard and Winery
223 Deasys Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7290

Millbrook Estate
Lot 18/ 19 Mount View Road MILLFIELD
Phone: (02) 4998 1155

Cruickshank Wines
2656 Wybong Road WYBONG
Phone: (02) 6547 8149

Keith Tulloch Wine
Hunter Ridge , Hermitage Rd POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7500

De Bortoli Wines Pty Limited
532 Wine Country Drive POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4993 8800

Thomas Wines
McDonalds Rd POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 6574 7371

Arrowfield Estate
Golden Highway JERRYS PLAINS
Phone: (02) 6576 4041

Mistletoe Wines
771 Hermitage Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7770

Ivanhoe Wines
Marrowbone Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7325

Harrigan's Cellars
Broke Rd Pokolbin
Phone: 02 4998 7600

De Iuliis Wines
Lot 21 Broke Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4993 8000

Rosemount Estate Upper Hunter
Rosemount Road DENMAN
Phone: (02) 6549 6450

Tinklers Vineyard
Pokolbin Mountains Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7435

Simon Pemberton Pearce Cellar Door & Lucaffe
Tuscany Wine Resort, Hermitage Rd POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7440

Monahan Estate
319 Wilderness Road LOVEDALE
Phone: (02) 4930 9070

Iron Gate Estate
Oakey Creek Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 6570

Drayton's Family Wines
555 Oakey Creek Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 751

Rosebrook Estate Wines @ Hunter River Retreat
1090 Maitlandvale Road ROSEBROOK
Phone: (02) 4930 1114

Tintilla Estate Wines Pty Ltd
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 6574 7093

Yarraman Estate
700 Yarraman Road WYBONG
Phone: (02) 6547 8118

Moorebank Vineyard
15 Palmers Lane POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7610

Roche Wines
2090 Broke Rd POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7600

Tower Estate
Halls Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7989

Wyndham Estate
700 Dalwood Road DALWOOD
Phone: (02) 4938 3444

Mount Broke Wines
Adams Peak Road BROKE
Phone: (02) 6579 1313

Hungerford Hill Wines Pty Ltd
1 Broke Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7666

Tranquil Vale Vineyard
325 Pywells Road LUSKINTYRE
Phone: (02) 4930 6100

Allandale Winery
132 Lovedale Road LOVEDALE
Phone: (02) 4990 4526

Wright Family Wines
293 Deasys Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7781

Honeytree Estate Wines
16 Gillards Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7693

Emma's Cottage Vineyard
438 Wilderness Road LOVEDALE
Phone: (02) 4998 7734

Poole 's Rock Wines
Corner of DeBeyers and McDonalds Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 9563 2500

Wollombi Village Vineyard
Lot 50, Main Road WOLLOMBI
Phone: (02) 4998 8241

Mount Vincent Estate
1139 Leggetts Drive MT VINCENT
Phone: (02) 4938 0078

Hermitage Road Cellars
Hunter Resort, Hermitage Road , Pokolbin
Phone: 02 4998 7777

Ernest Hill Wines
307 Wine Country Drive NULKABA
Phone: (02) 4991 4418

Pokolbin Estate
McDonalds Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 9938 6622

Tyrrell's Vineyards Pty Ltd
Broke Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4993 7000

Windsor 's Edge Wines
1039 McDonalds Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7341

Nightingale Wines
1239 Milbrodale Rd BROKE
Phone: (02) 6579 1499

Evans Family Wines
Lot 91 Broke Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 723

Windarra Winery @ The German Tourist Ctr
266 Debeyers Rd Pokolbin
Phone: 02 4998 7648

Oakvale Winery
1596 Broke Rd Pokolbin
Phone: 4998 7088

Ghost Riders Wines
535 Hermitage Rd POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 6574 7171

Macquariedale Estate
170 Sweetwater Road Rothbury
Phone: (02) 6574 7012

Petersons Champagne House Ltd
Corner, Broke Road & Wine Country Drive POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7881

Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard
DeBeyers Road Pokolbin Phone: 0249987411

Warraroong Estate
247 Wilderness Road LOVEDALE
Phone: (02) 4930 7594

Gartelmann Hunter Estate
701 Lovedale Road LOVEDALE
Phone: (02) 4930 7113

Madigan Wines
504 Wilderness Road ROTHBURY
Phone: (02) 4998 7815

Small Winemakers Centre
426 McDonalds Road POKOLBIN
Phone: (02) 4998 7668

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