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The region is home to more than 80 wineries, as well as olive groves and cheese factories.

The Brokenback Mountains dominate the horizon surrounding the flat valley.

The Hunter Valley was first developed in the late 19th century, when the ground was highly fertile. The soil has lost some of its fertility since then, but each year still brings a strong harvest.

The Hunter Valley is a region of the Great Dividing Range that runs up the eastern edge of Australia.

The misty sub-tropical mountains provide a natural backdrop to the gentle hills of the Hunter Valley.

The picturesque Hunter Valley nestles in a gap in the Great Dividing Range.

The contrast between the low valley and the steep mountain sides is considerable.

Close to the edge of the Brokenback Mountains the difference in vegetation in the valley and on the mountain is clear.

Farmland and vineyards cover the gentle hills of the Hunter Valley, a vast open space between the mountains.

Vineyards on the undulating hills of the Hunter Valley.

The Hunter Valley is famed for its Semillon, though it produces a number of different grape and wine varieties.

For much of the year, the Hunter Valley is brown. Rainfall patterns have changed over the last century, making it more difficult to grow here.

Near harvest time the vineyards of the Hunter Valley come alive with colour as rain nourishes the crops.

Grape flowers are the first stage of grape development.

These small berries will develop into ripe grapes by the end of harvest.

Semillon grapes like these make the Hunter Valley's signature Semillon wine.

Vineyards cover the Hunter Valley. More than 30,000 tonnes of grapes are picked and crushed here each harvest.

Olives are another prominent crop in the Hunter Valley, providing the region with another successful export.

The high walls and guard towers of Maitland Gaol. Only a few escape attempts from the gaol were successful, and most escapees were brought back within a few hours.

The cells were cramped, dark and basic, leading to the shutting down of the gaol in 1998.

c.1930 - The stone exterior of Maitland Gaol. The prison was built by convict labour in the mid-19th century.

The stark interior of Maitland Gaol, whjch was home to 350 inmates at any one time.

The imposing entrance to Maitland Gaol. The building is now a museum, having closed to prisoners in 1998.

The run-down interior of Maitland Gaol after 150 years of continous occupancy.

The security of Maitland Gaol may not be up to the standards of prisons today, but managed to keep most of the prisoners inside.

The architecture of Maitland Gaol is impressive, considering it was built by convicts in the 19th century.

1949 - Police photo of Darcy Dugan, notorious criminal, who was jailed in Maitland Gaol. In 1975 he was blamed for inciting a riot in the prison that caused damage worth $100,000AUS.