Hunter Valley

A pleasant two-hour drive north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s oldest and most visited wine producing regions. It is split into the Upper and Lower Hunter regions, with wineries and accommodation concentrated in the Lower Hunter around Cessnock and Pokolbin. There are some truly world-class wines made here, and the range of cellars within a small area offers you a chance to taste some of the famous names. Tastings are usually free, although some cellar doors have recently added fees, and many wineries also offer very informative tours of their vineyards. Some tours include lunch and discounted bottles, and there is even an opportunity to take part in grape crushing, the old-fashioned way – with your bare feet.

Hotels and hostels often have maps of the region with all of the cellar doors marked. There are many weekenders coming from Sydney these days, so the tourist infrastructure has blossomed with hotels, resorts and attractions catering to a relatively affluent crowd. There is only one hostel and it is a good one, so it is best to book ahead or come as a day trip from somewhere else. The best way to get around (since drinking alcohol means you cannot drive and there is no public transport) is by bike, and there are loads of bike rentals available. Other options include several tour companies, but if you have a designated driver, going by car would be ideal.

The region is lovely to tour through, but the roads are narrow and winding, so drive with caution. Besides the scenery there are a couple of attractions the non-wine-drinker can enjoy. The Hunter Valley Gardens are a gorgeous place to visit or to have a picnic, and the Bluetongue Brewery is reputed to have some of the best and most innovative beers in the state. Fittingly, there are also some fine cheese and chocolate companies to visit.

The main towns in the region are Cesnock, Pokolbin and Branxton.

Coming & going

Cessnock is most easily accessible from Newcastle. If you’re visiting Newcastle you can make the Hunter Valley a day trip, catching a bus from there or alternatively taking a train to Maitland and the getting a connecting bus.

Coming from Sydney you have the option of going via Newcastle or Maitland or catching a less frequent direct bus. Keans Travel Express runs a daily service to Scone, which passes through the Hunter Valley.

Local transport

There’s no public transport between the wineries in the Hunter Valley, so your best bet is to tag along with someone who’s driving or rent a bike. Bicycle rental is available from Hunter Valley Cycling.