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14 unique Hunter Valley wine tours for more than easy transport

Image: Destination NSW

Kristie Lau-Adams Kristie Lau-Adams
Score a designated driver and unexpected exploration with our pick of the best Hunter Valley wine tours.

Hunter Valley vineyards pour some of the country’s most delicious wines – so who’s going to be the designated driver? Certainly not me, which is why I stay on top of the best Hunter Valley wine tours. In excellent news, the region hosts some of the most delightful day excursions in the country, winding you through top-quality cellar doors with added surprises. From four-legged transportation to mighty handy hop-on and hop-off services, this region’s tours are far from ordinary. Let me walk you through the favourites.

In short

If you only book one of the best Hunter Valley wine tours, make it Hunter Valley Classic Carriages for transportation to a bygone era, instantly dialling up your wine time adventure. Plus, they pour drinks while you’re trotting along – enough said.

1. Hunter Valley Horses

the Hunter Valley Horses from above
Trot past picturesque vineyards on a horseback ride. (Image: Destination NSW)

Ready for memories guaranteed to last? I joined the team at Hunter Valley Horses, one of the best Hunter Valley wine tours, for a hens party that’s never left me. Carting groups around via a two-horse-drawn carriage, the experience is fairytale-special from the moment you jump aboard. Tours vary in length (my ‘Girls Day Out’ tour was a full day from 10am until 4pm and let us pick which wineries to hit up) but no matter what you opt for, you’ll trot through picturesque surroundings to reach multiple wineries. It throws in transfers from your Pokolbin accommodation, plus lunch during the longer tour options. A seriously unique opportunity to take in the Hunter’s year-round beauty, plus they organise horse riding and family-friendly animal feeding tours, too. Prices start from $120 for 75 minutes, which includes one winery visit.

2. Wine Fairy Events

a group tasting with Wine Fairy Events
Opt for a private in-house wine tasting experience. (Image: Wine Fairy Events)

Wine Fairy Events has established itself as one of the Hunter Valley’s best wine tours but I love this pick for its private in-house wine tasting experience that’s tacked onto a half-day wine tour. Relying on years of local knowledge, Kat and her team unearth six off-the-beaten-track boutique gems (three red and three white) to bring to your Hunter Valley accommodation so you can serenely sample after wrapping visits to two wineries just prior. It’s an excellent way to keep the party flowing after you change into stretchy pants and unpack your cheese stash. The tour runs for six hours in total and prices depend on how many guests you’re bringing along, so enquire via the website for an accurate quote.

3. iHop Hunter Valley

a vineyard tour with iHop Hunter Valley
Venture across NSW wine country with iHop Hunter Valley.

Keen to keep things loosey-goosy? iHop Hunter Valley is my favourite local hop-on and hop-off bus service through wine country. Covering more than 40 venues across 15 individual bus stops in Cessnock, Lovedale, Nulkaba, Pokolbin and Rothbury, buses swing around on a continuous hourly loop. Half-day passes will set you back $59 per person while full day passes cost $79 per person, plus you can upgrade to pick-up from your accommodation in the morning. My favourite bit? Cooler boxes are provided so you can store your goodies on the bus as you keep the good times rolling.

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4. Hunter Valley Tours for Two

a Mercedes Benz GLE350 in front of a winery in the Hunter Valley
Be transported to stunning wineries in a flash Mercedes-Benz GLE350.

The name says it all. Lovebirds should sign up to Hunter Valley Tours for Two’s for a romantic half-day or full-day tour. The Hunter Valley wine tour company offers transportation in a flash Mercedes-Benz GLE350 with leather interiors, a sunroof and heated leather seats. Pick-up can be arranged from Pokolbin, Lovedale, Cessnock and Rothbury and tours include a minimum of three wineries. Prices start from $350 per couple, and the team also arrange private winery tastings at some of their most-loved spots.

5. Two Fat Blokes

wine and cheese tasting at Two Fat Blokes
Sip on premium drops at Two Fat Blokes. (Image: Destination NSW)

There’s plenty of love flowing at Two Fat Blokes, too, a Hunter Valley tour company that offers a midweek accommodation package that’s filled with indulgences. Bundling up two nights at the Leisure Inn Pokolbin, plus a full day wine tour and breakfast for two, the deal is a serious steal at just $770 per couple. As for the winery visits themselves, expect to drop into four of five cellar doors spanning heavy hitters and some boutique ones, as well as catered lunch, a chocolate and cheese pairing and pick-up and drop-off.

6. Classic Tours

a Mustang convertible, Classic Tours Hunter Valley
Explore Hunter Valley in the comfort of a Mustang convertible. (Image: Therese Hockings/Christopher Hockings)

If it’s high time to treat your best four-legged buddy, Classic Tours’ dog-friendly wine tour is just the ticket. Privy to all the dog-embracing wineries around town, the team craft itineraries where your canine is the star of show while throwing in walking trails with regional views and a visit to a dog-friendly grass area where picnic lunches reign supreme. It’s a thoroughly considered route with all the creature comforts as water bowls and shaded areas are top priority no matter where your adventure takes you. Prices start from about $94 per owner and pet duo.

7. Vineyard Shuttle Service

I love uncovering any wine region’s emerging superstars, which is why Vineyard Shuttle Service’s ‘Next Gen’ tour is right up my alley. The full-day Hunter Valley wine tour costs $199 per person and includes visiting four destinations that specialise in not only wine but spirits, too. Your booking also includes lunch at 4 Pines at the Farm, and it’s not the only stellar tour they’ve got 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, plus transfers from Sydney and Newcastle airports are also available.

8. Wine Party Tours

Wine Party Tours at Small Mouth, Pokolbin
Set the clock to party time on a winery tour. (Image: Paul Cadwallader)

Wine Party Tours offer a stack of options from as little as $99 per person for a half-day out. A full day out with the crew is going to be even more fun, however, especially if you’re aboard the ‘Gin, Vodka, Wine & Good’ Time tour, priced from $149 per person. It ticks off three boutique winery tasting experiences, spirit tasting, lunch with a drink, and a visit to a cheese or chocolate retailer. More of a beer lover? This Hunter Valley wine tour company also run brewery tours, so every base is covered.

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9. Hunter Valley Tours

An award-winning small group tour company, Hunter Valley Tours 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 $110 per person, that include two wineries, as well as full-day tours from $169 per person that include even more wineries and some of the Hunter Valley’s best cheese and chocolate tasting experiences. Private tours can also be arranged.

10. 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, pit stops at the Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop and Pokolbin Chocolate Co. and spirits tasting. Departing from accommodation throughout Pokolbin, Lovedale, Rothbury, Cessnock, Maitland, Nulkaba, Broke, Singleton and surrounding areas, it costs $135 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 larger groups.

11. Grape Experience Tours

The self-proclaimed “large group specialists" are such a great option for big get-togethers as their capacity climbs all the way 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, starting from $110 per person. You’ll visit a minimum of two wineries if you’re opting for the half-day, but the full day out includes three stops and a cheese and chocolate tasting, too. Go for the top-tier Premium tour for $195 per person and score lunch on top.

12. Wine D Road Tours

a group tasting with Wine D Road Tours
Wine D Road Tours delivers a full-day adventure for winery lovers.

Offering much more than just a minibus driver, Wine D Road Tours rolls along with a guide who strives to facilitate memory-making experiences. Their full-day adventure is priced at $180 per person and includes a restaurant lunch, a minimum of four winery visits, visits to chocolate and cheese hot spots and minibus transportation. Groups are capped at 13 guests, and they arrange complimentary pick-up and drop-off to and from your accommodation in Pokolbin, Cessnock, Rothbury, Maitland and Branxton.

13. Hunter Wine Journeys

a group photoshoot with Hunter Wine Journeys at Hanging Tree Wines
Strike a pose at Hanging Tree Wines.

Wish you had a local’s intel? Hunter Wine Journeys is run by Hunter Valley locals Tony and Lisa so you’ll get an answer to the curliest of questions. Conducting half-day and full-day tours from $100 per person, the team can pick you up from your local accommodation in a minibus before 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 thrown in for an extra fee.

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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9 of the best Sydney hotel bars for a local adventure during Vivid

(Credit: Nikki To)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.

    If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.

    And with Vivid lighting up the sky this winter, there’s no better time to find the perfect cosy spot to enjoy the views or escape the crowds.

    1. El Vista, Circular Quay

    bar tender at El Vista, Circular Quay sydney hotel bars
    Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)

    This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.

    2. Bar Allora, CBD

    Bar Allora, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Settle in for a taste of Italy.

    Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.

    3. Percy, Pyrmont

    Percy Sydney hotel bars
    Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)

    Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.

    4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD

    The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Seafood lovers should head to The Crudo Bar. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage of Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.

    5. Mee So, Sydney Central

    Mee So sydney
    Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.

    For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.

    6. Bar Morris, Haymarket

    Bar Morris sydney
    Settle into old-world European glamour.

    Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.

    7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour

    Pumphouse sydney
    Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.

    When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.

    8. Wentworth Bar, CBD

    Wentworth Bar sydney hotel bars
    Drink where the celebrities once did.

    Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.

    9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington

    Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington sydney
    See the city skyline, drink in hand.

    Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place, it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.

    For more information on how to enjoy Sydney for a long weekend, visit ALL.com.