Areas: where to base yourself
- Pokolbin: in the middle of the wineries, with the widest choice of stays.
- Lovedale: quieter, with resorts and boutique wineries.
- Cessnock: the regional town, with cheaper motels.
- Wollombi: rural and peaceful, off the main wine trail.
Food and drink
Many wineries have excellent restaurants serving long lunches with local produce. Book weekend lunch and dinner well ahead. Pair Hunter Semillon with seafood, and try local cheeses and olive oil.
Money-saving tips
- Visit midweek for lower room rates.
- Many cellar doors waive the tasting fee if you buy a bottle.
- A shared day tour is cheaper than a private driver for small groups.
Safety and practicalities
Plan your transport before you taste. Summer days can be very hot, so carry water. Kangaroos are common on the roads at dusk.
Sample plans
One day
A day tour from Sydney, or drive up and visit four wineries with a long lunch, plus a cheese stop.
Two days
Dawn balloon flight, then cellar doors and the Hunter Valley Gardens. Next day, drive back through Wollombi.
Add-ons
Continue to Port Stephens for dolphins and dunes, or Newcastle for ocean baths.
