The regiment forms part of the 11th Brigade, attached to the 2nd Division and draws its members from regional centres in northern New South Wales, hence the reference to the Hunter River.

Since 2000 the regiment has provided individuals as reinforcements to round-out Regular Army units deploying overseas on peacekeeping operations and in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[citation needed] In June 1897, a volunteer cavalry regiment of bushmen was raised and designated the 'Australian Horse'.

In 1900, E Squadron was raised from Gunnedah, Boggabri, Tamworth and Armidale and rapidly mobilised a detachment to serve in the South African War.

[citation needed] At the outbreak of World War I, new light horse regiments were formed as part of the Australian Imperial Force.

In 1917 the regiment saw extensive service in Palestine where it took part in the Battle of Beersheba, the last great cavalry charge in modern warfare.

Following this the regiment continued to be heavily involved in the Palestine campaign until the cessation of hostilities in October 1918.

[4] The 6th ALH (HRL) became the 16th Light Horse Regiment (Hunter River Lancers),[1] and was awarded battle honours for the Middle East campaign,[5] despite never having seen overseas service.

[citation needed] In 1948, the 12th/16th Armoured Regiment (Hunter River Lancers) was raised as part of the new Citizen Military Force (CMF), which replaced the pre-war militia, and it was equipped with Matilda tanks,[7] Staghound Armoured Cars and Canadian Scout Cars (known as "doodle bugs")—similar to the British Daimler Dingo but manufactured in Canada.

[citation needed] The regiment was retitled 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers on 31 July 1949,[1] forming part of the 1st Armoured Brigade.

[citation needed] Since 2000 many members of the regiment have been attached to regular RAAC units and seen active service in East Timor, Solomon Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan.