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Sample the Sémillons and Shirazes
Only one thing – doing exactly this, with a glass of Australia's finest wine in hand. The majority of these rolling hills are under vine; the Hunter Valley's first major plantings came in 1825, making it one of the oldest and most respected wine regions in the country. Semillon remains the Hunter Valley's flagship grape, offering crisp, rich citrus flavours. There are also large plantings of Shiraz and Chardonnay. With over 80 vineyards in the region, wine tours are a key feature of Hunter Valley tourism – estates can be visited by car, on horseback or by bike. There's also a few of Australia's finest handmade cheese factories dotted throughout the hills, providing the perfect companion to a day of wine tasting.
Over 80 vineyards are on offer in the region
For a different view of the vineyards, take an early morning hot air balloon flight to view the sun rising over the spectacular landscapes. Horseback rides through the luscious landscape is something not to be missed – stables in the region cater for all riding levels. Mountain bike trails, scenic drives and hiking is also available – believe it or not there is a lot more to the Hunter Valley than wine tours, so get out there and experience it all for yourself!
Tranquil spaces allow you to find your centre