3 days in the Hunter Valley
Australia’s oldest wine region, the postcard-perfect Hunter Valley offers a true taste of Australia just a two-hour drive from Sydney.
The must-do experiences
- Most cellar doors don’t require bookings – just walk on in
- There’s generally a nominal charge for wine tastings, which is often waived if you buy a bottle or two
- Wineries are quite spread out across the Hunter’s towns. It’s a good idea to book a tour or have a designated driver
Day 1: Wine, dine and indulge
The Hunter Valley is home to more than 120 wineries, not to mention standout producers, brewers, distillers and chefs. Bring your appetite.
Indulge in fine dining
There are dozens of restaurants around the region, many of them focused on farm-to-fork dining. Try a tasting menu at Margan, get set for a romantic meal at Bistro Molines and savour dishes that marry French techniques with local produce at Muse.
Go behind the scenes
Drop in on Brokenwood for a wine tasting taken to a whole new level. Enjoy a package that unites a private wine flight with canapes, a behind-the-scenes tour and a tasting straight from the barrel.
Taste the region’s olives
Visit Woodlands Olive Grove, an industry pioneer known for growing aromatic fruit with a distinct, peppery flavour. Sit down to a tasting of oils and olives or tour the orchard. A similar experience is available at Tintilla Estate Wines.
Picnic amid the vines
At Audrey Wilkinson, taste the wine range at the cellar door, then pick your favourite bottle to enjoy with a picnic around the vast, green estate. At Tyrrell’s, your ploughman’s platter pairs perfectly with views of the Brokenback range.
Taste the region’s best cheese
Cheese for breakfast? It’s encouraged at Lovedale’s Binnorie Dairy. Order a coffee (or wine) then sample some of the house specialties, including an award-winning marinated feta. More awaits at the nearby Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop.
Attend a foodie festival
The family-owned Hope Estate is a working winery, brewery, distillery and cellar door. It also plays host to a number of gatherings near the grapevines, from the Hunter Valley Beer & BBQ festival to The Big ’80s Party.
Day 2: Time to get active
In between all the indulgences, the Hunter Valley encourages you to explore via a range of active adventures, whether on land or in the sky.
Explore on two wheels
Rent pedal bikes or e-bikes from Grapemobile Bicycle Hire to explore the Hunter Valley's fabulous scenery of rolling hills, country laneways and dairy farms. As an added bonus: bikes come with baskets so you can stock up on provisions while you ride.
Take to the sky
Wake early for a one-hour sunrise hot-air balloon ride with Balloon Aloft. You'll rise high above the vineyards of Pokolbin, Lovedale, Rothbury and Broke, before enjoying a decadent Champagne breakfast at Peterson House Winery.
Head to the greens
Avid golfers could spend a week exploring the lush fairways and emerald greens that characterise courses in the Hunter. Tee off at one of the championship venues, including the Greg Norman-designed Vintage Golf Club and Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort.
Stretch your legs
Stroll through the enchanting 24-hectare (59-acre) Hunter Valley Gardens, replete with 10 themed gardens including the Rose Garden and Storybook Garden, showcasing a diverse variety of botanic beauty.
Take a thrilling ride
Fly over the Hunter’s historic towns via Hunter Valley Helicopters. They offer everything from a breezy six-minute scenic flight to a full-day outing with private pilot, allowing you to drop in on wineries and restaurants at your leisure.
Trot among the vines
The much-loved equines at Hunter Valley Horses offer another way to see the region’s vines and surrounding bushland. Saddle up for a private ride with a sunset picnic, or perhaps a carriage tour linking cellar doors, providores and your lunch venue.
Day 3: Relax, rejuvenate, repeat
When you’ve worked up a sweat hiking and biking around the Hunter, take some time out to be pampered and reconnect with nature.
Take a pause at a spa
Reset your mind and body at Elysia Wellness Retreat, a serene cocoon of calm where you can do as little or as much as you like. Visit the day spa, or check in for a multi-day health makeover including meals, accommodation and workshops.
Channel your inner chef
A nourishing experience awaits at Margan Winery. Shadow the restaurant’s chef for culinary classes that are inspired by the produce that's in season at the time – don’t miss the truffles in winter (June to August).
Indulge in local chocolates
Get your good endorphins flowing with a visit to Cocoa Nib or the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company, where you can savour baked goods and strong coffee in the café, then pick up chocolates, fudge and gelato for later. If they last that long.
Stay in style
Check in to Spicers Vineyards Estate in Pokolbin, a five-star guesthouse set among native bushland. Suites have fireplaces and the option of a private courtyard or balcony with views over the vines, and there’s a standout on-site restaurant.