The Hunter Valley is an acclaimed wine producing region and popular tourist destination an easy drive of about two hours north of Sydney along the Sydney-Newcastle expressway. A longer, more picturesque route can be enjoyed by turning off the freeway at Peats Ridge and driving along the historic, convict-built Great North Road through Kulnura, Laguna and Wollombi where the Pokolbin-Cessnock turn-off takes visitors into the vineyards and the many other attractions of the region. A plethora of
Hunter Valley accommodation options are spread throughout the area to satisfy the style needs and budget of every visitor.
Most wine estates arrange tours of their properties and operations. Some of the tours run several hours. They begin with a stroll through the vineyard to learn how vines are cultivated and grapes are grown. The next stage is usually a visit to the crusher and the winery. Visitors then inspect the cask hall and sample wines in the wine tasting cellars. The tastings are carefully structured; guest taste wines in a specific order so that they can best understand and appreciate their underlying qualities.
There are scores of vineyards in the valley. Virtually all open their gates and cellars to visitors. They have guided tours of their estates that convey interesting insights into how they operate, grow their grapes and craft their wines. Tastings are common and many vineyards also have a restaurant on the estate.
Even though European settlers first arrived during the 1820s, the Darkinjung indigenous people have inhabited the region for about 3,000 years. Following European settlement, many died from disease or from direct conflict with white settlers. Many others were forced to move in neighbouring territories, sparking inter-tribal rivalry that often resulted in deadly battles. Very few Darkinjung people remain alive today. Their influence remains alive today in the names of towns like Kurri Kurri, Congewai, Wollombi, Nulkaba and Laguna.
Cycling, skydiving, health spas, hot air ballooning, kayaking and canoeing are all on offer. Bird watching and bush walking in the Brokenback Range are also popular activities. These mountains form part of the Great Dividing Range and mark the western boundary for the valley.
There are several historic towns, villages and hamlets to amble through and explore such as Morpeth, Broke, Branxton, Pokolbin, Wollombi and Maitland. Many of their buildings are listed on the Register of the National Estate. These settlements link the region with its colonial past and the extensive coal mining that dominated the area during the first half of the twentieth century. Coal mining was scaled back as the industry restructured during the 1960s.
A public wharf was completed in 1833 under orders from the Colonial Secretary, Up until the 1890s, Morpeth remained a heavily trafficked port. Its main thoroughfare, Swan Street, echoed with the hubbub of a thriving trading centre that handled the agricultural products from the valley. By the 1890s, new rail and road connections diminished the importance of Morpeth as a shipping port.
In summary, Morpeth is registered with the National Trust, recognizing its historical significance. Today visitors to the town can experience an eclectic variety of retail boutiques, fine dining options and quintessential Hunter Valley accommodation.
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