Cessnock, Hunter Region — New South Wales

Cessnock is a city located within the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. What used to be a progressive mining town is now a thriving service center for the surrounding areas, which comprise mostly of vineyards and wineries that Hunter Valley is known for.

First-time visitors to Cessnock should take time to visit the Hunter Valley Wine Country Visitors' Centre in Aberdare Street for information on how to go about in the city and in surrounding areas.

The area is known for producing high-quality wines, and most of the vineyards cultivate the Shiraz grape variety. Touring visitors can get to taste the different wine products offered by wineries in Hunter Valley. There are different wine tour services offered in Cessnock and visitors can choose one suiting their convenience. Some organizers even include rainforest tours and free pick-ups from designated hotels.

Another popular activity that visitors can try in Cessnock would be hot-air ballooning. The scenic views around the city will surely make this activity worth anyone’s while.

A little drive to the north will bring visitors to Nulkaba, where the St Patrick's Catholic Church, built in 1892, was located. A visit to the Potters Tavern would yield unusually-shaped pottery kilns that were built around 1880. Further north is the Rusa Park Zoo, a well-known family destination.

Along Wollombi Road is the Marthaville Guildry Craft and Gift Centre, a historic home that sells numerous handcrafted items. The house is  also surrounded by a beautiful garden that is perfect for strolling, an added treat for visitors.

For those interested in gaining insights on the town’s mining history, the Richmond Vale Railway Museum and Richmond Main Colliery Historic Park is a good place to visit. The museum showcases several locomotives that used to haul coals from the mines. Mining equipments and related memorabilia are also displayed. Families and friends also have the choice of having picnics and barbecues in the park grounds.

Another interesting place to visit while in town would be the Neath Hotel, a structure listed under the National Trust. Located along Cessnock Road, the hotel offers affordable rates as well as delicious food to travelers wishing to sample the idyllic life of Hunter Valley. The hotel also boasts of a fine collection of antiques.

To the south of Cessnock is another historic hotel, the Ellalong Hotel. The hotel is located in the village of the same name and offers comfortable accommodations to those wishing to visit the nearby Watagan Mountains.

The Watagan Mountains offers several recreation and camping amenities. Most visitors have picnics, go hiking and cycling, or simply enjoy the natural beauty of the area. It is also a perfect place to go bird watching and many wildlife photographers come to this area to capture the best that nature has to offer.

There are different types of accommodations available in Cessnock, such as motels, hotels, bed and breakfast inns, as well as cottages and cabins. There are also several caravan parks open to the public, such as the Cessnock Wine Country Caravan Park along the Cessnock Road.