Hunter Valley Luxury Accommodation To Book

Visit cellar doors for tastings, sample the region’s culinary delights and then book into the best luxury accommodation in the Hunter Valley.

Hunter Valley accommodation has never looked better – from classy boutique hotels and vineyard villas to family-style farm stays, resorts and elegant Airbnb listings that bring a new level of luxury to the Hunter Valley. Here are the best places to stay in the Hunter Valley.

In short

If you only have the chance to stay one weekend in Hunter Valley luxury accommodation, make it Hermitage Lodge . Admire NSW Wine Country from your dreamy studio or suite at the boutique property.

Leaves & Fishes

Best for: The flexible accommodation options make this getaway suitable for those visiting solo, as a couple, or with a small group.

Seeing the sun rise over the lotus pond is just one of the many luxurious aspects of a stay at Leaves & Fishes. This boutique Hunter Valley accommodation features four Boathouses with king bedrooms, plush linen and light-filled living areas for lazing about. There’s also The Villa, a two-bedroom haven with a fully equipped kitchen. The property sleeps up to 12 guests in total. I can recommend sitting, glass of Boydell’s Reserve Shiraz Pinot Noir in hand, on the overwater deck purpose-built for stargazing.

Elysia Wellness Retreat

Best for: Yogis searching for a Hunter Valley wellness retreat

This Hunter Valley wellness retreat offers a range of programs designed for personal development that include long bush walks, yoga, meditation, massage and nourishing meals. Whether you want to reset your circadian rhythms or start an exercise program, Elysia Wellness Retreat is designed to help you be the best version of yourself. Choose from a range of low- and high-intensity activities, from Pilates to fitball, bocce to tai chi, designed to promote wellbeing. The minimum stay at the resort is three nights which is ample time to dine at the restaurant, chill in the relaxation lounge and swim in the pool.

Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens

Best for: Green thumbs who will love having the Hunter Valley Gardens on their doorstep.

The No. 1 reason people visit the Hunter Valley is to sip and sample wine. But there’s plenty more on offer in addition to the vineyards. Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens caters to all comers, not just those into a weekend of wineries. Yes, it’s in the heart of NSW’s Wine Country. And while it’s not over-the-top luxe, the resort has had a soft refurbishment and is a great launching pad from which to experience the best things to do in the Hunter Valley. Book a hot air balloon ride. Dine at a hatted restaurant. Pick up gourmet provisions and a few bottles of plonk. And take a stroll around the resort’s theme park gardens.

voco Kirkton Park Hunter Valley

Best for: Couples whose romance is in full bloom.

InterContinental Hotels Group has installed charging stations at its Crowne Plaza hotels around Australia. This makes voco Kirkton Park hotel a popular detour for EV drivers. You can also recharge yourself in the pool or voco spa or during dinner at Locavore. The hotel is in Pokolbin and overlooks the Broken Back Range and surrounding countryside, which changes colour with the light and seasons. Check the website to see what’s on at the hotel, which curates a regular roster of experiences such as Beneath the Roses, a pretty pop-up aimed at couples.

Cedars Mount View

Best for: The prettiest and most perfect wedding proposal.

Are you looking for the perfect proposal story? Cedars Mount View will help you plan your romantic proposal and curate an original experience for your special person. Whether you want to go all out with a helicopter tasting tour, or arrange a romantic candlelit dinner with a private chef or spend the night under a star-spangled sky, Cedars has many awe-inspiring experiences to choose from. And it doesn’t get any more romantic than a stay in The Treehouse, equipped with a spa bath for two and dual rain shower. The split-level villa is surrounded by manicured gardens that frame the Australian bush and come to life with birdsong.

Sweetacres

Best for: The entire Hunter Valley property can be booked out exclusively, making it perfect for wedding groups and family getaways.

Sweetacres is run by World Cup-winning former Wallaby prop Andrew Blades and his chardonnay-loving interior designer wife Nickey. I recommend wandering the woodland walks, rowing a boat around the billabong and clocking some downtime in the saltwater pool. The property can accommodate up to 22 guests in its five renovated cottages and one large homestead, all enveloped by a forest of casuarina trees. I love Tree Top Cottage, which has a spa bath and clawfoot bath, and Sunset Ridge, which is a purpose-designed pet-friendly stay.

Krinklewood Estate

Best for: Those looking for a design-led, sustainable stay when booking a Hunter Valley getaway.

Want to road-test what it’s like to live in an architecturally designed sustainable home? Krinklewood Estate has four eco cabins available to rent, alongside its private Provencal-style farmhouse retreat. The Dimensions X OM1 Prototype was the first to be built at Krinklewood Estate by owner and entrepreneur Oscar Martin, who created these sustainable prefabricated homes in collaboration with renowned Australian architect Peter Stutchbury. The low-impact structures – more luxe than rustic – are filled with natural light and modern comforts. Everything at Krinklewood is led by an inherent respect for nature. Celebrate seasonality and provenance at Cézan Trattoria & Bar and the Krinklewood Cellar Door. And watch this space; there are plans for a bathhouse in 2026.

Hermitage Lodge Hunter Valley

Best for: A group getaway for those looking for a vineyard and restaurant onsite during a Hunter Valley escape.

There are now more reasons than ever to put a weekend aside and make the two-and-a-half-hour drive out of Sydney. Booking a night in boutique accommodation in the Hunter Valley means you don’t need a designated driver. Hermitage Lodge provides Hunter Valley accommodation sewn into the patchwork of vineyards, farms and fields that make up NSW Wine Country. Hermitage Lodge has undergone a stunning transformation in recent years and includes a pool and pretty picnic spaces. Head here if you want to eat, stay and play from the comfort of your Hunter Valley accommodation.

The Lane Retreat

Best for: Those looking for an eco-conscious stay: the properties have been built with sustainable practices in mind.

For city folks, there is nothing quite like the thrill of staying in NSW Wine Country. The Lane Retreat opened its doors in the Hunter Valley in 2023. With a little planning, you can do as I did and make the most of your trip to the Hunter Valley by building your itinerary around the Bimbadgen Estate property, its restaurant, Esca and cellar door. The retreat on Palmers Lane in Pokolbin features 60 luxurious studio retreats, a swimming pool, bespoke store and pantry with the Broken Back Range as the backdrop. I also booked in for an exclusive tasting at the cellar door.

Tower Lodge, Hunter Valley

Tower Lodge luxury accommodation, Hunter Valley — Tower Lodge has been reimagined as a 14-suite luxury hideaway.

Best for: Couples who want to escape reality.

The 14-suite Tower Lodge – conceptualised by the late winemaker Len Evans in the 1990s – remains evocative of a hacienda under the helm of its new owners, the Hope family of nearby Hope Estate. I love to hole up in this five-star hideaway, with its stucco tower and terracotta tiles, to enjoy world-class wines that hum of the Hunter. While first impressions of Tower Lodge might be that it’s an architectural anomaly, with its eclectic furnishings and Spanish Revivalist styling, it feels very much like a sanctuary. Stay in your Basque Country bubble by booking dinner at Tower Lodge Restaurant.

Iron Gate Estate

Best for: Large groups looking for accommodation near concert venues at Bimbadgen and Hope Estate.

This Tuscan-style mansion sits atop a boutique vineyard in the heart of Pokolbin. It has seven bedrooms, four bathrooms and grand indoor-outdoor entertaining areas across sunlit terraces and a courtyard with terracotta touches. During my last visit, I wandered around the olive grove and down to the cellar door for a tailored tasting of estate wines. In summer, you can splosh about in the fountain-fed pool. In winter, you can curl up with a good book around one of two fireplaces. Iron Gate Estate is perfect for a luxury escape to the Hunter Valley.

Jindalee House

Best for: Wedding guest groups of up to 12 people who want to stay together in the Hunter Valley.

Jindalee House is 100 per cent off-grid, making it a haven for those of us who are looking for a luxury, eco-conscious stay in the Hunter Valley. There are three accommodation options at Jindalee House, making it the perfect destination for family get-togethers or groups of up to 12 people. Those staying in the architecturally designed retreat will enjoy watching the play of light over Broken Back Mountain between dawn and dusk each day. My family of foodies will appreciate the fact they can wander down the lane to The Mill Restaurant, one of the best places to eat in the Hunter Valley. The main house sleeps eight and has a 10m mineral pool for lazy summer days and gas fireplaces for winter.

Rydges Resort Hunter Valley

Best for: Multi-generational families who appreciate the proximity to wineries and a water park.

One of the greatest luxuries at the Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is the fact it’s located in Lovedale. The four-star hotel is family-friendly also earns it a few brownie points. The former Crown Plaza Hunter Valley was relaunched as Rydges in 2023 and underwent significant renovations. What I love about this resort is it’s near to wineries, has a waterpark for kids, an 18-hole golf course, and luxe spa to help me reset and rejuvenate. My recommendation is to book a double room with pool access as it has an open-air terrace furnished with sun loungers. Families will love the fact they can self-cater in the two-bedroom villa, which has a kitchenette. In addition to the pool, the 414-room resort has a restaurant, bar and gym.

The William Arnott Hotel, Morpeth

Best for: Foodie geeks who froth on the fact the bakery class on offer at Morpeth Sourdough is led by sourdough master William Arnott, from one of the oldest baking families in Australia.

The William Arnott Hotel is a slice of authentic Australian history in Morpeth, on the fringes of the Hunter Valley. The hotel is part museum, with the walls of The Historic Arnott Bakehouse displaying old signs and artefacts from the former Arnott’s factory, where Australia’s favourite biscuit brand began. The rooms in the boutique hotel are pared-back and contemporary, befitting of a hotel that ranks on our list of Unique Places to Stay in NSW. I love to start the evening with dinner at Boydell’s before retreating to the SAO Suite for a Tim-Tam slam.

Château Élan, Rothbury

Best for: Golfing enthusiasts

The Hunter Valley is known for its semillon and chardonnays and there’s no better way to enjoy the wines produced in this idyllic landscape than with a stay at the Château Élan . Get in the swing of things at the resort, which is set amid rolling vineyards, with a round of golf at The Vintage Golf Club. The Greg Norman-designed 18-hole course is synonymous with resort-style luxury in the Hunter. During our last visit, my husband had a round of golf while I indulged in an afternoon of pampering at the award-winning spa. Our couples’ escape also included drinks at Spike Bar and dinner at Legends Restaurant.

Wild Edge Retreat

Best for: There’s no need for range anxiety: there are Tesla charging stations onsite.

So you’re searching for accommodation in the Hunter Valley for a special occasion? Want to spend long evenings around the fire with your new flame? Wild Edge Retreat is couples’ only accommodation that is as far away from the everyday as it gets. In fact, we’d recommend doing a tour of the wineries before checking in so you can flop and drop here and drink in your surrounds. Each of the four pavilions has a pool and spa and is designed with privacy in mind on the edge of the Wollombi wilderness.

Spicers Vineyard Estate

Best for: Those who like being surrounded by fields grazed by wallabies and kangaroos in luxury Hunter Valley accommodation.
Lean right into the bucolic Hunter Valley idyll when you book a luxury stay at Spicers Vineyards Estate , which is hidden away amid the gum trees and grapevines. The retreat offers all the amenities you’d expect of the Spicers brand – such as a lap pool and swanky spa – and Restaurant Botanica is just a short stroll away. Order the tasting menu and then sit on the winery’s serene verandah or your own private balcony to enjoy views over the valley. Book a girls’ weekend away in the luxury Hunter Valley boutique hotel to coincide with Hunter Culinary Association Food Fight . There are two accessible rooms onsite.

The Convent, Pokolbin

Best for: First-time visitors to the Hunter Valley who want wineries and great restaurants on their doorstep.

The Convent Hunter Valley is hugely popular with discerning oenophiles who return to the hotel each year at harvest time. Those staying in this luxury Hunter Valley accommodation can wander around the estate’s vineyards, help harvest the grapes and sample the wines the property produces. The Escarpment Group hotel is housed in a former nunnery and has a relaxed feel about it with sink-right-in sofas and vineyard views. All the suites have been set up in a cosy, contemporary style that reflects the building’s history and heritage. The Convent is also an especially lovely place to stay thanks to its proximity to Circa 1876.

Greystone Estate

Best for: Luxury weddings in the Hunter Valley.

Greystone Estate is your go-to if you want to escape for a group getaway with family and friends. The luxurious property is flooded with light and has carefully curated interiors: we love the soaring cathedral ceilings and wide parquetry floor in the cottages, and the raw timbers and natural textiles in the adjoining heritage homestead, Gow House. While the fireplace works for chilly evenings, the pool is an oasis on a hot day in the Hunter. The property sleeps 32 guests, with 15 bedrooms, 17.5 bathrooms, a games room, and about three hectares of manicured lawns and gardens. There’s also a sister property in Lovedale.

Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort

Best for: Golfing groups and girlie getaways.

Head to Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort if chasing a little white ball around is your idea of fun. The iconic 40-hectare property was included in the Golf Digest list of Top 100 Golf Courses in the world. But it is also a perfect jumping-off point to explore some of the best vineyards in the Hunter Valley such as Audrey Wilkinson, Brokenwood, Pokolbin Estate, Tamburlaine and Roche Estate. In addition to the golf course and country club, there are two bars, two restaurants, three pools and two tennis courts. The one-, two- and three-bedroom villas are set against a backdrop of the Broken Back Range.

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .

The best luxury accommodation in the Hunter Valley