The traditional owners and custodians of the Maitland area are the Wonnarua people.

Maitland Vale is a predominantly rural suburb and covers an area of 11.3 square kilometres (4.4 sq mi) with a new residential development in the southeastern corner comprising 20.5 hectares (51 acres).

The suburb is situated in a valley with hills rising in the west, north and east.

Maitland Vale has a minimum elevation of 10 metres (33 ft) along the southern boundary rising to 126 metres (413 ft) in the north.

[4] Comerfords Hill is a prominent point in the southeast with a height of 84 metres (276 ft).