How do you spend a weekend in Hunter Valley?

Enjoy the perfect weekend in the Hunter Valley with wine tastings, chocolate, and a zoo visit.

Are you heading to Hunter Valley and want to know how to spend the weekend? Thankfully, there’s plenty to do in the area and you can squeeze a lot into two days. Or you can simply have a relaxing weekend and enjoy the scenery of the vineyards and rolling green hills.

Go on a wine tour

One of the most popular ways to spend a weekend in the Hunter Valley is to go on a wine tour. With over 150 cellar doors in Hunter Valley, you are spoilt for choice.

You can get around selected wineries on the shuttle bus, via a hired car that gives you flexibility, or on a guided tour.

Guided tours will take you around to some of the best wineries in Hunter Valley – all you need to do is show up and enjoy the selected wines.

This guided tour picks you up from Hunter Valley and takes you to three wineries to taste red, white, and sparkling wines and hear the stories behind their making. You will also make other stops at a distillery, a cheese shop, a chocolate factory, and somewhere for lunch.

This simple guided wine tour takes you to a few wineries for tastings where you will learn about winemaking techniques. Lunch and cheesing tasting are also included! This tour departs from and returns to Sydney.

This wine and foodie experience tour takes you around to selected wineries for wine tastings and chocolate and cheese pairings. You’ll have a delicious lunch at a restaurant, then head to a local distillery for a unique tasting of vodka, gin, and liqueur. This tour also departs from and returns to Sydney.

Hunter Valley Zoo

You can see a variety of different animals, and even meet or feed them at the Hunter Valley Zoo! This is your chance to get up close with lemurs, meerkats, monkeys, and even lions.

Chocolate Company

The Chocolate Company is one of the main attractions in Hunter Valley. You can try the finest Belgian couverture chocolate and delicious freshly made fudge.

Smelly Cheese Shop

The Smelly Cheese Shop has local, Australian, and imported cheeses. You can buy or test different cheeses both at a tasting or as part of a meal at the restaurant.

Hunter Valley Gardens

The Hunter Valley Gardens took over four years to build with the help of 40 different landscape gardeners, engineers, and architects. In total, there are ten different themed gardens that have a range of native and exotic plants.

There is also a range of activities you can do, including restaurants and cafes, a winery, and local events held in the Gardens.

During the winter holidays, the Gardens turn into a winter wonderland with ice skating and fun rides for all ages. Or you can visit around Christmas time to see the Christmas Lights Spectacular, a magical world of lights.

Overall, the Hunter Valley is an ideal area for a relaxing weekend getaway, whether you go wine tasting, eat local produce, or go to the Hunter Valley Gardens.

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.