Countryside, Hunter ValleyCredit: Destination NSW
Hot air balloons flying over the Hunter Valley at sunrise.
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Indulge in fine food and incredible wines, recharge at a luxury retreat and rejuvenate with bushwalks in the Hunter Valley, just two hours’ drive north of Sydney. Australia’s oldest wine-growing region, the Hunter is known for its semillon, but also produces great shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, verdelho and chardonnay. Immerse in the heart of New South Wales wine country by exploring Pokolbin, a 15-minute drive from the main town of Cessnock, before roaming the valley to discover a wealth of outdoor activities, bespoke hotels, championship golf courses and gourmet food producers.
Cruise from vineyard to vineyard
Cast your eye over a map of the Hunter Valley and you’ll soon see there are more cellar doors here than in than any other wine region in Australia. Vines were first planted in the area in the 1820s, and descendants of the early wine pioneers — the Drayton, Lindeman, Tyrrell, Tulloch and Wyndham families — still operate in the region.
Start your immersion in this historic region at Pokolbin’s Brokenwood Wines cellar door, the biggest wine complex in the region. Gather around one of its circular pods for wine tastings or be inspired as you tour behind the scenes, sampling pre-release vintages straight from the barrel.
Get your bearings and draw up a personalised hit list of boutique wineries to visit by dropping into the Wine House in Pokolbin, which showcases wines from small family-run vineyards, such as David Hook Wines and The Little Wine Company.
Venture out to the end of the valley to taste a range of classic Hunter Valley wines as well as a French-style rosé and sparkling shiraz while soaking up the sun in the Provencal-style cellar gardens of Krinklewood Biodynamic Winery in Broke, 20 minutes from Pokolbin.
At nearby Margan Wines and Restaurant, savour wines made from grapes grown in the Broke Fordwich region, or take the Ultimate Margan Experience for a fascinating tour of the winery, vineyard and kitchen garden, before settling in to indulge in a five-course degustation lunch featuring produce grown on the estate.
Further discover the region’s bountiful produce and pair your wine tastings with local cheeses, charcuterie, olives and relishes at any number of wineries, including Usher Tinkler Wines. If you crave more cheese, there’s the Hunter Belle Cheese and the Smelly Cheese Shop, and for chocolates try Hunter Valley Chocolate and Cocoa Nib.
Safely tour the local wineries by appointing a designated driver or leave your own wheels behind and join a care-free wine-tasting tour — by classic car, luxury bus, with a winemaker or even on horseback. Or give the designated driver the night off with a private evening guided tasting of eight local wines in the comfort of your own accommodation with Stay n' Sip.
Brokenwood Wines, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a wine tasting experience with chief winemaker Stuart Hordern at Brokenwood Wines, Pokolbin.
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Brokenwood Wines, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a wine tasting experience with chief winemaker Stuart Hordern at Brokenwood Wines, Pokolbin.
Tyrrell's, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views across Tyrrell's vineyards in Pokolbin.
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Tyrrell's, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views across Tyrrell's vineyards in Pokolbin.
Dive into all the region offers
There’s plenty to do and see beyond the winery cellar doors, tempting as they are. Sink into serenity as you watch the sun rise from a hot-air balloon with one of several local operators, including Beyond Ballooning, and gaze in awe at the vineyards and rolling countryside from your bird’s-eye view before enjoying a gourmet breakfast on landing.
Borrow a bike from your host and hit the country roads that lead you from charming villages to expansive vineyards. Or recharge in nature in untouched bushland in the region’s national parks, absorbing the power of Aboriginal engravings on the Finchley cultural walk in Yengo National Park. Feel the stress slip away as you follow Gloucester Tops circuit to uncover the diversity of Barrington Tops, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, one of the largest temperate rainforests in the country.
Surround yourself with a different kind of soothing landscape at one of the many championship golf courses in the valley, including the Hunter Valley Golf & Country Club, Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort, The Vintage Golf Club at Chateau Elan, and an excellent nine-hole course at Branxton Golf Club, north of Cessnock.
Connect with the local community of food producers and artisans at a wide variety of regular events across the region, including the Hunter Wine Country Markets on Saturdays, the Handmade in the Hunter Markets every second weekend, and the Wollombi Markets, which are held on the Monday of long weekends. Join in the merry-making crowd of locals during the annual Hunter Valley Wine and Beer Festival, held every May/June, and find a place to settle in on the rolling lawns of Hope Estate for weekends full of feasting, such as the new Gin and Jazz Festival and a Beer and BBQ Festival celebrating the many craft brews which have been born out of the region’s wineries, including Hope Estate’s own brewery.
Sip fine wines and stare up at the big sky as you listen to great music at outdoor concerts held at Hunter Valley vineyards such as Bimbadgen and Roche Estate, or savour a craft beer from FogHorn Brewery while enjoying live music at The Mighty Hunter Valley beer garden.
Combine a luxury retreat with fine dining
After a memorable day exploring, retreat to your room to refresh and recharge for a spectacular dinner of expertly prepared local produce. Check in to an opulent spa suite or private villa at Chateau Elan, on a secluded 40-hectare property in Rothbury, a 10-minute drive from Pokolbin, and you’re steps away from the hotel’s Legends Grill restaurant, where a regularly changing menu takes you on a journey around the globe.
Revel in the stunning backdrop of the Broken Back Range at Spicers Vineyards Estate near Pokolbin, where the guest rooms include King Spa Rooms and Luxury Spa Suites featuring open fireplaces. Reconnect with your inner circle of friends by booking out the Vineyard’s House, a private four-bedroom luxury residence with a private pool. Whichever room you choose, you can look forward to a decadent modern Australian meal of regional produce matched with local wines at the resort’s iconic Restaurant Botanica.
Soak up a similarly spectacular view of the Broken Back Range from the seclusion of your luxury one- or two-bedroom villa at nearby Leogate Estate before strolling over to the winery’s acclaimed Gates Restaurant to pair a robust local red with a dry-aged steak, or leave the chef to delight you with a refined degustation menu.
Beyond Ballooning, Hunter Valley Credit: Destination NSW
Couple arriving for a sunrise hot air balloon ride with Beyond Ballooning in the Hunter Valley.
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Beyond Ballooning, Hunter Valley Credit: Destination NSW
Couple arriving for a sunrise hot air balloon ride with Beyond Ballooning in the Hunter Valley.
Spicers Vineyards Estate, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Spicers Vineyards Estate, Pokolbin.
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Spicers Vineyards Estate, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Spicers Vineyards Estate, Pokolbin.
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Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, CorowaCredit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa.
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Feast on the riches of one of Australia’s most important food bowls on a road trip through the Murray, named after the mighty river that flows through this southwest area of New South Wales. Float down the river on a historic paddlesteamer wine cruise, stop by farm gates to sample incredible fresh produce, and dine at chic restaurants and bars in this unique culinary playground.
Take the back roads for gourmet treats
Head off the beaten path along The Backroads Trail, a 250km driving route that passes through the small pastoral towns of Barham, Moama, Mathoura and Deniliquin on the upper reaches of the Murray River. Sink your teeth into fresh olives, avocados, free-range pork, honey and citrus fruit from farm gates along its loops and trails, and taste the region’s wines at vineyards such as Restdown Wines. While you’re at this winery, venture out along the Restdown Wetland Walk to encounter Aboriginal cooking hearths and an old sheep camp.
Cruise along to The Old School Winery & Meadery in Womboota to pick up wine, pottery and honey mead. Or seek out Ivy Joyce in Barham to indulge in a warm space, offering local produce from farms for a truly paddock to plate experience in the heart of Murray River country. For more snacks and meaty fare such as British-style pork pies and sausages, head to Pacdon Park’s factory shop in Moama.
You can work up an appetite as you build your own itinerary on the theme of food, paddocks and produce, and find suggested routes and maps to Murray River farm gates, at the Echuca Moama Visitor Centre.
Wine and dine along the river
Embark on a wine tour by water in Moama, where the first steamboats made their way up the Murray in 1853. Take a Murray River Paddlesteamers Wharf to Winery Cruise from the town to Morrisons Riverview Winery for a leisurely lunch. Or drive along the river, stopping in at Three Black Sheep for risotto and woodfired pizzas, and tasting crisp dry whites and full-flavoured reds at St Anne’s Vineyards, where you can nibble on a cheese platter overlooking a scenic lake.
Head east along the riverside roads to rest and recharge in the town of Tocumwal, known for its riverside beaches, golf courses, glider flying and iconic Big Murray Cod statue. Start the following day with a solid foundation of breakfast pizza (topped with bacon, eggs and a hash brown) at The Old Bank and indulge in a scoop of ice-cream or sorbet from Tocumwal Ice Creamery – flavours include rocky road, green apple or macadamia. If you’re in town on a Saturday, pick up honey, fruit, vegetables, olive oil, dressings and other condiments made by local producers at the Tocumwal Foreshore Markets.
Continue your odyssey along the river to Corowa, the birthplace of Australian Federation. Immerse in the town’s rich turn-of-the-20th-century colonial heritage as you make your way to the former 1920s flour mill housing Corowa Distilling Co. Here you can book a whisky tasting and behind-the-scenes tour and buy locally made chocolates and sweets from sister shop Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory. Work off an indulgent afternoon with a walk along the river before settling into the stylish Circa 1936 hotel, which is housed in an Art Deco former bank on the main street of Corowa.
Celebrate regional ingredients in Albury
From Corowa, follow the Riverina Highway eastward to the city of Albury, a food, wine and culture hub. Taste how seasonality and locality are expressed at The Proprietor, a former butcher shop turned cafe offering brunch treats such as fruit toast with Beechworth honey and whipped ricotta, and banana waffles with Gundowring vanilla ice-cream. Or try the all-day breakfast offering at Mr Benedict, from cheesy bacon waffle with popcorn chicken to one of its signature eggs benedicts, including one with cider-braised ham hock.
At The River Deck restaurant, local ingredients are celebrated alongside stunning river views, and dishes may include chicken Caesar salad with Milawa eggs or beef brisket braised in coffee by Albury roaster The Brothers Cup. At tiny and elegant Bistro Selle, complement warm Gooramadda olives with a buttery Australian chardonnay and fresh market fish. Yardbird offers a bold-flavoured menu featuring dishes like scorched Albacore tuna, along with meats grilled in a Spanish woodfired oven.
In between meals, stroll along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk and take in the contemporary artworks by Aboriginal artists that line the Wagirra Trail. Meander through the Murray Art Museum Albury’s contemporary photographic collection, Aboriginal art and works by renowned Australian artist Sir Russell Drysdale. Afterwards, order lunch or dinner at the museum’s excellent Canvas Eatery – try the saltbush lamb rump or one of their Neapolitan-style pizzas.
The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota Credit: Destination NSW
Couple taste tasting mead at The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota
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The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota Credit: Destination NSW
Couple taste tasting mead at The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota
Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available from Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama.
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Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available from Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama.
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa Credit: Destination NSW
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate located in a 1920âs old flour mill in Corowa.
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Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa Credit: Destination NSW
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate located in a 1920âs old flour mill in Corowa.
Canvas Eatery, Albury Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available at Canvas Eatery in Albury.
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Canvas Eatery, Albury Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available at Canvas Eatery in Albury.