If you’ve got heaps of annual leave that you've been wanting to splurge but current circumstances have you feeling like there is nowhere to travel to, you have come to the right place for ideas! New South Wales is bursting with fun and interesting locations that are within a few hours drive of Sydney and are just dying to be explored - the Hunter Valley is easily top of this list.
With the new normal, wine tasting bookings are also now essential, so avoid getting turned away and secure your spot when you book with Klook.
So, let’s say you’ve got three days off work and want to get your relaxation on... here’s how to fill those 72 hours with a trip to the ever-satisfying 3 Day 2 Night trip to the Hunter Valley!
Day 1 [Stop 1]: Squeeze in a quick wine tasting after arrival
Harkham Wine offers guided cheese and wine pairings - delish!
Once you’ve checked in to your Tiny House, freshened up and got your bearings it’s time to fit in a quick wine tasting! It may be late afternoon by this point, so one of the best and most time-friendly tastings you can do is the Cheese and Wine Pairing Experience by Two Fat Blokes, which even includes 9 gourmet cheeses, so it’s a big ‘yes’ from us!
During this hour-long tasting, you'll sample a number of wines, escorted through the experience with the expert knowledge of your sommelier.
If you find yourself with a little extra time up your sleeve you can always hang back for another bottle or head back to your accommodation satisfied that you made the most of your first day at the Hunter Valley.
Day 1 [Stop 2]: Indulge in a fancy meal
The Hunter Valley is famous for its fantastic produce, and of course, wine!
If you're not quite finished for the day, how about a fancy meal for two? With so many terrific food and wine producers in the region, it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of wonderful restaurants to choose from.
The Hunter plays host to countless amounts of cafes, pubs and restaurants to suit every taste and budget – too many to list, in fact – but if you are after a unique culinary experience you might like to visit the famed Margan Restaurant and take part in one of their seasonal cooking classes or dining specials that change monthly to feature the best produce available.
Day 2 [Stop 1]: Kick-start the morning with a hot air balloon ride
Hot air balloon rides are a romantic way to see the Hunter Valley
There’s no greater way to take in your surroundings than from above, and for the best view of the Hunter Valley and all the vineyards that call this region home, you can’t go past a hot air balloon ride.
With an early start, you will be making the most of your day, floating silently above the beautiful landscape as the sun rises in the distance.
Step it up a notch with an optional sparkling wine breakfast that will put you in the right frame of mind for the rest of the day’s activities.
Day 2 [Stop 2]: Visit the best Hunter Valley wineries
Did you even go to the Hunter Valley if you didn't visit a winery?
Now that you're back down on earth with the rest of us, it is on to the REAL reason you are here... wine, of course. There are so many different cellar doors to visit and you could spend all day doing so.
Every person has their style and while some prefer to fit in as many tastings as possible, others may like to just visit just one or two wineries and really take some time to soak up the ambience. Either way, we've put together the ultimate list for you to pick and choose from:
Day 2 [Stop 3]: Take a spot of tea at the Hunter Valley Gardens
How about a spot of tea in the Storybook Garden? Creepy or fab... you decide!
If you'd like a break from all that wine, the Hunter Valley Gardens are the jewel in the crown of this beautiful area. These immaculately manicured grounds will be the basis for your storybook getaway – quite literally, too, if you make it into the Storybook Garden, which has been inspired by childhood classics like Humpty Dumpty and Alice in Wonderland.
There are 14 hectares of gardens on the property, boasting more than 6,000 trees and in excess of a million plants, plus statues, waterfalls and murals that will make the perfect backdrops for all your insta stories!
Once you’re done wandering along the eight kilometres’ worth of walking tracks, stop by the Garden Terrace Café for some afternoon tea as you gaze out over the Oriental Garden.
Day 3 [Stop 1]: Start the morning with a horse ride through the vines
See the vines from a different perspective
Start day three with a dash of fresh air on a horse ride in the Hunter Valley. It's one of the most serene ways you could start your day, and it's filled with picturesque moments you'll remember forever.
With options for beginners, experienced riders, kids, early risers or those looking to wind down their day with a relaxing trail ride, there’s something for everyone. Just pick your time and get ready to giddy up!
Day 3 [Stop 2]: Go back to school. Wine school, that is!
Learn all you need to know about wine at Hunter Valley Wine School
Not everyone can be an expert in wine and all its nuances and even the most knowledgeable sommelier had to start their education somewhere. Enrol in wine school after your morning activity and impress your friends at your next lunch or dinner when you navigate your way around the wine list.
At Hunter Valley Wine School, you will receive a personalised lesson and tour of the vineyards where you will be free to ask all the questions that pop into your head, leaving you feeling far more confident next time you’re choosing a drop. You'll even leave with a little certificate recognising just how great you are - go you!
Day 3 [Stop 3]: Finish off with dessert!
Who knew that chocolate and wine went so well together? Hint... we did ;-)
No good meal is complete without a tasty dessert and no holiday should be, either. That’s why we suggest one last stop off with a cheeky visit to Tulloch Wines for a wine and chocolate pairing before you hit the road - just remember to drink responsibly.
During this experience, you will be taught which flavours pair smoothly with which grape varietals, and once you know, you’ll wonder why you haven’t tried it sooner!
Bonus - Book a stay at a Tiny House
Tiny houses are fully equipped with everything you need for a relaxing (and cute!) stay
Travelling with your SO or with someone a bestie? Save the money you’d normally spend on a big, grand house or an oversized hotel room and try out the latest in architectural advancements with a stay in a Tiny House.
Tiny Houses are quickly becoming a popular accommodation option for romantic and unusual trips away all over New South Wales and Victoria. With Tiny Houses popping up in the heart of the Hunter Valley and its surrounds, you can live out your childhood cubby house fantasies in a fully-equipped house, and at night, roast marshmallows over the campfire. Bliss.
Tiny Houses are quiet, cosy and comfortable and have everything you need for a weekend away. The best part is that you can well and truly get off the grid and unwind without noisy neighbours in the vicinity bugging you or keeping you awake.
Klook is offering discounted Tiny House stays, so get in quick!
Klook's Tiny House Discount Vouchers
Klook offers Tiny Away discount vouchers that are super easy to use.
Simply select the voucher you'd like to purchase:
- $190 for a $200 voucher
- $360 for a $400 voucher
- $480 for a $600 voucher
You'll receive your discount code straight away, but there's no rush - it's valid for three years!
When you're ready to book, head to TinyAway and find the tiny house you'd like to book. Tiny Away currently have four tiny houses in the Hunter Valley - Maggie’s Farmstay, Yellow Rock Views, Tiny House 888 and Dam It. Simply pop in the code on the booking page and you're in like Flynn.
With so many places to visit and things to do and see in the Hunter Valley, don’t let a little thing like time hold you back from visiting. Three days and two nights is more than enough time to fit in all the best bits and leave you feeling like you just got back from a four-week sojourn to Bordeaux. What are you waiting for!?
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