For a slice of the good life, look no further than the Hunter, just north of Sydney. Great wines, gourmet food, superb restaurants and cafes, rustic cottages and romantic beachside retreats. Hunter Valley Wine Country is a mecca for food and wine enthusiasts. Explore the wineries by horse-drawn carriage, hot air balloon or bicycle. Get away from it all and relax on a houseboat on Lake Macquarie, or explore the broad ocean beaches and extensive forests nearby. The area also offers wineries, horse studs, forests and a wealth of outdoor activities.