The Hunter Valley is New South Wales’ pre-eminent wine region, so it should come as no surprise that a visit there is best spent tasting the local produce and wine tasting award-winning food and wine. Being a relatively short drive (just over two hours) from Sydney makes the Hunter the perfect destination for couples, boys trips and hens weekends, mother-daughter getaways and big, boozy group hangs and we think all of these visitors would benefit from some pre-planned hunter valley tour options for the itinerary to maximise the fun!
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.
1. Sunrise hot air ballooning
Make sure you have your camera at the ready
While your weekend away may mostly be spent amongst the vineyards, there is a spectacular way to see them from above and with a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Hunter Valley region, you can explore Pokolbin, Lovedale, Rothbury and Broke from 2,000 feet in the air on your scenic joyride.
Departing early in the morning, a sunrise hot air balloon flight over this picturesque area is a truly magical way to begin a celebratory weekend or just try something new. You’ll marvel at the sound of silence as you soar through the skies and you may even be able to spot some of the famous vineyards you are planning to visit during your stay.
If you can’t wait to get your wine on, opt for the breakfast package and enjoy brekkie and some sparkling when you come back down to earth.
2. Go wine-barrel grape stomping
Don't miss out on all the fun, jump in!
There is nothing like the feeling of grapes being squished between your bare toes as you jump in an oak barrel to experience the age-old tradition of pressing by foot. This experience is such a fun way to learn more about wine-making and just how far it has come over the years! Instead of a spa day, soak your feet in the mash of antioxidants from wine, and even taste a tipple too.
Book in with a bunch of friends and get trampolining on the grapes!
3. Visit the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens
Visit the magical Storybook Garden in the Hunter Valley Gardens
The Hunter Valley Gardens are a must-do when visiting the Hunter for both the young and the young at heart! Spread across 14 hectares, you can explore 10 internationally themed gardens, including the ever-popular Storybook Garden. Follow the 8km of pathways and you'll find spectacular vistas including a 10m high waterfall, topiary displays, man-made ponds, statues, murals, beautiful architectural structures and much more.
There are also rides like the Swing Chair, Giant Ferriswheel, Carousel and Superslide, and once you've built up an appetite head to one of the many dining options onsite. There is everything from fine-dining to great pub fare to a good ol' cafe experience.
It's best to pre-book your tickets so you don't miss out. Adults are $30pp, and kids are $25!
4. Half-day beer tasting
Settle in for an afternoon of tastiness
A lot of people don’t realise that the Hunter Valley is home to more than just wine producers and that it also plays host to many boutique breweries. So, if you prefer a bit of that liquid gold over wine, perhaps a beer tasting experience is more your style.
On this half-day beer tasting, you’ll sample the best beers the region has to offer, with cheese and charcuterie accompaniments. With group bookings ranging from 4 to 14 people, this is the perfect way to ease into a bucks party or boys weekend away before things get really wild.
Our favourite part? You’ll be picked up and dropped off at your hotel. No designated driver needed!
5. Horse riding at the Hunter
Is there anything more picturesque than you, on a horse, riding through the vineyards at sunset? We didn't think so.
You may not have heard yet, but you can also go on a horse riding experience right here in the Hunter, where you could journey through stunning vineyards the best possible way yet.
6. Ride around the Hunter on an electric bike
What's better than a day sipping on wine? A day sipping on wine whilst also having wind in your hair! You'll be amazed at how easy electric bikes are to ride, which will make getting from one point to another an absolute breeze. Don't feel like peddling up a hill? The electric bike will take care of that for you.
Not convinced yet? They also offer pick up on request should you feel too tired by the end of the day!
7. See Hunter from above on a chopper
If you're looking to impress bae, look no further. A chopper ride above the beautiful vineyards is the perfect way to make your next trip to the Hunter a memorable one!
The best bit is that this express flight experience (at only $60) is truly an affordable one! This 6-minute flight gives you a quick snapshot of the stunning vineyards below so you can get your bearings right and work out which vineyards you want to hit up in the area.
8. Go wine-barrel rolling
If you're looking for a group activity that's bound to be one to remember, may we suggest wine barrel rolling? It's exactly as it sounds like, and you can even participate in a friendly rolling race if you have a competitive crew!
Pst, the winning group will even be able to take home the sweet, sweet prize of 2 bottles of wine!
9. Up your romance game with a picnic and wine tasting
Enjoy a romantic picnic with your special someone
For those seeking a romantic rendezvous, this picnic and wine tasting experience is a little more intimate than a day out with the group. Breakaway from the rest of the world with your own private afternoon at Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard where you can indulge in a pre-packed picnic as you take in the scenic surrounds of this 270-acre property.
After lunch, spend some time enjoying each other and a little more wine on the premises or learn more about the process behind their products at the in-house museum.
10. Stay the night at a tiny home
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.
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 Away currently have four tiny houses in the Hunter Valley - Maggie’s Farmstay, Yellow Rock Views, Tiny House 888 and Dam It.
11. Food and wine lovers’ day out
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, better make it fancy!
When you are on holiday, some things are more acceptable than they are back home. Pancakes and sparkling wine for breakfast is one of those things, and if that sounds like your ideal way to kick start your day then this is the experience for you!
Following on from your decadent sparkling breakfast, you will make your way around the boutique wineries with commentary from an expert guide and tastings to tickle your fancy. A hearty lunch made from local produce is your next stop (accompanied by more wine, of course!) before your day winds down on a high note with even more wine tastings.
If you love to eat and drink but don’t love the responsibility of picking where you do it, let someone else do the heavy lifting for you. On this tour, all you need to worry about is lifting your fork and your wine glass.
12. The all-inclusive food and wine tasting experience
Enjoy an all-inclusive, full-day experience perfect for people who love all things wine
We couldn’t simply present the best Hunter Valley activities without offering up at least a few wine tasting options, could we? If your plan is to visit a range of different vineyards over the course of the day but cannot work out how to begin organising transport, this all-inclusive wine tasting experience will suit you perfectly!
Taking place over a whole day, you will enjoy VIP service all the way. Your experience will begin with hotel pick up and from there you will be chauffeured around to various cellar door tastings, learning more about the Hunter Valley region and the specialty wines that are made in the area. A wine tasting comprising nine different wines (with cheese pairings) will set the tone for the rest of the afternoon before you enjoy a luscious lunch amongst the vines and soak in the serene surroundings. Bliss.
This tour can be enjoyed solo, as a couple or in a group, so grab the gang and get booking. This is a day out you’ll never forget!
If you'd rather hit up these wineries solo, here's a comprehensive list of the best ones to add to your list:
13. Hunter Valley luxury with a private tour
See the best of the Hunter Valley in complete luxury
If you are celebrating a special occasion or want to keep up your social distancing, a private tour is a very nice way to do so.
Brokenwood’s Soil to Cellar experience is a four-hour, all-inclusive extravaganza and one of the most sleek and stylish ways to experience the Hunter Valley.
With a leisurely mid-morning start, you will kick off with a wine and oyster pairing before an in-depth tour of the winery. Afterwards, a fine dining degustation lunch with expertly-matched wines awaits you before you are taken to the Barrell Hall to unwind and reflect on the day with some more wine and a charcuterie board.
Finish off your day with a take-home gift of a bottle of Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz as a memento of your fabulous day at Brokenwood.
14. Budget-conscious tasting
Wine tasting doesn't have to be expensive
Weekends away can be super exxy and all those activities can add up very quickly! Private tours aren’t for everyone and there is no shame in wanting to get out of town while also remaining kind to your bank balance and that’s why we love this $10 wine tasting at Tulloch Wines.
Simply pre-book online and you will be treated to six of Tulloch Wines’ current releases in your own private seating area, meaning there’s no elbowing other patrons at the bar. Plus, a kid-friendly tasting is also available at Tulloch! Win-win (or should that be wine-wine?).
15. Find your perfect match with a wine and cheese pairing
Find your perfect match with a wine and cheese pairing
Wine and cheese. What’s not to love? They’re both fantastic in their own right but put them together and BOOM – it’s like you’ve died and gone to heaven.
At Harkham Wine, each guest will be presented with their own cheese board and taken on a journey of discovery as each cheese is matched with accompanying wine. It’s hard to feel guilty about all this alcohol intake when you are gaining an education in the process, and you will come away from your time at Harkham being all the more knowledgeable about which wine goes with what cheese. What a brilliant way to impress friends at your next gathering!
Have a bit more time up your sleeve? Book a half day cheese & wine tour!
On this tour you will visit three different wineries, taking part in tastings before finishing up with a whopping nine more wines and matched cheeses. That’s a lot to fit into three hours but when the produce is this good, we know you’ll be knocking them back quick-smart!
Klook presents - A Taste of Europe in The Hunter 🍇
For 3 dates only on Sat 24 Oct, Sun 25 Oct, & Sat 28 Nov 2020, you and your mates could spend the day being chauffeured around in a big Red London Bus to the best wineries! 🥂
Experience Europe right here in the Hunter - taste French champagne at Peterson House, Swiss chocolate at Glandore Estate, feast on an Italian long lunch at Two Fat Blokes, enjoy Spanish music at Irongate Estate and German beer at Ironbark Estate!
There's only 10 spots up for grabs on each day, so get the crew together and book now - first in, best dressed:
Not sure the best way to get to the Hunter or where to stay?
![[Updated] Complete List Of Official Nationwide MCO SOP 2021](https://res.klook.com/image/upload/fl_lossy.progressive,q_85/c_fill,w_160,h_104/v1633858858/blog/iso56uzsphmdguixkvzh.jpg)
![[Updated] Complete List Of Official Nationwide MCO SOP 2021](https://res.klook.com/image/upload/fl_lossy.progressive,q_85/c_fill,w_410,h_264/v1633858858/blog/iso56uzsphmdguixkvzh.jpg)
