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.
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Wilga Station, Evans PlainsCredit: Destination NSW
Wilga Station offers exceptional levels of contemporary, luxury accommodation. This idyllic country lifestyle is now open to guests, and you are invited to explore the winding, walking tracks and willow-lined creek, before settling in to toast marshmallows and watch the sunset at one of the two beautiful accommodation options.
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Escape to a luxe countryside retreat
Wilga Station, Evans Plains Credit: Destination NSW
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Whether you’re travelling as two or 10, the NSW countryside has an array of premium accommodation options to make your rural stay feel unique, luxurious and designed just for you. With your retreat as a base, sojourn in some of the state’s most spectacular landscapes.
Mudgee
Set on a scenic farm along the Cudgegong River, Evamor Valley lets you revel in luxuriously furnished glamping tents that are fitted out with plush king beds and a private hot tub. The family-run Budgalong Spicers Creek similarly offers a luxury safari-style set up. Accommodating eight guests across two camps, be treated to mountain or countryside views; minimal, refined amenities; and ensuite bedrooms. Wherever you stay, after a day spent exploring Mudgee’s charming town centre and surrounding wineries, relax with a glass of your favourite local wine by the fire pit, cook up a feast or just while away an evening, surrounded by nature. a luxury safari-style set up. Accommodating eight guests across two camps, here you’ll be treated to mountain or countryside views; minimal, refined amenities; and ensuite bedrooms. Wherever you stay, after a day spent exploring Mudgee’s charming town centre and surrounding wineries, relax with a glass of your favourite local wine by the fire pit, cook up a feast or just while away an evening, surrounded by nature.
Bathurst
Experience a different kind of farmstay at Wilga Station, just outside of Bathurst, where the secluded Farmers Hut blends into the surrounding landscape via a living-grass roof. Enjoy luxe touches including a designer bathroom, king-sized bed, wood-burning fireplace and kitchenette complete with a gourmet breakfast hamper. Treat yourself to a lie-in and luxuriate with views across the 100-hectare working sheep farm from the comfort of your bed. Visiting with a group? Retreat to the station’s characterful but stylish, five-bedroom Shearers Hall, which sleeps 10.
Spicers Guesthouse, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial view of Spicers Guesthouse in Pokolbin.
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Spicers Guesthouse, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial view of Spicers Guesthouse in Pokolbin.
Wilga Station, Evans Plains Credit: Destination NSW
Wilga Station offers exceptional levels of contemporary, luxury accommodation. This idyllic country lifestyle is now open to guests, and you are invited to explore the winding, walking tracks and willow-lined creek, before settling in to toast marshmallows and watch the sunset at one of the two beautiful accommodation options.
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Wilga Station, Evans Plains Credit: Destination NSW
Wilga Station offers exceptional levels of contemporary, luxury accommodation. This idyllic country lifestyle is now open to guests, and you are invited to explore the winding, walking tracks and willow-lined creek, before settling in to toast marshmallows and watch the sunset at one of the two beautiful accommodation options.
The Blue Mountains
Find yourself drawn into nature on an escape to Spicers Sangoma Retreat, situated on the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, 90-minutes’ drive from Sydney. Here, every stay is an all-inclusive package featuring fine dining catering, cosy evenings spent by the fireplace and utter comfort in nature-surrounded lodgings (book in a spa treatment for an extra luxe stay). Further up the mountain, Chalets at Blackheath boasts luxury chalets with fireplaces, soaking baths and king-sized beds, ideal for a getaway for two. Belle Bois resides on the north-west side of the mountains. Set on 40 hectares with views of the escarpment and Capertee Valley, this luxury country house is ideal for those wanting to stay put and unwind in comfort, as much as it is for those wishing to explore the nearby Wollemi National Park.
Snowy Valleys
Marvel at the morning mist gracing the Snowy Valleys when you wake up at Nimbo Fork, nestled between Gundagai and Tumut, a little over four hours’ drive from Sydney. Choose from one of six charming standalone cottages overlooking Tumut River or check into one of six upstairs suites in the main lodge. After a day spent walking, cycling or peddling the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail, trying your hand at fly-fishing with Tom’s Outdoors or exploring Yarrangobilly Caves and Thermal Pool, tuck into a wholesome feast at Nimbo Fork’s on-site Three Blue Ducks restaurant, lauded for its dedication to sustainable dining.
Hunter Valley
Lean into the relaxed luxury experience at Spicers Guesthouse in Pokolbin, a contemporary property in the Hunter wine region. Begin your stay on a high note with a hot-air balloon rideover the vineyards (straight from the property) followed by a refreshing dip in the infinity pool overlooking serene bushland. After a day exploring the area's , enjoy the convenience of an evening meal at the in-house Italian restaurant, éRemo, or take a seat on the terrace to enjoy a lighter meal before retiring to your elegant room. Cedars Mount View similarly offers luxury in the Hunter with self-contained romantic villas kitted out with spa baths and fireplaces cellar doors and restaurants, enjoy the convenience of an evening meal at the in-house Italian restaurant, éRemo, or take a seat on the terrace to enjoy a lighter meal before retiring to your elegant room. Cedars Mount View similarly offers luxury in the Hunter with self-contained romantic villas kitted out with spa baths and fireplaces.
Nimbo Fork Lodge, Killimicat Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over accommodation at Nimbo Fork Lodge, Killimicat.
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Nimbo Fork Lodge, Killimicat Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over accommodation at Nimbo Fork Lodge, Killimicat.
Balloon Aloft, Hunter Valley Credit: Destination NSW
A girl looks out over the Hunter Valley during a ballon flight with Balloon Aloft. Balloon Aloft has been offering balloon flights over the Hunter Valley - Australia’s premier vineyard region - for over forty years. Flights begin at sunrise and take in views of the picturesque wine regions of Pokolbin, Lovedale, Rothbury or Broke.
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Balloon Aloft, Hunter Valley Credit: Destination NSW
A girl looks out over the Hunter Valley during a ballon flight with Balloon Aloft. Balloon Aloft has been offering balloon flights over the Hunter Valley - Australia’s premier vineyard region - for over forty years. Flights begin at sunrise and take in views of the picturesque wine regions of Pokolbin, Lovedale, Rothbury or Broke.
Southern Highlands
Make new memories with your favourite people at Burrawang House, a designer five-bedroom, 14-guest holiday home in the Southern Highlands hamlet of Burrawang. Enjoy leisurely days lazing by the nine-metre pool, and cosy nights with a glass of local wine beside one of the property’s three fireplaces. Flex your culinary skills in the huge high-end kitchen, or head out for a meal at the renowned Burrawang Village Hotel. During your stay, enjoy the ease of getting out into nature, with Morton National Park’s breathtaking Fitzroy Falls, just a 10-minute drive away.
Nearby, Osborn House in Bundanoon is a charming hotel offering sweeping views and laid-back elegance. Here, premier suites are home to four-post beds, double showers and juliette balconies, while Forest Lodges have uninterrupted views of the national park, baths, fireplaces and bespoke lighting. Drop into the onsite Fire Kitchen for a taste of Latin American over-fire cooking made with premium Australian produce.
Central West
Take in the uninterrupted views of the surrounding plains from one of the four Sky Suites at Callubri Station, a luxury outback farmstay experience near Nyngan. Sign up for a fascinating farm tour or ask your hosts for a map and head out to explore the 11,500-hectare property by foot, mountain bike or car, followed by a restorative dip in the heated mineral pool. Spot birds of the Aussie bush while sipping a sundowner, then head back to the station and book into the Premium Moonbathing Experience. The property also offers an accessible River Suite.
Osborn House, Bundanoon Credit: Stephanie Hunter
One of the cabins at Osborn House.
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Osborn House, Bundanoon Credit: Stephanie Hunter
One of the cabins at Osborn House.
Callubri Station, Buddabadah Credit: Monique Wye
Woman relaxing in a hammock with views across the countryside during a stay at Callubri Station, Buddabadah.
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Callubri Station, Buddabadah Credit: Monique Wye
Woman relaxing in a hammock with views across the countryside during a stay at Callubri Station, Buddabadah.
The Tweed
Nestled in the foothills of the Tweed, Avion Retreat is an exclusive adults-only retreat set on 65 hectares. The glasshouse-like cabins give you uninterrupted access to the surrounding mountains, as does the outdoor stone bathtub. Nearby, spend time exploring Husk Farm Distillery, Australia’s only single-estate paddock-to-bottle rum distillery, or fill your day with activity tackling the accessible Northern Rivers Rail Trail, passing through villages, farmland and scenic valleys.
South Coast
Tranquil, rural extravagance and abundant, expansive views await at Somnium at Bingie, tucked away on a private lakeside peninsula on NSW’s South Coast. This luxurious stay sleeping 14-16, has two bespoke dwellings: a four-bedroom house and an accompanying two-storey barn. Both spaces have oodles of room and are fitted out with floor-to-ceiling windows, polished concrete, marble textures, bespoke joinery and brass finishes. The Main House has underfloor heating, an outdoor fire pit, kayaks, mountain bikes and two living rooms. Over in The Barn (which can only be reserved with a Main House booking) find a spacious loft bedroom, a cosy living room with water views and a kitchenette.
Husk Distillers, North Tumbulgum Credit: Destination NSW
Couple touring the Husk Farm Distillers property in North Tumbulgum and meeting the resident cattle.
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Husk Distillers, North Tumbulgum Credit: Destination NSW
Couple touring the Husk Farm Distillers property in North Tumbulgum and meeting the resident cattle.