Hunter Valley

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Hunter Valley Jenolan Caves in the Blue
Mountains

• Researched by April Huddleston

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Visiting Hunter Valley Jenolan Caves

• May 29th-30th
• Free days while we are in Sydney

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Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains

• More than 400 caves have been discovered since
  1830
• Oldest known open caves
• Includes underground rivers, ponds, and
  spectacular formations, such as Carlottas Arch
  and the Blue Lake
• One of the finest cave systems in the world
• Nine show caves are open everyday for tourism
• If you visit only one cave, the Lucas has the
  Cathedral Chamber, one of the widest and highest
  at Jenolan. With famous acoustics, the Cathedral
  hosts Concerts in the Caves.

• The Temple of Baal, one of the world's most
  beautiful caves, offers the 9m long Angel's Wing
  - one of the worlds largest cave shawls.
• Explore Jenolans mysterious depths with
  Adventure Caving. Abseil, squeeze and climb
  through undeveloped caves, with only a head lamp
  to light your way.
• If you prefer exploring at your own pace, we have
  introduced a brand new digital audio tour of the
  Nettle Cave, which allows exploration on a
  self-guided basis for the first time.

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Jenolan Caves

• Nettle Cave part of a self-guided tour

• Temple of Baals Angel Wing

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Finding the Jenolan Caves
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Prices for Tours

• Blue Mountain River Cruise
• 88 AUD
• Tours leave from
• Holiday Inn Potts Point, 203 Victoria street,
  Potts Point at 7.20am (Kings Cross / Potts Point
  )
• YHA Central, corner Rawson Place and Pitt street
  at 7.35am ( next to Central Station )
• Circular Quay, corner Loftus and Alfred streets
  at 7.55am

River Cruise Includes
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Prices for Tours

• Boutique Mountain Tour
• 145-165
• Complimentary pick-up
• Mittigar Culture Centre
• Morning tea
• Blue Mountain National Park
• Lunch
• Euroka Clearing
• You get a Boomerang!

Pricing
Tour Video
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Canyoning in the Blue Mountains

• Prices for Canyoning

• Anywhere from 150 to 200

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(No Transcript)
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Getting to the Wine

• Less than 2 hours to Sydney

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Hunter Valley

• Australias oldest and one the most well-known
  wine regions
• Hunter River was first discovered by Europeans in
  1797
• Lieutenant John Shortland - a British naval
  officer found it while searching for escaped
  convicts from Sydney Cove
• In his report, Shortland noted extensive growths
  of mature cedar trees - at that time these were
  in great demand for use as masts and spars on
  sailing vessels.
• Wine grapes were first introduced in the valley
  in early 1820s
• By 1823, over 21 acres of vineyards had already
  been planted on the northern banks of the river
• Many of the families in the region have been
  there since then and have great pride in their
  heritage and growth
• The majority of the vineyards can be found in the
  Lower Hunter, although the Upper Hunter also has
  its own attractive quality with its vast horse
  breeding and racing, as well as several vineyards.

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Once You Have Made It

• Over 60 restaurants, 120 wineries, 160
  accommodation venues, and many, many activities
• You can walk, ride, or drive your way through the
  sweeping vine-lined hills.
• Famous for cheeses, olives, and WINE!

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Grapes, grapes, grapes

• Grape Production Timeline
• Late January Harvest of grapes begins,
  depending on the weather and seasonal conditions
• Late March Harvest of grapes finishes
• March to September Vines leaves turn red and
  fall, then become dormant in the cooler months.
• Late September Budburst where the vines start
  to spring with new growth and foliage.
• September to January Fruit ripens and grows.

• In 2001-2002, approximately 57 of grapes used to
  manufacture wine in the Hunter Valley were grown
  in the Hunter (35,000 tonnes crushed), while 43
  were imported.
• It is estimated by the Hunter Valley Research
  foundation that in 2003-2004 approximately 25.4
  million litres of wine were produced in the
  Hunter 12.9 million litres of white, 9 million
  litres of red, and 3.4 million litres of other
  wine.
• Tonnes metric ton Over 2200 pounds

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Prices for Tours

• Boutique Wine Tours
• 110 per person
• Complimentary pick-up drop-off from your Sydney
  city hotel
• All wine-tasting on tour whilst accompanied by
  our guides.
• Travel in our luxury vehicles.
• On-board commentary and information during your
  travel to and from the Hunter Valley.
• Lunch is not included on our Regular Tour, but
  can be for an additional 15

Wine Tour
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• The Hunter Valley......you'll love it !