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The ultimate ale trail: 12 Hunter Valley breweries and pubs

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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

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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

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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

Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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Your guide to what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

    Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

    Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

    1. Gosford’s glow up

    room at voco gosford
    Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

    Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

    Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

    Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

    Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

    2. Newcomers to the dining scene

    table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
    Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

    The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

    Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

    Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

    Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

    3. New Central Coast experiences

    winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
    Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

    It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

    Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

    Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

    For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

    4. Central Coast accommodation

    view from a cottage at Noonaweena
    Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

    There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

    Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

    In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

    To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

    5. Shopping on the Central Coast

    Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
    Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

    For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

    Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

    Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

    Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

    For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

    Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .