“CESSNOCK has earned sixth position in a list of Australia’s best travel destinations of 2014.

Compiled from travellers’ ratings and reviews, the TripAdvisor list puts the region ahead of stalwarts Airlie Beach and Byron Bay.

Territory capitals Canberra and Darwin are also below the Coalfields’ wine country on the list.

Hunter Valley Visitor Centre Coordinator Melissa George said she was unsurprised to see Cessnock listed after the area’s information centre received 900 visitors a day over the Christmas and New Year period.”