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.

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.

The Lane Retreat gives guests VIP access to two of the region’s best wineries, an award-winning restaurant, an alfresco pizzeria, and an onsite gourmet pantry for a foodie-fuelled weekend that is low on fuss and big on value.

I’m watching kangaroos graze in the last light of day from the deck of my Lakeview Studio at The Lane Retreat, wine in hand. I arrived a couple of hours earlier with my husband for a two-night stay at the Hunter Valley’s newest winery accommodation.

I’ve been travelling to the Hunter Valley wine region for over 20 years, and I would like to think I’m well-versed in how to do it well, but one thing I’ve found it has often lacked is access to diverse accommodation options. That’s been slowly changing in recent years with the opening of unique affordable glamping sites, luxury stays in renovated vintage train carriages, and the new five-star-plus hotel planned for Ben Ean Estate.

The 60 lakeside studios scattered alongside the historic Palmers Lane vineyard at The Lane Retreat are the newest addition to the region, and I’ve heard nothing but good things since it first welcomed guests at the end of 2023. Now, I finally get to test it out firsthand.

Location

Aerial view of The Lane Retreat in Hunter Valley

The studio retreats are nestled between vineyards and a lake with the Broken Back Range as its backdrop.

Located on one of Bimbadgen’s award-winning vineyards on Palmers Lane in Pokolbin, The Lane Retreat claims the craggy mountain peaks of Broken Back Range as its backdrop, a picture-perfect lake frequented by paddling ducks and elegant black swans, plus kangaroos can easily be spotted bounding through the vineyards and grazing around the retreat. It’s an eight-minute drive to Polkolbin Village and is perfectly positioned for a visit to any of the region’s 90-plus wineries.

Style and character

External view of The Lane Retreat studios

The design of the studio retreats reflects the beauty of the environment from every angle.

The eco-conscious charcoal cabins (they’re fitted with solar panels and run on tank water) are designed to optimise access to the natural beauty of the property through the use of glass in the floor-to-ceiling windows, doors and panels. From the outside, the reflection of the mountains, vineyard and sky gives the illusion that the studios are blending into their surroundings. While inside, we’re treated to unbeatable Hunter Valley views – sunset and sunrise offer primetime entertainment. The 60 studio retreats, owned by the Mulpha Group, were originally built to offer onsite accommodation to complement the Bimbadgen Palmers Lane wedding venue. And if you’re lucky enough to be staying during a wedding, it makes for a lovely vibe on arrival, as the high energy and excitement of wedding guests are palpable.

Facilities and services

A free door-to-door shuttle service is provided to guests.

A complimentary door-to-door shuttle service transports guests between the group’s cellar doors for tastings and dinner reservations. A service we make use of on the first night of our stay for an early evening Signature Tasting at Bimbadgen Estate, followed by dinner at the winery’s pizzeria that connects to the tasting room via the Tuscan courtyard. It was such a treat not to force one of us to be the designated driver or pay extra for a shuttle service. While we also had access to the shuttle between Emma’s Cottage and the accommodation the next day, I decided I’d prefer to drive us, but booked the free service again for dinner that night at Esca back at Bimbadgen Estate.

A gourmet platter with goods from the Pantry at Lane Retreat

Pick up all manner of delicious supplies from the gourmet pantry onsite to enjoy back in your room.

It’s a five-minute stroll to The Pantry for a barista-made espresso coffee in the morning. But it’s also perfect for picking up a bottle of wine, beer, mixers, soft drinks or Night Merchant gin. There’s a range of snacks, including lollies and chips, as well as locally made treats like Cocoa Nibs chocolates and all the provisions needed to make a delicious cheese platter. I enjoyed browsing the homewares and gifts for sale, too.

View of the heated pool at The Lane Retreat

Pack swimmers to enjoy the heated pool all year round.

There is a heated swimming pool (that I wasn’t brave enough to use during my visit) at the heart of the retreat, and the metal water bottles supplied in your room can be refilled here with cold filtered water.

The room

Interior of Studio Retreat at The Lane Retreat in the Hunter Valley

The king-sized AH Beard mattress provides unbeatable comfort.

We stayed at No. 32 in a Lakeview Studio Retreat, and when it comes to standout features, I’m torn between the bathroom and the bed. The double showers with two rain shower heads are an indulgent touch given the size of the studio room, as are the double vanities, heated towel rails and toiletries by Melbourne natural skincare company Hunter Lab. The AH Beard king-sized mattress was extremely comfortable. Rarely do I prefer a hotel bed over my own, but this one delivered.

Bathrooms of studio retreats at The Lane Retreat

Oversized bathrooms are a much-appreciated indulgence.

Soothing greens and terracotta feature heavily throughout the interiors – from the art to soft furnishings and the sofa. There is also a dining table for two and a kitchenette that includes a fridge, microwave, coffee machine and kettle, as well as all the basics: cutlery, mugs, plates, bowls and glassware.

Food and drink

Breakfast provisions at The Lane Retreat

Delicious breakfast provisions are left for guests in the kitchenette.

There is no onsite restaurant, but The Pantry provides the perfect walkable option for snacks, coffee and drinks. Breakfasts are also taken care of with gourmet breakfast hampers included. We had Brookfarm muesli topped with Paris Creek Farms organic blueberry yoghurt, fresh sourdough with jams and butter and cold-pressed juice and milk.

Wood-fired pizzas are pumped out to happy customers in the Tuscan courtyard.

Bimbadgen Estate has two dining options: the award-winning flagship restaurant, Esca, and a pizzeria. The estate is a short drive away (make use of the free shuttle service) and we dined at both during our stay. The pizzas were cooked to doughy perfection and a glass of the 2019 Signature Shiraz paired with it beautifully.

The menu at Esca changes with the seasons. (Image: Katie Carlin)

Esca Bimbadgen delivered one of the best meals I’ve had in the Hunter. The award-winning fine dining restaurant’s menu changes with the seasons, and you can choose between the Signature Experience, which includes five courses and a wine pairing option or select from the à la carte menu. We opted for the latter and chose garlic buttered king prawns with romesco and capers; kingfish ceviche topped with sesame dressing, tomato water, strawberries and bonito flakes; and shared rosé panna cotta with candied pastry, rhubarb and macerated strawberries for dessert.

Build your own gourmet platter to enjoy alongside a tasting at Emma’s Cottage. (Image: Katie Carlin)

Emma’s Cottage, Bimbadgen’s other cellar door, serves up a build-your-own grazing platter to dine in or take away. The menu features Binnorie Cheese, salumi tuffle, Hunter Valley Foods quince paste, Pepe Sayo butter, Mount Zero mixed olives, as well as fresh baguettes, crackers, chutneys and more. But I’d recommend staying and enjoying your platter with a tasting of the Alter Wines, Bimbadgen’s alter ego; here, the winemakers get to be a bit more experimental with what they produce, with excellent results.

Does The Lane Retreat have access for guests with disabilities?

Yes. The Studio Retreat – Accessible features a fully accessible room and bathroom.

Is the Lane Retreat family-friendly?

The lakeside views are pretty even in the rain. (Image: Katie Carlin)

Families are welcome to book. The studio retreats are designed to sleep two and are more suited to couples or friends, but each studio is clustered together with three or four others, so you’ll be accommodated well when travelling as a group or for a multi-generational family getaway.

Is the Lane Retreat pet-friendly?

Dogs are welcome at The Lane Retreat for an additional fee per night. There are also terms and conditions to abide by.

Does the Lane Retreat offer wedding accommodation?

Yes. The Lane Retreat can accommodate up to 120 guests across 58 individual retreats. They also offer a Bridal Preparation Suite for the day, and if you host your wedding at Bimbadgen Palmers Lane venue, guests get a discounted rate for their stay.

Details

Friends by the firepit at The Lane Retreat

Take advantage of the winter escape package.

Best for: Romantic winery stays or Hunter Valley wedding accommodation

Address: 409 Palmers Lane, Pokolbin, NSW

Getting there: The Lane Retreat is a 2.5-hour drive north of Sydney. Newcastle Airport is a 50-minute drive from the Hunter Valley and direct flights are available from Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

Price: The Lane Retreat is currently offering The Winter Escape Package, priced from $341 per night when staying a minimum of two nights in a premium studio retreat. The package also includes breakfast provisions for two people, a bottle of Bimbadgen Shiraz, a S’mores Kit to toast by the outdoor fire pit, a wood-fired pizza lunch at Bimbadgen for two and a late checkout until noon. The offer is subject to availability, some blackout dates apply and is valid for stays until August 31, 2025.

Check-in process: You check in online prior to arrival and receive a unique code to access your studio (twin share and fully accessible options are also available).

Discover the best things to do in the Hunter Valley while you’re there.

15 unique Hunter Valley wine tours for more than just transport