Think the Hunter Valley is all cellar doors and nothing more? Think again. For nearly two centuries, winemakers have been cultivating grape varieties just two hours’ drive from Sydney.
One of Australia’s oldest wine regions, it’s famous for its cellar doors. But there’s plenty more to experience than vineyard views and wine tastings.
From golf courses and day spas to spectacular manicured gardens and wild World Heritage-listed national parks, discover some of the best things to do in the Hunter Valley with our guide.
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Traditional Grape Stomping & Wine and Cheese Tastings
Wine Tastings at First Creek Winery and Brokenwood Winery
No visit to the Hunter Valley is complete without stopping by one (or five) of the more than 150 cellar doors. The region produces some of the best wines in the country, and with nearly 200 years of history, the local award-winning wineries have plenty of expertise and passion to share.
From Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club, it’s easy to explore some of the best wineries in the Hunter Valley, such as First Creek Winery, Brokenwood Winery, Tyrrell’s Wines and Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard, all just a short drive away or accessible on a guided wine tour.
Cheese Tastings at Binnorie Dairy and Hunter Belle
Wine and cheese are a perfect pairing, so it’s no surprise you’ll find a handful of excellent local cheese producers in the Hunter Valley. Drop in to the award-winning Binnorie Dairy for soft cheeses, try Hunter Belle for cheese made by dairy farmers, or go for a special tasting at Hunter Valley Cheese Factory.
Traditional Grape Stomping at the Hunter Valley Wineries
Anyone who says wine isn’t an active hobby hasn’t tried traditional grape stomping. Step into an oak barrel and squish the grapes underfoot. This age-old winemaking tradition is a fun, hands-on way to learn more about the process.
Dating back to the ancient Romans, several wineries offer seasonal grape stomping when the harvest season rolls around.
Adventure, Skydiving and Rally Cars in the Hunter Valley
Fly a Warbird with Aerohunter
If you’ve got the need for speed, you can feel the g-force in a supercharged warbird plane with Aerohunter in the Hunter Valley. Fly with an experienced RAAF or Ace Aerobatic pilot with several different aircraft on offer. It’s about as close as most of us will get to the Top Gun experience.
Race around the track at Rally School Hunter Valley
Get behind the wheel of a turbocharged Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution rally cars and experience their impressive power and grip. At Rally School Hunter Valley, they have turbo gravel rally cars that’ll have you on the edge of your seat and grinning the whole way round.
Skydiving Over the Hunter Valley Vineyards
Tandem skydiving is one of the most thrilling things to do in the Hunter Valley. Leaping out from 14,000 feet above the region is a spectacular way to take in the full scope of the region’s beauty (and scope out your next cellar door tasting).
Experience mega thrills while free-falling at more than 200km/h for around 60 seconds. Once Skydive Hunter Valley pulls the chute, you’ll float down to earth, appreciating the patchwork of vineyards and distant views towards the coast.
Alternatively, take a drive to nearby Newcastle to skydive over stunning Lake Macquarie, and over a coastline that stretches for miles.
Scenic Flights and Horse Riding Experiences in the Hunter Valley
Hot Air Balloon Flights with Balloon Aloft
Looking for ideas on what to do in the Hunter Valley that’s a little different? Lift off before dawn and watch the sunrise over the Hunter Valley vineyards in a hot air balloon. Balloon Aloft offers a truly beautiful experience for those without a fear of heights (or those looking to overcome it). Take advantage of this romantic moment and pop the question amongst the clouds, or during the champagne breakfast that follows.
Horse Riding with Hunter Valley Horses
Soak in the sights of the rolling valley landscape with Hunter Valley Horses. Explore vineyard trails and countryside paths on horseback or horse-drawn carriage, relaxing between tastings while enjoying the valley views. Beginners and experienced riders alike can even jump on horseback and venture between rows of vines.
Scenic Helicopter Flights Over the Hunter Valley
If hot air ballooning is too tranquil, what about a thrilling 12-minute scenic helicopter ride? Take flight high above the Hunter Valley with this short but unforgettable activity that will give you and your partner a new perspective of the wine region. Snap photos as vineyards and rolling countryside stretch out below, and your experienced pilot provides a running commentary.
National Parks & Outdoor Activities in the Hunter Valley
Explore the Themed Gardens at Hunter Valley Gardens
Take in the sights, colours and fragrances of 60 acres of spectacularly manicured gardens. The Hunter Valley Gardens is one of the most relaxing things to do in the Hunter Valley, with thousands of trees, shrubs and flowers arranged across 10 themed gardens.
The Japanese, Indian and Formal gardens are beautiful, while the Italian Grotto adds a touch of Europe. The Storybook Garden delights kids and adults alike with life-size scenes from fairy tales and nursery rhymes.
The Hunter Valley Gardens host special events throughout the year, so plan your timing to explore with a ferris wheel, carousel and other rides to enjoy too.
Hiking in Yengo and Watagans National Parks
The Hunter Valley is more than rows of vines and manicured gardens. If you’re wondering what to do in the Hunter Valley beyond the classic wine experiences, explore the region’s wild side at its many national parks. Seek out Aboriginal cultural heritage sites in Yengo National Park, hike through bushland in Watagans National Park, or spend the day swimming in the calm waters of Lake St Clair in the Upper Hunter region.
Golf at Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club
Putt about Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club, a par 72, 18-hole championship golf course with dramatic fairway shapes, elevation changes and strategically located bunkers.
Designed by Steve Smyers and unveiled in 1992, the course is ranked among the top resort courses in Australia, making it a great place to challenge yourself or a few mates to 36 holes over a long weekend. From every tee, you’ll enjoy panoramic views across the Hunter Valley’s vineyards and the nearby Brokenback Range.
Festivals, Art and Wellness in the Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival and End2End Festival
Festivals are better in wine country. They’re also some of the most memorable things to do in the Hunter Valley, combining a really good pinot noir with concerts at a vineyard, or enjoying smooth jazz, shiraz and a great sunset on the lawn. Across the valley, events and festivals take place in beautiful natural locations beneath the stars.
Bring your picnic blanket and enjoy a bubbly or beer each June at the Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival, or explore local wine, food and music in September at the End2End Festival.
Keep an eye on the events calendar for pop-up festivals and smaller events each weekend at the many vineyards and estates across the region, celebrating everything from cheese to barbecue to the annual grape harvest.
Spa Treatments at Elysia Wellness Retreat
Looking for a relaxing Hunter Valley activity? Rebalance your mind, body and spirit with a visit to Elysia’s day spa. This all-inclusive leading health and wellness destination offers a range of treatments, calming spaces and restorative therapies, and is open to both day visitors and retreat guests. Book a classic spa treatment or simply take time out to unwind.
Outdoor Sculptures at Winmark Art Gallery
Art, nature and wine collide at Winmark Art Gallery. Passionate art collector, owner and vigneron Karin Adcock curates the Broke Fordwich gallery and sculpture park. Wander through the Australian bush while discovering outdoor sculptures, then enjoy a tasting at the Winmark Cellar Door.
Stay at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort
Cypress Lakes is more than just an 18-hole championship course. The lifestyle-focused Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort is the place to base yourself in the Hunter Valley. Here you’ll find 1, 2 and 3 bedroom villas set across 300 acres, along with two restaurants, two bars, three pools and two tennis courts.
For couples, families or big groups, it’s an ideal spot to spend your Hunter Valley getaway.
