Hunter Valley vineyards famous for award winning wines, Australia

Things to do in  Hunter Valley

Varieties are the spice of life

With lush vineyards and boutique wineries coating its rolling hills, Australia’s Hunter Valley lives and breathes wine. From its timbered wine capital, Pokolbin, to Muswellbrook in the west, this New South Wales region north of Sydney boasts more than 150 wineries. But wine tasting is just one of the things to do in the Hunter Valley. Embrace the “Hunter” foodie scene, which boasts gourmet eateries and artisanal cheese and chocolate shops; relax at day spas; explore historic towns; wander around sub-tropical gardens and national parks; and embark on helicopter and hot-air balloon flights.

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Top 1 attractions in Hunter Valley

#1

Hunter Valley Gardens

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Situated in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley wine region, the Hunter Valley Gardens boast more than 60 acres (24 hectares) of horticultural displays, comprising thousands of trees, flowers, and shrubs in a range of colors and fragrances. There are also 10 feature gardens, each individually planned and planted.More
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Top activities in Hunter Valley

Tastes of the Hunter Half Day Tour

Tastes of the Hunter Half Day Tour

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115
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$86.43
Uncork the Hunter Full Day Hunter Valley Winery Tour

Uncork the Hunter Full Day Hunter Valley Winery Tour

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435
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$145.60
Snapshot Half Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour

Snapshot Half Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour

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454
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$72.47
Sample the Hunter Half Day Tour

Sample the Hunter Half Day Tour

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40
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$83.11
Hunter Valley Wine Country Helicopter Flight from Cessnock

Hunter Valley Wine Country Helicopter Flight from Cessnock

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52
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$73.13
Hunter Valley Wine Tour ex Hunter Valley - Lunch, Cheese, Chocolate, Distillery

Hunter Valley Wine Tour ex Hunter Valley - Lunch, Cheese, Chocolate, Distillery

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74
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$165.55
Scenic Hunter Valley Winery Tour with Boutique Wineries & Local Cheese

Scenic Hunter Valley Winery Tour with Boutique Wineries & Local Cheese

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19
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$149.59
Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard: Picnic with Wine Masterclass Tasting

Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard: Picnic with Wine Masterclass Tasting

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310
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$59.84
Hunter Express Helicopter Flight

Hunter Express Helicopter Flight

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49
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$43.21
Hunter Valley Broken Back Range Helicopter Flight from Cessnock

Hunter Valley Broken Back Range Helicopter Flight from Cessnock

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35
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$109.70
Hunter Valley Romantic Bubbly Breakfast Helicopter Tour from Cessnock

Hunter Valley Romantic Bubbly Breakfast Helicopter Tour from Cessnock

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16
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$206.10
3-Hour Hunter Valley Scenic Helicopter Tour Including 3-Course Lunch from Cessnock

3-Hour Hunter Valley Scenic Helicopter Tour Including 3-Course Lunch from Cessnock

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43
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$255.97
Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Wine Masterclass with Cheese Plate

Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Wine Masterclass with Cheese Plate

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127
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$19.95
Hunter Valley Wine Tour from the Hunter with Wine Craft Beer Cheese Chocolate
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Hunter Valley Wine Tour from the Hunter with Wine Craft Beer Cheese Chocolate

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132
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$102.39
Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates

Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates

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29
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$19.95
Tulloch Wines- Mystery Wine Tasting Experience with Local Cheese and Charcuterie

Tulloch Wines- Mystery Wine Tasting Experience with Local Cheese and Charcuterie

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2
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$33.24
Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard: Fromage and Fortified Wine Experience

Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard: Fromage and Fortified Wine Experience

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87
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$49.86
Hunter Valley Wine School

Hunter Valley Wine School

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$39.89
Hunter Valley Wine Theatre

Hunter Valley Wine Theatre

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2
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$19.95
Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting Masterclass

Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting Masterclass

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92
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$9.97
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All about Hunter Valley

When to visit

The Hunter Valley offers something different—and worthwhile—in every season. The most popular time to visit is spring (September–November) when the vineyards are budding, the weather is pleasantly warm, and music festivals come to town. However, do be prepared for peak crowds pretty much everywhere. Summer (December–February) is harvest time and prime for wine tastings. The fall and winter (March–July) bring cooler air, glorious vineyard foliage, and annual jamborees like the Hunter Valley Harvest Festival and Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival.

Getting around

While local train and bus services connect some Hunter Valley towns, they’re patchy and usually don’t drop you at the wineries. Renting a car and traveling with a designated driver is the easiest option, as you can tour wineries and towns on your own schedule. Alternatively, consider a private chauffeured car, group tour, or hop-on hop-off-style shuttle bus, all of which depart from places like Pokolbin and Sydney and eliminate the need for designated drivers. Other choices include cabs and Uber—although waiting times can be long—plus bike rentals.

Traveler tips

The Hunter Valley offers more than great wines and food: The region is bounded by stunning national reserves. Head for the Upper Hunter’s Towarri National Park to swim in waterholes, spot kingfishers, and hike through rugged landscapes. Or drive northwest to the UNESCO–listed rainforests of Barrington Tops National Park to spot wildlife, camp, and soak up epic Hunter Valley panoramas from forest road viewpoints.

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People Also Ask

Is the Hunter Valley worth visiting?

Yes, the Hunter Valley is worth visiting. Oenophiles love its boutique wineries and cellar doors, while foodies adore its restaurants, delis, breweries, and artisanal cheeses and chocolates. It’s also ideal for relaxation and outdoor pursuits: arty shops, spas, festivals, gardens, and national parks are some of its other drawcards.

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How many days do you need in the Hunter Valley?

The Hunter Valley’s cellar-door wine tastings and winery tours can be enjoyed on day trips, but weekend or three-day trips are recommended. After touring the wineries on day one, it’s easy to spend an extra day or two enjoying the region's charming towns, cheese and chocolate tastings, restaurants, museums, gardens, state forests, and sports.

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What is the Hunter Valley best known for?

The Hunter Valley is best known for its wines. Australia’s oldest and premier wine area, it’s famous for its top-quality wines, including its signature sémillon and shiraz varieties. Travelers come for vineyard tours and cellar-door wine tastings at area wineries, rounding out the epicurean experience by eating at gourmet food spots.

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Can you walk between wineries in the Hunter Valley?

No, walking between the Hunter Valley’s wineries is probably too time-consuming and arduous, especially when it’s hot. Most wineries, even those clustered in a particular area, are a fair distance apart—in some cases, it can take almost an hour to walk from one to the next. A leisurely day visiting three or four wineries is easiest by car, bus, or bike.

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What are the Hunter Valley’s most famous wines?

The Hunter Valley produces a diverse range of wines, including many award-winning numbers, but the most notable are its sémillon, shiraz, chardonnay, verdelho, and cabernet sauvignon varietals. Topping the list is its acclaimed sémillon, a classic, zesty white with robust yet refined flavors and fresh apple and citrus notes.

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Are wine tastings free in the Hunter Valley?

No, Hunter Valley wine tastings aren’t usually free. Nearly all cellar doors charge a per-person tasting fee of anything from A$5–A$20, which includes a guided tasting of a selection of wines. Complimentary tastings are rare and typically only offered if you purchase several bottles of wine afterward.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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