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Valley Wine Country Natural Attractions The Hunter Valley is one of New South Wales' most beautiful regions. Magnificent rural scenery with rolling grazing lands and patchworks of neatly ordered vines in various shades of green compliment the beauty of the natural bushlands. Bordered by the rugged Brokenback ranges and Watagan mountains, there are many lookouts within the region that offer glorious mountain views and breathtaking panoramas of the Valley itself. The State Forests of the Watagan Mountains are a superb attraction for campers, bushwalkers, horse riders, bird watchers, or those who want to appreciate and enjoy the beauty and rich history the Mountains have to offer. There are many picnic sites, camping areas, lookouts and walking trails offering spectacular views and grand old forests. Many parts of the forest also have superb swimming areas, and visitors are welcome to enjoy picnics and BBQs in designated areas of the Forest. The Hunter Valley itself offers magnificent bushwalking with opportunities to see a variety of native birds and animals, as well as experience the beauty of giant eucalypts and glorious rainforests. There are grassy paddocks where visitors are virtually guaranteed to see kangaroos lazing in the sun, and the landscape as well as the wildlife provides great inspiration for photographers and artists of all kinds. Picnics in any of the areas many superb lookouts, forests or vineyards are truly enjoyable and there area a variety of 4WD, bus and bicycle tours that will enhance visitors' experience of the beauty the Valley has to offer. Many tours include delicious gourmet lunches and a range of wine tasting activities as well as providing interesting information on the history of the area. For those more romantically inclined, delightful horse drawn carriages provide a variety of tours through the vineyards and surrounding areas. The carriages, available in various sizes, provide a relaxed way of enjoying the many beautiful sites the Hunter has to offer. Many carriage tours have teamed up with local restaurants and vineyards to provide visitors with an exceptional Hunter food and wine experience, and gourmet picnic baskets can also be arranged for those who would like to enjoy their lunch outdoors. For some fine packages call the Hunter Valley Tourist Information Centre.
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