To almost everyone in Sydney, the Hunter Valley conjures up visions of one thing: wine. The Hunter is the largest grape-growing area in the state, with more than 120 wineries producing excellent varieties. The Hunter is divided into seven subregions, each with its own unique character. The hub is the Pokolbin/Rothbury region, where many of the large operations are found, along with several boutique wineries.

The Hunter Valley covers an area of almost 25,103 square km (9,692 square miles), stretching from the town of Gosford north of Sydney to 177 km (110 miles) farther north along the coast, and almost 300 km (186 miles) inland. The meandering waterway that gives this valley its name is also one of the most extensive river systems in the state.