It’s hard to believe that over 90 wineries squeeze into this beautiful area surrounding the Hunter Valley, 2 ½ hours (180kms) North of Sydney.

If you had any doubt to the claims of this wine-growing region, viticulturalist’s have been winning awards for wines produced in Hunter Wine Region as early as 1882. Today the area is known for its wine-producing climate with many popular wineries including Rosemount, Draytons, Lindemans, Tyrrells and Tulloch Wines.

So where to stop first? For a perfect opportunity to experience wine-country culture and tradition at its best visit Cessnock for the Hunter Valley Wine and Food Month.

Throughout June come to the Hunter Valley to taste and smell freshly pressed olive oils, learn the intricacies of cheese making, dine in awarded restaurants and sample the Hunter's many delicacies paired with premium Hunter Valley wines.

If smelling cheese is not your idea of a holiday (and I’m sure its not for everyone!) Singleton is a good place to orientate yourself.  Due to its central location it is not only a perfect location to visit the Lower and Upper Hunter wineries and vineyards, Singleton is also ideally located as a stepping-off point for exploration of the largest wilderness area in New South Wales, Wollemi NP. 

In under an hours drive from Singleton, visitors can experience the pretty town of Scone in the upper reach of the Hunter Valley. Scone is a great location if you are interested in fishing, bushwalking or horse riding.  Scone has more than 30 stud farms here, the area is widely known for its premier thoroughbred and horse-breeding.

A town in the heart of the Hunter Valley (thus busy Sydney-siders visiting for the weekend) is Pokolbin. Being only 2 hours from Sydney, there is lots of tourist activities, however visitors are mostly drawn here to the world-class vineyards with some being in operation for well over one hundred years. 

The peaceful and picturesque Hunter region of New South Wales is best explored by car and a good map.  However if your planning a trip, this area is normally well-booked up in summer so you’d be best to ring ahead to save you driving around looking for somewhere to stay!

Don’t forget to share your experience of the Hunter Valley with planbooktravel!

Happy travels.