Countryside, Hunter ValleyCredit: Destination NSW
Hot air balloons flying over the Hunter Valley at sunrise.
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Around two hours from Sydney, the lush Hunter Region of New South Wales will surprise you at every turn. One moment you’re admiring the bucolic countryside with its wine estates set among manicured gardens with tinkling fountains and strutting peacocks, then suddenly a mob of kangaroos hops by in the distance. You’ll soon discover that nobody takes themselves too seriously here except of course, when it comes to creating delicious wines, inspired cuisine and genuinely warm service. Here’s how to make the most of your time with unmissable things to do in The Hunter.
Feel your tastebuds awaken with a long lunch
Celebrated British chef and seafood master, Rick Stein is an honorary Australian and not only by marriage. He visits often and has his own restaurants at the fashionable Bannisters Hotel properties. His kitchen mantra is fresh seafood, simply prepared and there’s just so much to choose from in Port Stephens. You’ll find many of his classics on the menu here including Fish & Shellfish Soup, Singapore Style Chilli Crab and Black Cuttlefish Risotto, plus wonderfully fresh Sydney Rock Oysters, which were surely bedded down just moments ago.
The restaurant is chic with floor to ceiling windows that overlook the sea fringed by native trees with beautiful birdlife swooping past. You might even hear the laugh of a kookaburra. Afterwards relax on the deck arrayed with wicker furniture, day beds, striped umbrellas and a stunning infinity pool, which faces the sea. Bannisters is a chilled place to stay with an excellent selection of rooms and suites including a lavish penthouse with a private terrace.
Adventure on a 4WD Sand Dune Safari
Now to that exhilarating 4WD experience. Port Stephens boasts the largest sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. The Worimi Conservation Lands is a place of cultural significance to the Worimi Aboriginal people and the setting for the awesome, 2,500 hectares of sand dunes which make up Stockton Bight. They tower as much as 30m above sea level with slopes of up to 60 degrees to form an amazing setting that’s also ideal for sand-boarding. Climb into a purposefully built 4WD to race through this extraordinary landscape, which includes Tin City - corrugated iron fishing shacks in the middle out of dunes.
Bannisters, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Couple relaxing by the pool at Bannisters, Port Stephens.
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Bannisters, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Couple relaxing by the pool at Bannisters, Port Stephens.
Stockton Sand Dunes, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over the Stockton Sand Dunes in Port Stephens.
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Stockton Sand Dunes, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over the Stockton Sand Dunes in Port Stephens.
Float up, up & away
To see the beauty of the Hunter Valley spread out beneath you, the only way is up. The award-winning Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley Balloon Flights lift off at sunrise. Watch as your balloon is inflated from one of a handful of sites, and then slowly drift off. Below you, life is just kicking in at some of the Pokolbin, Lovedale and Rothbury estates with the grounds being readied for visitors. Even the kangaroos are just waking up. It’s a serene experience. Gently come back to earth again to enjoy a champagne breakfast at the acclaimed Petersen’s House winery. If only every day could start this way.
Discover the region’s finest grapes
With over 150 wineries producing dozens of varieties, the Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s most iconic viticultural areas with an intoxicating history that goes right back to the 1800s when arriving settlers brought grape vines with them. It’s now a place of rich, rolling hills and often seemingly secluded estates where unassuming cellar doors and hatted restaurants await. There’s also a great camaraderie among winemakers, especially when it comes to recommending each other’s drops. They’re laid back, knowledgeable and laconic in the best Australian tradition. For a new way to explore the vines, book a tour in a carriage or in a fun vintage car. Start at Pokolbin, and discover the award-winning Tyrrell’s, steeped in history, since it was founded in the 1850s. Followed by a visit to the iconic Brokenwood, which has a new cellar door experience with tasting pods, which allow you to try different styles including premium vintages. Or, enjoy a seated wine and food flight with a selection of six Brokenwood wines matched with bite-sized canapés.
Make memories at the Lovedale Long Lunch
Each May, the Hunter Valley village of Lovedale with its rolling hills, family-owned wineries and boutique hotels, stages a two-day event - the Lovedale Long Lunch. Among those joining are some of the region’s leading chefs as well as Gartelmann Wines, Saltire Estate, Emma’s Cottage, Sandalyn and Tatler. If you’re planning to visit another weekend, rest assured there is plenty to see and do in this picturesque village. It’s a progressive lunch in the great Australian tradition. So, gather your nearest and dearest for a memorable weekend indulging in delicious local produce in a serene setting. Even if you’re not around in May, there’s also so much to explore in Lovedale, which is an ideal destination for a weekend stay.
Balloon Aloft, Hunter Valley Credit: Destination NSW
Hot air balloons over the Hunter Valley at sunrise.
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Balloon Aloft, Hunter Valley Credit: Destination NSW
Hot air balloons over the Hunter Valley at sunrise.
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.
Peppers Craigieburn, BowralCredit: Destination NSW
The heritage property at Peppers Craigieburn, Bowral.
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Promenade back in time as Netflix’s Regency-era romp returns for Season Three, escorted by the elegant Bridgerton in Bowral extravaganza from 16-23 April. And whether you’re visiting The Ton for these enchanting festivities or simply searching for a sophisticated sojourn, all year round Bowral offers decadent feasts, opulent stays, charming countryside and more – all just 90 minutes from Sydney. Read on, Gentle Reader, to learn why the Southern Highlands are the Diamond of the Season and beyond.
Make your grand entrance
Emerald hills garnished with vineyards, grand estates and a bewitching village atmosphere… Bowral’s highlights harken back to a most refined moment in history – and now they’re celebrating Bridgerton’s greatly anticipated return with a host of soirees. As befits such a momentous occasion, Empire Cinemas Bowral will host four exclusive screenings for The Ton before the new episodes hit Netflix (from May 16). Plus, you’re cordially invited to a Regency-themed Garden Party amid the stately grounds of the Milton Park Country House Hotel, where you’ll see and be seen in sprawling formal gardens, and enjoy a host of Bridgerton-themed entertainment. Nearby, Retford Park also entices with a picturesque 1887 homestead, self-guided art trail and a picnic-perfect historic garden for all seasons.
Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Bendoley Estate, Berrima.
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Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Bendoley Estate, Berrima.
Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral.
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Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral.
Sip your way around The Ton
Raise a toast to Lady Whistledown’s long-awaited new chapter with Sohi’s mouth-watering tipples – their premium gin, vodka and vermouth are available to quaff all over town, including at Hearth by Moonacres, Bistro Sociale and The Royal Hotel. And, let your thirst for discovery lead you along the Southern Highlands Wine Trail, where you’ll sample the region’s cool-climate drops at more than 60 vineyards and 15 cellar doors. Swill Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Albariño, Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer at Centennial Vineyards; unwind between the vines at the grand Bendooley Estate; and clink glasses at Mount Ashby Estate, where red, white and culinary delights are served alongside French antiques and lashings of bucolic charm.
Shall we promenade?
Whether you’re courting a suitor or slipping out of the drawing room for fresh air, a gentle wander is one of life’s simple pleasures. Take a leisurely turn through historic Berrima; Australia’s best-preserved Georgian village unveils an intriguing selection of Regency-era relics, including the 1830s Courthouse, convict-built Surveyor General Inn and the National Trust-listed Harper’s Mansion. Bask in the majesty of manicured gardens in Bowral, Mossvale, and Robertson, where lavish plantings reveal nature’s extravagance – especially during the Tulip Time festival each spring. Afterwards, assemble your favourite dukes and duchesses to while away the day with croquet, cycle between quaint villages, or saddle up your trusty steeds for a relaxing meander along the Canyonleigh Trails.
Centennial Vineyards, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a romantic getaway at Centennial Vineyards, Bowral.
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Centennial Vineyards, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a romantic getaway at Centennial Vineyards, Bowral.
Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Autumn at Bendooley Estate, Berrima.
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Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Autumn at Bendooley Estate, Berrima.
Discover the talk of The Ton
Bowral boasts a bounty of treasures old, new and noteworthy if you’re seeking a modiste-crafted frock for your society debut, exploring the arts, or collecting key pieces to makeover your manor. Start with a visit to Dirty Janes, a unique marketplace where 90 individual sellers peddling all manner of retro, vintage, antique and artisan-made finds. Indulge your guilty pleasure for scandalous storytelling at Books Ever After, a romance-genre specialist home to an impressive selection of special editions to tantalise your imagination. And, take your cue from Bridgerton’s elite and let your impeccable taste in art and furnishings do the talking. The Ngununggula Southern Highlands Regional Gallery, Bowral Art Gallery and Milk Factory Gallery showcase the cultured art and soul of this inspired region, while Suzie Anderson Home has a wide range of premium style essentials to create your own Regency-influenced sanctuary.
Retreat to elegant chambers
From plush private residences to luxe suites catering for your every whim, the Southern Highlands offers a host of auspicious accommodations worthy of society’s highest echelon. Revel in the prestige of a grand estate to call your own on the grounds of The Rift Estate. This palatial 19th Century mansion presents a self-contained Coach House to accommodate 13 people, complete with cosy fireplaces, claw-foot bathtubs and lush lawns perfect for croquet and bocce. For a gracious stay amid rustic vistas reminiscent of the English countryside, look no further than the five-star boutique hotel, Osborn House. Nearby, the chic comforts continue at the Georgian Moss Manor, where thoughtful creativity and interior design unite for an exclusive art-hotel experience. Around the town, the historic flair also rolls into the early 20th Century, with the Berida Hotel, Peppers Craigieburn and the Links House Hotel delivering memorable stays where modern amenity and heritage flourishes converge. Wherever you choose to rest your tiara-toting head, you can find your own Bridgerton in Bowral all year round.
Osborn House, Bundanoon Credit: Stephanie Hunter
One of the Premier Suites at Osborn House.
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Osborn House, Bundanoon Credit: Stephanie Hunter
One of the Premier Suites at Osborn House.
Bradman Museum, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Exploring sporting history at the Bradman Museum, Bowral, Southern Highlands
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Bradman Museum, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Exploring sporting history at the Bradman Museum, Bowral, Southern Highlands