The Hunter

From wine tasting in Australia’s oldest wine region to bushwalking in UNESCO World Heritage wilderness, the Hunter is a marvellous escape. You’ll discover incredibly delicious food and wine experiences and beautiful landscapes of rolling vineyards, mountain ranges and ancient rainforest.

All you need is a short break to enjoy the Hunter Valley, Upper Hunter and Barrington Tops, all part of the world-renowned Hunter Valley wine region that begins only two hours’ drive north of Sydney. There are trains and coach tours to the region or you can fly into Newcastle Airport and rent a car.

For a memorable slice of history, hop aboard a Nova Cruises riverboat in Newcastle and travel along the Hunter River to wine country and historic Morpeth, where the Arnott’s family biscuit dynasty began in 1847. In colonial times before the railway, steamboats ploughed the rivers to Paterson.

With vines first planted in the early 1820s, exceptional heritage and exciting innovation meet in the region’s winemaking. You’ll taste some of the best wines in the world at the cellar doors, including the distinguished Hunter Valley Semillon. Emerging European grape varieties win accolades, too.

Fun and informative tours combine fine wine and good food, a tasty mix in the Hunter which grows a rich variety of produce. At award-winning restaurants such as Muse Restaurant, Bistro Molines and Margan Restaurant, talented chefs create exquisite dishes using the freshest seasonal produce.

Fresh local produce and other delights are available at markets and providores, such as Hunter Belle Cheese and the Lovedale Smokehouse. Check out the exciting events calendar for food and wine festivals, colourful markets, country shows as well as jazz, opera and rock concerts in the vineyards.

The 10-day Scone Horse Festival is in Scone, the horse capital of Australia. The champion mare Winx was raised on a horse stud in the Hunter region. You’ll find plenty of places to stay throughout the Hunter, from vineyard retreats and golf and spa resorts to motels, youth hostels and campgrounds.

The World Heritage wilderness in the Hunter is a wonderful attraction, too. In the Yengo National Park, explore ancient Aboriginal rock art on the Finchley cultural walk. Volcanic flows aeons ago shaped the Barrington Tops National Park, which is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.