Australia’s oldest wine-growing region flows with culinary, wellness and cultural surprises most are yet to experience.
Whether you’re celebrating the girls or a family milestone, the Hunter Valley is a rite of passage into group getaways. A grown-up’s funfair, 170 kilometres north of Sydney, its wineries are rich with personal memories I couldn’t make anywhere else (Elton John, Hope Estate misses you). But while big-name chardonnay and semillon producers headline itineraries, boutique operations, cultural experiences and nature trails cater to varied tastes. Presenting a week-long itinerary through undiscovered delights, begging to be uncorked by you and your favourite people.
Day 1: Arrive and linger longer in Broke
Savour the moment with a tasting at Winmark Wines. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Pokolbin boasts the Hunter Valley’s largest winery concentration, but its neighbour Broke stole the NSW Top Tiny Tourism Town crown in 2026.
Start at Broke’s Honey Wines Australia, an independent mead producer luring a national spotlight on the buzzy “honey wine" trend. The crew offer mead and honey tasting paddles for $25 per person.
Further down Wollombi Road, don’t let Winmark Wines’ outstanding chardonnay detract from its Sculpture Park. More than 45 pieces breathe life into the vines to create an inspired wander. Visitors with access needs are also welcome, with golf cart tours priced at $80 per hour for five people.
Learn the art of winemaking during a tasting. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Lunch is served at Margan Wines and Restaurant. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Estate-grown produce features in the dishes. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Don't skip dessert. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Broke is also a foodie flex as Margan Restaurant plates an exquisite lunch less than a 10-minute drive from Winmark. I recommend booking the Farmer’s Table experience, priced at $150 each, for a tour of its working farm and market garden, team introductions, a wine tasting and a wine-paired meal.
Then, check into one of the most convenient group stays in the region. Broke Estate houses a two-bedroom cottage from $350 per night, a luxurious glamping tent from $280 per night, and a Barbie-pink caravan from $350 per night. A communal firepit invites BYO wine and sunset conversations to wind into the night.
Day 2: Yengo National Park
Soak up the views from Finchley Lookout in Yengo National Park. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Lace up your boots for the World Heritage-listed Yengo National Park. A full-day tour with Wollombi Aboriginal Cultural Experiences will visit several spiritual sites amid a smoking ceremony, bush tucker education, weaving and more. It kicks off from the Wollombi Cultural Centre, about 32 kilometres from Broke Estate, at 10am on selected dates. Prices start from $80 for children and $180 for adults.
You’ll get back to your digs by about 5pm: the perfect time to settle in for a wine tasting without stepping foot outside. Unruly Wines sends mobile ‘Meet the Winemaker’ experiences to accommodations from $125, and there’s a wine, wine and cheese, or wine and chocolate experience to choose from.
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Day 3: Lovedale for cooking and Milbrodale for gin
Sip gin by the vineyards. (Image: Kawal Rock Distillery)
Reward yesterday’s high-yield step day with brunch indulgence. Majors Lane Cooking School in Lovedale, located 31 kilometres east of Broke Estate, is ready to polish up your kitchen skills. Starting at 9:30am on weekends, classes cover “low and slow" ribs and brisket, and traditional Thai and Greek dishes. It’s about $170 per person.
Then, head back towards Broke to dip your toes into the Hunter Valley’s Gin Trail. Kawal Rock Distillery in Milbrodale is a 15-minute drive from Broke Estate and a shining distillery star. Gin cocktails, food trucks and live music at the base of Sentry Rock, a stunning geological formation, feel like heaven.
There are 417 resort rooms to choose from. (Credit: Supplied)
Rydges Hunter Valley is resort accommodation at its best. (Credit: Supplied)
Sit poolside when the weather heats up. (Credit: Supplied)
Tonight, I recommend staying in the action at Rydges Hunter Valley, as there’s plenty of space (417 resort rooms, including accessible options), swimming pools and yet another craft beverage standout: Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley, located on-site.
Day 4: Pokolbin for hot air ballooning and Nulkaba for animals
Floating over the vineyards with Balloon Aloft as the sun rises is an unmissable experience. (Destination NSW)
Take your getaway sky-high with a sunrise hot air balloon saunter over the region. Balloon Aloft meets you at Pokolbin’s Peterson House to catch the break of dawn for $299 per person. Once you’re back, Peterson House puts on a hot breakfast and sparkling wine.
Then, meet the locals at Hunter Valley Wildlife Park, where incredible animal encounters are too often overlooked. Located five minutes’ drive from Peterson House, the family-friendly day out offers heartwarming moments with capybaras, quokkas, lemurs, lions and more.
Wrap the day with a new hot spot in an old favourite. Lucia Roche Estate opened in September 2026, slinging stone-fired pizzas inside one of the Hunter Valley’s most-loved commercial wineries.
Day 5: Pokolbin for golf, day spas and cheesemaking
Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club is a scenic setting for golf. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Make this morning a choose-your-own adventure, navigated by everyone’s hobbies. For golfers, two of Australia’s Top 100 Golf Courses sit within short driving distances from Rydges — The Vintage Golf Club at Château Élan and Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club — while a third, the Hunter Valley Golf Club, is right on-site.
Self-care devotees can also choose Château Élan for its 17-room-strong day spa, while Cypress Lakes Resort’s AvaniWell commands attention in the former Elysia/Golden Door digs atop the highest point in the Hunter Valley.
Is there a foodie in your group? The Hunter Valley Cheese Company in Pokolbin stages a seasonal cheesemaking workshop where dairy experts shine a light on craftsmanship while you count the minutes until tasting time. It’s priced at $200 per person and includes a take-home cheesemaking kit.
Reunite everyone for a stroll through Hunter Valley Gardens, another often-skipped attraction. Walking paths weave through 14 hectares of award-winning landscaping dotted with 35,000 rose bushes, 6,000 trees and artworks. Gates close at 5pm, unless it’s November to January when the annual Christmas Lights Spectacular transforms the property via immersive installations and entertainment.
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Day 6: Singleton for history and art
Try their signature dry-aged red gate farm duck, barbecued and glazed with cherry ferment.
Dedicate your final full day to Singleton, located about 36 kilometres northwest of Rydges. From a 30-tonne outdoor sundial and the Singleton Historical Society & Museum’s original ambulance cart relic, to enthralling contemporary art at the Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre, the town offers a portal into bygone times while hinting at the brightest of futures.
On the way back to Rydges, dine at the two-Chef-hatted EXP. Restaurant, which was the talk of the town in late 2026 for its house fermentation, native ingredient creativity and practically frameable plating.
Day 7: Depart via Broke
A wine tasting in the peaceful setting of Krinklewood Estate. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Embrace the Hunter Valley’s small-batch spirit by spending your final hours at my favourite off-the-beaten-track, single vineyard winery: Krinklewood Estate. A slice of French countryside smack-bang on Broke’s Wollombi Road, it’s home to my favourite rose and orange wines of now, best poured in the gravelled courtyard where resident peacocks scurry about.
Drink responsibly or make it an eight-day itinerary by staying in one of the extremely chic cabins — in this part of the world, I guarantee you, there’s always more to be discovered.
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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.
An untapped side to this popular holiday spot is hiding in plain sight.
Laidback Lake Macquarie draws in holidaygoers and day trippers with its casual coastal allure and raw beauty. But even though it’s just 90 minutes from Sydney, most visitors have only scratched the surface of what this region has to offer.
Foodie hotspots, quaint towns, tranquil waterways and compelling art are all waiting to be discovered. You just need to know where to find them.
1. Most visitors don’t make it to the western side
Explore beyond the western side. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)
While there’s no harm in walking the well-worn path in this idyllic pocket of the world, the area west of Lake Macquarie is defined by stretches of ancient rainforests and quaint towns with a more local feel. Toronto is the largest town on this side and features a golf course and sailing clubs, while peninsula-based Wangi Wangi is fantastic for bushwalking and swimming.
2. There’s a booming arts scene
Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG.
Lake Macquarie is a must-visit destination for creatives. Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG; this modern gallery is set on a five-hectare sculpture park and showcases a free rotating program of exhibitions and events, with a strong focus on contemporary Aboriginal art. In Wangi Wangi, explore the Wangi Owl Trail, which includes Dobell House, the preserved home of prolific artist Sir William Dobell. And enjoy live music every Saturday evening at the recently renovated Toronto Hotel.
3. It’s a nature lover’s paradise
In and out of the water, find a natural paradise. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)
Lake Macquarie is a playground for nature lovers. It’s home to Australia’s largest saltwater lake, a 110-square-kilometre haven for swimming, fishing, boating and sunset views. Another oasis is the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, a 761-hectare protected reserve with wildflowers, Second World War heritage sites and spectacular views to Pulbah Island. The upgraded Toronto baths, complete with jetty decking and netting, make for a sheltered spot for a refreshing dip, while the Awaba Mountain Bike Park gives adrenaline junkies their fix.
4. The dining scene is unbeatable
Treat yourself to 8 at Trinity.
Gourmands are well looked after in Lake Macquarie. At Emerson’s on the Lake in Toronto, the modern Australian fine dining menu spoils seafood lovers with the freshest ocean produce and stunning lake views. Sitting on Trinity Point’s waterfront, 8 at Trinity is another standout offering, serving Mediterranean fare in an open-air setting. For a more relaxed affair, the microbrewery trail lets craft beer enthusiasts sip on inventive brews from The Yard, Lake Mac Brewing and Bread & Brewery.
5. There are hidden coves and waterways
Get out onto the lake. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)
There’s no better way to experience Lake Macquarie than directly on its waters, and in doing so you’ll discover a world of hidden coves and secluded waterways. Jump in a kayak for a tour with the friendly team at School of Yak and paddle to Cockle Creek, Awaba Bay, Green Point and Fennel Bay, discovering underwater life along the way. Or go all in and stay the night on one of Lake Macquarie Houseboats’ spacious vessels or hire a BBQ pontoon boat for the day from Lake Macquarie Boat Hire to enjoy a feast in the sunshine while admiring the marine life and picturesque waterscape.
6. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise
Keep an eye out for local birdlife. (Credit: Walter Coppola)
Twitchers are in for a real treat as hundreds of fascinating bird species such as Australian pelicans, black swans, white-bellied sea-eagles and superb fairy-wrens call this area home. Take a self-guided tour around top spots including Bird Cage Point and Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area (near Morisset) or be guided in a clear-bottom kayak through the waterways with Lake Macquarie Kayak Adventures, observing feathered friends as you go.
7. The lake has islands
Charter a boat to see Lake Macquarie’s islands.
Hop on a private boat, kayak or charter around the lake to discover the plethora of small islands peppered around Lake Macquarie. The largest is Pulbah Island, a 69-hectare nature reserve home to goannas and sugar gliders with secluded beaches. Sandy islands such as Spectacle Island and Pelican Island have a tropical lagoon-like look to them as they sit in the tidal path of Swansea Channel, which filters the sand and creates a pristine environment. Stop by for a dip and a picnic.
