Newcastle, the State's second biggest city, is the industrial and commercial centre of the area with its own share of ocean beaches and recreational facilities and a selection of hotel and resort accommodation. North of Newcastle, along the coast, and around the lakes are the best known resorts, Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, Bulahdelah, the twin resorts of Forster and Tuncurry, which are linked by a bridge across the island-dotted Wallis Lake and have a total of 13 fine surfing beaches.

Taree, on the banks of the Manning River, is within an easy drive of the spectacular Ellenborough Falls and the dense rain forest of The Brush (near Wingham), where giant trees, subtropical plants and flowers proliferate. Near Taree, too, are small secluded resorts, Crowdy Head, Harrington and Old Bar.

Inland, the fertile Hunter is rich in natural and man-made tourist attractions. It is the oldest commercial grape-growing area in Australia, dating back to the 1830's in the hills of Pokolbin where, today, visitors can inspect the wineries and taste their famous wines.

In the tablelands around Scone and Muswellbrook are famous horse studs and in the hills of Barrington Tops you can go horse riding in country which was once the haunt of famous bushranger, Captain Thunderbolt, or trout-fishing in the streams.