There are so many things to do in the Hunter Valley that the region dazzles as a destination for a getaway.

In addition to its 150+ cellar doors, an escape to the Hunter Valley could involve everything from horse riding through some of Australia’s oldest vines to picnics in the picturesque countryside. We’ve got you covered with our list of the 30 best things to do in the Hunter Valley.

In short

If you only do one thing in the Hunter, make it dinner at Iron Gate Kitchen, the new all-day Iberian-leaning destination diner that complements the cellar door and winery.

1. Go gravel riding in the Hunter Valley

Gravel riding is about getting waaaaay off the beaten track and following trails over uneven gravel terrain. In between bouncing around the Hunter Valley on two wheels, Wollombi Gravel riders are given the opportunity to change down a few gears and explore some of the most scenic folds of the Wollombi Valley. Start your adventure at Myrtle & Stone, one of the best places to eat in the Hunter Valley. This immersive experience can be curated to your skill level, with accommodation and all meals included.

Best for: Adrenaline junkies

2. Support a farm animal sanctuary

Best for: Animal lovers

It’s hard not to feel profoundly moved during a visit to Where Pigs Fly. The sanctuary has rescued hundreds of animals that have suffered cruelty, abuse and neglect since being established in 2014. Today, it’s home to more than 200 rescued cows, donkeys, goats, pigs, alpacas, turkeys, horses and other animals who all play a role in driving awareness about the benefits of a compassionate, cruelty-free lifestyle. A visit to the sanctuary supports the rescue farm’s mission to change the lives of animals in need. Bookings are essential.

3. Take a true crime tour in Maitland

Best for: History buffs and curious visitors.

Small towns can hold big secrets. And one of the most unforgettable things to do in the Hunter Valley is to take a tour of the historic town of Maitland. Join a local guide on the Maitland’s True Crime Tour of the town’s high street and forgotten laneways which brings long-buried stories of the Hunter Valley village to life. Round out your 100-minute tour with a visit to Maitland Gaol, where you can also learn about the town’s checkered history.

 4. See things from above

Go on a scenic flight over the wine region. (Image: Destination NSW)Best for: Thrill seekers

The Hunter Valley stretches over about 30,000 square kilometres, which means you cover a lot of ground when seeing it from above. On my last visit, I asked Aero Logistics Helicopters to curate a bespoke itinerary that included visits to the region’s many cutting-edge cellar doors. The itinerary began at Esca Bimbadgen, which has an adjacent heli pad. We also took a scenic flight over the Hunter Valley with Aerohunter Adventure Flights in one of Australia’s rarest war birds, a Yak 52. Note: this is best enjoyed before sampling local wines.

5. Go skydiving

Best for: Those ticking off their bucket list.

A skydiving adventure with SkyOne is also the thrill of a lifetime. Skydiving remains one of the best experiences my adrenalin-seeking husband and I have had in the Hunter Valley. There’s nothing that quite gets the heart racing as plummeting toward the Earth while the G-forces pull your face into a permanent grin. Tandem jumps are the go here, unless you’re qualified to deploy a parachute. For city folks, seeing pastures dotted with cows and sheep is part of the joy.

6. Picnic in a Hunter Valley vineyard

Best for: Romantics

On our last visit to the Hunter, we asked Amazing Co. to put together a luxurious styled mystery picnic with some of the Hunter Valley wineries it partners with. We also foraged for ingredients ourselves on the Hunter Valley chocolate and cheese trail. And factored in some foodie pit stops such as Lovedale Smokehouse Cafe & Deli and the Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop. Pukara Estate Pokolbin, Binnorie Dairy and Tinkler Fresh Seasonal Produce are also pit stops for provisions. Schedule a return visit for the Lovedale Long Lunch, which is a highlight on the Hunter Valley culinary calendar.

7. Enjoy a fabulous meal

Best for: Epicurean adventurers

My husband and I love going out for brunch or lunch in the Hunter. When it comes to romantic restaurants in the Hunter Valley, Bistro Molines is at the top of our list. Two-hatted restaurants EXP. and Muse are also highly rated for their swish staff, elegant plating and food so carefully cooked. Ask for a corner table at 1813 or Margan Estate, both great places to impress. Enjoy a horse-and-carriage ride with Hunter Valley Classic Carriages back to Iron Gate Estate which has opened Iron Gate Kitchen, a new dining destination in the Hunter.

8. Visit Hunter Valley Wildlife Park

Best for: Families

Families are drawn to the Hunter Valley due to its diverse range of attractions. The stunning bushland in the Hunter Valley provides a starting point for families by offering them the chance to switch off and recalibrate by hiking, biking and just being in nature. Hunter Valley Wildlife Park can facilitate that much-needed family time. The park is just four hectares, making it doable for little legs to bounce between enclosures to see Australian birds, native mammals and reptiles as well as lions and cheetahs. The park is in Nukulba, near Cessnock.

9. Explore Hunter Valley Gardens

Best for: Families

I love crunching leaves underfoot at the Hunter Valley Gardens in autumn, picnicking under a tree in summer, and falling into the pages of a fairy tale in Storybook Garden in spring. Get onboard the Hunter Valley Gardens Train to explore the 14-hectare gardens, which feature Aqua Golf and Putt Putt. Plan a return visit to stay at nearby Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley for the Christmas Lights Spectacular in December, Easter Egg Hunt in April and Snow Time in June. For families, the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens also offer landscaped walks and themed sections.

10. Enjoy a family-friendly wine tasting

Best for: Oenophiles with kids

While the adults love sampling top drops at Tulloch Wines, there’s also a specially prepared Junior Tasting of kombuchas with matching snacks to satisfy tiny tasters. Parents who want to keep active kids happy will also appreciate this winery has giant Jenga, 10-Pin Bowling, Connect Four and more. Saddler’s Creek Wines also offers a great child-friendly tasting option. Other kid-friendly cellar doors include Scarborough Wine Co. which has hula hoops and giant Jenga and RidgeView Wines, which has fish to feed in the dams.

11. Take a cooking class

Best for: Committed culinary travellers

Planning a hens’ weekend in the Hunter Valley? Well, why not get together with your gal pals and try to improve your culinary repertoire and kitchen skills. Perhaps you want to master paella? Maybe you want to learn how to make artisan cheese? Or join a low and slow smoking class? The cooking classes on offer in the Hunter Valley are all pretty casual, so you get to enjoy a bit of tableside chatter followed by a spot of lunch or dinner without having to worry about the washing up. Book ahead for Majors Lane Cooking School, Our Italian Table, Estate Tuscany and the BBQ Cooking School.

12. Hire a private chef

Best for: Luxe travellers

Arrange private in-house catering when you book a stay at Tinonee Vineyard Estate. The  Estate, The Cottage and The Residence are three of the most beautiful places to stay amid the vines and roses of the tranquil Broke Fordwich region of the Hunter Valley. Caterers can also come to the party with themes that suit your vibe and tribe. Check out our guide to beautiful luxury accommodation in the Hunter Valley for inspiration.

13. Visit a day spa or wellness retreat

Best for: Wellness warriors

I recently visited the Hunter Valley for a hen’s weekend away. There was, of course, a handful of cellar doors and sprinkle of great restaurants on the itinerary. But the bride-to-be also wanted the emphasis to be on exercise and to balance out the wine with a bit of wellness. The bride enjoyed a pampered pummelling at Heavenly Hunter Massage in Pokolbin before regrouping at Ubika Day Spa. The Spa at Chateau Elan Hunter Valley and Elysia Wellness Retreat are also great places to pause and reset.

14. Paint and sip

Best for: Hens nights

Master the art of painting en plein air at a private Stay and Sip session. Those who lack confidence when it comes to picking up a paintbrush are made to feel at ease in the classes, led by founders Pierre and Mercedes who work with local boutique producers to curate a laid-back fun-filled experience that includes a wine tasting, cheese and much laughter over lunch. Participants will get to take away their works of art, which serve as a memento of a great weekend.

15. Dine among the roses

Best for: Romantics looking for a romantic way to propose

A stay at voco Kirkton Park Hunter Valley is enough to make us swoon. But the romance that is sewn through its new Beneath the Roses packages is another love language entirely. The hotel has curated a collection of packages designed for couples seeking connection. Start with a wander through the gardens and past the tangled vines before settling in for a high tea or three-course dinner in a beautifully styled floral-wreathed dining dome. The package also includes luxurious accommodation and breakfast for two.

16. The Ultimate Winery Experiences

Best for: Oenophiles committed to one-upmanship

Audrey Wilkinson planted some of the first vines in Pokolbin in 1866, and a visit here is an inspired Ultimate Winery Experience. Set on the crest of a hill, the winery was named by wine critic and vigneron James Halliday as one of the top 10 to visit in the country. The tailored tour of Audrey Wilkinson is a signature experience for wine lovers that includes a tasting and picnic with 360-degree valley views. You can also taste how the terroir differs from vineyard to vineyard on a 7-day Blue Mountains, Orange and Hunter Valley tour.

17. Attend a music festival

Best for: Travellers looking for immersive experiences

There are plenty of things you can do in the Hunter Valley without wine, whether you’re a teetotaller, sober-curious, or attempting Dry July. For starters, non-drinkers might also be keen on a kombucha tasting at Tulloch Wines. There are also the world-class restaurants to enjoy and everything from hiking to hot air ballooning in the Hunter and even unwinding at a day spa.  hose who want to see another side to the Hunter Valley region should also time their visit to coincide with the Cessnock Stomp Festival and A Day on the Green.

18. Horse riding in the Hunter Valley

Best for: Equine adventurers

Reject the need to rush around to as many Hunter Valley wineries as you can and instead explore the terrain on horseback. Although Murchessons Horseback Wine & Dine Tours do include alcoholic beverages, the ride can also be tailored to suit teetotallers and designated drivers, too. The relaxed rides, which caters to everyone from beginners to advanced, have two guides and a maximum of six riders per trek. Plod through a patchwork of fields and vineyards before unfurling your red-checked rug for a picnic in the Hunter Valley.

19. Bike or segway

Best for: Active holidaymakers in the Hunter Valley

Pick up an e-bike from Sutton Estate Electric Bike Hire to cycle through the Hunter Valley, which is ribboned with bike paths, including the 10-kilometre Hermitage Road cycleway. Flick the switch to Turbo and flit between the different dairies marked on your Wine Country map, such as Binnorie Dairy, Hunter Belle Dairy Co, Hunter Valley Cheese Factory and Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop. Segway Tours Hunter Valley sets off from Hunter Valley Resort along an old 1880s stock route, which is fringed with beautiful bushland.

20. Stock up on wine

Best for: Those who want to stock up their wine cellar

While some wineries charge a fee to sample wines, others offer one-on-one tutorials with the winemaker. Most places will ship a box of wine home for you (for a fee). To get the most out of your tasting experience, join Tastes of the Hunter Wine Tours, or become a member so you get a VIP experience. Many of the boutique Hunter Valley producers rely on cellar door sales to survive and so your server will appreciate your enthusiasm and commitment to a minimum spend.

21. Enjoy a round of golf

Best for: Golf tourists

The Hunter Valley Golf Club on the grounds of Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is a great place for a golfing holiday in the Hunter Valley. The course is suited to golfers of all levels and the backdrop, of the Broken Back Range, is spectacular. There’s also the Vintage Golf Club in Rothbury, a Greg Norman-designed course that wraps around wetlands and vineyards and groves of trees near Bimbadgen Estate. Stay at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort to gain access to the Cypress Lakes Golf and Country Club, a Steve Smyers-designed picturesque 18-hole championship course.

22. Visit the historic Hunter Valley town of Morpeth

Best for: History buffs

A lot of the heritage buildings in Morpeth are still standing and make Morpeth a must-visit. I love wandering the Morpeth Heritage Walk sites to get a feel for the Hunter Valley’s history and heritage. Snapping a selfie in front of the iconic farm shed painted with a Dr Morse’s Indian Root Pills ad is a must. As is travelling to Purple Pear Farm and Campbell’s Store & Gift Gallery to bring back food-focused souvenirs that prove I’ve been to the country. Look for the candy-striped awning at Miss Lily’s Lollies, a sticky lure for families.

23. Play paintball or go go-karting

Best for: Parents who want to spend quality time with their kids

Want to reward the children for schlepping along to countless cellar doors? Channel your inner rev head and put the pedal to the metal while racing up to 70 kilometres an hour along the 850-metre-long course at Go Karts Go Hunter Valley. The RIMO Schumacher Go-Karts are designed for both children and adults with twin-seaters for little ones, too. There are some concessions you need to make as a parent: for me, playing paintball is one of them. I put my pride aside to let the games begin at Hunter Valley Paintball.

24. Join a Hunter Valley harvest

Best for: Glass-half-full travellers

Want to do something different in the Hunter Valley? Ambitious oenophiles might like to start planning for a spot of grape stomping during the next Hunter Valley harvest. Jump into an oak barrel barefoot to take part in the age-old tradition of pressing wine grapes by foot, followed by a few glasses of the best Hunter Valley varietals. Grape stomping is seasonal and on offer at the Hunter Valley Resort. You can also take part in Barrel Rolling, one of the quirkier activities on offer in the Hunter Valley.

25. Follow an epic spirit and ale trail

Best for: Lovers of craft beer and spirits

In a region known for its wine, it might come as somewhat of a surprise to learn that the Hunter Valley breweries and gin and vodka distilleries are some of the best NSW has to offer. From Foghorn Brewery in nearby Newcastle to Hunter Distillery, Small Mouth Vodka and Pokolbin Cider House, these destination distilleries and breweries give hopheads and lovers of small-batch artisan spirits another reason to head to the Hunter.

26. Spend the day bushwalking

Best for: Active types

Apart from the vineyards the Hunter Valley is known for, the topography of the region includes grassy mid-altitude forests, wet eucalypt forests and vast swathes of shrubland. Hike to Forestry Hut in Werakata National Park, in the Lower Valley, gaze out from a lookout in Heaton State Forest, part of the Watagan Mountains and explore Mount Royal National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. You can also hike to the lookout at the top of Pokolbin Mountain for valley views.

27. Enjoy a Hunter Valley cheese tasting

Best for: Dairy devotees

The beauty of signing up for a formal cheese tasting at Hunter Valley Cheese Company is that the experts will curate a selection of the seasonal best. The offering includes 20 cheeses ranging from Branxton brie to vintage cheddar, goat’s cheese and blue vein. Time your visit to the Hunter Valley Cheese Company to coincide with lunch and you can add a few additional ingredients such as cold cuts, local olives, dips, cornichons, salmon, and anchovies. Chef’s kiss.

28. Yoga in the vines

Best for: Yogis who want wellness with their hospitality in the Hunter Valley.

Wellness and wine  all about balance, babes. The backcountry of NSW beckons for yogis who consider vineyards worthy of exploration only if they can full stop their wine tasting with a relaxing shavasana. Enjoy a full body stretch while reaching for a few glasses of semillon after you’ve completed your yoga practise and mindfulness exercises. Yoga in the Vines can curate a Hunter escape to suit. Look after yourself and then sample the spectrum of varietals on offer in the Hunter.

29. Enjoy a gourmet getaway in Pokolbin

Best for: Wine lovers who enjoy getting their steps up while on holiday.

Winding your way around NSW Wine Country on the gourmet trail is one of the best things to do in the Hunter Valley. Explore the region’s artisanal side on the trail, which was curated by Leisure Inn Pokolbin and includes an interactive map so guests can plot out the attractions within walking distance of their accommodation. The tour is a testament to the region’s rich bounty. Lace up your boots: the Gourmet Trail includes a visit to McGuigan Wines, Meerea Park Wines, Wine House Hunter Valley, the Hunter Valley Cheese Factory and Hunter Valley Gardens.

30. Hunter Valley hot-air ballooning

Best for: Special occasions

One of my most treasured experiences in the Hunter Valley was getting a bird’s-eye view of the Hunter Valley from a hot-air balloon. The view from above as the horizon is smudged in a burnt orange hue is spectacular and watching the pre-dawn light paint the landscape is a real thrill. Balloon Aloft, Beyond Ballooning and Hunter Valley Ballooning all set off at sunrise. Plump for the Balloon Aloft experience, which includes breakfast and bubbles at Petersen House Winery, one of the unmissable Hunter Valley wineries.