Rest Your Head In Central Wine Country At Rydges Hunter Valley

Endlessly convenient and decked out with creature comforts, Rydges Hunter Valley is one of the region’s most outstanding stays.

Bed and breakfasts are cosy but for serious extravagance in NSW’s beautiful Hunter Valley, a resort with all the bells and whistles reigns supreme. It’s why we return to Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, a colossal 418-room resort that caters for googly-eyed couples, rowdy families and every type of get-together in between.

From an 18-hole golf course and extravagant day spa to an on-site brewery and kid-friendly water park, there are memory-making activities for every member of your tribe.

Location

the front exterior of Rydges Hunter Valley — Rydges Hunter Valley is at the gateway to wine country.

Let’s sort our bearings. The wine-soaked Hunter Valley is located about two hours north of Sydney and an hour west of Newcastle, and Rydges Hunter Valley is an ideal base to launch into everything it’s famed for. Situated at the gateway to wine country and around the corner from De Bortoli Wines, Hungerford Hill and Peterson House , some of the region’s finest cellar door pit stops, the resort lies at the foot of Broke Road, which will take you right into central wine country.

You’re also a five-minute drive to the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park and a ten-minute drive from the township of Cessnock where you’ll find supermarkets, speciality stores and loads of eateries.

Style and character

the lounge of Rydges Hunter Valley — The hotel ambience evokes contemporary and country-chic.

The former Crown Plaza Hunter Valley was relaunched as Rydges Hunter Valley in 2023 and the property underwent significant renovations to mark a new era. The vibe is contemporary splashed with country-chic, with exposed brick, plush carpets and soft leather seating warming up communal areas. The grounds are impeccable as glossy gardens and state-of-the-art facilities (the complete list is extraordinary and explored in full below) are well maintained.

While the property is massive, the vibe is surprisingly intimate thanks to that considered styling and a team of always-attentive staff.

Facilities

the pool at Rydges Hunter Valley — Take a refreshing dip at the spacious pool.

There are hundreds of Hunter Valley wineries to explore outside, but really, you could spend an entire weekend leaning into everything Rydges Hunter Valley has to offer.

Take advantage of two swimming pools (including one that’s adults only), a spa, a 24/7 gym, electric vehicle charging stations, tennis and basketball courts, kangaroo tours, electric train rides and a water park for the kids (more on family-friendly attractions further below), a golf course, a day spa, and the Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley , the hotel’s on-site brewery. Then there’s the half a dozen dining options to explore (more info on those further below, too) so rest assured you’re totally catered for from the moment you drop your bags.

Ubika Day Spa

Securing a hotel with an on-site day spa is always a treat but at Rydges Hunter Valley, guests are especially spoilt. Ubika Day Spa is one of the region’s most lavish self-care destinations, offering a treatment menu inspired by the seasons and utterly heavenly any way you slice it.

You’ll struggle to choose from a range of massages, facials, foot therapies, body treatments and beauty treatments, plus there are Vichy shower experiences, couples’ packages and infrared sauna dabbling to consider. The day spa’s most recent addition is their floatation tank which blends sensory deprivation and a calming float session to help you reach peak Zen.

Hunter Valley Golf Club

Prefer to unwind on the green? The Hunter Valley Golf Club is conveniently located on the grounds of Rydges Hunter Valley, open seven days a week. It’s a meticulously manicured golfing destination dotted with lakes and views of the Broken Back Ranges, so if it’s your first time behind a club, you’ll appreciate the sheer beauty of it right away.

There’s also a Pro Shop that’s stocked with clothes, clubs and accessories to get you looking the part, and an online course guide is also on hand to help you score an edge over your competitors well in advance.

Rooms

Eliminating the stress of finding group accommodation in a well-trodden tourist hot spot, Rydges Hunter Valley houses a diverse collection of rooms.

Whether it’s the Standard Room, with either one King bed or two double beds, or the Three Bedroom 3 Bath Villa, a 144 square metres d home away from home, every choice comes with complimentary Wi-Fi, sleek bathrooms, a private balcony or terrace, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, a seating area, 24-hour room service and tea and coffee facilities. Clean, contemporary and endlessly comfortable, they’re a dream space to retreat to after a day of adventuring.

The villas also feature kitchen facilities and bedrooms, while the Pool Access rooms provide exactly what they’re telling you and there’s a suite with a jet bath for those seeking the ultimate relaxation.

Food and drink

table spread at Gather hunter valley — The menu at Gather is a sophisticated ode to local produce.

Whether you’re feeling fancy or craving a low-key feed, Rydges Hunter Valley has something for you. Start the day right by booking a table at the Gather buffet breakfast from 6:30am where a DIY pancake maker and chef station (omelette or made-to-order Eggs Benny sound good?) go beyond what you’d usually find at a hotel buffet.

Gather offers a relaxed and family-friendly steakhouse experience, focusing on Australian produce. Truly indulge with the butcher board or try something a little lighter like house-smoked rainbow trout.

There’s also Lovedale Brewbar , fueled by Sydney Brewery. Situated right by the main swimming pool, it’s a great spot to feast on post-dip pizzas, burgers and other pub classics. Join a brewery tour every Saturday to see behind the scenes

Meanwhile, Vista Lounge is the perfect place for pre-dinner drinks and an afternoon cheese board (they offer great cheese and wine deals), or if you’re there in the morning, it’s your coffee pit-stop. And if it’s just too hard to leave the cosy confines of your room, around-the-clock in-room dining is always a good idea with a late-night menu that includes ham and cheese toasties, nachos and pizzas.

Accessibility?

the lounge area at Rydges Hunter Valley — Rydges Hunter Valley has wide hallways that cater to guests with accessibility needs.

Smooth and roomy pathways help those with accessibility needs get comfortable at Rydges Hunter Valley, and better still, there are six Accessible King Rooms with extensive wheelchair accessibility. Wide hallways and increased space around the King bed, lower cupboards, purpose-built bathrooms with grab rails, shower chairs and lowered sinks, and the option of interconnecting rooms to accommodation for caregivers, ensure they’re just as plush as the resort’s regular rooms.

Meanwhile, there are wheelchair ramps right around the property, plus two lifts at either end of the main building to help guests locate their indulgences with ease. And while we’re talking indulgences, Ubika Day Spa caters to guests with accessibility needs and the Hunter Valley Golf Club offers tailored experiences for specific needs.

Rydges Hunter Valley is in fact one of the most inclusive stays in the state, taking out the NSW Accommodation Award for Excellence in Disability Inclusion and Access in 2023.

Family-friendly?

a kid sliding down a pink slide at the water park of Rydges Hunter Valley — The water park comes with colourful slides for little ones.

Is it ever. As one of the region’s best kid-friendly stays, Rydges Hunter Valley is a pure haven for little ones. There’s a water park quite literally spilling over with slides, a grape-shaped splash bucket that dumps 600 litres of heated water at a time, cannons and jets to keep them busy.

Plus, there’s a Ferris wheel, carousel, electric train rides (which are accessible to wheelchairs, too), kangaroo tours, the ‘Water Dragons’ kids club, a games room, school holiday programs, kids-eat-free dinner deals and more.

Details

Address: 430 Wine Country Drive, Lovedale
Cost: From $229 per night.
Best for: Family-friendly accommodation near loads of attractions.
Website: www.rydges.com

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 .

Your complete guide to staying at Rydges Hunter Valley