Welcome to Hunter Valley
A filigree of narrow lanes criss-crosses this verdant valley, but a pleasant country drive isn’t the main motivator for visitors – sheer decadence is. The Hunter is one big gorge fest: fine wine, gourmet restaurants, boutique beer, chocolate, cheese, olives, you name it. Bacchus would surely approve.
Top experiences in Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley activities
Sydney to Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Full-Day Guided Tour
You’ll leave Sydney in the morning and travel about two hours to the Hunter Valley, getting magnificent views of the Hawkesbury River as you approach the valley. Keep an eye out for the remains of a convict-built road that winds into the hills. With a reputation for fine wine and other edible delights, the Hunter Valley is a wine and food lovers dream, and your knowledgable guide will show you the best spots. Your first stop will be Leogate Estate, where you can sample their award-winning wines and hear about their history in the region. Next you will visit Hunter Valley Resort where you can walk amongst the vineyards and learn about the wine making process and the important role the Resort holds for this region. Enjoy a delicious lunch made with local produce while you sample some of the area’s best wines and after lunch have the chance to purchase (own expense) a beer tasting paddle from the onsite Brewery. After lunch, visit McGuigans Winery. Established in the 1880's McGuigan Wines is now one of the most awarded wineries in the world having won 'worlds best best winemaker' three times. Wrap up your day in Hunter Valley with a stop at Hunter Valley Chocolate Company and sample their locally made chocolates and fudge and see the onsite production room. After a full day, relax on the ride back to your Sydney hotel.
Small-Group Hunter Valley Wine and Cheese Tasting from Sydney
Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s prime regions for producing high-quality wine and foods. Discover some of Hunter Valley's best wines on this personalized wine and cheese-tasting tour. From Sydney, take in the sunning scenery as you head north over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, through the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and across the Hawkesbury River, arriving in Hunter Valley in just over two hours. Hunter Valley Semillon is widely considered the iconic wine of the region, however, this area is also home to some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world. Today you will discover the subtleties of flavor as you sample up to 20 different wines, styles and blends and visit several well-known wineries, such as Irongate Estate,Tempus Two and McGuigans. You will also have the opportunity to buy bottles directly from the cellar door. The Hunter Valley is also known for its premium artisan food products. After your wine tour, enjoy a cheese tasting at a local cheese shop. Enjoy a delicious cafe lunch with hot and cold options. This is a great tour to discover and enjoy Australian wines in a fun and social atmosphere.
Chef-Led Hunter Valley Gourmet Food and Wine Tour from Sydney
After early morning pickup from your Sydney hotel, your guide will welcome you with a selection of healthy snacks to keep you satisfied until breakfast.The first stop of the day is the Sydney Fish Markets. Kick-start the day by grabbing a coffee as you explore and learn about the Sydney Fish Markets. Watch the auction floor in action or join your guide as they select locally caught seafood for the day’s menu.Break up the journey with a freshly cooked hot breakfast beside the picturesque Hawkesbury River.Continue along the picturesque convict built Great North Road as your guide shares information about the Hunter Valley’s fascinating history and unique wine varieties.On reaching the Hunter Valley stop in the historic hamlet of Wollombi for the first tasting of the day. Roll your own sushi ‘the way you like it’. Select the wine you think best matches it as you sample and learn about Wollombi wines from the winemakers themselves.Continue past rolling hills to the next handpicked winery with panoramic views of the Great Dividing Range. Discover local made wines as you graze on delicious dishes, prepared by your guide/chef, designed to match the tasting.The Hunter Valley is also known for its quality regional produce like olive oils, chutneys, olives and chili sauces. If time permits, a stop at a favourite local produce store means you can try as many delicacies as you like.Relish in the pleasure of tasting Barramundi and Kangaroo with Hunter Semillon and Shiraz. Then devour a decadent dessert accompanied with sweet dessert wine to wrap up your gourmet experience before returning to Sydney.
Hunter Valley Wineries and Wilderness Small-Group Tour
Your informative and knowledgeable guide will collect you from your Sydney hotel and we will travel directly to the Hunter Valley, which is nestled in the lee of the Great Dividing Range. En route we will stop for a short restroom visit.180 years young, this is Australia’s oldest and best known wine region and is soaked in history. Our first visit is to a 5-star winery nestled in the Mount View region of the Hunter Valley, a well renowned viticulture area. Sample exquisite wines in your own private area. From here we continue onto Leogate Estate. This opulent cellar door is the perfect place to enjoy that unique taste which only the Hunter Valley and their award winning wines can provide. Here we will enjoy a selection of cheeses to accompany the wine tasting, followed by a tour of the onsite winery to learn of the wine making process. On conclusion of the tour, we enjoy a relaxing 2 course lunch (selection of platters, followed by dessert) accompanied by a glass of wine. Further beverages can be purchased at own expense. After lunch we travel to Keith Tulloch Winery. This small completely family owned winery and vineyard produces wines that express the unique terrain and climate from the ancient soils of the Brokenback Range. Here we will enjoy a unique wine tasting experience in collaboration with artisan chocolatier “Cocoa Nib”. You will sample five handmade praline chocolates, matched to the winery’s current release wine – a sensational way to conclude our day in the Hunter Valley Wine Region. From here we commence our return to Sydney to arrive back at your hotels approximately 5 – 5.30pm.
Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch, Cheese, Distillery
Leave Sydney behind and relax in the beautiful rolling hills and stunning vineyards of Hunter Valley. Spend a full day in Australia's most celebrated wine producing region. Visit boutique Hunter Valley wineries and taste white and red wine varieties, whilst learning about the wine making process. Enjoy a gourmet lunch with a glass of wine, beer or soft drink whilst taking in the spectacular views at a local Hunter Valley restaurant. Stop at a local cheese shop, chocolate and fudge factory, as well as The Hunter Distillery for a vodka tasting experience, before returning back to Sydney at approx. 6.30pm. Tours run on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Wine tastings, lunch, food samples, guide and transport are all included.
Hunter Valley Wine-Tasting Day Tour from Sydney
After pickup by luxury bus in Sydney, your day trip starts by heading up the Pacific Highway and M1 Highway to Hunter Valley, stopping 90 minutes from Sydney for a tea or coffee break (own expense). (If you're staying in the Hunter Valley region, you can be picked up later in the morning from Cessnock or Pokolbin.)Throughout the day, you'll visit four wineries for tastings. Wine tasting is accompanied by a detailed description of the vineyard, the vintage you're tasting, and the style of wine typically made by the winemaker. Lunch is enjoyed at one of several venues, depending on the day, and you'll also visit cheese and chocolate outlets, which are popular stops in wine country. The tour ends in Hunter Valley in the mid-afternoon. If you're traveling back to Sydney, relax on your coach for the return drive to the central business district, where your day trip ends with drop-off.