Hunter Valley
Renowned wines, farm-to-table food and rural vistas
With a tradition reaching back to the 1820s, the Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine-making region. Today, more than 150 family-owned wineries produce world-renowned Sémillon and Shiraz, alongside an array of classic and rare varietals for every taste. Cellar doors give you the opportunity to meet passionate vintners, learn the secrets of their craft and – of course – sample their best drops.
Explore the valley by car or bike, on a horse riding or classic car tour, or float above mist-shrouded vineyards on an early morning hot air balloon flight.
The gentle hills are fertile ground for fine wines, but rich soils and a temperate climate also create ideal conditions for produce, from fruit and vegetables to dairy products and grass-fed beef. Artisanal producers turn out exceptional cheeses, charcuterie, chocolates and olive oil. Popping into farmers’ markets, roadside stalls, or the annual Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival lets you sample delectable treats straight from the maker. All over the region, creative chefs craft innovative Modern Australian dishes from paddock-to-plate seasonal ingredients at a host of hatted restaurants in scenic bushland settings. Hiking trails in national parks such as Yengo and Watagans lead bushwalkers through rugged country, home to kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and a plethora of birdlife.
Charming villages and towns like Wollombi, Broke and Singleton offer broad streets, convict-era architecture, crafts galleries and grand old pubs for a cooling afternoon beer.