Hunter Valley, Australia

The South Australian Museum, adjacent to the State Library, is a top research facility renowned for its Aboriginal heritage collections. In addition to the excellent Australian collection, you can admire artifacts from the South Pacific Islands in the permanent Pacific Cultures Gallery, gaze upon Egyptian antiquities, and learn about local flora and fauna in the South Australian Biodiversity Gallery.

Stadiums aren't always a top attraction in a capital city, but Aussies love their sports, and this venue is an important part of the city's history.

In the heart of Adelaide's cultural precinct, the Art Gallery of South Australia exhibits one of Australia's finest art collections. The elegant, colonnaded Victorian building, established in 1881, sets the tone for the esteemed works within its walls.

Wander through the wrought-iron gates at the east end of North Terrace and enter a wonderland of botanical treasures. Established in 1855, Adelaide Botanic Garden features educational themed plantings, including medicinal plants, a Mediterranean garden, Australian native species, and a wetland designed to sequester enough water to eventually irrigate the entire grounds.

A handsome tree-lined boulevard graced by historic and cultural treasures, North Terrace is a great place to kick off a city tour. Exploring all the attractions here is one of the top things to do in Adelaide's CBD (central business district).

In the heart of the vine-covered hills of Pokolbin, Hunter Valley Gardens is a must-see for green thumbs. It's one of the top things to do in Pokolbin. Pathways wind through more than 60 acres of gardens organized into contrasting themes, and around a beautiful lake with a waterfall feature.

Surrounded by mountains, Wollombi is a charming village dotted with 19th-century sandstone cottages. The town lies in the south of the Hunter region and has long been a popular rest stop along the Great North Road. Today, cafés and cozy guesthouses jostle along the streets near the old buildings.

Housed in a federation Gothic building, the Maitland Regional Art Gallery is fun for the entire family. This bright, contemporary space encompasses eleven light-filled exhibition spaces showcasing works from well-known Australian and international artists, including luminaries such as Sidney Nolan.

About 100 kilometers from Newcastle, Wollemi National Park is a World Heritage-listed wilderness of cliffs, canyons, and gushing rivers. Vast tracts of unspoiled bushland fringe the banks of the Colo and Wollemi Rivers, where nature lovers can relax with a picnic, or paddle the wild waters.

Sitting between fantastic surf beaches and one of Australia's busiest ports, Newcastle is the Hunter Valley's largest town. This vibrant city is packed with hip restaurants and cafés, a lively arts scene, parks and gardens, and eclectic shops.