Hunter Valley Spring Events

Spring in the Hunter Valley is when the wineries and rolling hills become the backdrop for outdoor opera, jazz, blues and sculpture. Relax with a gourmet picnic hamper (basket) at Bimbadgen Blues. Hear world-renowned tenors perform at Opera in the Vineyards. Savor saxophone riffs and fine wine at Jazz in the Vines. Follow an art trail at Sculpture in the Vineyards or meander through exuberant blooms at the Festival of the Flowers.

See spring flowers riot in their hundreds and thousands at the Festival of Flowers, which takes at the Hunter Valley Gardens in September and October. Wander through themed spaces such as the Children's Storybook Garden, Rose Garden and Oriental Garden. Check out the displays, be entertained the roving entertainers and get gardening tips on talks and tours. For children there’s a daily nursery “thyme” amongst the scented blooms.

You can mellow musically into spring at Bimbadgen Blues, a blues and roots festival held on Bimbadgen Estate in September. Try award-winning wines and restaurant delicacies as you give yourself over to two stages of grooves.

For a truly transporting performance, don’t miss Opera in the Vineyards, held each October on the green lawn of Wyndham Estate. In 1990, the world watched spellbound as the original three tenors made operatic history amongst Roman ruins. Decades on, experience this same rapture at the Hunter Valley’s open-air tribute event. Listen to three internationally acclaimed tenors perform powerful classics while enjoying regional gourmet delights at the food and wine fair. Then settle in to enjoy the magical evening performance from your picnic rug or seat in the marquee.

Both art and wine lovers will adore Sculpture in the Vineyards, a free outdoor exhibition held across five boutique wineries along the Wollombi Valley Wine Trail. From October until January, you can meander through the scenic Wollombi Valley to see more than 60 sculptures and sample local wine at the cellar doors. In these unique outdoor galleries, works by local and international artists sit amongst poplar trees, next to sandstone cottages and alongside tranquil brooks.

At Jazz in the Vines, held at the end of October, restaurants, wineries and jazz musicians spoil your senses in a very relaxed spring picnic atmosphere. Try wine from six big-name wineries and tasting plates from a host of local restaurants. Dance on the grass to Dixieland jazz and Cuban rhythms, or sip a smooth red to match the seductive sound of the saxophone. The festival delivers seven hours of non-stop music across two stages, with previous line-ups featuring Australia’s jazz icons such as James Morrison and Renee Geyer.

When the bands stop playing, take a shuttle bus back to Sydney or head back to your bed and breakfast or boutique accommodation. Turn your spring festival into a spring break and explore more of the area’s wineries and historic villages. Create your own Hunter Valley adventure on a bushwalk, tandem skydive or hot air balloon trip over the vineyards. Spring in the Hunter Valley is a fertile time for more than just grapes.

Spring break in Margaret River

Renew your love of life with a spring break in the Margaret River area, a scenic four-hours drive south of Perth. From September to November, sunshine, wildflowers and the chance to spot migrating whales are all part of the Margaret River’s magic. Add food, wine and natural splendor and you have the formula for holiday happiness.

Lunch in vineyards fringed by Karri forests, explore stunning underground caves and swim or surf from beaches you can call your own. Swim with dolphins in Bunbury or dive off Busselton’s historic timber jetty. Or you can watch whales from Dunsborough and explore the dramatic, rocky coastline near Yallingup.

Driving south from Perth is a great way to see Australia’s south-west corner. The Southwest, Beaches and Goldfields Drive allows for many detours on the way to Margaret River, but you can also take a direct bus. Take in some invigorating sea air in Bunbury, which sits on the peninsula intersection of the Indian Ocean, Koombana Bay and Leschenault Inlet. Have fish and chips on the pier, dive the wreck of a pirate boat and catch crabs and fish from the ocean.

At nearby Busselton, walk along the southern hemisphere’s longest timber jetty and peer at coral and fish in the observatory at the end. Walk and picnic amongst 400-year-old trees in the nearby Ludlow Tuart Forest.

Stop in nearby Dunsborough, at the northern entrance to the Margaret River region. Each beach here is more beautiful than the last. Swim in Meelup or snorkel in sheltered Bunker Bay. Share the water with Western Australia’s jet-set in Eagle Bay. Dive the HMAS Swan, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest accessible wreck. Then drive to the Cape Naturaliste lighthouse and spot southern right and humpback whales playing in Geographe Bay. Surf, fish and swim in relaxed Yallingup, just ten minutes away. From here, you can trek the rugged coastline of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. Walk through jarrah, marri and karri forests carpeted with colourful wildflowers. Look out for purple tassles, sunny-yellow cowslips and the blue lady orchids, that only flaunt their vivid petals in the sun. The park is

also home to a network of underground karst caves where you can view fossils in Mammoth Caves, mirrored underwater lakes in Lake Cave and straw stalactites in Jewel Cave.

By the time you hit the Margaret River wineries, your senses will be truly activated. Taste local wine at the cellar doors and local brew at the boutique breweries. Try regional produce such as cheeses, jam, condiments, and olives. Indulge in fresh seafood, local marron or local venison and beef. Of course Margaret River is also a world-class surfing destination and you can ride the powerful waves of Surfers Point, Three Bears and Redgate. For less fierce exertion, surf or snorkel with stingrays on Boranup Beach, near Hamelin Bay.

In spring, remember how to live life to the fullest in the lush Margaret River.

Yarra Valley - explore grapes galore

Just behind Melbourne’s fringes is the Yarra Valley - a place of pristine beauty, crisp clean water and friendly ambience. Clustered behind its rolling hills are 55 wineries, ranging from small family-owned vineyards to the famous Chateau Yering and Domain Chandon. Dine in gourmet restaurants and taste pinot noir, chardonnay and sparkling wines in a world reminiscent of French and Italian wine growing regions.

A trip to the Yarra Valley is a magical escape from the rigors of today’s hectic city life. By car, it’s less than an hour from Melbourne to the region’s vineyards, villages and tall, mist-cloaked forests. Taste wine in Yarra Glen and drink Devonshire tea high in the Dandenong Ranges. Linger over a long lunch in a winery restaurant or pick up some local produce and picnic next to waterfalls.

Take the Puffing Billy steam train through Sherbrook Forest or float over the countryside in a hot air balloon. Whether you spend a day, weekend or longer, you’ll never feel rushed in this relaxed, romantic and compact region.

The Yarra Valley is home to 40 wineries, ranging from small, family-owned operations to sprawling big-name estates. They grow some of Australia’s finest pinot noir and sparkling wine here, along with a huge range of other cool-climate wines. Follow one of the many self-drive wine trails or design your own route between the barrel halls and cellar doors. Pick up expert tasting tips on a luxury food and wine tour. You can even visit the vineyards in a Clydesdale-drawn carriage, classic Chevrolet convertible or chauffeured limousine.

For all-out romance, start your day with a sunrise hot air balloon ride, gliding over forest, farms and vine-lined corridors before a champagne breakfast. Life is one long lunch in the Yarra Valley. Start your day with a barbeque brunch, wind down with a cheese platter or savor perfectly-matched food, wine and views in the many acclaimed vineyard restaurants.

In February, top chefs from more than 20 wineries host feasts accompanied by live music at the Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival. The region is known for its delectable produce - including freshwater salmon, trout and caviar, ice creams, hazelnuts and chestnuts, organically grown fruit, berries, vegetables and handmade cheese, pastas and preserves. Stuff your picnic hamper with goodies on the self-drive Yarra Valley Regional Food Trail or at the many huge, fresh food markets.

Head into the Dandenong Ranges, home to hilltop villages, flower-filled gardens and fairytale forests. Spread a blanket next to rioting daffodils, rhododendrons and azaleas in the National Rhododendron Gardens.

Hear the bell birds or spot a lyre bird in the lush green fern gullies and misty mountain ash forests of Dandenong Ranges National Park. Here walking and bike trails weave through the enchanted scenery.

Explore Sherbrooke Forest, hike to Olinda Falls or challenge yourself on the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk. Afterwards, enjoy Devonshire tea and shop for art and antique treasures in Olinda, Mt Dandenong and Sassafras villages. Or take a ride on Australia’s oldest steam train, which travels east through the forest from Belgrave to Emerald Lake and Gembrook.

The Yarra Valley has many more accessible delights on offer. See ceramic sculptures of Aboriginal Dreamtime figures in William Ricketts Sanctuary. Get up close to wildlife at the Healesville Sanctuary or combine the therapeutic properties of spas and wine at an indulgent day spa in Yarra Glen. Stretch out your stay with a night or few in boutique Yarra Valley accommodation. Retreat to a romantic, mist-shrouded cottage in the Dandenong Ranges or settle into a charming bed and breakfast or luxury hotel closer to the vineyards. Wherever you stay, you’ll leave feeling rested.

Yarra Valley cellar doors encompass everything from grand architectural statements to rustic tin sheds hidden among the vines. The architecture perfectly reflects the diversity of styles and approaches in this fertile, beautiful, cool-climate region.

Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is a world-class wine region where they’ve been producing wine for generations. Just over an hour’s drive from Adelaide, this picturesque region was settled in 1842 by European immigrants and still retains its charming old-world character. Visit gracious heritage towns, century-old cellars and some of the world’s oldest shiraz vineyards. Follow a food and wine trail between boutique producers or take a scenic drive through the rolling countryside. Beyond the stone churches and world-renowned wineries there’s a thriving arts scene and spas for relaxation.

Sip wines from more than 60 cellar doors, including Yalumba, Wolf Blass and Peter Lehmann in Australia’s wine capital. In the Barossa, you’ll get to meet the people behind the labels and talk to them about their craft. You can even take a tutored tasting or learn cellar secrets in a wine master class. Of course, nothing beats a long lunch under the gum trees with a bottle of one of the region’s flagship wines, Barossa Shiraz or Eden Valley Riesling.

To reach the Barossa Valley from Adelaide you can drive yourself, take the daily bus service or join one of the many tours. Local companies offer everything from standard bus tours to more personalized experiences on motorbikes, vintage cars and even in hot air balloons and helicopters. Day and overnight itineraries combine cellar door tastings with food experiences, heritage attractions and sightseeing.

With 150 wineries and more than 70 cellar doors, there is certainly a lot to see, sip and taste in the Barossa Valley. Half of the cellar doors are open to the public, but most of the others happily open their doors on appointment. The magic of the Barossa region lies in its diversity of growing conditions. The Eden Valley produces distinctive cool-climate wine varieties, while the region’s flagship shiraz is grown in the warmer, low-lying Barossa Valley. Add abundant seasonal produce, artisan food producers and award-winning restaurants and you can see why the Barossa is a gourmand’s dream destination.

Taste delectable breads, smoked meats and other regional produce on the Butcher, Baker and Winemaker Trail. Wind down the palm-lined Seppeltsfield Road past 11 cellar doors and local food and wine producers. If you’d prefer to stroll, the Para Road Wine Path takes in four acclaimed cellar doors along the river in historic Tanunda.

Learn more about the Barossa’s rich history on the Heritage Trail which stretches from

Kapunda in the north to Mt Pleasant in the south. It winds through the Barossa’s many villages, showcasing museums, pioneer buildings and some of Australia’s oldest wineries.

Wander the rose garden of a majestic chateau and browse the Tanunda Museum, housed in the town’s original 1865 post-office. Here church furniture, pottery and other relics help you imagine the life of the region’s early German settlers. Art remains a rich part of the Barossa tradition, and you’ll find art galleries, studios, craft outlets and antique stores everywhere. Wineries, cafes and restaurants often double as galleries for local artists.

Take the Barossa Scenic Heritage route through charming villages such as Bethany, Angaston, Nuriootpa, Greenock, Seppeltsfield, Maranaga and Tanunda. Drive through the Barossa Sculpture Park to the top of Mengler Hill Drive, for incredible panoramic views of the Barossa’s lush valleys.

If you have the time, the Barossa is the ideal place to indulge and unwind. Play golf between the gum-trees on one of the championship courses or stroll through the fragrant lavender farm. Complete your Barossa holiday by checking into a day spa, healing retreat or luxurious vineyard resort.

Like a fine wine, it seems the Barossa just gets better with time.

Find out how you can connect with the world’s oldest living culture. Discover it the same way Aboriginal Australians have passed it down for at least 50,000 years - through art, dance, myths, music and the land itself. See Aboriginal art and contemporary dance in the cities. Or head to the Outback and listen to Dreamtime myths of creation by the campfire. Bushwalk and snorkel, share bush-tucker or learn to craft spears and catch fish in the traditional way. Let Aboriginal Australians help you understand this ancient land, its spirituality and wonder.

Six special places you can connect to Aboriginal Australia:

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - NT

Visit Uluru and you’ll see why the rock and surrounding land have such huge spiritual significance for the Anangu Aboriginal people. According to their creation myths, ancestral spirits formed Uluru, which lies in Australia's red center like an enormous, moody heart. Aboriginal guides will share these ancient tales as you walk around the rock’s base. Just 32 kilometers (19 miles) away is another sacred site - Kata Tjuta. You’ll be awestruck by these steep, rounded, russet domes spread over 3,500 hectares.

Kimberley - WA

Featuring vast horizons and ancient gorges, the Kimberley region is one of the world’s last great wilderness areas. See Wandjina figures painted in caves and the mysterious Gwion Gwion paintings. Ride a camel on Broome’s breathtaking Cable Beach and 4-wheel drive the red-dirt road along the Dampier Peninsula. Learn the legend of the orange and black beehive domes of the Bungle Bungles and fly over vast Lake Argyle in Kununurra

The Daintree - QLD

More than 135 million years old, the stunning Daintree Rainforest is the oldest rainforest in the world. Traverse this canopy of green with traditional owners - the Wujal Wujal people. Learn about bush tucker and try fishing for barramundi. See fresh-water crocodiles sunning themselves on the mangrove-lined riverbanks along with rare tropical birds and animals, many of which are not found anywhere else on earth.

Coorong – SA

Become one with nature as you kayak along the lagoons and waterways of the Coorong. Your Ngarrindjeri guide will tell you about bush tucker, traditional medicines and the incredible local birdlife. As night falls, you can listen to stories unfold and smell the mouth-watering aroma of fresh damper (outback bread) as it is pulled from the embers of a campfire.

Gippsland - VIC

Discover a rich Aboriginal history along Gippsland’s rugged coastline. Wander the fern gullies, sandy beaches and eucalypt forests of the sacred land now known as Wilson’s Promontory National Park. Trace Aboriginal trading routes up to 18,000 years old. Watch local Aboriginal people make baskets, spears, shields and canoes in the traditional way at Bairnsdale. Or learn where the Dreamtime touched the rugged gorges, rainforest and gullies of Woolshed Creek.

Sydney cultural tours - NSW

Get a glimpse into the lives of Sydney’s original inhabitants on a harbor cruise or walking tour. You can learn the Aboriginal names and meanings of significant Sydney landmarks as you cruise the harbor with Aboriginal guides. Visit rock-carvings and old Aboriginal settlements and stop off for a traditional Aboriginal welcome on Clark Island. Once off the boat, you can taste bush food and learn about Aboriginal use of plants on a walking tour through Sydney’s lush harborside Botanical Gardens.

The Australian Outback - a place where plains stretch to eternity and people can yarn forever. It’s called a “sunburnt” country, but even in the scorched desert you’ll find purple vegetation and lush green waterholes. You’ll also find red hills and fiery sunsets, dinosaur footprints and Aboriginal carvings, colorful characters and rustic pubs. Here in the wide, open spaces, a new adventure awaits you at every turn. Six must-see Outback destinations:

Flinders Ranges - SA

Take a scenic flight and see the monumental splendor of the rock basin of Wilpena Pound roll out beneath you. Then explore the legendary waterholes of the Flinders Ranges. See Aboriginal art at Arkaroo Rock and explore the area’s pastoral history at Wilpena Pound Station. Afterwards, head to a friendly pub and taste-test some of the area’s famous bush tucker while swapping stories with the locals

Longreach - QLD

Join a campfire and hear the poetry of the Outback people at the spiritual homeland of the Aussie ‘bushy’. Here you can learn about the history of the Outback and the people who call it home at the Stockman’s Hall of Fame. Home of the world’s first flying surgeon and the birthplace of the national airline - Qantas, there’s much to do in and around this legendary Outback town.

Broken Hill – NSW

Discover distinctive desert landscapes and an oasis of lakes around the former mining town known as Silver City. Once the world’s largest silver, lead and zinc mine, Broken Hill is now famous for its artists, who draw inspiration from the clear light and expansive vistas. Take a sunset stroll around the Living Desert Sculptures, watch birds around Menindee Lakes and do a radio lesson in the world’s largest virtual classroom at the School of the Air.

Glen Helen Gorge

After trekking through the MacDonnell Ranges, you’ll be overjoyed to reach the broad, cool waterhole of Glen Helen Gorge. This permanent waterhole is a sanctuary for the Finke River’s nine species of fish and migrating water birds. Dive in for a refreshing swim then pitch your tent under the stars. You might even spot a black-footed rock wallaby.

Kununurra, Western Australia

Explore ridges and ranges 350 million years old and see where rare pink diamonds are mined. Jump on a bull at the local rodeo, catch a huge barramundi or join the crowds at an Outback horse race. Dine on mud crab in remote camp restaurants and marvel at the vast and magnificent Lake Argyle. However you experience this diverse region, you can bet you won’t forget it.

Mildura, Victoria

This vibrant outback oasis on the Murray River is renowned for its endless sunshine, picturesque vineyards and ancient lunar landscapes. Explore Aboriginal culture in the sand dunes of Lake Mungo or in the sublime World Heritage-listed Willandra Lakes. Dine at award-winning restaurants or cruise past wineries on a house boat or historic paddle steamer. See rugged Outback scenery and stunning sunsets from a hot air balloon or tackle them on a four wheel drive.

Australia’s has over 50,000 kilometers (30,000 miles) of spellbinding coastline. Wherever you find them, the white, sandy beaches are just as you imagine - uncrowded, unspoilt and utterly enticing. You can marvel at World Heritage-listed wonders, chill out at a beach retreat or just enjoy fish and chips on the shore. However you experience the coastline - the crashing waves and gentle sea breeze are all part of a lifestyle that you won’t want to leave behind. Seven ways enjoy the coastline:

Beach yourself in Byron Bay - NSW

You’ll love this new age paradise, famous for glorious surfing beaches and a lifestyle that combines hippy chic with hedonistic fun. Here you can learn to surf with local experts, take a sunrise walk along Cape Byron Walking Track, get your gear off on the nudist-friendly Kings Beach or ride the wild surf at The Pass. That’s in between drinking lattes, analyzing your aura and getting your palm read of course.

Visit paradise in the Whitsundays - QSD

You can’t miss the Whitsundays - 74 pristine, palm-fringed islands tucked inside the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Amongst the white sand and warm, aquamarine waters you can meet marine life, see rainbow-colored coral, battle with big-game fish, set sail, party hard or snooze next to the sea. With only eight inhabited islands, you’re sure to find one where only your footprints touch the sand

Get a touch of glamour on the Gold Coast - QSD

This iconic holiday destination offers 70 kilometers (42 miles) of sun-drenched beaches, World Heritage-listed rainforests, theme parks and non-stop shopping and nightlife. Meet dolphins and polar bears at theme parks, ride rolling surf or do a day trip to an island. Party all night then explore the lush, subtropical hinterland. On Australia’s ‘coast with the most’ life is all about having fun.

Make a splash in the Mornington Peninsula - VIC

Discover top swimming and surfing beaches, historic bayside villages and million-dollar views on this picturesque peninsula on Port Phillip Bay, just an hour south of Melbourne. Trek the rugged coastline past dunes, beaches, cliffs and lighthouses. Then spot koalas on French Island, swim with dolphins and seals at Sorrento and stop for lunch at vineyards or olive groves overlooking the sea.

Treat your tastebuds in Margaret River - WA

This famous wine-growing region is also a natural paradise of surf beaches, tall karri forests, underground caves and bush tracks. The wonderful wine and food of the vineyards meet world-class waves on the 75 beaches. Swim in the crystal-clear waters of Bunker Bay, ride the crashing surf of Surfers Point, and watch whales and explore caves at Cape Leeuwin. Margaret River is a place where breathtaking scenery and good living meld into one.

Find it all on the Fleurieu Peninsula - SA

Dive or snorkel dramatic shipwrecks and marine life, visit famous vineyards or hit the surf in this coastal playground, just an hour’s drive south of Adelaide. Stay in cute coastal hamlets Port Noarlunga and Victor Harbor or the historic river town of Goolwa. Take a dip in perfect Horseshoe Bay, windsurf at Sellicks Beach or dive at Rapid Bay. See ancient forests and visit local wineries. Walk across spectacular headlands and get up close to native wildlife. No wonder they say this coathanger-shaped strip has it all.

Find out where you can get up close and personal to nature’s spectacle in Australia. It’s not hard in a country that holds 550 national parks and 15 World Heritage - listed wonders. You’ll see snow-capped mountains and salt-encrusted lakes, rolling countryside and turquoise sea. Find strange creatures, colorful birds and vibrant fish. This is a country where boundaries blur - ancient rainforests skirt modern cities and waterways surge from craggy red earth. In Australia you can get up close to native plants and animals and experience spectacular beauty on land, air and sea. Eight places to immerse yourself in nature:

Swim with whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef, - WA

Meet the world’s biggest fish – the whale shark – in the clear, turquoise waters of Western Australia’s huge fringing reef. These gentle underwater giants feed on the bright coral reef between April and June. You can also dive, swim or snorkel with dolphins, graceful manta rays and hundreds of species of tropical fish. On Ningaloo, this rainbow of marine life is just meters from the shore

Lose yourself in Kakadu National Park - NT

You’ll be lost for words in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park - a tapestry of rainforest and Aboriginal cultural artifacts encompassing 19,000 square kilometers. Rugged escarpments, lush wetlands, plunging gorges and cascading waterfalls spill over each other here in our largest nature park. You’ll see millions of migratory birds in the wetlands and crocodiles sun their primitive hides on the banks of the Adelaide River.

Visit fairy penguins on Phillip Island - VIC

Every day at dusk, Summerland Beach on Phillip Island comes alive with thousands of little penguins. Watch them waddle home in riotous packs and pairs after their long day foraging for food in icy Bass Strait. The rugged ocean beaches, sheltered bays, blowholes and caves are also home to koalas, abundant bird life and a large colony of fur seals between October and December. It’s hard to believe this teeming natural habitat is just 90-minutes from Melbourne.

Touch ancient rainforests in Tasmania’s national parks - TAS

Step into the grandeur of the Tasmanian rainforest, and you’ll be stepping back 60 million years. With forty per cent of the island protected as national parks and reserves, pristine wilderness is never far away. The World Heritage area stretches more than 1.38 million hectares - from the rugged alpine peaks and dense rainforests of Cradle Mountain in the north to the island’s remote southern tip.

Find technicolor treasures on the Great Barrier Reef - QLD

Unforgettable is the word most people use to describe the Great Barrier Reef - a spectacle so vast it can be seen from space. This World Heritage marine wonderland is an explosion of color that stretches for 2,600 kilometers (1,560 miles) off the Queensland coast. You can access this undersea spectacle of marine life and coral reefs from Cairns and the Whitsundays in the north and Townsville, Mackay and Gladstone further south.

Hang out with the wildlife on Kangaroo Island - SA

Meet seals, sea lions, koalas, wallabies, bandicoots and platypus in the wild on Kangaroo Island, an ecological haven accessible from Adelaide. The desert dunes, beaches, forest and farmland are just a short flight from Adelaide or ferry ride from Cape Jervis on the South Australian coast. Watch penguins make their nightly pilgrimage to shore, buy milk, cheese, wine and Ligurian honey fresh from local farmers and see fur seals frolic on the rocks and a colony of Australian sea lions at Seal Bay.

Bushwalk in the Blue Mountains - NSW

The blue-hazed beauty, dramatic cliffs and deep canyons of the Blue Mountains are just a 90-minutes drive from Sydney. Soak up the breathtaking panoramas on a trek along the Six Foot Track, go mountain biking, horse riding or scale the sandstone cliffs. Along with a million hectares of World Heritage-listed wilderness, you’ll find quaint guesthouses, cozy cafes, luxurious resorts and a vibrant community of artists.

Explore the Australian Alps – NSW, SA, ACT

Straddling New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, the Alps has uniquely Australian alpine vistas and year round opportunities for outdoor adventure. Hit Australia’s highest ski fields or hike to the top of Mount Kosciuszko, our highest peak. Immerse yourself in Aboriginal history in Namagdi National Park. Drive the Great Alpine Road past historic villages, wildflower-coated plains, trout-filled streams and rugged gorges. Or go cycling, caving, rafting, kayaking, four wheel driving and horse riding.