Located west of Newcastle, this region is home to many of Australia’s top wineries, most of which are centred around Polkobin, although Cessnock is the area’s main town. The main attraction here is visiting the wineries and tasting the locally-grown fruits. There is no public transport between the wineries in Hunter Valley, so your best bet would be to hire a tour company.

In these lovely Gothic-Renaissance cloisters, an elaborate open-sided staircase spirals up to elegant galleries. The round tower alongside was part of the city’s Roman wall.

Casimirsborg, a historic estate dating back to 1380, features parts of its original castle in the cellar vaults. The current building, from 1829, boasts period details like the grand salon, the largest private hall in Tjust and northern Småland, and a unique neo-Gothic chapel. It houses a cultural museum in the old granary, showcasing exhibitions on agricultural history, the Bronze Age, and painted floors. The estate also holds significant Bronze Age remains, indicating its past as a regional power centre. With untouched Bronze Age environments, Casimirsborg offers popular guided tours combining lectures with visits to ancient graves and rock carvings.