Spending a couple days in wine country this October school holidays? We’ve got the perfect kid and parent friendly itinerary for you.
Day One
Start your trip right in the heart of Pokolbin with a visit to us. With an expansive lawn and a spacious cellar door, settle in with either a Made by Mike or Limited Release Tasting. We’ve got a basket filled with toys – connect four, jenga, uno, colouring in books, outdoor games to keep the minis entertained while you sit and sip in peace. You can book in your tastings here, but we will also take walk-in reservations when we can.
After wine with us, it’s time to head over the Hunter Belle Cheese Room. There’s coffee, hot chocolates and babycinos if you need a pick me up, plus an array of lunch options including baguettes, gelato and fudge (sugar doesn’t count on school holidays right?!). You can do a cheese tasting of their epic range of local cheeses and pick up some goodies for later.
Once the whole crew has been fed and watered, stroll across to Oakvale Wines. They are known for their organic wines and have a great outdoor area for the little ones to play. Keep the adults happy tasting their awesome Hunter wines – don’t forget to try their Sparkling Bellini. Delicious!
Let’s change it up for the minis and adults by taking a short drive to the Hunter Farm at Hunter Valley Resort. There’s a Segway tour and trail rides for the bigger kids, but you can keep the little ones entertained with a pony ride. Spent all your money on wine? For $5 pick up a bucket of feed and wander around feeding the resident pigs, ponies, geese, ducks, donkeys and so much more! It’s probably about dinner time now, so head up the hill at Hunter Farm and visit 4 Pines at the Farm for a great pub feed with a load of great beers on tap.
Day Two
After a sleep in (ha, good joke) and breakfast in your accommodation head out to Elbourne Wines on Marrowbone Road in Pokolbin. Get ready to enter both a kid and adult heaven. Hosted at the Elbourne family home there’s a trampoline, sandpit, playground, and farm animals all rolled into fun! While you are there you can’t leave with trying their Grace Chardonnay and Hugo Shiraz. Call ahead for bookings, just to make sure they can fit you in.
Pop over to the Hunter Valley Gardens to enjoy their October school holiday feature, Amaze & Play in the Gardens this Spring. Enjoy a fun day out as you search for the lost creatures hidden within our giant Spring Adventure Maze, and discover the magical fairies and gnomes of the Storybook Garden. The kids will love bouncing around our inflatable jumping castle and seeing all the fresh Spring colours of Hunter Valley Gardens.
Looking for casual, kid-friendly delicious dining? Then head to Leaves & Fishes out at Lovedale. There’s a great kids menu, and for adults tuck into soft shell crab with Singapore chill sauce, local beef kransky roll or our favourite sweet & spicy fried chicken and waffles. While you wait for your lunch the kids are well entertained feeding the fish in their huge pond with complimentary bread provided by the team.
