The Hunter Valley
“To visit the Hunter Valley is to experience the good things about Australian life.”
Apart from being Australia’s premier thoroughbred breeding nursery, the Hunter Valley is also a major tourist destination for many domestic and international travellers.
Each year millions visit the region to sample the award winning wines produced from the 120 plus wineries that are located throughout the area.
Pokolbin in the Lower Hunter, home to most of these famous wineries also offers the visitor plenty of other incentives to stay including world class restaurants, resort style accommodation and championship golf courses plus plenty of natural beauty.
Next time you are planning a visit to the Hunter Valley on horse business, why not stop for an extra day or two to savor many of our district’s attractions.
Hunter Valley Locations
The Lower & Upper Hunter Valley are located within easy driving distance of both Sydney and Newcastle Airports.
The Lower Hunter Valley Vineyard region is approximately 2 hours from Sydney Airport, and 45 minutes from Newcastle Airport.
The Upper Hunter Valley Horse Stud region is approximately 3 hours from Sydney Airport, and approximately 2 hours from Newcastle Airport.
For directions please click here
Upper Hunter Valley
The Upper Hunter Valley offers an excellent variety of options for visitors.Visit up to four thoroughbred studs in one day, including such preeminent names as Arrowfield, Coolmore, Darley, Vinery, Widden, Kia-Ora, etc, on a guided tour, provided by Craig Benjamin of Upper Hunter Tours.You can try your hand fishing at Lake Glenbawn or choose to go four-wheel driving in the Barrington Tops.
Major Events
- May – King Of The Ranges, Murrurundi
- May – Scone Horse Festival
- May – Countryfest (incl. Australian Wife Carrying Titles), Singleton
- June – Festival Of The Fleeces, Merriwa
- July – Aberdeen Highland Games
For more information please visit www.upperhuntercountry.com
Lower Hunter Valley
Otherwise known as ‘Wine Country’, the Lower Hunter Valley extends from Cessnock north to Branxton and west to Broke. Located approximately 1.5 hours from Sydney CBD, 45 minutes from Newcastle CBD. Choose from over 60 restaurants scattered amongst the 120 vineyards, and stay in one of the 150 accommodation venues. Go for a round of golf on the Greg Norman designed Championship golf course at The Vintage or the renowned Cypress Lakes Resort. Or visit the award winning Hunter Valley Gardens.
Major Events
- May – Lovedale Long Lunch, Lovedale
- June – Hunter Valley Food & Wine Month
- July – Jungle Juice Cup, Cessnock Racecourse.
- August – Hunter Valley Gardens Chocolate Festival
- October – Rose Spectacular, Hunter Valley Gardens
- October – Opera in the Vineyards, Wyndham Estate, Dalwood
- October – Jazz In The Vines, Tyrrell’s Winery, Pokolbin
Concerts are held at wineries such as Tempus Two, Bimbadgen Estate and Hope Estate on a regular basis and have included acclaimed international and local artists like Elton John, Alicia Keys, Sheryl Crow, Jimmy Barnes, Neil Diamond, Bryan Ferry, Paul Kelly, Lionel Richie, Steely Dan, The Pretenders, Joe Cocker, The Beach Boys, John Fogerty, Bryan Adams, Elvis Costello, etc.
The Lower Hunter Valley is home to over 30 award winning restaurants incl:
- Amanda’s On The Edge
- Bistro Molines
- The Cellar
- Circa 1876
- Esca at Bimbadgen
- Eremo
- EXP
- Locavore
- Margan Restaurant
- The Gates
- The Mill
- Muse
- Muse Kitchen
- Restaurant Botanica
- Restaurant Eighty-Eight
The Lower Hunter boasts arguably the best line up of wineries in Australia incl:
- Audrey Wilkinson
- Bimbadgen Estate
- Brokenwood Estate
- Drayton’s Family Wines
- Hope Estate
- Hungerford Hill
- Lindemans
- McGuigans
- McWilliams Mount Pleasant
- Petersons Champagne House
- Poole’s Rock
- Rosemount
- Saddler’s Creek
- Tempus Two
- Tower Estate
- Tulloch
- Tyrrell’s, etc etc
For more information please visit www.winecountry.com.au
