Roadtrips around the Hunter Valley sound like a logical idea for wine & food lovers right? Pack your overnight bag, the Hunter Valley in New South Wales is more than a day trip for wine & food boffins. Renowned for its excellent wineries, beautiful landscapes and charming towns, the Hunter Valley is 2 to 2.5 hours north of Sydney, if you go direct. Here’s a curated road trip itinerary you can do on a daily basis once you’re in the Hunter region, or you can pick and choose according to your whim. We’ve paced this over a few days to allow you to drink & drive, or appoint a rotating designated driver so you can all take a turn at fruits of the vine.
When to visit the Hunter Valley Wine Region?
Every season has its highlights – budbursts in spring; cosy accommodation, roaring log fires alongside a full bodied red in winter; ripening harvests into summer and stunning autumn hues as wine production cranks up.
- March to May is considered the prime season for Hunter Valley wine tasting with pleasant weather and the vineyards transform into a range of reds and golds as grapevines change colour.
- Budburst occurs in mid-August to September, with the vibrant early shoot and leaf growth from September and October. New vintage white releases typically occur from April to August, and new vintage reds are making their debut from September to December, inviting sunny afternoons and balmy nights.
- By December and January, the ripening of grapes signals an impending harvest.
- From late January to February to early March you’ll find various events heralding the beginning of a new year of wine production. In winter dormancy sets in from April to August, as these quiet, dark provide dormancy for the vines before the cycle re-commences.
We had such joy pulling this together to include top wineries, accommodation and other must-see attractions:
Day 1: Arrival in the Hunter Valley (with an option to stop in Newcastle enroute)
Morning:
Set off up the Pacific Highway, with an option to bypass or slip into Newcastle (about 2 hours north of Sydney) for some coastal cool in an up and coming city rapidly becoming a young peoples’ town. Spend some time exploring the beaches or grab breakfast at one of the cafes in the city.
Drive direct to Cessnock, the gateway to the Hunter from the south: From Newcastle, the Hunter is a 45-50 minute drive from the Hunter Valley. which is the gateway to the Hunter Valley and a good place to start your adventure. Otherwise its a 2-3 hour drive direct from Sydney, allowing for a pitstop.
Afternoon:
Presenting a choice of wine experiences at Brokenwood Wines in Pokolbin. This is one of the region’s most famous wineries, known for its Shiraz and Semillon (Available for guests over 18 years of age only).
- TASTE experience’: A Cellar Door Cru includes a premium selection of seven Brokenwood Varietal and Single Vineyard wines – great value and available 7 days / week.
- MATCH experience is a seated wine and food flight with a selection of 6 Brokenwood wines matched with bite-sized canapés.
- JOURNEY experience is for the wine enthusiast – a guided food and wine flight in Brokenwood’s private tasting room, a personal host takes you on a tour into the Barrel Hall, pointing out the famous Graveyard Vineyard along the way, ending with a pre-release wine tasting straight from the barrel.
- ICONS of the HUNTER: Enjoy three of the Hunter Valley wine regions most iconic vineyards – Audrey Wilkinson, Tyrrells Wines and Brokenwood Wines providing the Ultimate Hunter Valley Wine experience, a full day so don’t plan anything else!
- SOIL to CELLAR experience: for the consummate wine lover to experience tasting Brokenwood’s flagship Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz (single vineyard), whilst enjoying a unique and personalised soil-to-cellar experience.
- Lunch at The Cellar Restaurant at Brokenwood. Enjoy a meal paired with wines right on the winery’s premises at The Wood Restaurant and Terrace Wine Bar.
If you’ve decided to skip lunch in favour of an evening dining experience, keep reading…
Best Guest Experience and Evening:
Check into your Travellarks Hunter Valley accommodation; Your hosts will have prepared for your visit with local expert knowledge in a region that oozes well found pride. They can bespoke your stay if you wish and are passionate about hospitality and creating the best guest experience. Travellarks only works with Hosts who shine and love what they do.
Booking dinner you’ll have on offer the best of the best as chefs take as much pride in producing delicious and luscious food as winemakers making stunning vintages. Here’s a taste of spots for contemporary cuisine with locally sourced ingredients.
- In the heart of the Hunter in Pokolbin lies Muse Dining at Hungerford Hill Winery, a hatted dining affair, is open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday, is a five-course set menu as it flows humbly but proudly from the kitchen. Each plate is a work of art and creativity that might feature Manjimup Truffles, or Jerusalem artichoke ice cream (yes, icecream!), or Pyengana cheddar custard!
- Also in Pokolbin is highly rated Hunters Quarters located in the Pooles Rock Vineyard Vineyard offering a 5 course degustation menu. Slip into Pooles Rock cellar door before or after lunch to better understand he “Rock” portfolio is made up of Single Vineyard, Premiere and Museum ranges. Hope you left lots of room in the boot!
- At Carillon Wines nearer to Cessnock you’ll soak in verdant views over their vineyards from your exquisite table setting with its French inspired menu for lunch or dinner is Bistro Moline overlooks glorious views of their collocated Carillon Vineyard. Better still, order a drop and sip knowing you’re perched atop a rise sweeping your eyes and taste buds over luscious grapes.
- Self-catering? Your accommodation may have self catering so don’t hesitate to stop at Wollombi Road Providore in Cessnock; the Lovedale Smokehouse for truly outstanding house made charcuterie, including smoked chicken, duck, salmon, trout, sausages, ham, bacon, cheese, mussels, salt, olives, terrines, jerky and pates as well as house made relishes and sauces; Hunter Valley Cheese Co or follow your nose to the Smelly Cheese Shop. Local Farmgate organic produce is in abundance – find a list here, closest to your stay. Hunter Organic Growers Society.
Day 2: Explore the Wineries
Morning:
Breakfast at your accommodation or a local café. If breakfast is your a critical starting point to your day here’s a short list of the best breakky places in the Hunter:
- Yearning for a Tuscan experience? Plonk yourself in the enchanting courtyard at Enzo, open every day from 8am for breakfast (and lunch), featuring local produce and homemade fare.
- The Deck Cafe Lovedale is exactly what it says it is – a deck overlooking a dam in young forest bushland in the grounds of Gartelmann Wines, While you graze over breakfast you can sort out your day or look into all that’s of offer here with its landmark winery with wine tastings, cafe, cookery classes, garden, gelato & juices, animal farm…you might even spend the whole day here!
- A lovely stop in Cessnock for breakfast or brunch where its owners take enormous pride in offering humble, local produce – Arthurs Pantry. Open 7 days.
- Wandin Estate offers the full compliment of dining throughout the day but if you are feeling a little French, their Cassoulet Beans for breakfast will set you right for any wine tasting which you can begin right here!
- If your Roadtrip consists of a Biketrip around the Hunter, you should definitely pop in for a heart starting espresso here…The Bikesmith Espresso Bar. For the serious or the curious cyclers, this is a stop of great interest and supply of everything bike related, so why not grab a coffee while you’re at it.
- Nineteen is an all day happening. Wander upstairs for an inside / outside vista across and indulge in their specialty – smokehouse nosh that’s salivatingly good! There’s the Sports Bar, the Bistro and The Smokehouse to let yourself loose in.
Visit Adina Vineyard & Olive Grove in Lovedale
- Known for its friendly staff and beautiful setting. They offer a range of wines including excellent Shiraz and Semillon. Arrange tastings of award-winning olive and wine tastings and day spa indulgence.
Stop by De Iuliis Wines. A fourth generation wine making family brings its Italian heritage to the Valley building success through the generations culminating in 2023 with a prestigious award of the James Halliday Wine Companion with a rating of five underlined red stars. A 5-star brand for almost 19 years, five red stars have featured for 11 of those. Turning to the future and new generations, sustainability and ground-breaking work using BioChar in the vineyards. This carbon-rich material can improve soil health and increase soil carbon sequestration. Use in the vineyards, and its effect on wine quality, is a new area that De Iuliis is studying. Take the time for a deep dive amongst the vines at De Julius to appreciate how a love, passion and dedication bear fruit here.
- Admire sculptures, art AND wine at the exquisite estate of Winmark Wines located at the lovingly restored former Pooles Rock vineyard in peaceful Broke in the Upper Hunter. Voted best Cellar Door 2023, the Winmark crew will leave you in no doubt about their passion and skill in producing award winning wines – get the boot ready, their chardonnay is next level. Join their wonderful Wine “Rock’ Club with benefits for their on site accommodation too. Weddings and events held on site form a memorable backdrop for special occasions in the Hunter Valley.
Afternoon:
For lunch many wineries & eateries mentioned previously for breakky, lunch is also on offer, Here’s more that are worth abating hunger pangs gnawing at you:
- Asian inspired Lucky Duck at Leaves & Fishes in Lovedale in the tranquil setting by the water where you might indulge in eared scallop betel leaf, Korean spiced corn ribs, pineapple & cashew salad, battered Malay barramundi. Travelling with children, no problem there’s kids menu on offer.
- At Myrtle & Stone you can expect deliciously honest food with traditional fare plus nice surprises such as Tofu Scramble & Myrtle Burger. Kids menu available
- At Wandin Kitchen you’ll need to loosen your belt with Wandin’s scrumptious, generous servings. Salivate over their eclectic menu. Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday for lunch. Friday & Saturday evening for dinner.
- A Bimbadgen Wood Fire Pizza will set you up for afternoon of wine tasting. Bimbadgen’s indigenous name means “Place of Good View” with its present day Tuscan inspired courtyard soaking in the views from under the shade of its vine-covered pergola will have you wanting a library hour in the afternoon! Open 7 days (except public holidays) for lunch. Open Friday & Saturday evenings.
- Vines Restaurant in conjunction with Hollydene Wine Estate produces under a paddock to plate philosophy Vines Restaurant for breakfast and lunch (Wednesday to Sunday) offers a relaxed dining experience, delicious seasonal menu, great wine, craft beer and one cracker of a view. Catering for everyone and all budgets, you’ll be pleased to see a healthy children’s menu and pram parking. Accessible parking and a Tesla EV station tops off a great stop here! Soak in the breath-taking views across the Wollomi National Park while the kids play in the spongy Sir Walter lawn. Hollydene Estate is part of the Upper Hunter Wine Trail and even if you stop for an EV recharge, with your designated driver at the wheel, slurp some rose and a bowl of perfectly crunchy chips might get you through to dinner (but we hear the seafood chowder and beef cheeks are to die for!)
Visit Scarborough Wine Co. for an afternoon tasting, known for their trophy winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this winery offers a variety of relaxed tasting experiences.
Evening dining pleasures:
Staying near Broke in the Upper Hunter? Book dinner at the pioneers of agri-dining in the Hunter Valley, Margan located in Broke Forditch is committed a dining experience centred around ‘estate grown, estate made’ ethos. Margan’s one-acre kitchen garden, orchard and olive grove maintain a seasonal approach. With free range chickens, beehives and their own lambs, produce is at its peak year round. Amongst numerous formal accolades, Margan is certified with Green Table Australia and Sustainable Winegrowing Australia for their environmental stewardship (first and only HV restaurant and winery) and accredited to ISO14000.
Staying near Pokolbin? Book dinner at Bimbadgen Estate’s Esca Bimbadgen Restaurant to enjoy dining where the menu is distinguished by its clever simplicity.
At EXP Restaurant prepare yourselves for an exquisite, thoughtful and utterly decadent tasting menu & experience. Guests come here not merely to eat, but to dine! EXP shines a light on premium produce and wines from the Hunter region and around Australia. Your fearless Chef and crew produce cuisine bursting with flavour and goodness and presented like artwork.
As featured in the Australian Good Food Guide as many Hunter Valley restaurants are, is the renowned Tower Lodge Restaurant. It pursues a ‘farm to table’ ethos and offers both lunch and dinner 7 days with all moods met inside or outside in its adjoining terraces for a relaxed, yet refined a la carte dining experience. For dinner, enjoy drinks by the fireplace in the adjoining lounge or by the courtyard fountain on a balmy summer evening.
If you’re dreaming of a carnivore’s feast, book hatted The Gates Restaurant, that has a reputation for delivering the best dry-aged steaks sourced from Nolan’s Private Selection of Grain Fed Black Angus and are Dry Aged in house! That’s WOW. Both an a la carte offering as well as a premium degustation menu are expertly curated with Leogate Estate award-winning wines to match each course. Make sure you stop at Leogate’s cellar door whilst in the Upper Hunter, the foot of the Brokenback Ranges, Australia’s oldest wine-producing region, to savour their sustainably produced wines. Leogate was first planted in the 1970s by one of the founding fathers of the modern Australian wine industry, Len Evans AO OBE. For the past 9 years, James Halliday’s 2020 Australian Wine Companion gave Leogate Estate a red 5-Star Winery rating.
Day 3: More Attractions
Let’s change gear. You don’t have to be a green fingers to admire the themed Hunter Valley Gardens, a spectacular show of blooms no matter the time of year. Spread across 14 hectares with 10 internationally themed gardens to explore. It is a must do experience for everyone who visits the Hunter Valley. If you can’t manage sauntering 8km, the pathways are wheelchair friendly and staff may be able to arrange a ride-on or golf cart for you – check ahead. This is frequently an all day visit and if you haven’t managed lunch yet, grab lunch here or else here’s a bunch to choose from already mentioned, depending on what you’d like. Open year round, except Christmas Day.
In planning you may want to consider The Hunter Valley Gardens visit first as it’s an easy 2-hour drive North of Sydney via the M1, turning off at the Cessnock/Vineyards Exit, following the signs through to Cessnock and then on to Pokolbin. Visitor sometimes really appreciate the meditative effect of the gardens after the wine trails and stops in wine country.
Optionally or additionally, explore Hunter Valley Wildlife Park that has evolved to be one of Australia’s most diverse collections of rare and endangered species from across the globe such as binturongs, lions, meerkats, marmosets, big cats, rare birdlife, Australian native animals – and the team are unapologetic about putting their animals first. Hunter Valley Wildlife Park is a hub for conservation, education, and advocacy, reaching audiences far and wide in its mission to protect and cherish Australia’s wildlife. Visit 9am to 4pm daily, there’s a great planner online with various encounters to optimise your visit.
Day 4: Departure or Additional Exploration
Morning:
- Breakfast at a local cafe or at your accommodation following recommendations given, or if heading home via Cessnock, you’ll feel you’re in France at Briar Ridge Vineyard for a final tasting, or an excuse to pop another carton in the boot. Briar Ridge is a Halliday Red Star Winery, a coveted rating that is awarded to outstanding wineries regularly producing wines of exemplary quality and typicity. It’s beautiful setting and Mount View is a tiny valley over 600 feet above the surrounding plains. This height has created a microclimate that avoids temperature extremes and allows the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly over a longer period, thus assisting the aromatics and flavour depth of all wines. It is unique and special.
- Staying for lunch at Briar Ridge is a must because you will experience authentic South-American dishes paired alongside world-class wines in an unforgettable, simple European format at Estancia Osteria once you’ve discovered the Hunter Valley’s greatest hidden gem. Inspired by the rustic charm and elegance of estancias in the south of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, Estancia Osteria is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch, and Thursday to Sunday for dinner.
Not ready to leave the Hunter Valley wine region yet? Here’s more wineries to savour or top up the wine racks back home, have delivered for you and extract good value from the many wine clubs on offer.
- Saddlers Creek Wines for their hand crafting small batch premium wines from Australia’s renowned grape growing regions. Saddlers put wine, food and live music together for a wonderful way to spend a day. If you’re on the go, the Saddler’s Food Truck is a top pitstop open on w-ends only.
- Enjoy the fruits of 4 generational wine makers at Tulloch Winesfor a tasting and tour into the winemaking process.
- Head to Pepper Tree Wines for a diverse tasting experience. Vigneron and Owner, John Davis, with his geology background saw the potential of the Hunter Valley and continued to find other sites to complement his prized vineyards and quest to have the perfect soil to grow grapes. His prized vineyard assets source these to ensure premium grapes from four diverse regions.
- If you’ve popped into Piggs Peake Winery for tasting or purchase, you may as well stay for lunch at Yellow Billy located on the grounds of Piggs Peake vineyard. Here they blend old vineyards dating back from the 1800’s to modern, state of the art winery which processes grapes from vineyards dating back to the 1800’s, so old vines, with a new state of the art boutique winery. Legend behind the naming of Yellow Billy was a bush ranger who roamed and foraged across the region, living off the land and sleeping in caves. As a nod to his survival skills Yellow Billy’s talent lies in food by fire techniques. If it’s just a snack you’re searching there’s the Piggs Peake – The Sty for a quick scavenge.
- The Hope Estate winery and cellar door are located directly across Broke Road from Tower Lodge, where a winery, brewery, distillery combine to offer estate-grown and produced wines, craft beer and premium Australian grain spirits.
- Vinden Wines is a relatively new vineyard in its 2nd generation with young guns at the helm. They take enormous pride in wine making and viticulture using organic & regenerative practices that produce minimal-intervention, multi award-winning wines.
Later in the Afternoon:
- The Mill at the Estate Tuscany offers a prized location alongside the Brokenback Mountains for breakfast, lunch or dinner, open 7 days and transports its guests to places like Tuscany or France. Its lush sun-drenched gardens, terraced rows of vineyards on the horizon and vibrant, fragrant blooms under a clear sky will linger in your mind as you take to the road to drive back home.
Ready for the road? Alas, all good things come to an end. Stay safe and be sober as you head home.
TIPS: Feel free to adjust the itinerary based on your interests and pace. Take water for the road trip and good walking shoes once you get there. It’s a good idea to plan your path once you arrive to maximise your preferred cellar doors, so a mapping exercise up front pays dividends. Fear not if you fill up your boot quickly with your purchases, almost all cellar doors are happy to deliver to your door. Caution must prevail for drink driving as penalties are severe – best to have a designated driver or take a wine tour to stay safe.
The Hunter Valley is a beautiful region with a lot to offer, so enjoy your trip!