Fast facts
- Rich farmlands, lakes and forests, Barrington Tops National Park
- Famous for its wineries, historic homesteads and horse studs
- Two-and-a-half hours’ drive north of Sydney
Why go there
Endowed with rolling plains and rugged mountains, the Upper Hunter has an interesting rural history – and a taste for the good life. Boutique wineries in pretty valleys produce fine wines, while elegant restaurants and farmers’ markets showcase delicious local produce.
Barrington Tops National Park has World Heritage-listed subtropical rainforest, subalpine woodlands and vast stretches of wilderness. Adventure seekers can choose from hiking in national parks and fishing, waterskiing and kayaking in the area’s rivers and lakes.
There are plenty of accommodation options, from farmstays and B&Bs to scenic campsites throughout the region’s national parks.
Things to do
- Follow the Upper Hunter Wine Trail and discover some of the labels you won’t find in the bottle shops.
- Go bushwalking and camping at remote campsites, such as Polblue in Barrington Tops National Park.
- Go waterskiing, sailing or freshwater fishing in the Lake Glenbawn Recreation Area.
- Explore Burning Mountain Nature Reserve, where the coal seam has been smouldering for more than 5,500 years.
Don’t miss
- A guided heritage walk through Muswellbrook to see its fine Victorian architecture.
- A guided tour of famous thoroughbred horse studs, such as Arrowfield, Coolmore, Emirates Park and Widden Stud, near Scone.
- Sampling Hunter Belle Cheeses and Pukara Estate olive oil.
- The Sacred Spaces tour at Singleton’s Mercy Convent.
- The Royal Australian Infantry Corps Museum, Singleton, which has Australia’s largest collection of small arms.
Events
- Aberdeen Highland Games, Aberdeen, in July.
- Scone and Upper Hunter Horse Festival, Scone, in May.
- Muswellbrook Spring Carnival, Muswellbrook, in October.
