The best chocolate, cheese and wine tours in the Hunter Valley NSW
From sipping champagne while aboard a hot-air balloon, to visiting vineyards via horse and cart, here’s the best ways to explore the NSW Hunter Valley region.
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Hitting the road bound for a wine region or Aussie food bowl is nothing new.
Because, let’s face it – most of us love a weekend away combining the two.
But with Australians set to continue their love affair with exploring all that our backyard has to offer, venturing far beyond our city borders is set to continue well into 2021.
When it comes to visiting wine regions, we really are spoiled for choice across the country. But for Sydneysiders (and our interstate friends visiting for a weekend) jumping in a car and heading 90 minutes north to the Hunter Valley region is a sure fire way to have a weekend you’ll never forget.
DISCOVER THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN THE HUNTER VALLEY
But let’s face it, while it’s great to jump in a car and get the lie of the land, the real adventure begins when someone else is in the driver’s seat.
So with all the amazing adventures and tastings the Hunter Valley has to offer, these are just a few of our favourite picks:
DAY TRIP HUNTER VALLEY FOOD AND WINE TOUR
When it comes to tasting wine, lining the stomach is just as important.
The 1D Ultimate Experience Tour focuses on taking in food and wine and all the Hunter Valley region has to offer.
Starting with a pick-up from your Sydney hotel, you will start the day with a visit to The Sydney Fish Markets, the largest fish market in the Southern Hemisphere. Once the eskys are full with the freshest of ingredients for the tour’s progressive dining experience, your journey to the Hunter begins!
Before arriving into the famous wine region, you’ll stop by the water’s edge of the Hawkesbury River for a short walk along the boardwalk and a delicious wholesome cooked breakfast.
Taking the road less travelled towards the wine region, the progressive lunch involves matching modern Australian food such as kangaroo and barramundi with a great selection of wines from the region. So yes, you’re best to leave the belt at home.
VISIT THE HUNTER VALLEY BY BALLOON
For the thrillseeker and as a way of experiencing the Hunter Valley like no other, there’s nothing quite as exhilarating as stepping inside the basket of a hot-air balloon to see the valley from the sky.
Peaceful yet exhilarating, the flight lasts for approximately one hour and offers the perfect – and very romantic – backdrop for the flight of a lifetime.
Oh, and you’ll be treated to a champagne breakfast at the famed Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley to toast your flight.
CHOCOLATE AND CHEESE LOVERS DREAM
The beauty of the Hunter Valley wine region is that it’s not all about the grapes.
The region is home to an abundance of local producers, and if you’re a fan of cheese and chocolate, you’re well and truly in luck.
Take your tastebuds on a whirlwind adventure during this tantalising tour of Hunter Valley where guests are picked up from their hotel before visiting three boutique wineries.
At one location, you’ll also enjoy chocolate and cheese tastings. But be sure to save room for lunch – because the tour includes a delicious one course meal with – you guessed it – a glass of wine, beer or cider.
It’s the perfect tour to complement your getaway in the Hunter.
SEE THE HUNTER VALLEY REGION ON HORSE AND CART
If the seat of a bus or perhaps from the basket of a hot-air balloon doesn’t quite hit the mark, perhaps being escorted around the vineyards from the comfort of your own private horse and cart is more to your liking.
This horse and cart couple’s tour is perhaps the most romantic way you can explore the region. Unforgettable and unique, the tour uses a private Cinderella-style horse carriage stopping into some of the best award-winning vineyards the valley has to offer.
As you trot around the vineyards, feel the fresh country air as you are taken from one tasting experience to the next. This is a full day tour, so you will visit around five cellar doors, have lunch at the exquisite Circa 1876 restaurant as well as tastings of olive, cheese and chocolate to fill any gaps.
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