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This luxury villa in the Hunter Valley is my new go-to

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
Cedars Mount View stands out from the rest.

While there are some lovely accommodations in the Hunter Valley, one of the absolute standouts is Cedars Mount View for its sleek design and peaceful atmosphere. The adults-only retreat in Mount View offers private, self-contained accommodations perfect for couples or solo travellers looking to unwind in refined comfort.

The sprawling 38-hectare property features five self-contained accommodations: Villa Stella, Villa Lorea, Villa Alaia, the Treehouse and The Vue. I recently checked into Villa Lorea and it quickly became my new favourite accommodation in the region.

the exterior of Cedars Mount View Villa Lorea, Hunter Valley
Cedars Mount View is located in a gum-filled landscape.

The long driveway to the property takes us through a mountainous valley landscape where spotted gums thrive. As we pull up to the accommodation, I’m pleased and surprised to find it looks less villa-like and more house-like. The 100 square metres villa’s modern exterior sympathetically blends with the landscape, featuring Colorbond cladding and a sandstone entrance wall, surrounded by native plantings. I’m also pleased to find how separated the accommodation is from the others. The closest villa is too far down the hill to hear us, and we can hardly see it – this level of separation sets Cedars apart.

The property has been designed by Sydney-based architect Alexander Symes with interiors by Juliana L Martin Interiors. Inside, the villa is impeccably clean with pink lilies gently perfuming the space. The open-plan design helps make it feel extra spacious, while the contemporary design feels high-end with natural, earthy tones and textures prevailing.

the kitchen and dining at Cedars Mount View Villa Lorea, Hunter Valley
The well-appointed kitchen.

The living room is divided into two by a double-sided fireplace – one half taken over by a plush daybed that wraps the window, the other with a sofa, TV and, quite randomly, an infrared sauna. The sauna is a cosy little wellness nook that feels delightfully indulgent after a day of wine tasting.

During the day, nearby wineries beckon, but I can’t help but feel a strong pull to just head back and enjoy the property while we have it. Thankfully in the evening it gets cold enough for us to make use of the double-sided fireplace which instantly dials up the cosy vibes while we relax on the daybeds sipping our earlier purchases.

a plush daybed by the window at Cedars Mount View Villa Lorea, Hunter Valley
Admire bushland views from the daybed.

There’s a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, gas cooktop and oven, microwave, designer dinnerware and breakfast supplies (bacon, free range eggs, orange juice, fresh milk, Baker’s Delight bread, a variety of Berrenberg spreads and Brookfarm muesli and granola, baked beans and pancake mix). French-born owner-operators Gilbert Ponlot and Christelle Chardin have stocked the fridge with Briar Ridge Vineyard bubbles, Binnorie Dairy cheese and a range of accoutrements which we devour on the spacious wraparound deck.

It’s here we spend a large portion of the weekend relaxing, admiring the bushland views and listening to the gentle calls of native birds. There’s also a Heston Blumenthal-designed BBQ for warm summer days, alongside a pair of daybeds where we while away the evenings stargazing. There are walking trails and paths across the property where we casually stroll with a glass of bubbles in hand.

the bedroom inside Cedars Mount View Villa Lorea, Hunter Valley
The bedroom features a plush king-sized bed.

Back inside, the bedroom features a plush king-sized bed with a bespoke wooden headboard flanked by two handmade bed lights crafted by Gina Ermer. The spa-like ensuite is huge, with a curvaceous freestanding bath, positioned to take advantage of vineyard and bushland views. The space features terrazzo stone surfaces, a separate bathroom, underfloor heating, dual rain shower and basins that thoughtfully match the shape of the bath.

a cosy living room interior at Cedars Mount View Villa Lorea, Hunter Valley
The sauna is a cosy little wellness nook.

Where many luxury accommodations in the region underwhelm, Villa Lorea at Cedars Mount View truly excels. Couples seeking a romantic weekend escape – or anyone craving privacy and a sense of disconnection – will find it hard to leave.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Details

Best for: Couples

Price: From $ per night

Address: 60 Mitchells Rd, Mount View NSW 2325

Distance from Sydney: Approximately a 2-hour drive/174 kilometres from the CBD.

EV charging: There is a shared EV charging station on the property.

Nearest wineries: Briar Ridge Vineyard, Savannah Estate Wines and Petersons Wines

Extras: Helicopter pick up available on the field in front of the villa. Vineyard tours and transfer pick up available directly from the villa.

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Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and Hotel Addict. She's responsible for the foundational content on AustralianTraveller.com, helping to manage and grow the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.