15 Unique Hunter Valley Wine Tours | Australian Traveller

Let somebody else track the time with an expert-led Hunter Valley wine tour.

Hunter Valley vineyards are pouring some of the country’s most delicious wines around every corner — so who’s willing to go designated driver? Fortunately, there’s a Hunter Valley wine tour for every budget, group size and tastebud, ticking off the region’s finest wineries and foodie attractions from the comfort of plush vehicles driven by experts who know where they’re going. Here, we break down the finest so you can sit back and savour.

1. Two Fat Blokes

Feeling fancy? Two Fat Blokes can pop you and three others behind the wheel of a Maserati as you explore Hunter Valley’s most popular wineries.

an aerial view of a scenic vineyard in Two Fat Blokes, Hunter Valley — Explore stunning wineries in Hunter Valley in a Maserati. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Hunter Valley wine tour company offers a stack of half and full-day trips, spanning extravagant small group tours (catering for singles) and larger experiences transporting up to 14 passengers in a luxury air-conditioned van.

van fetching guests heading to Two Fat Blokes, Hunter Valley — Be transported around the Hunter Valley in an air-conditioned van.

The team arrange pick-ups from accommodation in Cessnock, Lovedale, Pokolbin, Nulkaba and Rothbury. Half-day tours include a minimum of three wineries and a cheese and wine pairing while full-day tours include lunch and a scenic flight or accommodation if you splash out.

a group enjoying a wine and cheese tasting at Two Fat Blokes, Hunter Valley — Sample wines and cheese with Two Fat Blokes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Prices start from just $95 per person for a half-day tour. Two Fat Blokes also have their own lovely kitchen and deli in Pokolbin so there’s ample opportunity to pick up take-home spoils.

2. Classic Tours

Capping their tours at 11 passengers, Classic Tours allows you to create your very own intimate wine-hopping adventure. An ideal choice for groups who have a few hot spots on the list, this Hunter Valley wine tour company offers half and full-day tours if you’re staying within Hunter Valley proper plus full-day tours out of Newcastle, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast.

a mustang convertible at Ivanhoe Wines, Classic Tours — Explore Hunter Valley in the comfort of a Mustang convertible. (Image: Therese Hockings and Christopher Hockings)

You’ll be transported in a plush air-conditioned van with a sunroof, and you’re invited to play your own music through the sound system. Prices start from $135 per person and include a minimum of three wineries or distilleries. The team also offer a luxe full-day experience for groups of up to three people, priced from $395, where you’ll knock off your hit list in the comfort of a Mustang convertible.

a group tasting wines at Hunter Wine Lab during the Classic Tours — Classic Tours include a visit to the Hunter Wine Lab. (Image: Therese Hockings and Christopher Hockings)

3. Vineyard Shuttle Service

If you’re already familiar with the Hunter Valley’s top dogs and are keen to uncover emerging superstars, Vineyard Shuttle Service ’s Next Gen tour is right up your alley.

The full-day Hunter Valley wine tour costs $199 per person and includes visiting four newish destinations that specialise in gin and vodka, cheese and chocolate pairings and lunch at 4 Pines at the Farm. And it’s not the only stellar tour going.

The team run half and full-day tours in a comfortable air-conditioned minibus that departs most accommodation spots within the Hunter Valley, with prices starting from $85 per person. Transfers between wineries, transfers from Sydney and Newcastle airports and private charters are also available.

4. Tex Tours

Targeting small groups of up to 12 passengers, Tex Tours offers guided tours departing Lovedale and Pokolbin, plus Newcastle and Maitland upon request. The full-day trips cover four or five vineyards in a comfortable air-conditioned minibus that ventures off the usual tourist track so you’ll likely discover new favourites by the day’s end. Prices start from $90 per person and you can also arrange half-day and full-day private charters if you’re craving privacy.

5. Hunter Valley Horses

Make it a tour you’ll never forget with Hunter Valley Horses , a Hunter Valley wine tour conducted via a two-horse-drawn carriage.

people riding horses in the Hunter Valley — Journey through the lush greeneries with Hunter Valley Horses. (Image: Destination NSW)

From a 45-minute scenic trot through picturesque surroundings (excluding vineyards), priced from $55 per person, to full-day winery tours priced from $229 per person, there’s a smorgasbord of wonderful options.

an aerial view of Hunter Valley Horses, Pokolbin — Trot past picturesque vineyards on a horseback ride. (Image: Destination NSW)

Private tours include transfers from your Pokolbin accommodation while others depart from the company’s Hermitage Road location, but all travel through quiet back roads at a lovely pace, giving you a unique opportunity to take in the Hunter’s unmistakable beauty. Horse riding and family-friendly animal feeding tours at the company’s farm are also on offer.

a group riding Hunter Valley Horses through the vineyards — Join the Hunter Valley Horses tour to see the beauty of the vineyards from a different perspective. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Hunter Valley Classic Carriages

Yet another stack of carriage-led tours run by Hunter Valley Classic Carriages , located right opposite the Hunter Valley Gardens on Broke Road. Whether you’re after a one-hour, half-day or full-day variety, each tour has been designed to do all the heavy lifting for you, and that includes sourcing a delicious lunch more often than not.

a couple posing beside a horse, Hunter Valley Classic Carriages — Explore Hunter Valley on a carriage-led tour.

If you’re a horse-drawn carriage aficionado, you’ll appreciate the company’s fleet which spans Wild West American Chuck Wagons, Cobb & Co. stagecoaches, Wagonettes, Victoria’s and more. It’s about $195 per person for a half-day private tour but prices really vary depending on the experience you book — and there are loads of them.

Private charters, kids’ tours, carriage rides, Hunter Valley Gardens tours and even slides off the back of a Clydesdale are available so give the company’s website plenty of attention.

a couple riding a carriage, Hunter Valley Classic Carriages — Be transported to lovely spots around the Hunter Valley on a carriage.

7. Hunter Valley Tours

An award-winning small group tour company, Hunter Valley Tours offers peeks inside some of the region’s best boutique wineries. Even better, their plush minibuses are completely accessible, fitted with hydraulic lifters and automatic slides, and wineries are selected thanks to their ramps and lifts, in addition to their wine chops, to ensure everything’s smooth sailing.

They offer half-day tours, priced from $95 per person, that pick up within a 12-kilometre radius of Pokolbin (you’ll incur a fee if you’re staying further out) and include two wineries, as well as full-day tours priced from $210 per person that include even more wineries, lunch and some of the Hunter Valley’s best cheese and chocolate tasting experiences. Private tours, including one with transportation in a luxury Mercedes limo, can also be arranged.

guides posing for a photo, Hunter Valley Tours — Join the expert-guided Hunter Valley Tours.

8. Tastes of the Hunter Wine Tours

A fun-fuelled ‘Hunter Valley Wine and Beer Adventure Tour’ is on offer from Tastes of the Hunter Wine Tours , providing a full-day journey through three cellar doors, lunch at a popular venue, pit stops at the Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop and Pokolbin Chocolate Co. and spirits tasting.

Tastes of the Hunter Wine Tours stopping by Allandale Winery Hunter Valley — A tasting at Allandale Winery is just one of many stops on the itinerary. (Image: Tastes of the Hunter Wine Tours)

Departing from accommodation throughout Pokolbin, Lovedale, Rothbury, Cessnock, Maitland, Nulkaba, Broke, Singleton and surrounding areas, you’re looking at $115 per person, and if you’re coming from Newcastle, you’ll be charged $145 per person. The Hunter Valley wine tour travels in a small minibus for groups between two and 10 people, and the team also offer private tours for groups between eight and 24 people.

guests in a scenic vineyard at Tastes of the Hunter Wine Tours — Take advantage of the scenic vineyards with a group shot. (Image: Tastes of the Hunter Wine Tours)

9. iHop Hunter Valley

If you prefer to keep things loosey-goosey, iHop Hunter Valley is a fantastic hop-on and hop-off bus service through wine country. Covering more than 40 venues across 14 individual bus stops in Cessnock, Lovedale, Nulkaba, Pokolbin and Rothbury, you’ll be spoiled for choice as buses swing round on a continuous hourly loop.

back view of guests taking photos in a scenic vineyard, iHop Hunter Valley — Venture across NSW wine country with iHop Hunter Valley.

Half-day passes will set you back $55 per person while full-day passes cost $75 per person and you can also get the bus to pick you up from your accommodation in the morning. The best bit? Cooler boxes are provided so you can store your goodies on the bus as you keep the good times rolling. iHop also offers several guided tours, and bus hire.

wine tasting with iHop Hunter Valley — Join iHop Hunter Valley and sample the best-tasting wines in the region.

10. Grape Experience Tours

Whether you’re a loved-up couple or part of a group of up to 30 people, Grape Experience Tours can arrange a Hunter Valley wine tour with door-to-door pick-up. Departing from Hunter Valley suburbs as far as Newcastle, the company’s tidy minibuses run half-day or full-day tours starting from $100 per person. You’ll visit a minimum of three vineyards and the full-day offerings include a cheese tasting too. Go for the top-tier Premium tour for $195 per person and you’ll score lunch on top.

11. Wine D Road Tours

Offering much more than just a minibus driver, Wine D Road Tours comes complete with a knowledgeable guide who strives to facilitate memory-making experiences. Their ‘Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Tour’ is a full-day adventure priced at $160 per person and includes a restaurant lunch, a minimum of four winery visits, visits to chocolate and cheese hot spots and minibus transportation.

an air-conditioned van provided by Wine D Road Tours — Wine D Road Tours delivers a full-day adventure for winery lovers.

Groups are capped at 13 guests and they arrange complimentary pick-up from your accommodation in Pokolbin, Cessnock, Rothbury, Maitland and Branxton. The company also offers accommodation packages at their beautiful onsite Cadair Cottage fitted with an outdoor spa.

a group tasting wines, Wine D Road Tours Wine Tasting — An incredible wine-tasting experience awaits.

12. Hunter Valley Tours For Two

The name says it all. Lovebirds should flock to Hunter Valley Tours For Two for their romance fix as half-day and full-day customisable tours are available. The Hunter Valley wine tour company offers transportation in a flash Mercedes Benz GLE350 with leather interiors, a sunroof and heated leather seats.

a Mercedes Benz outside a property, Hunter Valley Tours For Two — You’ll be transported around the wineries in a flashy Mercedes Benz.

Pick-up can be arranged from Pokolbin, Lovedale, Cessnock and Rothbury and tours include a minimum of three wineries plus your choice of lavish lunch experiences. Half-day excursions start from $350 per couple.

a couple sitting in front of a scenic vineyard, Hunter Valley Tours For Two — Hunter Valley Tours For Two is a perfect date idea for couples.

The team can also arrange private winery tastings and behind-the-scenes tours at the likes of Ben Ean and Tamburlaine vineyards so check out the website for a complete look at the indulgences.

cheese and wine pairings at Hunter Valley Tours For Two — Enjoy cheese and wine pairings for two.

13. Wine Party Tours

Six action-packed private tours and two relaxed small-group tours guarantee good times from Wine Party Tours , a Hunter Valley wine tour company with an emphasis on fun. If it’s just you and your crew, choose from half-day and full-day tours via the comfort of a plush minibus where you’ll be escorted to a minimum of two wineries (on the half-day options) and gourmet chocolate and cheese retailers. You can also opt to add on extras like lunch and distillery drop-ins. Prices start from $99 per person. If you’re keen to mingle, choose from a half-day or full-day public tour with prices starting from $99. Pick-up and drop-off are complimentary if you’re within 20 minutes from Pokolbin.

people exiting a huge tasting room, Wine Party Tours, Hunter Valley — Taste your way around the Hunter with Wine Party Tours.

14. Hunter Wine Journeys

Wish you could score a local’s intel? Hunter Wine Journeys is run by Hunter Valley locals Tony and Lisa so you’ll get an answer to the very curliest of questions. Conducting a handful of half-day and full-day tours starting from $90 per person, the team can pick you up from your local accommodation in a minibus, transporting you to two cellar doors if you’re on the half-day tour or four cellar doors if you’re on the full-day. Cheese and chocolate tastings plus a visit to a distillery are also included in both options, and lunch can be provided for an extra fee.

a group posing for a photo, Hunter Wine Journeys — Join in the fun at Hunter Wine Journeys.

15. Best Tour

They’re certainly confident when it comes to branding and Best Tour often lives up to its name. The Hunter Valley wine tour company offers four air-conditioned minibus tours.

a group striking a pose at McLeish Estate Wines — Strike a pose at McLeish Estate Wines.

The most popular ones are one half-day morning journey priced at $70 per person that goes from Cessnock to Pokolbin and takes in two cellar doors and a visit to the Hunter Distillery and one full-day version priced at $130 per person that covers four cellar doors and the distillery, and throws in chocolate and cheese tastings.

There’s also a full-day tour from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Broke priced at $140 per person, in addition to the option of private group bus hire within Cessnock and Pokolbin that’s priced from $770.

a group tasting wines in Hunter Valley, Best Tour — Join the Best Tour for a fun-filled wine tasting.

For more insider tips and must-do experiences, read our Hunter Valley travel guide.

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole — See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast — Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery . Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda , and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey ‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines .

The Sebel Kiama exterior — Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast — Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk , one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines , where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital — Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala . Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie , right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie — Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk , an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast — Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park . Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast , a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery , where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm . Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal , which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores , between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast — Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple — Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch . Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong . A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery , which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park — Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen . It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach , right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

15 unique Hunter Valley wine tours for more than just transport