Maitland

In the Hunter Valley, Maitland's heritage-rich High Street has been described as 'one of the most intact high streets in Australia'.

Until the late 1800s, Maitland actually outstripped the penal colony of Newcastle and was said to rival Sydney as a potential capital for the new state of NSW. Many of the city"s attractions have a strong link with history - former convents, inns and grand mansions offer exquisite accommodation, fine dining and exhibition areas for art galleries, craft and specialty shops.

Maitland also has some of the country's finest examples of outstanding 19th century and early 20th century stone, brick and wooden bridges and industrial buildings that continue to serve useful purposes today.

The National Trust-classified Jewish Cemetery at Maitland is one of only three provincial Jewish cemeteries in New South Wales, the others being at Tamworth and Goulburn. The cemetery, at which there have been 44 burials, is totally Jewish, with most of the stones inscribed in Hebrew.

From Maitland, it's just a short drive to Newcastle and to the delights of the Hunter Valley wine and horse stud country.

Find out more about the Hunter Valley.