Headed south of Armidale to Tamworth and Muswellbrook. Pleasant enough drive. Mainly cattle country. Further south is Scone, the centre of the stud industry in Australia. Further along are huge open-pit coal mines north of Singleton. By 2:00pm we reached the Hunter Valley, one of the oldest wine regions in Australia. We visited the Hunter Valley Gardens. Quite nice. Not up to Butchart Gardens but close. We returned in the evening when they turned on 1.5 million lights for a Christmas celebration (Nov. 26 to Dec. 27). We have never been to the Butchart light display, but if it is better it must be out of this world because the Hunter Valley Gardens light display was fabulous. Unfortunately, I left my camera back at the motel for the evening visit so all I have are the afternoon photos. Tonight we are in Cessnock and will head to the Blue Mountains tomorrow.