Hunter Valley Breweries and Pubs For A Pint

Come away from the Hunter Valley with a new sense of reverence after bouncing between its best breweries and pubs.

Trade in the well-travelled winery trail to visit the Hunter Valley’s breweries and pubs. The region’s burgeoning ale trail is dotted with great breweries and pubs. Take your pick from our list of must-visit stops to experience a different side to the Hunter.

In short

If you only visit one brewery or pub in the Hunter Valley, make it The Pourhouse. Consider this pub your local while you’re visiting the Hunter Valley: it’s all about good vibes, craft beer and cocktails.

1. 4 Pines at the Farm

4 Pines at the Farm, Hunter Valley — This family-run Hunter Valley brewery is renowned for producing quality beers on tap.

There is something about the Hunter Valley that invites escape. And while the region is best known as NSW’s Wine Country, Hunter Valley breweries such as 4 Pines at the Farm are also proving a draw. The fact you can stay and play at this family-run Hunter Valley brewery based at the Hunter Valley Resort means you will have a new appreciation for all the great things that are brewing here. All up, there are 12 quality beers on tap at the brewery, which overlooks the crumpled folds of the Broken Back Ranges.

Address: Cnr Hermitage Road and Mistletoe Lane, Pokolbin

2. Peter Drayton Wines and IronBark Hill Brewhouse

a group enjoying a tasting at IronBark Hill Brewhouse, Hunter Valley — Take your tasting outside at IronBark Hill Brewhouse. (Image: Time Out)

Silence settles like a blanket over this boutique Hunter Valley winery, distillery and brewhouse when the crowds thin out and you’ve settled into your villa at IronBark Hill Retreat. In addition to being a picturesque place to tap into the Hunter Valley’s craft beer scene at IronBark Hill Brewing , you can taste niche wines such as Montepulciano and barbera at Peter Drayton Wines and small-batch gin at the new Wildstreak Distillery . This terrific trifecta is at the foot of the Broken Back Range.  Bookings for Wildstreak Kitchen are recommended.

Address: 694 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin

3. Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley

a hand holding a glass of beer at Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley — Check out what’s brewing at Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley.

Go behind the scenes at Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley , which produced its first batch of beer in 2014. The independent brewhouse, which has a sister venue in Surry Hills, Alexandria and Rozelle is a large-scale brewery built on the back of Lovedale Bar & Grill at the Rydges Resort Hunter Valley. It’s one of the most family-friendly places to eat, stay and play in the Hunter Valley.  Enjoy pub classics such as fish and chips alongside a pint of Lovedale Lager while overlooking the 9th and 10th holes of Hunter Valley Golf course.

Address: 430 Wine Country Drive, Lovedale

4. The Caledonian Hotel

the exterior of The Caledonian Hotel, Hunter Valley — The Caledonian Hotel dates back to the early 1900s. (Image: Pink Donkey)

For me, there’s nothing that inspires a thirst more than pulling into Singleton and seeing this iconic pub with its long verandahs and cast-iron balustrades. The Caledonian Hotel is popular with the local high-vis brigade who converge here to play pool and have a few pints. The Cali is also a top spot for Thai bites such as satay skewers, fish cakes and laksa. Rumour has it the hotel is one of the most haunted places in Australia. As a scaredy cat, I’m likely to ghost my mates and find alternate accommodation in the Hunter Valley.

Address: 40 George St, Singleton

5. The Pourhouse

The Pourhouse in Maitland is primarily an alehouse. But it is also part live music venue and eatery. Craft beer, classic cocktails, and considered pub grub coexist here in perfect harmony. Housed in the former Exchange Hotel, established in 1866, it operated as a hotel and then an antique emporium until 2013 when two Maitland mates decided to buy it. The Pourhouse gives off inner-west Sydney vibes. There’s great food, live music, craft beer and cocktails and all manner of nooks in which to kick back.

Address: 327 High St, Maitland

6. The Imperial Maitland

the pub exterior of The Imperial Maitland, Hunter Valley — Expect live entertainment at the Irish-themed pub. (Image: The Imperial Maitland)

Have you even been to the Hunter if you’ve not stopped off at The Imperial Maitland . The Irish-themed pub is one of the mainstays in the region with its roster of karaoke nights and live entertainment. The wine list here includes a lot of Hunter Valley wines as well as pub classics such as cheeseburgers, salt and pepper squid and parmy toppers. Enjoy a walk along the historic Hunter River, find the best place to have coffee in the Hunter Valley and then make it to Maitland for a pub meal.

Address: 458 High Street, Maitland

7. The Royal Hotel

The Royal Hotel is an unpretentious Hunter Valley pub that is filled with families putting away fish and chips and schnitties and burly country blokes bending the elbow at the bar. There is an impressive range of beers on tap as well as locally made wines that provide a sense of place. The Sunday lunch here is legendary, and there is a weekly roster of trivia, live music and happy hours. Best of all you can bunker down at the simple pub-style room if you’ve had one too many to drive.

Address: 84 George St, Singleton

8. Pokolbin Cider House

a group enjoying drinks among the vines at Pokolbin Cider House, Hunter Valley — Immerse yourself in a paddle tasting among the vines.

Pokolbin Cider House now has a 200-seat outdoor area that looks over the gnarled vines of this picturesque property in Pokolbin. Be sure to book ahead for a paddle tasting and ploughman’s lunch: start with a Pear Perry, progress to Sweet Apple and Passionfruit Perry and onto The Dark Grape at the cider house. The cider house hits the sweet spot in the heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country with its dedicated dessert bar and regular Sunday acoustic sessions.

Address: 2342 Broke Road, Pokolbin

9. Hope Brewery, Pokolbin

a group enjoying a sunset wine tasting at Hope Brewery, Pokolbin — Enjoy a tasting at sunset. (Image: Destination NSW)

Lovers of both beer and wine will want to hang out in the Hunter Valley that little bit longer when they visit the completely revamped cellar door at Hope Estate. If escapades with your tribe include big-ticket music events such as the Gin & Jazz Festival or Big Ram Beer & BBQ Festival hosted by Hope Estate, then this is the cellar door for you. In addition to the regular roster of music events, Hope Estate has nine brand-new artisan gins, vodka and moonshine to try as well as 15 wines.

Address: 2213 Broke Road, Pokolbin

10. Wollombi Tavern

people chilling out at Wollombi Tavern, Hunter Valley — Grab a pint and a stellar pub feed at Wollombi Tavern.

Get out your favourite red-checked flanno and get down to this brilliant boozer in the village of Wollombi. While the original tavern founded in 1868 was destroyed by fire, thirsty travellers have included the current outpost in their bar crawls since the 1950s. That’s largely thanks to the allure of Dr Jurd’s Jungle Juice, an iconic elixir dating back to 1929. While Wollombi Tavern is the gateway to NSW’s Wine Country, you could do worse than park yourself here in the beer garden for pizza and pints.

Address: 2994 Great N Road, Wollombi

11. Harrigan’s Hunter Valley

the pub at Harrigan’s Hunter Valley — Harrigan’s is tucked within scenic vineyards. (Image: Destination NSW)

The honeyed light that hits Harrigan’s on a sunny Sunday afternoon makes it a beacon for those looking for a place to have a pint in the Hunter Valley. Drop in at the weekend to see live music in the beer garden where you can eat al fresco under the terrace festooned with fairy lights and meet some of the chatty locals. Harrigan’s is the only pub located within the vineyards. It’s also two minutes from Hunter Valley Gardens, one of the best places to visit in the Hunter Valley, and offers both accommodation and dining.

Address: 2090 Broke Road, Pokolbin

12. The Valley Brewhouse

The Valley Brewhouse, Hunter Valley — The former Mighty Hunter Valley has been transformed into a bistro, bar and beer garden all in one taphouse.

It’s a bar, it’s a bistro, it’s a beer garden. This grain-to-glass taphouse (formerly The Mighty Hunter Valley) is where you will find a range of the brewery’s own beers on tap. Set amid the historic brick beehive kilns in the old Potters Hotel, in Nulkaba, The Valley Brewhouse is a hub for craft brewers and the ideal environment for large groups with individual needs as there’s something for all. Book a tour on Fridays and Saturdays or a guided tasting on Wednesdays to Saturdays.

Address: Wine Country Drive, Nulkaba

Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.

As the end of the year draws near, the need for rest and restoration grows ever more prominent. For many, that means heading into nature – and there’s plenty of science to back up the benefits of doing so. It quite literally makes us happier as it reduces stress hormones, lowers our blood pressure and more. And what better place to lean into this feel-good effect than during summer in The Tweed (in the Northern Rivers region of NSW)? Blending sparkling beaches, riverside towns and hinterland villages, this area has nature covered, while also offering top activities and dining options.

And of course, pack your SPF. We Are Feel Good Inc’s Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin hydrated and shielded, thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. But it’s also helping preserve the natural beauty around you on your Tweed vacation, thanks to 30 per cent ocean waste packaging.

Discover eight experiences that make The Tweed the perfect place for summer.

1. Underwater worlds

two people swimming after turtle on the tweed — Get a chance to swim with the locals.

There’s something about the ocean that calls to us as humans, and what’s below the surface is even more magical.

Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (not to mention an abundance of other marine life) all use the protected waters around Cook Island, near Fingal Head, as their foraging ground, making it the perfect place to dive and snorkel to spot these adorable creatures.

Join Cooly Eco Adventures on a guided snorkelling tour that combines unforgettable turtle encounters with an inspiring look into marine conservation.

2. Farm-to-table dining

table spread at Potager restaurant — Treat your taste buds at Potager. (Image: Cara Sophie)

Respecting the land and nature also means appreciating its abundance of food. From farm-to-table cafes and boutique breweries to river cruises and restaurants championing local produce, dining around The Tweed often means engaging with the best local producers.

The award-winning Potager Restaurant , part of The Hinterland Collection , is the perfect example; beginning life as a kitchen garden, the passion to champion local producers is woven into every dish. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are picked from the garden or sourced from other local producers, the seafood comes from the Northern Rivers, and meat is sourced from ethical local producers. Even the cocktail list features local distillers.

Extend your stay with a night (or several) at boutique on-site accommodation, Potager House . This French-inspired country four-bedroom retreat boasts stunning views of the surrounding hills and nearby ocean, as well as a large pool, outdoor entertaining area and infrared sauna.

3. Water wellness

Waterguru Mindfulness in the Mangroves summer on the tweed — Find mindfulness in mangroves. (Image: Matt Johnson)

You’ll find mindfulness while floating around the mangroves of Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek at any time, but Watersports Guru offers an immersive experience to help guests do so with more intent. Join a 90-minute guided session on a stand-up paddleboard to reconnect with nature and relax through breathwork, gentle movement and sensory awareness.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, Watersports Guru also offer Kayak fishing adventures or join a Sea Turtle Odyssey experience.

4. Restorative seaside stays

woman relaxing in spa at Halcyon Wellness, halcyon house — Unwind at Halcyon Wellness.

The Tweed encourages locals and visitors alike to slow down. To really indulge, a seaside stay is a must. Halcyon House has understood the assignment, blending a wellness philosophy centred on balance and self-discovery with luxurious surrounds. Stay in one of 22 rooms and suites (each individually designed by eclectic interior designer Anna Spiro) right on the beachfront. Book restorative treatments at the onsite spa, Halcyon Wellness, relax by the pool, dine at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant and just let The Tweed work its magic.

While Blue Water Motel offers a relaxed coastal escape, just steps from Kingscliff Beach. Settle in stylish rooms, recently restyled by Jason Grant, nodding to the cool of Kingscliff with a fun retro vibe. Hire a bike from reception to explore the surrounding area.

5. Tasty drops

The owners at Husk Farm Distillery aren’t just about creating high-quality rum: they’re also farmers themselves. In fact, they create one of the world’s only single estate, farm-to-bottle spirits. Join a Farm to Bottle tour to discover the sustainable ‘full circle’ distilling practices used here, and even get hands-on with your own cane knife to help harvest and juice your own stalk of cane. And, of course, a welcome drink plus complimentary tastings along the way.

6. Rail trail adventures

Exploring the rolling green slopes and historic towns of the 24-kilometre Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best ways to connect with the region’s lush hinterland and interesting heritage. In this section of the trail, discover the area’s railway history at heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, and traverse by 18 railway bridges and through two railway tunnels.

Linking vibrant towns and villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, this section of the trail is covered in asphalt or compacted gravel, making it accessible for all ages and abilities, from prams to adaptive bikes.

7. Linger longer

surfer at fingal heads the tweed — Enjoy beachside locations, like Fingal Heads.

Linger longer at one of the seven idyllic beach, river and creekside locations of Tweed Holiday Parks – including at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville South. All just steps from the water’s edge, they make the ideal base to unwind, or head out for exploration of The Tweed. Choose from luxury waterfront cabins, accessible cabins, surfari tents (yes, they are basically glamping tents) or spacious sites for caravans, motorhomes and campervans or tents.

Find your feel-good summer in The Tweed at visitthetweed.com.au .

The ultimate ale trail: 12 Hunter Valley breweries and pubs