Planning a midweek or weekend getaway to the Hunter Valley in NSW? Are you or your family celebrating a special milestone or are you longing for a break from the busyness of life?
Just a 2-hour drive from Sydney is the Hunter Valley, one of Sydney’s most popular getaway destinations for wine connoisseurs, foodies and a very popular family-friendly destination.
(Editor Update 2021)
If you enjoy wine the Hunter Valley Wine Country has over 150 cellar doors and is well known for its Semillon wine. You will be spoilt for choice when visiting Australia’s premier food and wine destination. The region offers the visitor outstanding beauty and breathtaking country views. There is nothing more relaxing than getting away from the busyness of the city and waking up to the sounds of the bellbirds or watch kangaroos grazing in the early morning light.
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COVID 19 UPDATE
We would recommend that you phone ahead for accommodation, restaurant bookings and check the opening hours for the Cellar Doors and attractions that we have included in our article for your Hunter Valley vacation.
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Contents
- 1 Best Time To Visit the Hunter Valley
- 2 Where To Stay in the Hunter Valley
- 3 Hotels in the Hunter Valley
- 4 Motels
- 5 Self Contained Accommodation in the Hunter Valley
- 6 Tourist Parks in the Hunter Valley
- 7 Top Things To Do in the Hunter Valley
- 7.1 Wine Tours – Pick up from your specified accommodation in the Hunter Valley
- 7.2 Day Wine Tours from Sydney – Pick up from Centrally Located Sydney Hotels
- 7.3 Flights Over The Hunter Valley Region
- 7.4 Lovedale
- 7.5 Cheese Tasting
- 7.6 Binnorie Dairy
- 7.7 Lovedale Smokehouse
- 7.8 Nulkaba
- 7.9 Hunter Valley Zoo
- 7.10 Pokolbin
- 7.11 Markets:
- 8 Hunter Valley Vineyards: Wine Tastings and Cellar Doors
- 9 Hunter Valley Wine Trails
- 10 Where To Eat in the Hunter Valley
- 11 How To Get To The Hunter Valley
- 12 Getting Around the Hunter Valley
- 13 Towns to Visit
Best Time To Visit the Hunter Valley
Spring (September, October, November) – see the new green shoots on the vines. The country gardens are in bloom.
Summer (December, January and February) – the vines are heavy with grapes. January is harvest time in the Hunter.
Autumn (March, April, May) – the winemakers are blending their wines.
Winter (June, July, August) – the vines are barren, it is a good time for tasting reds and enjoying hearty meals beside an open fire.
The Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival is held during June. Check out the full details here.
Where To Stay in the Hunter Valley
Hotels in the Hunter Valley
To Travel Too Top Tip: Check with the accommodation for ‘romantic Hunter Valley packages’ and ‘Hunter Valley weekend deals”.
Lovedale
Crowne Plaza Hotel Hunter Valley at 430 Wine Country Drive Lovedale
Deluxe accommodation in deluxe rooms, resort suites and villas just perfect for romantic getaways and family holidays. Visit their Ubika Day Spa for a relaxing spa treatment after a day of sightseeing and wine tasting.
Dining options are available at the:
- Redsalt Restaurant
- Lovedale Bar and Restaurant
- Vista Lounge
- Enjoy local craft beers at the Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley.
Facilities include an adults-only pool, golf and the Water Dragons Kid Club.
Nulkaba
Potters at Wine Country Drive in Nulkaba have 68 rooms, villas and suites available.
Their Bar and Brasserie open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Facilities include:
- State of the art gaming facility and TAB
- Micro Brewery – the Hunter Beer Company available for tastings and tours
- For children: Outdoor children’s playground
- Day/night tennis court
- Heated outdoor spa
- Two swimming pools
- Boules court
- Courtesy bus
- Live entertainment
- Heritage-listed beehive kilns
Click here for travellers recent photographs and reviews in Tripadvisor as well as the latest deals
Pokolbin
The Hunter Valley Resort at Hermitage Road, Pokolbin
We enjoyed our 2 night midweek stay. We can also highly recommend the two tours that the resort offers which are complimentary for staying guests. Bookings are essential.
- Wine Theatre – 2 sessions daily at 10 am and 3 pm. The tour commences with a 30-minute video followed by wine tastings.
- Guided Vine Experience daily at 9 am followed by wine tastings.
The Matilda Bay Brewhouse is located at the resort. There are selections of 12 beers on tap as well as a stout and a local cider. You must try their beer tasting paddles.
Breakfast is served in the restaurant from 7.30 am to 10.30 am. Dinner is available daily from 6 pm with last orders at 8 pm. Bookings are essential.
Facilities: Swimming pool, tennis court, games room, massage centre, adventure centre, electric bikes, bushwalking trails, horseriding tours, Segway tours and a guest library.
Chateau Elan, Vintage Drive in Pokolbin
The award-winning 5-star Chateau Elan is a luxury resort with 100 luxurious appointed rooms and a 17 room spa. The private villas have breathtaking views over the countryside and have either balconies or terraces. The 5 Spa villas in the main building offer complete privacy with their own secluded courtyards.
Facilities include:
- 18 hole Greg Norman-designed golf course
- Swimming pool
- Gymnasium
- Tennis courts
- Hair and beauty salon
- Views over the golf course
- Legends Grill Restaurant
- 19th hole golf course bar – Spike Bar
Estate Tuscany at Broke Road Pokolbin
A boutique 4-star hotel that offers 26 Olive Grove Rooms and 12 Vineyard View Rooms.
Facilities include:
- Inground swimming pool
- Helipad
- Cellar door
- Breakfast room
The Mill Restaurant (click here for the latest reviews and photographs)
Brokenback Bar at the Estate Tuscany opens 7 days from 12 pm till late.
Harrigan’s Irish Pub & Accommodation Hunter Valley – 2090 Broke Road Pokolbin
Harrigan’s Irish Pub & Accommodation Hunter Valley has a range of accommodation to suit solo travellers, couples and families:
- Studio Rooms
- Executive Rooms
- Deluxe Suites
- Premier Suites
- 2 bedroom apartment
- 3 bedroom apartment
Facilities at Harrigan’s include:
- Burger Bar
- Bistro
- Sports Bar
- Bottle Shop
- VIP Lounge
- Outdoor swimming pool for hotel guests
Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens – Cnr. Broke and McDonald’s Road Pokolbin
The Mercure Resort is a 4.5-star hotel that offers 72 studio, superior, deluxe and suite rooms with either a private balcony or courtyard overlooking the gardens and the Hunter Valley. The Mercure Resort Suites offer guests a spa bath and a lounge area with a fireplace for that special romantic getaway.
Facilities include:
- Swimming pool
- Fitness centre
- Elements – the Signature Restaurant of Mercure Resort with a menu inspired by the flavours of France and Italy
The Convent at 88 Halls Road, Pokolbin
The Convent has 19 luxuriously appointed deluxe and superior bedrooms, a Premier Bedroom and a Garden Suite ideal for families and small groups.
Enjoy breakfast in Restaurant 88, dinner at Restaurant Circa 1876 and afternoon and high teas from Friday to Sunday.
Motels
Cessnock
Cessnock Motel at 13 Allandale Road Cessnock
20 ground floor units with ensuite bathrooms, reverse cycle airconditioning, Foxtel, swimming pool and bbq area.
Hotel Cessnock at the Junction of Wollombi Road and Vincent Street, 234 Wollombi Road, Cessnock
Accommodation, Restaurant and Outdoor dining facilities are available.
Self Contained Accommodation in the Hunter Valley
Broke Fordwich
Barefoot at Broke at 596 Milbrodale Road Broke Fordwich
Nestled at the foot of the Yengo Mountain Range Barefoot at Broke offers accommodation for up to 6 people on 23 acres with stunning mountain and bush views.
Accommodation includes:
- The main bedroom with ensuite on one wing
- Two further bedrooms on the other wing
- A large gourmet chefs kitchen
- Open plan living
- Outdoor entertaining deck
- Gas BBQ
- Free wifi
- Dog friendly
Nightingale Villas at 1239 Milbrodale Road Broke
There are 6 x 64 m2 luxury villas situated on 60 acres with:
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- Self-contained kitchens
- Wifi available
- BBQ facilities
- Continental breakfast
- On-site restaurant
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Spa
- Wheelchair access
For the latest traveller reviews and photos in Tripadvisor click here
Cedar Creek
Cedar Creek Vineyard Cottages at 1840 Wollombi Road Cedar Creek.
There are 4 self-contained 1 bedroom cottages and 3 self-contained 2 bedroom cottages with views over the vineyards. Accommodation includes:
- A Breakfast hamper of bacon, eggs, tomatoes, bread, cereal, freshly squeezed orange juice, Tea/coffee
- Spa bath
- Woodfire
- Verandah with vineyard and valley views
- Internet access
- BBQ
- Kitchen
- In house massage available
- 20% off at cellar door
- Late midday check-out
Lovedale
Adina Vineyard at 492 Lovedale Road Lovedale
3 x 3 bedroom self-contained villas overlooking the vineyards. Facilities include:
- Full kitchen facilities
- Outdoor settings
- BBQ’s
- Gas log fires
- A swimming pool.
Bluebush Estate at 196 Wilderness Road Lovedale
Bluebush Estate can accommodate up to 40 people in 4 cottages with views over the Molly Morgan Ranges. Suitable for wedding and guest accommodations, family reunions, golf weekends and small conferences and meetings.
Bluebush Cottage – up to 7 people in 3 bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen and entertaining area with BBQ facilities
Bluebush Chalet – up to 10 people in 3 bedrooms with ensuites, large lounge dining and kitchen area, billiard room and outdoor entertaining with BBQ
Bluebush Lodge – up to 12 people, 5 bedrooms (3 with private ensuites) large kitchen, full-size billiard table, large undercover entertaining area with BBQ facilities
Bluebush Country House – up to 11 adults, 5 bedrooms all with ensuite, large kitchen, snooker room, large undercover outdoor entertaining area with BBQ
For the latest reviews and photos of the accommodation at Bluebush Estate in Tripadvisor click here
Cottages on Lovedale at 636 Lovedale Road Lovedale
3 self-contained and separate cottages on 25 acres. Each includes:
- 3 bedrooms with that can sleep 6 and extra 2 people on a double sofa bed
- Gourmet kitchen
- 2 bathrooms
- Air conditioning and slow combustion fire
- Gas bbq
- Gourmet breakfast hampers on weekends
- Continental breakfast hamper midweek
For the latest reviews and photos of the Cottages on Lovedale in the Hunter Valley click here
Emma’s Cottages at 438 Wilderness Road Lovedale
Emma’s cottages consist of 2 x 2 bedroom cottages, a three-bedroom cottage and a four-bedroom cottage with views over the vineyards. They include:
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- Fully equipped kitchens
- Stylish bathrooms
- Log fires
- BBQ’s
- Outdoor settings
- Swimming pool
Mount View
Cottages on Mount View at 1329 Mount View Road Mount View
The Cottages of Mount View offer 4 x 4-star 2 bedroom cottages on 120 acres in a natural bush setting. 3 of the cottages have open-air spas and each sleeps up to 6 people. Facilities include:
- Fireplaces,
- BBQs
- Hammocks between the gum trees
- Private picnic tables
- Fully equipped kitchens
- Breakfast baskets
For the latest travellers reviews and photos of the Cottages on Mount View click here.
The Residence @ Elbourne Wines
The Residence is located at 540 Wilderness Road Lovedale.
Perfect for families and getaways The Residence is a 2-storey house for up to 10 guests with 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms.
Facilities include:
- Loft area with 2 sofa beds
- Fully-equipped kitchen
- BBQ
Pokolbin
Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard Accommodation at 750 DeBeyers Road Pokolbin
Three cottages are available in the Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard with breathtaking views over the vineyards and countryside:
The Mulberry Cottage offers luxury accommodation for 8 guests in 4 bedrooms with 5 bathrooms and a well-equipped kitchen.
The Dairy Cottage offers accommodation for 4 guests in 2 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms with a fully equipped kitchen and indoor fireplace.
The Oakdale Cottage offers accommodation for 6 guests in 3 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen.
Beltana Villas at 186 Old North Road Pokolbin
Beltana Villas offer 1 and 2 bedroom villas with balconies overlooking the bush and vineyard.
Facilities include:
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- Fully equipped kitchens
- BBQs
- Woodburning fires
- 12m pool & spa (October)
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For the latest travellers and reviews of the Beltana Villas click here