Hunter Valley

Located within the heart of the Wine Country, Hunter Valley Zoo has acres of both Australian and exotic animals. Feed the animals - hand feed kangaroos, wallabies, farmyard animals and Lorikeets with special food purchased from the office. Daily shows allow you to pat a wombat, cuddle up to a koala, touch a reptile and watch the monkeys and other animals being fed. There is a wide variety of animals including; Monkeys, American Alligators, White Lions, Tasmanian devils, Kangaroos, Koalas, Dingoes, reptiles, birds, Maned Wolf, Meerkats and new animals such as the Ring-tailed Lemurs! Hunter Valley Zoo provides free barbecue facilities and undercover seating, so bring the family for a picnic lunch in the fun relaxed atmosphere. Want more? Hunter Valley Zoo have animal encounters available so you can get up close with some of the animals and develop an appreciation for the wildlife. Call the Zoo for more information or visit the website and Facebook page.

Steeped in history, the federation gothic building housing Maitland Regional Art Gallery is an awe inspiring example of early 1900's architecture. Officially opened in 1910, the building was constructed to house the Maitland Technical College, which it continued to do until 1987. Known locally as MRAG, each year the gallery shows thousands of artworks and creates hundreds of learning activities across 25 exhibitions annually, while sharing the 4,000+ art collection. The award winning building is as much a part of the experience as the artworks on display. Located on High Street at the eastern end of Central Maitland, the gallery offers a great diversity of spaces. Be it exhibitions, workshops, café lunches, shopping, talks, tours or events, MRAG is friendly and inviting. All public areas of the gallery can be reached by stairs and lift, with fully accessible public amenities conveniently located on the ground floor. Entry to MRAG’s carpark is via a rear service lane off James Street, and includes two dedicated disabled parking spaces.

The Hunter Valley is Australia's oldest wine region and home to some of the country's most distinctive and outstanding wines. The most recognised of these is the Hunter Valley semillon, the product of techniques and processes that have developed over 150 years of making wines. The region is also known for producing outstanding shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, verdelho and chardonnay. Discover the history of winemaking and sample award-winning drops on a tour. Organised group tours pick you up from your accommodation and provide transport to a wide range of wineries.

Barrington Tops National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Carved out of ancient volcanic flows, the park rises from near sea level to over 1,500 metres and protects one of the largest temperate rainforests in mainland Australia, with a host of diverse habitats home to a wide range of animals and birds. The park is a bushwalker’s haven with an excellent network of walking trails, from short and easy walks to more difficult overnight hikes with plenty of sites to set up a bush camp for the evening.

Chapman Valley Horse Riding provides horses for all levels of experience, from beginners to advance riders. Experience nature up close as you travel on horse-back through the scenic valleys and mountains of the 2,600-hectare property which has been owned by the Chapman family for more than 170 years.

The eclectic collection reflects the area's rural history, including its dairying, timber and manufacturing industries. A wide range items are on display including household goods, photographic collections, dentist equipment and horse carts and buggies. Guided tours of the museum are available by appointment.

Learn how to create alcohol-infused candy at the Hunter Valley Resort's 90-minute Big Kids Candy cooking classes. Working alongside one of the resort's executive chefs, you will make peanut brittle, marshmallows and rocky road chocolate.

With a spectacular backdrop of vineyards and rugged mountain ranges, the Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club is a beautiful 18-hole championship course. Located at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, the fully accredited course measures 5,170 metres in length and is suited to golfers of all levels.

The lake is a premium outdoor leisure facility nestled among the hills at the foot of Mount Royal Range near Singleton. Swimming, sailing, water skiing, and camping are a few of the activities enjoyed on the lake. The NSW State Fisheries regularly stocks the lake with bass, golden and silver perch and catfish, making it a great location for fishing. Entry and camping fees apply. Bookings are essential for powered camp sites.

Prepare a feast using local produce to create Asian cuisine in a covered courtyard with gorgeous vineyard views. Thai, Balinese, Sichuan, Indonesian and Vietnamese classes are available. Small class sizes (maximum 14) with individual and group bookings are also welcome.

Admire the charming scenery at Middle Falbrook Bridge over Glennies Creek. The Hunter region has 15 historic bridges constructed before 1905. This timber truss bridge was built in 1904 and gains heritage significance from its design - based on American Ernest de Burgh's truss design - and its association with the expansion of the NSW road network.