9 Things To Do for Couples in Hunter Valley

There’s no better place to escape for a romantic few days than Australia’s oldest wine region. Venture into the hills of the Hunter Valley for a long weekend – or relaxing week-long holiday – between the rolling vistas and vines of the valley.

Float among the clouds, trot through vineyards, cosy up by a fireplace or picnic at a winery on your romantic couples holiday to the Hunter Valley. Here’s a guide to the most romantic things you can do with your partner while visiting the gorgeous Hunter Valley region.

Ride around a gorgeous property

Saddle up and trot through the scenic valleys and mountains of a 8,000-hectare property, which has been owned by the Chapman family for more than 170 years. The family ranch offers horse rides for people of all experience levels with rides ranging from one-hour to a full day or adult horse riding camp. Explore the incredible countryside with your loved one while enjoying a ride and picnic, or join a cattle muster on horseback.

Go hot air ballooning

You can’t beat a glorious sunrise witnessed from the basket of a hot air balloon. Ride over the Hunter Valley at dawn, watching the resident roo’s hop across the dewy green meadows while enjoying panoramic views of the stunning vineyards, Brokeback Mountain ranges and valleys. Snuggle up to your loved one in the crisp morning air as Balloon Aloft lifts up, up, up and away into the sky. You could even take advantage of this romantic experience and pop the question amongst the clouds, or during the champagne breakfast that follows. 

Sip, swirl and sample local wines

Hopping between cellar doors for wine tasting, picnicking between the vines and enjoying long lunches with amazing views are a few ways you and your significant other can enjoy the romance of Australia’s oldest wine region. No visit to the Hunter Valley is complete without passing through one (or five) of the 150 wineries in an area with more than 200 years of wine-making history. The Hunter Valley is home to some of the best wines in the country, and you can taste the expertise and passion at Scarborough Wine Co, Leogate Estate Wines, Waverley Estate, Peterson House, or Audrey Wilkinson. Organise a private driver to take you on your own personalised tour for a half day, full day or split the tastings over a few blissful days.

Walk hand-in-hand through gorgeous gardens

If you and your partner are gardening fans, explore the sights, colours and fragrances of 25 acres of spectacularly manicured gardens at the Hunter Valley Gardens. With around a dozen themed gardens, take a botanical journey through thousands of trees, shrubs and flowers not seen elsewhere in Australia. Pass by a 10-metre-high waterfall, explore fairytale characters at the Storybook Garden, and smell the roses at the aptly named Rose Garden as you walk eight kilometres of pathways hand-in-hand.

Take your love to new, scary heights

Love to chase thrills together? Up the adrenaline on your romantic vacation when you throw yourselves from an aero plane with Skydive Hunter Valley. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, you’ll be in good hands and soon be addicted to the rush and feeling of freefall diving.

Take a cooking class together

Booking a cooking school is a great idea for a romantic escape. While you’ll have loads of fun at the outdoor cooking class set in the middle of a beautiful 100-acre vineyard, you’ll be able to take the recipes home and continue the holiday feeling when you make these dishes again in your home kitchen. Majors Lane Cooking School offers hands-on classes where you’ll learn to create a banquet of four or five dishes before feasting on your hard work.

Give grape stomping a go 

Laugh yourself silly as you and your partner give the art of winemaking a go. Jump on into the barrel barefoot and start stomping those fresh grapes, the first step to producing a juicy, vibrant Hunter Valley wine. Learn about the history of the Hunter Valley wine region and the local producers while experiencing this age-old tradition. Of course, this activity is seasonal so reach out to see if booking is possible when you plan to visit.

Taste the local cheeses

It’s not all just wine, wine, wine in the Hunter Valley. Seek out local cheese makers to craft a low food mile picnic-for-two. The award-winning Binnorie Dairy is famous for soft cheeses, venture to Hunter Belle for gorgeous cheeses made by dairy farmers, or drop in for a special cheese tasting at the The Hunter Valley Cheese Factory.

Lead a llama through the vines

Make new memories together while leading a friendly local llama on a one-hour guided walk through the rolling hills of beautiful Ben Ean Vineyard. On select Sundays The Llama Collective organises picturesque strolls where you get to know your new bestie before trotting about in nature.