Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley is Australia's premier wine growing district. The magic starts just two hours drive from Sydney, but you could be forgiven for thinking the Hunter Valley is much further from the city. The serene beauty and tranquility of the area give the Hunter Valley the feeling of quiet country charm, but with all the mod cons.

Affectionately known as Wine Country, the Hunter Valley is a feast for the senses (particularly taste!). Spend your time sampling some of Australia's finest wines and enjoy top quality cuisine. But it's not just wine tasting and cheese tours. Aside from being a foodies dream, the Hunter Valley is steeped in quaint history and historical architecture, much of which you can learn about by visiting the various museums and historical tours. The Hunter Valley also boasts an abundance of wildlife in a world class National Park and one of Australia's most scenic golf courses.

Accommodation

Hunter Valley accommodation centres around the region of Pokolbin and offers a huge range of places to stay for every style and budget from major resorts to intimate guesthouses. Some are modern but built in Australian colonial style and many are converted from old mansions and cottages. Many properties in the region are rated four, four and a half and five star. Pokolbin is at the centre of the Hunter Valley Wine Country, and a great base for exploring the many wineries the Hunter Valley has to offer. TravelOnline have a large range of options for staying in the Hunter Valley with packages available to assist in selecting and booking your perfect holiday stay.

Activities

The list of Hunter Valley activities is endless with so much to see and do! There are numerous wineries within the region all offering fine wines and highly informative tours covering everything from grape growing methods, the wine producing process and wine appreciation. But if wine's not your thing, all is not lost - the Hunter Valley region has something for everyone.

If you're feeling adventurous, why not try a hot air balloon flight or a luxury luncheon helicopter tour and fly over the Sydney Harbour, along the coastline and inland to land in the middle of the famed vineyards? If you're looking for a little peace and quiet, the Barrington Tops National Park is an excellent option for taking in some of the area's loveliest flora and fauna. And if you fancy yourself somewhat of a history buff, the country hospitality and charming colonial architecture of the historical town and museums exhibit an intriguing collection of articles.

Weather

The climate in the Hunter Valley is mild and characterised by four very distinct seasons. Some areas of New South Wales can meld the seasons with consistently moderate weather year round. The Hunter Valley however doesn't do things by halves so there is no mistaking what season you're in. This is not to say that the weather is extreme by any means.

Packages

Hunter Valley holiday packages are a great way for holiday makers to get the best value for their money. Holiday packages are designed to bundle all of your holiday essentials into one discounted super package. Accommodation, flights, transfers, tours and activities are all taken care of, leaving you free to enjoy your time out without the stress of planning your holiday. TravelOnline can also help you to customise existing holiday packages to suit your needs.

Facts

The Hunter Valley wine country is made up of several regions. Almost the entire Hunter region falls within an east-west strip about 80 kilometres wide beginning 160 kilometres north of Sydney. New South Wales operates on daylight saving time from October to March where clocks are put an hour forward for that period. Normal Eastern Standard Time is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.