Like its cousin, the Hunter Valley, you will find plenty of fabulous food and festivals, and yes, the region is also home to a number of boutique wineries, but there is so much more to discover in Upper Hunter Country.\u00a0Each of the towns \u2013 Scone, Aberdeen, Muswellbrook,\u00a0Denman,\u00a0Jerry\u2019s Plains, Merriwa and Murrurundi \u2013 are distinctly different and offer a myriad of holiday experiences.<\/p>\n
1. Scone<\/h2>\n
Scone lays claim to the title of Horse Capital of Australia, and it\u2019s easy to see why. Scone is home to the Australian Stock Horse Society Museum. The annual\u00a0Scone Horse Festival<\/a>, held next month, features the prestigious Scone Cup, one of the richest country racing days in Australia. Scone caters to diverse interests, recently drawing thousands of vintage plane lovers to the\u00a0Warbirds over Scone<\/a>\u00a0event. And for the nature-lovers, the town is also on the doorstep of the\u00a0Barrington Tops National Park<\/a>\u00a0and its World Heritage-listed rainforest.<\/p>\n\n As the name suggests, Aberdeen is steeped in Scottish heritage, and is one of the first settlements in the Upper Hunter Valley. Wandering around the town you will discover plaques set into the footpaths and on buildings, identifying the historic places of Aberdeen\u2019s colourful past. The town even hosts its own annual\u00a0Aberdeen Highland Games<\/a>, with everything from pipe bands and Scottish dancers and even a tug of war! For the water enthusiasts,\u00a0Lake Glenbawn<\/a>\u00a0is just a few kilometres east of Aberdeen.<\/p>\n Grab your kilt for the Aberdeen Highland Games<\/p><\/div>\n The region\u2019s largest town is Muswellbrook, known for mining, energy and horse breeding, but also for food and wine production. A 4.5 kilometre heritage walk takes visitors past stately old buildings dating back to the mid-1800s. Visitors should sample the treats at the\u00a0Hunter Belle Cheese Caf\u00e9 and factory<\/a>. You can wash the local cheeses down with a Hunter wine or boutique beer, and finish off with gelato or fudge.<\/p>\n Sample the treats at the\u00a0Hunter Belle Cheese Caf\u00e9 and factory<\/p><\/div>\n In Denman we enjoyed a drink at the Royal Hotel in the centre of town. If you\u2019d prefer something a little more private, head to\u00a0Pukara Estate\u2019s Denman Tasting Room<\/a>\u00a0where you can sample olives, extra virgin olive oils, vinegars and gourmet condiments.\u00a0Two Rivers Winery<\/a>\u00a0is home to Custodians of the Landscape, <\/em>series of sandstone sculptures by artist Ben Dearnley that depict the local landscapes. It’s the perfect place to enjoy an antipasti plate served up with a local verdelho.<\/p>\n Head to\u00a0Pukara Estate where you can sample olives, extra virgin olive oils, vinegars and gourmet condiments<\/p><\/div>\n At Jerry\u2019s Plains, the southern gateway to Upper Hunter Country, lush green pastures line the roadside, and immaculate, fenced paddocks, stables and yards herald the grandeur of two of the country\u2019s biggest horse studs. You can join a\u00a0tour<\/a>\u00a0of the stud farms to learn about the history, breeding and training of these mighty thoroughbreds. Nestled between the horse studs is\u00a0Hollydene Estate Wines<\/a>, on the Golden Highway, with its vineyard, cellar door and restaurant.<\/p>\n Make a pit stop at Hollydene estate wines<\/p><\/div>\n If Scone is the horse capital, Merriwa is the home of Pony Club. Cows, sheep, goats, horses, and ponies rule the region. Merriwa\u2019s\u00a0Festival of the Fleeces<\/a>\u00a0celebrates the area\u2019s rich agricultural history each June long weekend. Walking around the town\u2019s main street, the fa\u00e7ades of the old buildings tell the story of early settlement dating back to the mid-1840s. At the Old Colonial Cottage, home to the Merriwa Historical Society, we marvelled at the hardwood shingle roof and convict blocks forged so long ago.<\/p>\n Just north of Scone and one hour south of Tamworth is the quaint town of Murrurundi, an art lover\u2019s paradise. Wander the streets past the heritage-listed buildings, the\u00a0art galleries<\/a>, eateries and cafes, full of character and eclectic style. On the way out, stop and take a stroll over the old suspension bridge, built before the First World War \u2013 it\u2019s a photographer\u2019s dream in the early morning light of day.<\/p>\n The 38th annual Scone Horse Festival<\/a> runs from\u00a04\u201313 May.<\/p>\n\n Denman hosts the Upper Hunter Wine and Food Affair<\/a> in May.<\/p>\n\n The annual Aberdeen Highland Games<\/a> will be held on 7 July.<\/p>\n\n The Blue Heeler Film Festival is held in Muswellbrook mid-September and the Bottoms Up craft beer and music festival<\/a> in October.<\/p>\n\n MORE:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Drive<\/strong>: The ‘avoid Pokolbin’ road trip<\/a><\/p>\n n<\/p>\n2. Aberdeen<\/h2>\n
![\"aberdeen](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/aberdeen-highland-games.jpg\")
3. Muswellbrook<\/h2>\n
![\"Hunter](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/hunter-belle-cheese.jpg\")
4. Denman<\/h2>\n
![\"Pukara](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Pukara-estater.jpg\")
5. Jerry\u2019s Plains<\/h2>\n
![\"hollydene](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/hollydene-estate.jpg\")
6. Merriwa<\/h2>\n
7. Murrurundi<\/h2>\n
A feast of Upper Hunter Valley festivals to devour<\/strong><\/h3>\n