Walk the vines of Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley is Australia’s premier and oldest wine growing region. A trip here probably is more for the gourmand than the abstentious, as the opportunities to tantalise taste buds and indulge your inner oenophile are endless.
Planning a trip here will ensure you make the most of it because the 120 cellar doors are always open. Ensuring you walk through those that have the best wine means that you will sample the region’s award-winning blends but be sure to try the chardonnay, sémillon and shiraz for which the region is famed.
Beyond the vines, Hunter Valley delivers on open countryside and historic architecture, as well as gourmet produce.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Sydney’s cosmopolitan centre is more than a couple of hours’ away because this is an idyllic retreat. Choose to cycle, saddle up on horse-back or be driven through its winding lanes so that can spend time in the local food markets. There are cheese factories and shops to peruse at your leisure, giving you time to find the perfect vintage cheddar to go with your vino. If you want a more adventurous way to travel, take a hot air balloon ride above the vineyards and relax with a glass in your hand. Finish off any trip here with a concert in a winery, bringing music to your ears while you bring the highest quality wine to your lips.