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The Hunter Valley is one of the most historic and renowned wine regions in Australia: take your pick from its excellent cellar door experiences. Culinarily, the Hunter’s strength is modern Australian dining showcasing the produce of the land, like Muse and Yellow Billy in Pokolbin, and Broke’s Margan. For breakfast and more casual options, Café Enzo in Peppers Creek Village and Pokolbin’s Fawk Foods Kitchen & Bakery are a must-add to the list.
Cessnock is an idyllic base for mountain biking – beginners, look for the easy trail at Deadman’s Loop; intermediate to hardcore riders should go for the tracks at Yengo National Park, and Glenrock State Conservation Area. If that isn’t fast enough for you, try a rally car instead. Or slow it down and take in the region’s picture-perfect rolling hills via hot air balloon, horseback, or hiking.
The Hunter Valley has several options for hanging out with llamas and alpacas. For a cultural fix, check out the current season of theatre at Maitland’s Repertory Theatre or learn about Yengo National Park’s First Nations history through song, dance, and story with Girra Girra.