Hunter Valley Holidays

Unsurprisingly, wine tasting is one of the top things to do when you visit the Hunter Valley. Here, there are over 150 wineries, so if you’re unsure where to go, a wine tour is your best bet. Visit an array of beautiful vineyards and taste lots of fantastic wine, before finishing the day at a boutique distillery or brewery.

If you’re up for an early start, a hot-air-balloon ride offers the chance to see the Valley’s incredible mountain scenery at sunrise. Spend an hour floating through the sky, before heading to a nearby winery for a well-deserved breakfast.
Or, if you want to totally relax during your Hunter Valley holiday, you can visit one of the region’s spas for a soothing massage or treatment.

Wine tours are a fantastic option if you’re planning a short stop-over in Hunter Valley. But, if you plan to stay for slightly longer, it’s worth creating a ‘bucket-list’ of food and wine destinations to visit during your trip. First on your list should be the Audrey Wilkinson Winery. Located at the top of a hill, here you can enjoy panoramic views of the mountainous valley, as you taste wine that’s come straight from the barrel. 

When it comes to food, there are plenty of options to satisfy both sweet and savoury-minded travellers. For an evening of fine dining, the award-winning Margan Restaurant is the place to go. Championing seasonal produce, almost all the restaurant’s ingredients are grown on site. So, you can take a tour of the garden, orchard and vineyard, before tucking into the delicious, wine-paired menu.

Whilst perhaps not an obvious choice, the Hunter Valley is a great family holiday destination. The pristine landscape is perfect for little ones with an adventurous spirit, and lots of top-class wineries accommodate family visits. At the Scarborough Wine Co there’s an outdoor play area for kids and Tulloch Wines offer alcohol-free tastings so that every age can join in the fun.

Away from the vineyards and wineries, the Hunter Valley Gardens are a must-visit for families. Children will love the Storybook Garden, with its nursery-rhyme-character statues and play areas. And, during special events, you’ll find fairground rides dotted around the park grounds.
Alternatively, if you’re travelling with slightly-older kids, why not book a horse-riding tour? Trot through the spawling vineyards, or head to the bushland to spot some native wildlife.

Whenever you decide to plan your Hunter Valley holiday, you’ll never be short of dining options to choose from. But, if you fancy getting involved with some specialist tastings, tours and masterclasses, visit during May or June for the Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival.
Alternatively, you might want to correlate your trip with a concert or festival. With previous visitors including Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and Bruce Springsteen, the live-music scene here is one of Australia’s most esteemed.

For the best weather during your Hunter Valley holiday, autumn (March to May) is the time to go, with its clear skies and comfortable temperatures. Or, if you’re planning to continue your travels along Australia’s spectacular east coast, December and January is an ideal time to visit.