Hunter Region

Infobox Australian Place
type = region
name = Hunter Region
state = nsw


imagesize =
caption =
loc-x = 193
loc-y = 89
pop = 589,239
pop_footnotes = Census 2006 AUS|id=1964|name=Hunter (Statistical Region)|accessdate=2008-01-26|quick=on|
]
poprank =
density =
density_footnotes =
coordinates =
area =
area_footnotes =
timezone = AEST
utc = +10
timezone-dst = AEDT
utc-dst = +11
dist1 = 120
dir1 = N
location1 = Sydney
lga = Newcastle City Council, Lake Macquarie City Council
lga2 = Cessnock City Council, Maitland City Council, Port Stephens Council
lga3 = Singleton Shire Council, Dungog Shire Council, Great Lakes Council
lga4 = Muswellbrook Shire Council, Upper Hunter Shire Council, Gloucester Shire CouncilThe Hunter Region, more commonly known as the Hunter Valley, is a region of New South Wales, extending from approximately convert|120|km|mi|0|lk=on|abbr=on to convert|310|km|mi|0|abbr=on north of Sydney, Australia with an approximate population of 590,000 people. 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: [cite web|url=http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_Regions.asp?regiontype=1&region=HT|title=Local Council Boundaries Hunter (HT)|publisher=New South Wales Department of Local Government|accessdate=16 August|accessyear=2007]

*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. [cite web |url=http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_regions.asp |title=Department of Local Government - Regions |publisher=NSW Department of Local Government |accessdate=5 August |accessyear=2007] 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.

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, mostly for export. Other major industries include power generation, dairy farming and beef cattle farming. 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 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. There is even a proposal for a new town of 50,000 to be built near Branxton.

ee also

*Australian wine
*Hunter Valley wine country
*New South Wales wine
*Hunter Valley cannabis infestation
*Hunter Valley Coal Chain
*Bayswater Power Station, New South Wales
*Liddell Power Station, New South Wales
*Redbank Power Station, New South Wales

References

External links

* [http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_Regions.asp?region=HT&regiontype=1 Hunter Region] at the New South Wales Department of Local Government - Local Council Boundaries
* [http://www.huntergardens.org.au/ Hunter Region Botanical Gardens]
* [http://www.hunterregion.com Hunter Economic Development Corporation]