Newcastle has beautiful beaches, a working harbour, a thriving cultural scene, excellent shopping and dining as well as an impressive assortment of historic architecture. Australia’s second oldest city is set for a tourism boom with its newly upgraded airport and fantastic assortment of accommodation, attractions and activities. Newcastle is also a great base to explore Hunter Valley Wine Country, Nelson Bay

and Lake Macquarie. Sydney is only an easy 120km drive south or you can relax and take a train.

The Hunter Region is one of Australia’s best known wine districts, with over 100 cellar doors to visit. More than 4000 hectares of the regions rich red earth is devoted to the wine industry.  Dotted throughout the valley are delightful tree lined historic towns offering gourmet restaurants, boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts.

To the north west is the famous horse breeding district of Merriwa and Scone with over 70 stud farms, some available for tours. To the east is the lush rainforest wilderness of Barrington Tops National Park – a must for keen bushwalkers and picnickers.  On the coast is Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Nelson Bay, a wildlife haven with calm waters, sandy beaches and over 100 bottlenose dolphins that consider themselves permanent residents of these waters.  Migrating whales can be seen in season on a boat cruise.  The Peninsula Motor Inn at Nelson Bay has fantastic accommodation to suit all budgets from deluxe rooms and spa suites,self-contained apartments to backpacker accommodation.