Explore the best things to do in this Hunter Valley itinerary (on top of the wine tastings), which makes it a must-visit short trip from Sydney!
Located in New South Wales, Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region. It’s famous for its world-class vineyards, with some dating back to the 1800s!
I used to think a day trip from Sydney to binge several glasses of excellent wine was all the valley had to offer — basically a pub crawl with exceptional scenery. But on our last trip, I discovered it’s so much more. Sure, the wine is the highlight (obviously), but the Hunter region has many more surprises up its sleeve.
With activities like epic hot air balloon rides, zipping around on a segway, and making furry friends, you’ll quickly see it’s worth sticking around longer. Here’s how we spent 2D1N in Hunter Valley — spoiler alert: you might not want to leave!
Getting to Hunter Valley
By car: Just a 2.5-hour ride from Sydney, renting a car and hitting the road is by far the quickest way to get to Hunter Valley. But there’s a catch — one poor soul has to sacrifice themselves as the designated driver and miss out on all the wine-fuelled fun. (But hey, safety is sexy, right?)
By train: For non-drivers who want to experience the valley’s world-class wine, or for people like us who are determined to remain happily inebriated, taking the train is another option. The route runs from Sydney Central Station to Singleton Railway Station, taking around 3 hours to reach the destination.
To save ourselves the hassle of purchasing individual tickets, we booked a 1 Night Wine Train package with Hunter Valley Resort + Farm. This package includes express train tickets from Sydney to Singleton, along with transfers, cosy accommodations and a lineup of activities at the farm.
Getting around Hunter Valley
The iHop Hop-On Hop-Off bus service runs continuous loops around various vineyards, distilleries and attractions, perfect for hitching a ride around the Valley.
A Half-Day Pass (AU$55) gave us 4 hours to visit several cellar doors in the picturesque Polkobin area. But unlike a traditional guided tour with a fixed itinerary, the iHop bus let us craft our own route, getting on and off at any stop that caught our eye. This made it easy for us to take in the sights at our own pace, exploring the valley with no rush and plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.
The bus also has a cooler onboard to store any purchases made along the way, so we could hop from distillery to distillery hands-free.
Cost: From AU$55/adult for a half-day pass (~S$50)
Operating hours: 10AM – 5PM (Wed – Mon)
Starting point: Varies
Day 1: Wine and Dine
Savoury delights at Hunter Valley Cheese Factory
Before diving headfirst into our wine-filled adventure, we thought it wise to line our stomachs at the Hunter Valley Cheese Factory (Hop 2). We treated ourselves to their cheese-tasting platter (AU$15.50/pax), which paired nicely with a side of meat (AU$8.50), the perfect prelude to our alcohol binge.
The delightful array of cheese samples were all crafted right there on the property. Following the resident expert’s recommendations, we tried a mix of cheeses that balanced both texture and flavour. The highlights for us were the creamy Branxton brie and the rich flavours of the Brokenback Cheddar!
Some were aged up as much as five years, while others were fresh at just two days old! It definitely set the stage for what was about to be a very indulgent day.
Cost: From AU$15.50/pax (~S$13)
Opening hours: 9AM – 5:30PM
Address: 447 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
How to get there: 30min drive from Singleton Railway Station (Google Maps)
Wine-tasting tours at the vineyards
Our appetites satiated, it was time for the main event: wine tasting! Given the many distilleries to choose from, we placed our trust in Tim, our driver, whose recommendations allowed us to narrow the options.
Tyrrell’s (Hop 8) is the oldest family-owned winery in the region, with their earliest grapes planted all the way back in the 1800s. The distillery sits in front of the Great Dividing Mountain Range, surrounded by a sprawling stretch of vineyards. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a sip amidst the postcard-worthy scenery.
While tastings usually require a reservation, the staff at Tyrrell’s are more than willing to accommodate walk-ins if there are available slots. Lucky for us, we managed to snag a spot!
For just AU$15 each, we sipped our way through nine different wines, all while being treated to a wine masterclass by the sommelier. It made us feel like wine connoisseurs (or at least like we knew what we were doing).
Drawn to their reds, I took a liking to a 2017 Shiraz. Its rich, full-bodied profile of dark fruit, subtle spice, and smooth tannins made it a standout of the tasting. 😋
Our next stop was Thomas Wines (Hop 11), a distillery specialising in Semillon and Shiraz. The winery offers a variety of tasting flights so you can choose your adventure based on quality, premium pours and of course, how much you’re willing to drink.
We started with The Discovery (AU$10/pax with 8 wines), but soon found ourselves craving more! So we dove into round 2 with The Explorer (AU$20/pax with 10 wines), which was worth every drop. Like the saying goes, wine flies when you’re having fun!
Tyrell’s
Cost: From AU$15/pax (~S$13)
Opening hours: 10AM – 4PM
Address: 1838 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
How to get there: 4min drive from Hunter Valley Cheese Factory (Google Maps)
Thomas Wines
Cost: From AU$10/pax (~S$10)
Opening hours: 10AM – 5PM
Address: 28 Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
How to get there: 7min drive from Tyrrell’s (Google Maps)
Staying at Hunter Valley Resort + Farm
After our wine-fuelled afternoon, we made our way to our accommodation for the night: Hunter Valley Resort + Farm. Spanning 100 acres, this resort has a bunch of interesting amenities including a vineyard, cooking classes, wine theatre, taproom, farm, library, and even a lake! It felt like we had checked into a distillery for the night.
Cost: From AU$649/2D1N (~S$585) Train Package in a Hunter Twin Room (2 pax)
Address: Hermitage Rd &, Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
How to get there: 5min walk from Thomas Wines (Google Maps)
Dinner at 4 Pines restaurant
Dinner was at the resort’s restaurant, 4 Pines at the Farm, which serves western delights. We settled for a comforting steak and pasta combo, and washed it down with yet another glass of wine (for good measure).
On a tip from Phil, the resort’s owner, we also sampled some of their craft beers, (for “balance,” obviously) — a fitting night cap to end our day.
Hearts content and bellies full, we called it a night. Happy, maybe a little tipsy, but ready for some well-deserved rest. 😴
Opening hours: 7:30AM – 8PM
Address: Corner Hermitage Rd &, Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
How to get there: 5min walk from Hunter Valley Resort + Farm (Google Maps)
Day 2: Exploring the Great Outdoors
Hot air balloon ride over the valley
Our second day kicked off with a literal high point — a hot air balloon ride over Hunter Valley!
Starting bright and early at 5AM, we were picked up from our hotel and whisked straight to the launch site. The local transfers to and from any Hunter Valley accommodation were included in our Flexi Ticket (AU$379/pax), so we didn’t need to worry about finding a ride at that ungodly hour. We then boarded our balloon, ready to take to the skies.
The hour-long flight was nothing short of surreal. We hovered above misty vineyards bathed in the golden glow of the sunrise. The spectacular views made us feel like we were on top of the world!
But the scenery wasn’t the only show in town. Several mobs of kangaroos bounded across the valley and just when we thought it couldn’t get better, two roos were spotted going toe-to-toe in a full-on boxing match! 🦘🥊
Like being in a bouncy castle.
Eventually, our flight had to come to an end. After helping to pack up the hot air balloon, where we got to step inside the balloon itself, we hitched a ride on the carrier truck to our breakfast spot at Peterson House.
There, we had a pulled pork sandwich with a side of stunning views of the vineyards. And the best part? Champagne, sparkling champagne. For breakfast. Now that’s my kind of morning! 🥂
Cost: From AU$339/pax (~S$288)
Activity times: Varies
Meeting point: Hotel pick up or Peterson House, 2457 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia (Google Maps)
Fun activities at Hunter Valley Adventure Centre
Craving a bit more fun, we made our way to the Hunter Adventure Centre, conveniently located next to Hunter Valley Farm + Resort. This place has all the thrills you could ask for — archery, axe throwing, laser clay shooting and segway tours.
Laser Clay Shooting
We decided to go with something totally new to us, laser clay shooting (AU$59). This sport blends the rush of traditional clay pigeon shooting with the safety of laser technology. No need to worry about getting your shoulder wrecked from a massive recoil!
The guns are real firearms though, albeit modified for safety, so you’ll still feel the full weight of an unloaded weapon. Fair warning to those, who like me, are afflicted with noodle arms 🤷♂️
We dove straight into several rounds of competitive shooting, and it turns out… I’m not exactly a sharpshooter. I lost both rounds. But hey, at least I got a cool shot! 📸
Segway Tour
Eager to take in more of the valley but decidedly averse to anything involving actual legwork, we hopped on a segway tour (AU$55) to explore the area in style.
We’d heard stories of how our colleague tore her ACL on a previous trip during a segway-related mishap, so there were some… concerns. But under the staff’s guidance, it wasn’t long before our nerves were eased and we were zooming through the valley like pros.
The tour took us through forests, paddocks, and vineyards, with the occasional surprise — like navigating over tree roots or encountering wild kangaroos lounging in the shade 🦘
The experience was exhilarating, especially when we hit the paddock and received the green light to go as fast as we dared. Let’s just say, we definitely put the segway’s speed to the test!
Cost: From AU$55/pax (~S$50), depending on the activities
Opening hours: 7:30AM – 5PM
Address: Mistletoe Lane, Behind Hunter Valley Resort, 917 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
How to get there: 5min walk from Hunter Valley Resort + Farm (Google Maps)
Interacting with adorable animals at Hunter Farm and Adventure Centre
Big bird.
As our time in Hunter Valley came to a close, we had just enough room for one last stop — a visit to the adorable animals near Hunter Valley Resort + Farm.
This charming farm section was a post-pandemic expansion and it’s home to a delightful menagerie of animals. We encountered horses, ostriches, goats, llamas, donkeys, deer, dogs, and more!
We spent more time than we should have snapping the cutest photos of the resident critters 😍. It was an adorable, furry send-off to our unforgettable stay!
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 7:30AM – 5PM
Address: Mistletoe Lane, Behind Hunter Valley Resort, 917 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
How to get there: 5min walk from Hunter Valley Resort + Farm (Google Maps)
Planning Your Hunter Valley Itinerary
Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA): Before heading to Australia, be sure to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) via the Australian ETA app for AU$20 (~S$17.50). The ETA grants multiple entries over a year, with stays of up to 3 months.
*Pro-tip: Apply at least four weeks before your trip in case additional details are needed!
SIM cards/data connectivity: Grab a SIM card or e-SIM before heading to Australia. Many vineyards and accommodation spots offer complimentary WiFi, but it’s always wise to prepare in advance!
Best time to visit: October to April as this is when the weather will be warm and sunny! Grapes will also be full by the end of December, which is ideal for outdoor wine tastings, hot air ballooning, and vineyard tours.
Essentials to pack: Good walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a water bottle and insect repellent (there are lots of bushflies in the region)! If you plan to visit the vineyards in the summer, bring some light clothing to stay cool, and in winter, pack layers to keep warm. Don’t forget a camera — there are stunning photo opportunities everywhere! 📸
Hunter Valley isn’t the only region in Australia that’s worth a longer stay. Check out these itineraries for more travel inspiration:
– 13D Best of New South Wales Itinerary — Hidden Gems and Epic Getaways From Sydney Under S$2.3k
– 3D2N Blue Mountains Itinerary: The Perfect Getaway Just 90-Minutes From Sydney
– NSW Autumn and Winter Guide — 19 Fun Things to Do in Sydney and Surrounds During Cooler Months
– 10-Day Sydney And New South Wales Australia Itinerary — Epic Experiences Worth Revisiting
What are some of your must-do activities in this Hunter Valley itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!
