| Hunter Region New South Wales |
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  Hunter Region
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| Population: | 632,851 [1] | ||||||||||||
| Coordinates: | 32°55′S 151°45′E / 32.917°S 151.75°ECoordinates: 32°55′S 151°45′E / 32.917°S 151.75°E | ||||||||||||
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| Location: | 120 km (75 mi) N of Sydney | ||||||||||||
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The Hunter Region, more commonly known as the Hunter Valley, is a region of New South Wales, extending from approximately 120 km (75 mi) to 310 km (193 mi) north of Sydney, Australia with an approximate population of more than 630,000 people.[1] More than half of the population live in the coastal cities of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. There are also numerous other towns and villages scattered across the valley in the eleven Local Government Areas that occupy the region. These eleven LGAs are:[2]
- Cessnock City Council
- Dungog Shire Council
- Gloucester Shire Council
- Great Lakes Council
- Lake Macquarie City Council
- Maitland City Council
- Muswellbrook Shire Council
- Newcastle City Council
- Port Stephens Council
- Singleton Shire Council
- Upper Hunter Shire Council
The Hunter Region contains the Hunter River and its tributaries with highland areas to the north and south.[3] The Hunter Valley is one of the largest river valleys on the NSW coast, and is most commonly known for its wineries and coal industry.
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Industries
The Hunter Region is one of Australia's most famous wine-growing regions, known for both its red and white wine varieties. The most important economic activity in the valley is coal mining (through businesses such as Rio Tinto & BHP Billiton), mostly for export. Other major industries include power generation at the Eraring, Bayswater, Liddell, Munmorah, Redbank and Vales Point coal fired power stations, dairy farming and beef cattle farming. The Hunter Valley is Australia's main region for the breeding and rearing of Thoroughbred horses.[4] The port at Newcastle is the world's largest export facility for coal, most of which is brought to the port via railway.
Tourism
The Hunter Valley is a major tourist destination in New South Wales and is the 6th most visited place in Australia attracting more than 2.5 million people annually. The Pokolbin area has a large number of vineyards, restaurants, shops, golf courses and country guesthouses. Other parts of the valley including the Wollombi Valley and Broke Fordwich Wine Region are also well known for wine. The Upper Hunter area around Scone is one of the largest horse breeding areas in the world.
There are regular events held in the Hunter for visitors, including the Hunter Valley Steam Trains running the first three Sundays of each month and regular scenic cruises on the Hunter River and Lake Macquarie.
Towns and cities
Newcastle, situated at the mouth of the Hunter River, is the largest city in the region. Its immediate metropolitan area includes Lake Macquarie, though its statistical division also includes the Maitland, Cessnock and Port Stephens areas. Other major centres of the Hunter Region are Dungog, Forster/Tuncurry, Gloucester, Kurri Kurri, Muswellbrook, Scone and Singleton.
Growth
The Hunter Region is growing both economically and culturally. New residential areas are being developed throughout the region to accommodate people attracted to the area by employment opportunities, the family-friendly environment and affordable housing prices. The state government is working with local government to plan for further growth which is expected to continue for several decades.
See also
- Australian wine
- Hunter Valley wine country
- New South Wales wine
- Hunter Valley cannabis infestation
- Hunter Valley Coal Chain
References
- ^ a b "Local Government Area populations, New South Wales". 3218.0 - Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2007-08. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 23 April 2009. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/3218.0Main%20Features42007-08?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=3218.0&issue=2007-08&num=&view=#LOCALGOVERNMENTAREAPOPULATIONS. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
- ^ "Local Council Boundaries Hunter (HT)". New South Wales Department of Local Government. http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_Regions.asp?regiontype=1®ion=HT. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
- ^ "Department of Local Government - Regions". NSW Department of Local Government. http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_regions.asp. Retrieved 5 August 2007.
- ^ Barrie, Douglas M., The Australian Bloodhorse, Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1956
External links
- Hunter Region at the New South Wales Department of Local Government - Local Council Boundaries
- Hunter Region Botanical Gardens
- Hunter Economic Development Corporation
- Broke Fordwich Wine Region
- Wollombi Valley
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