SummerDec – Feb
- A Day on the Green — big-name concerts on the Hope Estate lawns
- Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular
- Long summer evenings and easy garden BBQs back at the motel
Explore the Hunter
Everything close, nothing rushed
Wineries, gardens, wildlife and hot-air ballooning — the best of the valley is a short drive from your door.
Things to do
The whole valley, on your doorstep
From historic cellar doors to hot-air ballooning — the best of the Hunter, with drive times from the motel. Filter by category below.
10 minCellar doorsThe Pokolbin vineyards
The heart of the Hunter — dozens of cellar doors and long lunches just up the road.
12 minCellar doorBrokenwood Wines
A Hunter icon, famous for its Graveyard Shiraz and a smart, welcoming cellar door.
15 minCellar doorTyrrell's Wines
One of Australia's oldest family wineries, pouring Hunter Semillon since 1858.
15 minWine & eventsHope Estate Winery
Wine, food and big-name concerts on the lawn through the warmer months.
18 minHilltop viewsAudrey Wilkinson
A historic hilltop cellar door with some of the finest views in the valley.
13 minTastingsHunter Valley Chocolate Co.
Chocolate, fudge and coffee at Twenty-3-Twenty — easy to fold into a day of tastings.
16 minDiningHarrigan's Irish Pub
A relaxed pub meal in the heart of wine country, with its own winery on site.
5 minEats & coffeeCessnock cafés & dining
The town's easy eats and good coffee, just five minutes from your door.
12 minFamilyHunter Valley Wildlife Park
Up-close native animals — a favourite morning out with the kids.
10 minBushwalksWerakata National Park
Quiet bushwalks and birdlife right on Cessnock's edge — easy and free.
17 minGardensHunter Valley Gardens
Sixty acres of themed gardens — beautiful any season, magic at Christmas.
13 minAdventureHot-air ballooning
Sunrise flights over the vineyards with Beyond Ballooning — book ahead.
20 minAdventureHunter Valley Horse Riding
Trail rides through the countryside for all experience levels.
Drive times are approximate, measured from the motel in Aberdare.
Plan your day
Three easy ways to spend a day
Not sure where to start? Borrow one of ours — or ask the tour desk to tailor it.
For wine lovers
The Wine Lover's Day
- Mid-morning tastings at Brokenwood & Tyrrell's
- A long lunch at Harrigan's Irish Pub
- Hilltop wine & views at Audrey Wilkinson
- Back to the garden for a quiet evening
With the kids
A Family Day Out
- Meet the animals at Hunter Valley Wildlife Park
- Picnic & play at Hunter Valley Gardens
- Treats at the Hunter Valley Chocolate Co.
- An easy dinner back in Cessnock
Take it easy
The Slow Escape
- A dawn hot-air balloon over the vines
- Breakfast back at the motel
- A gentle bushwalk in Werakata National Park
- Sunset cheese & wine in the garden
Year-round
What's on, season by season
The Hunter rewards every season with its own reason to visit — there's no wrong time to come and unwind.
AutumnMar – May
- Vintage & harvest — the vines turn gold across the valley
- The Lovedale Long Lunch, the Hunter's signature food weekend
- Crisp, clear days — perfect for cellar doors & bushwalks
WinterJun – Aug
- Hunter Valley Wine & Food Month across the cellar doors
- Christmas in July feasts & cosy fireside tastings
- Quiet midweek rates — our most peaceful time to stay
SpringSep – Nov
- Hunter Valley Gardens in full bloom
- Warm, still mornings made for hot-air ballooning
- More A Day on the Green concerts as the season warms
Getting around
Right in the middle of it all
Cessnock town centre5 min
Pokolbin vineyards10 min
Hunter Valley Gardens17 min
Maitland25 min
Newcastle & the beaches40 min
Newcastle Airport50 min
Sydney~2 hr
Wine-tour hub
We'll help you plan the day
Our tour desk can point you to cellar doors, book a driver and time your hot-air balloon — just ask at reception.